It’s been a while since I went through my Antarctica photos. There are a few images from that trip that I’m really quite proud of – but there’s plenty more where I just think “I could do so much better now.”. Antarctica was the start of a new stage in my photographic journey, and I like to think that I’ve come a long way since then.

That said, there’s still some gems hiding in the thousands of photos I took over that week. I find it’s often nice to go back through old photographs and discover new images. There are always ones you thought little of at the time, but upon seeing them with fresh eyes really appreciate! It’s nice to find these little moments.

There are also a lot of ‘almost’s. Photos that are nearly what you envisaged, but don’t quite make the cut. I used to get caught up ‘polishing my turds’ as David duChemin so eloquently puts it (you should all go and read this blog post of his, I go back to it every time I need a kick in the butt to get me out of a slump). There comes a point when you have to accept that the only thing that will make that image better – is taking a better one. 

I really ache to get back to Antarctica. It’s true what they say – visiting the White Continent once will only make you want to return. It ensnares your soul with otherworldliness. I’d love more than anything to get back down there and make the most of whatever photographic opportunities it throws at me. But I have a lot of work to do first.

So for now, I will scroll through my old images, delighting in finding new ones that catch my eye. I’ll get out and photograph as much as possible where I am now, to hone my skills. To constantly push myself to be the best photographer I can be, to make the most of what opportunities arise. The wonderful thing about photography, as with most things, is that you never ‘make it’. You’re never the best photographer. But if you’re the best photographer you can be right now, then you’re on the right track. You just have to keep taking photos.