Shutter Sisters

Personification of Patience

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Patience is something I’ve always wanted more of,  to be more like my Mom; who is by the way, the most patient person I know or perhaps in the world. Yet, so long as I lusted after what I wanted to have, done, acquired, I stayed blind to lessons and opportunities my daily habits and rituals provided.

Patience is a sneaky little bugger. She will quietly creep onto the scene, supporting you if you’ve paid your due dilligence or jumping out at you if you haven’t. The largest lessons here have come directly to me through my photography practice.

Passion has always held a high regard in the hearts of photo-hopefuls, willing their visions into manifestation. And persistence is the rule preached at school. If we just keep at it long enough, we will make our way into our definitions of success. Then there’s little old Patience, tying it all together, striking a stone to a flint under our bums when the film doesn’t come out right, when we’re not as far along our paths as we’d like, or when our credentials only fill up a post-it note. Patience leaves her mark when that photograph would have been perfect if we’d just waited a little while longer to release that shutter, but instead snapped the last image on the roll or had just had enough and walked away with the digital in tow. Those are the moments Patience pops up again, hopping around in our faces, creeping into the frames, a haunting reminder that she is not to be forgotten.

If we walk with Patience by our side long enough, she will generously give us a certain presence that will enrich our lives and practices, photography or otherwise. And in our quiet successes we can exalt and raise our hands, cartwheel or dance, because we got that shot, we savored that feeling or made that new memory without measuring or making comparisons, we have our friend to thank. Patience brings passion to the surface and fuels persistence that mile further because she has a co-conspirator and her name is Photography.

Have you taken Patience with you as you shoot? What has she taught you?

Photo and words courtesy of Guest Blogger / Honorary Sister Rachel Wolfe. You’ll find her on  her website or over at her blog.

Comments

  2. I agree that patience is so often about waiting for the right light – for the sun to reach ‘this’ height, or for the cloud to blow ‘this’ far on the breeze. These photos were taken on the same island, same beach, but two years apart. I like the first one, but I think the second one was also worth the wait.

    http://www.flickr.com/photos/dorkymum/4314238130/in/set-72157623308301046/

    http://www.flickr.com/photos/dorkymum/4314247722/in/set-72157623308301046/

  5. I love this photo. It’s a good reminder that breaking the rules (no real focal point) can be so rewarding! Patience in photography is so hard, but so important, isn’t it?

  7. I love to photograph my son. Once he started to crawl, patience often became the name of the game. Sometimes I’ll have a shot in mind and will have to try the photoshoot over and over until we hit the right mood and lighting.

    One day back in November, I wanted to get some photos of my little guy outdoors but I also wanted him to start appreciating nature more. For the longest time, he parked himself in my lap, a little afraid of the damp grass and crinkly leaves. I waited and waited. Then, at last, he crept down…

    A ridiculously long URL, but here it is…
    http://journeyleaf.typepad.com/journeyleaf/2009/11/mondays-get-their-share-of-bad-press-but-this-past-monday-was-one-of-those-quiet-but-deeply-happy-days-that-you-find-yoursel.html

  8. Patience was definitely required for this shot. I saw gondolas passing along the canals as we approached this little flooded area of the sidewalk. When the tip of this one appeared between the buildings, I had to wait a little while to get it framed just right. Lucky for me, my boyfriend (who was with me) is also very patient. He had no idea what I was trying to capture but stood quietly by my side all the while!

    http://bigmariolife.blogspot.com/2010/03/rainy-day-favorites.html

  10. I don’t know if you really need patience to enjoy a good sunset, because every passing moment reveals something new and interesting. If it’s a good one, at least. And I remember this particular sunset. Just after a good storm, which always seem to usher in the best, no? Really beautiful. And after the last bit of the sun disappeared behind the clouds I took this…

    http://www.flickr.com/photos/12418609@N00/3576714344/in/set-72157618887300403/

    I suppose I could have walked away. But I didn’t. And then…a little surprise. http://www.flickr.com/photos/12418609@N00/3575911357/in/set-72157618887300403/

  14. Thank you all for sharing your wonderful comments and photographs! I feel even more inspired to act and photograph through patience.

    -Rachel M. Wolfe

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