This past weekend I was in South Dakota hunting snow geese with friends. I love shooting guns, especially trap shooting and target shooting. I have never been much of a hunter though. Why? Because there are 2 things in life that I really hate. (a friend of mine originally came up with this and I’ve adopted it because it is so true!) 1) I hate looking for stuff and 2) I hate waiting in line. Hunting and fishing typically fall in the “looking for stuff” category. Shopping after Christmas is the worst, combining both things I hate in a big way. Golf can be the absolute worst, especially if I shank one into the weeds while waiting for a slow group ahead of me.
In the case of snow goose hunting, it is a great way to get outside after being couped up all winter. What started out as a hunting trip with the guys ended up being an opportunity for creative rejuvenation. I brought my camera gear, just 1 body and 1 lens. When the hunting was slow, I started shooting my camera. For most of the year I make portraits on location in and around Minneapolis & St.Paul. I rarely get to see large vistas and a big sky. The last 3 days were a real treat.
After this weekend I was reminded of just how important it is to listen to new sounds, to view something new & different, to touch, feel, taste and smell new things. Without something new, creativity is snuffed. There can be comfort in the familiar, but be careful because the familiar will kill creativity!
