On the occasion of Christmas, my script, which I had written somehow spontaneously, is about to be performed. Filled with anticipation, I arrived at Dapeng Ancient City to take part in a theatrical activity I had never experienced before.
This morning, as the playwright, I met the actors for the first time. Through a series of ice-breaking activities, everyone gradually relaxed and began to enjoy the process of performance. The experience was both fun and refreshing.
During the rehearsal, I stood to the side as the narrator and playwright, observing the actors' practice. As a creator, watching the story I had written come to life on stage brought me immense satisfaction. Seeing the actors engage deeply in the rehearsal far exceeded my initial expectations.
At dusk, bathed in the sunset glow by Dapeng Bay, I had an hour-long conversation with the photographer "Friday," which opened my eyes to another aspect of ecological photography. For me, observation is the main focus, and photography is a form of documentation. As long as I see and experience something, not capturing a satisfactory photo, though regrettable, is not of great importance. However, Friday gave me a new perspective. He believes that the key to a photographer's work is the artistry of the piece and its resonance with the audience. In comparison, the choice of species is not the most important. For instance, the crossing of wildebeests and lion hunts on the African savannah have been captured year after year for decades. While these moments are indeed breathtaking, when placed online, they appear trivial, having been accumulated over many years. Such photos merely serve personal satisfaction. Truly artistic photography is unique, and this uniqueness comes not only from patient waiting but also from prior preparation and planning. Admittedly, waiting for weeks to capture a single photo is very difficult for a student, and I have always viewed birds as a medium between myself and nature, rather than a specific target for photography. However, Friday's approach remains highly inspiring. Perhaps, in my journey, unplanned encounters will still be the main focus, but having a planned scene in mind will ensure that when an opportunity arises, I will not be flustered in adjusting my camera but instead will focus on capturing that moment of resonance.
