“If you close your eyes, no lighthouse can help you!”

Mehmet Murat ildan

Last week we were at Norah Head Lighthouse with my Masterclass. A very special week was had. We immersed ourselves in colour photography and a fair few of us experimented with abstracts.

On my mind all week was trying to capture a lighthouse photograph. This particular one stands out to me. There are a few others I particularly love too. It’s been on my bucket list for a long time. So many attempts and so many failures.

Sticking with trying helped me eventually solve the problem. Or more accurately, find a solution I was at least happy with.

How often do we give up too soon. Let our failures get the better of us? How often do we push through and create something beautiful?

Not often enough I suspect. Well, not often enough for me. Though it’s those times when dogged stubbornness gets me through.

Its really an essential ingredient in success. Patience. Determination. The long slog. Keeping going despite the set backs. Each failed attempt gets us closer to success.

Failing is such a harsh word. Lessons. Experimenting. Exploring are better frameworks.

Don’t give up just because it gets hard. Try harder.

Norah Head Lighthouse. Ten seconds with a handheld steady. Photograph and text copyright © Len Metcalf 2019