I admit that I tend to waiver wildly between the extremes of instant gratification and delayed gratification. So this week’s post is about being thankful for both. There is an unparalleled joy for me, and I would guess many people, found in a sense of accomplishment. All too often, however, we limit our ability to experience that joy by defining it too narrowly. Photography has taught me to be open to the possibility of accomplishing something great, even when you didn’t set out to. Below is an example of one of those moments-

I’ve written before about how I sometimes plan and plan, weeks or months ahead, where I want to go and what I hope to shoot. The above image was the result of one of those long term plans. However, the result was nothing like the plan I had. Yet, I was thrilled with the image, and several others I got that day in that place. The joy and sense of accomplishment still happened, even though I failed to get the image I was hoping to.

Then there are the times when, without any planning at all, I just grab my camera and go. Because I have cabin fever, or because it’s been too long since I’ve taken any photos, or sometimes even just because I’m bored. Many of those times, I come back with nothing notable. It feels good to get out of the house, and it’s nice to practice, but not much to show for it. On the other hand, sometimes those spontaneous photo shoots result in some of my best shots.

On the day I took this image, I had only been to Fall Creek Falls once before, in the middle of winter. The trail was nearly a foot deep in mud. Not one of my favorite hikes. But, I decided on a lark to go up there and see what it looked like in autumn. It’s a bit of a drive, on a bumpy dirt road, but I went for it. Another unplanned, unintended result that I was happy with.

And, in case you’re wondering what my intention was when I ended up with that first image of the mountain reflected in the lake, here it is-

November, December and January are the only months out of the year where the full moon rises in a position to be captured, along with Mount Shasta, at this particular location. For three years, I have attempted to be there on the right evening in order to catch this image that I have envisioned in my mind. Every time, either clouds have obscured the moon, or weather conditions have prohibited me from accessing my desired vantage point. (usually too much snow) Finally, I got the image I had seen in my imagination for three years!

And I have to say, that though I feel gratified when people buy my prints. Even that cannot match the joy I get from the sense of accomplishment when I bag a really great image, whether by intent or accident.

Many times, I feel like a kid trying to learn something new. And for that, I am grateful. Because without a sense of accomplishment, and new things to try (and sometimes fail) life would be reduced to simple maintenance. So, get out there and try something you’ve never tried before, or something you have tried and not yet succeeded at. That’s the stuff that makes it worth getting out of bed in the morning!