When you’re travelling, it’s easy to fall into the habit of photographing everything. Something catches your eye and the camera is out before you’ve really taken it in. It’s normal, and most of us do it without thinking.
Of course there is value in it. Photos help you remember where you were and what you saw. They pick up details you won’t hold onto otherwise, and they give you something to come back to later. But they do change how you experience things.
The moment you start framing a shot, you step slightly outside of what’s happening. You’re thinking about composition, light and timing. You’re still there, but your attention has shifted.
On tour, you see people find their own way with this. Some take a lot of photos and enjoy having a full record of the trip. Others are more selective and spend more time simply observing. Most settle somewhere in between once they get into the flow of travelling.
If there’s time and it feels natural, take the photo, then put the camera away and look again properly. Give yourself a second pass at the moment without the lens in between. And sometimes, don’t take it at all.
Some moments don’t need to be captured to be remembered. Just look and soak it all in.