The commitment to waking up before dawn to photograph familiar spots again and again is just one of the things that set apart those who love photography from those who live it.
Coming to you from Adrian Vila of aows, this insightful video captures the essence of dedication in photography. Vila shares his routine of venturing out in the early morning fog, highlighting the importance of consistency. His encounters with wildlife like raccoons, coyotes, and crows add a layer of unpredictability to his work. Vila emphasizes that even the most photographed locations can offer something new if you look hard enough. This persistence is crucial for developing a body of work that truly represents a place.
The video also dives into the often-overlooked truth about photography: it's a grind. Vila points out that great photography isn't about finding shortcuts or quick fixes. Instead, it's about putting in the hours, sometimes thousands, to hone your craft. He cites Josef Koudelka's work as an example, mentioning how Koudelka shot over a thousand rolls of film annually for 25 years to produce just 100 photographs for his book, "Exiles." This dedication is what separates hobbyists from professionals.
Vila’s narrative also touches on the slow, often imperceptible progress in photography. He draws a parallel with his own experience of wearing braces, where daily changes are hard to notice but significant over time. Similarly, in photography, you may not see immediate results from a single outing. It’s about the cumulative effect of many sessions, each contributing a small part to your overall body of work. Vila has been in San Francisco for three months, and while he can't pinpoint a single day with a multitude of great shots, the accumulation of individual successes is evident in his growing portfolio.
Another key point Vila makes is managing expectations. He acknowledges that not every trip yields standout images. Most days, he returns home without new photos that surpass his previous work. This reality can be discouraging, but it’s also part of the process. The goal isn't to capture a masterpiece every time you go out but to appreciate the incremental progress and enjoy the act of photographing. Check out the video above for the full rundown from Vila.
Over estimating what we can do in a day, but under estimating what we can do in a year. What a great quote!
I love Adrian's channel; he's one of the most insightful photographers out there.
I agree. I always look forward to his posts. I find his images to be so intriguing because they are ordinary and unique at the same time. His photos have a profound sense of solitude.