A question.
In a silent room.
A pair of backpackers sat with me.
Only the patter of my fingers hitting the keys to email responses while I downloaded the days images.
Then a voice spoke up;
“What do you say to people when they ask you what your trip was like?
I don’t ever know what to say to people, my response is usually one word: Awesome”
I had been contemplating for days where I wanted to go with my Social Media.
Instagram which was the beginning of great opportunities for me, slowly I felt it disappointing.
Over the past year I have tried to post once a day to keep engagement up and grow my audience.
It allowed me to have my work critiqued, questioned, improved and inspiration to others.
Slowly however it all changed.
Followers appeared by the hundred and disappeared by the hundred, as people uninterested in content sought for you to become another +1 on their account.
Comments changed from “love the image, how did you find the hike?” changed to “Nice pic come see my account”.
People weren't engaging but were seeking followers for themselves by using computer automation.
I had less and less enthusiasm to continue photographing. Posting was just a routine.
I somehow forgot why I did photography and travel and became wrapped up in the hype of it all.
Also somehow my creativity seemed sapped.
The other day I sat down and asked myself why do I post at all?
I decided on my entry to New Zealand start of this week (9/1/17) that I wasn't going to post a picture every day, make the most of it and just post on my “story”.
This is what led me to take in the question above.
Normally I spend time before bed replying to messages and posting on social media.
Instead this night I chose to sit in the common room in the Mt Cook Accommodation and do other things.
It got me thinking.
“What do I say to people my trip was like?”
My response is usually the same as above. “It was awesome!”
It’s the Kind of long drawn out awesome as to really accent the fact I was telling the truth.
The only way to get juicy details out of me is to ask questions.
The “awesome" response is to me what an Instagram post is to me.
This blog will be the replacement.
Somewhere where I post the story behind the photograph.
The juicy details.
“Why do I love photography and travel?”
You may have read this before on an Instagram post. This my attempt at an answer.
Travel to me is a necessity and a challenge.
It gives me the reward of being able to enjoy the unfamiliar everyday things for the first time.
Allows me to trust strangers and appreciate familiar friends.
Nothing but the essential air I breathe and the snapshots I take are mine.
It leaves me feeling like nowhere and everywhere are home.
Breaking down my prejudice it builds relationships;
If I’m lucky and the place is better than home, it gives me insight as to how I can improve.
However finding it worse than home, it teaches me to endure and enjoy it.
Travel is a necessity and a challenge.
Its helped me to fall in love over and over again, and inspires me to share experiences with you.
In short it gives perspective and simply puts a smile on my face.
I want to give everyone an opportunity to find that smile as well. That’s why I photograph.
Hopefully the hints and pics here will inspire your travel.
In turn I hope you can help me a little in keeping me inspired with comments and questions.
Dave. :)