Opinions may vary, of course—but for me, the joy of photography lies in these four things:
Puglia
Creativity
To be truly creative, your mind needs space—and your body should feel loose and alive. No stress, no worries. Creativity demands energy. It’s intense, and composing doesn’t just happen. It takes flow, focus, and a spark that only shows up when you’re in the right headspace.
Kerry
Circumstances
Elements like the weather play a crucial role. I never use artificial lighting, so I fully rely on the weather and the natural light it offers. Especially the combination of weather and location makes all the difference.There’s also a bit of luck involved—weather can surprise you, for better or worse. The same goes for animals and birds: when you least expect it, they stay put; when you’re hoping for them, they vanish.
Zweden
Technology
Of course, technical aspects play a role too. How well do you know the capabilities of your camera and lens? The more practiced you are, the faster and more intuitively you can respond to the moment.Sometimes photography seems to revolve around gear—but in the end, that’s only part of the story.The best camera is the one you have with you. What truly matters is how you see, how you react, and how you translate that into an image. Technique supports vision, but it never replaces it.
Friesland
Preparations
Okay, to be honest… I often head out unprepared and just see what I come across—or what catches the eye. It’s a bit like fishing: sometimes you get a great catch, other times you come back empty-handed. That said, good preparation does make a difference. The location, the weather, the light, the composition… when those elements can be planned ahead, chances are you’ll strike gold.
