(Above) “Anastasia Rising” Merritt Island National Wildlife Refuge, Florida USA. Canon EOS R5, Canon RF 100-500mm @ 400mm, 1/500 second @ f/11, ISO 400
It’s no secret that the inability to sleep past 6 am is an occupational hazard for most photographers - and for good reason: the blue hour, the dawn’s glow, sunrise, low-angled golden light, and fewer people and tourists are just some of the reasons for rolling out of bed super early.
But wait. There’s more!
Waking up early is a habit that extends beyond my photography and into my non-shooting office days when I couldn’t care less about the light outside. The early morning hours hold a sacred spot - it's the place where the battle for productivity and creativity are won or lost before the sun even has a chance to stake its claim in the sky. In the 20-plus years as a pro, I've come to understand that for all creatives - photographers, artists, writers, and others - the act of rising before the dawn is not only beneficial, it's essential. Here are few more of my thoughts on the matter.
The Uncluttered Mind: A Quiet Landscape for Creativity
In the early morning hours, the mind is like a still pond, yet to be disturbed by any ripples and waves of daily distractions. For most, this is when your mental bandwidth is at its peak. For creatives, this time is golden. It’s when the freshest ideas surface from the depths of the mind, clear and vivid. It's a period of unrivaled mental clarity, where the barriers to creativity are lowered, and the distance between thought and expression is dramatically shortened.
The Ritual of Rising: Setting the Tone for the Day
The discipline of an early rise is more than just an act of waking, it's a ritual that sets the tone for the entire day. This ritual, personalized to each individual's creative process, acts as a primer for productivity. Whether it's brewing a perfect cup of coffee, meditating, journaling, editing images, or clearing out your email inbox, these morning habits signal to your brain that it's time to enter a state of flow. It's about creating a controlled start to the day, where you dictate the pace and priorities before external demands can encroach on your creative space. It’s the difference between proactive for the rest of the day, or reactive. To quote Tim Ferriss, “Win the morning, win the day.”
Leveraging Time for Creative Endeavors
Waking up early extends your day, giving you a big head start on the world. It's about leveraging time to your advantage, dedicating those first, undisturbed hours to deep, meaningful work. This uninterrupted stretch is when you can dive deep into creative projects without the looming pressure of emails, calls, or appointments. It's a time when you can be selfish with your priorities, focusing solely on what matters most to your creative spirit.
Cultivating a Mindset for Success
Embracing the early morning is also a psychological game. It's a daily reminder of your commitment to your craft and your goals. This practice builds a resilience and a mindset geared towards productivity and excellence. It's about proving to yourself, day after day, that you are willing to do what it takes to realize your creative vision. This mindset is infectious, permeating every aspect of your life and work, driving you towards continuous improvement and achievement.
For those committed to the pursuit of creative excellence, the early morning isn't just a time of day - it's a way of life.
New Podcast: Mike Olbinski
Storm Chasing Photographer and Cinematographer on Tornado Encounters, Haboobs, Supercells, and Risk Taking
Mike Olbinski is a Phoenix, Arizona-based storm chasing and extreme weather photographer and cinematographer. His passion is capturing extreme weather events like tornados, haboobs, supercells, and lightning events on camera and stunning cinematic time lapse videos.
Apple Podcasts | Spotify | Google Podcasts | Overcast
Topics Richard and Mike discuss:
A Texas tornado that was one of Mike's 2023 highlights
What is an haboob and how are they created?
Mike's career-altering haboob
Supercells and mesocyclones
Storm chasing and risk taking
The dangers of wet roads
Do storm chasers root for storms?
Weather apps for storm chasers
Time lapse videos
Not your typical storm-chasing wedding photographer
And much more.
Listen To The Entire Episode on:
Fascinating Article
Wolves in the Chernobyl Exclusion Zone have genetically altered immune systems and some level of resistance to cancer - Article in Earth.com
Book Recommendation
AFRICAN backstory by my friend, Nancy Ney features 98 pages of full-color portraits and lifestyle images of the ten African Tribes: the Turkana, Samburu, Maasai, Daasanach, Himba, Kara, Ovahakoana, Hamar, El Molo and San. Their cultural dress, makeup and hair styles manifest their tribal pride and dignity. Check it out!
Quote I’ve Been Pondering
Art is not so much expressing oneself, as it is discovering oneself - Anawanitia Petty
Kase Filters
People often ask what filter system I use. The answer is Kase Filters.
And you can get 10% off any product on the Kase Filters Amazon Page when you use coupon code BERNABE10 at check out.
*****
Here’s to Truth, Adventure, and Passion…
I very much enjoy reading your newsletter and learning more about you, your work, and your philosophy. A fan of Patti Smith, a prolific writer as well as a passionate performer, your reasons for early rising made clarified why she also rose early, writing for three hours every morning before getting her children ready for school. Widowed after her husband died unexpectedly at forty-five of a heart attack, she was determined to continue her work. I love that you described the advantages of early rising no matter your vocation. It makes so much sense.
Thank you for sharing wisdom and beauty. I am intrigued by your introduction to your podcast with your friend the storm chaser, and very interested in searching for the book you recommended. Both added to my never ending to do list. ♥️
You paint pictures with your writing that are as enjoyable to read as your photos are to view. Inspiring and motivating ideas in them all. I love the longer days when I manage to get up earlier. And everything you said about early mornings is just so true. Thank you for putting it into words so beautifully, Richard!