Where do some of your best photographs come from? When traveling, after we arrive at our destination, everything is new and we capture our first impressions. After staying for a while, our perceptions deepen and we notice things we never would have on first glance.
After spending a week in Krabi, I learned the terrain and how to take advantage of local weather and lighting conditions. Even after a short time, our perception develops.
We prize child prodigies for their gift and honor young artists or writers for seeing things in a new way, but you can almost hear Rod Stewart singing: “I wish that I knew what I know now. When I was younger.” What if we approached subjects armed with a lifetime of experiences and a deep understanding of the world and human nature? Wouldn’t this give us more tools to be creative?
“The normal adult never bothers his head about spacetime problems. Everything that there is to be thought about, in his opinion, has already been done in early childhood. I, on the contrary, developed so slowly that I only began to wonder about space and time when I was already grown up. In consequence, I probed deeper into the problem than an ordinary child would have done” explained Albert Einstein.
Whether or not they started as tots, many creative people made their greatest contributions latter in life using seasoned approach to produce profound innovations. Every time you look at the same painting or watch the same performance, you see it differently base on your accumulation of experiences. What long settled assumptions will you revisit with the eyes of experience?
carol says
David, thanks to this post, I changed my mind about re-seeing a performance I saw years ago. Sometimes I like to savor the memory of the 1st view, maybe fearful that a 2d viewing won’t live up to the memory I have of the 1st.
On that note, I’ve never feared returning to Railay, my favorite beach ever, & departure point for the best diving I’ve ever done. Your video brings it all back like yesterday, which may have to suffice, as the Thai government has decided to close Andaman reef parks to divers. I’ve always assumed that divers were great stewards of reefs, while fishing interests–who bombed them–not so much. But that’s just my historical perspective; a 2d chance to see it differently may not be an option.
David Goldstein says
hi Carol,
glad you could connect with so much of this post. I agree, certain things can not be repeated, Sometimes all kinds of forces combine and the planets align to make an experience a once in a lifetime events best left to memories.
I’m glad you had the chance to experience Railay beach too, is an amazing place and I would go back. When I lived in Hong Kong it was nearby, now Thailand seems so far. Good reason to appreciate what we have in reach today. I’m sure the reef being closed to divers is also closed to the dynamite fisherman. Maybe it will have some time to grow and replenish before our next visits.
cheers,
David
Donna Brouda says
That picture is breathtaking.
David Goldstein says
I’m glad you like it Donna – thanks!
(all the photos on the blog were taken by me)
Richard says
Innovations come to life when you look at normal things in abnormal ways. I guess that’s why Einstein broke so many boundaries.
Kids are not yet caught in all this mess called life, that’s why they have an advantage over us.
Richard recently posted..How to Setup the Paint Zoom Sprayer and How to Prepare the Material for Your Paint Zoom
Mika Castro says
The picture has a lot of stories and i like what Einstein have said, Very true. As we grow old, everyday, there will be the time when you will notice the space and time that you really need in life.
Mika Castro says
By the way, I just realized something about this topic. Is it possible to get the right decisions on having enough space and time for yourself ?