Why am I creating photographs pre sunrise at Bells Beach?

By Darren Stones

It's an eerie yet exciting time of the day to find oneself standing on Bells Beach before sunrise. An early morning start - and by early I mean getting out of bed at 2.50am - can certainly stir the creative juices, whilst having at the forefront of the mind the need for thinking clearly about the image making process.

Motivating force
Wanting to make new photographs can be a motivating force, particularly when you have a presentation to deliver in the not-too-distant future and you want to show some new images to an audience. Landscape photography is a popular subject, and when pursued with the intent to inspire people to create, it is a case of walking the walk - not just talking the talk. So, it's up before the sparrows.

Bells Beach, Torquay, Victoria, Australia

A little daunting
In February, I'll be presenting a Master Class about Landscape Photography. In no way do I consider myself a "Master", so delivering a presentation under that banner is a little daunting. However, researching, planning and putting together a "Master Class" requires a different thought process from which I'm familiar.

It would be fair to say that the thought of delivering a "Master Class" is inspiring, motivating and an exciting challenge. I don't ever recall rising before 3am to photograph landscapes, so it's now obvious to me that being involved in this process is stimulating my photographic creative juices in a way I've never experienced.

Level of proficiency
As a member of the Essendon Camera Club, it's a privilege to be even considered to deliver a Master Class at our club. I believe there's an important aspect to this upcoming series of Master Classes at our club during 2013. That aspect being that anyone has the potential to deliver presentations on photographic topics in which they have a reasonable level of proficiency. Sometimes people don't actually realise how proficient they are regarding a certain genre.

We don't have to be high profile experts in our field to share knowledge and anecdotes to inspire people to create images. If we are reasonably proficient, we can assist others to pursue improving their skills, and possibly guide them towards delivering their own presentations.

Healthy pursuit
Let's think about the motivational angle to creating photographs, and the pleasure that brings to us. That's what I call a healthy recreational pursuit. What do you think?

Please join me at the Essendon Camera Club on Monday 18 February, 2013 at 8pm so we can learn more about each other and what our motivations are regarding landscape photography. I want to know what motivates you to create landscape photographs. Visitors welcome and entry is free.