‘It’s not that simple.’ Though you and I know the truth.
I summited Mount Temple for the first time in the summer of last year. Hooked to finally climb one of the tallest peaks in the Rockies. A challenge I was not yet familiar with, yet I still oddly yearned for more after I had conquered it. I dreamt of walking along the ridge, nothing but clouds flooding the valleys, and stars above.
I saw this frame in my mind from the moment I left the summit a year ago. Some said “it wasn’t that simple”, that I was “in over my head” or I’d stepped too far this time. That to attempt something like this I had to be “crazy”.
In life, not just in mountaineering. If you believe that your dreams and goals are just one step, one thought, or one day away from being achieved, they really can be. The only reason they may seem so far away is because we behave in accordance to that belief. So the truth… it really is that simple, and it always was.
Translating science into a universal language! With @mitchell.leong - Winner Best of the Week 10 at #nomadict / “Like many others, I wasn’t born into this. Photography had never even crossed my mind when I was young. It began when I was in a bad place and felt like a lot was going wrong. When it was time to get back on my feet, I let my heart decide what I should pursue instead of what everyone else thought I should. That’s when I felt compelled to spend more time in nature. Photography came shortly after. I loved the vast landscapes, fragile ecosystems, and intimate moments. It sparked the creative side I needed to share with the world.
Ever since I took my first shot, it’s been an unexplainable feeling at times. Whenever I have the camera in my eye, I can only describe it as a feeling of “I’m home.” I was supposed to do it. Not only that, but I also studied geology and biology at university.
As a geologist/biologist, I needed to be more effective. If I could translate science into a universal language everyone could understand, I could create a meaningful yet lasting impact. That’s where art can act as a bridge of empathy and understanding. Art and love are essentially the same; it is the process of seeing yourself in things that aren’t you. We cannot care for something we don’t understand; that’s why photography is important. I want to be the voice for the places and animals that can’t communicate.
Following this path is how I eventually captured my winning shot - see pic. 1. This trip to the coast allowed me to travel to a legendary place. We were blessed by the weather every night, with little clouds and many clear nights to stargaze. I love staying up late because it is a time when you truly feel connected with yourself and the land. Astrophotography also gives an ethereal sense and evokes many emotions, so I couldn’t pass up pristine shooting conditions!” Congratulations @mitchell.leong ! You are now one of the finalists to win our Yearly Contest! ✨
You can read the full article with Mitchell and learn from his most valuable experiences by reading the full article. Link in bio!