On Taking Life (and Photography) Slowly

Reeds. Boulder County, Colorado, 2013

I have noticed (actually it is quite obvious) that my body won’t let me do what I used to do in days of yore and more and more. Today, instead of pounding out 30-40 miles in a weekend backpack trip, or running a 17-mile wilderness loop, or hanging from some high rock wall somewhere, or thermalling to cloudbase under 50 pounds of nylon and aluminum, I find myself spending three hours strolling a flat, two-mile trail. I stop every few feet, it seems, and look. It is almost as if I were seeing for the first time.

When I was younger I did what you are supposed to do with Life when you are young and spirited–I grabbed it by the “huevos” and shook it for all I was worth. It was exciting and fun to press the limits–I have had some wonderful, scary, beautiful, wild experiences. But I also missed so much.

Now, I think I am doing what I am supposed to do at my age: slow down a bit and enjoy the fact that I am still on this Earth. With photography as a creative catalyst, I find myself looking at the details…and you have to move in slow-mo to see them. And it isn’t as hard on the knees.

It is wonderful to discover the world anew.