I discovered the perfect Hobby for introverts during the Pandemic
Huntington Beach Pier
I am an introvert. It took me a long time to figure out I was an introvert and an even longer time for me to be comfortable with that. Any hobbies that involve social interactions are problematic for me. I love choral music but interacting with others was always awkward for me. For a long time, Choral music was the only hobby I had. It was a wonderful hobby and for a period of 2 hours, I was transported into a magical world of classical and modern music. It was my weekly escape from the rigors of a work week.
When the pandemic started that was the first activity that was put on hold. We tried zoom recordings but they never captured the experience of a live session. Stuck at home I started watching a lot of youtube. I hate the youtube algorithm in general but it changed my life when it decided to show me photography videos. I was transformed when I saw the Bucket shot by Peter McKinnon. If you have not seen it before I recommend you do that. He has a genuine enthusiasm and infected me with this excitement for photography. In the video, he talks about how he started in photography and how he was obsessed with an image he had in mind of Moraine Lake in winter. It took him 8 years to get the shot he wanted of Moraine lake.
From there I was hooked on the magical world of Landscape photography. From the enthusiasm of Peter Mckinnon to the calm videos of Thomas Heaton, Adam Gibbs, Michael Shainblum, Mark Denny, and the shenanigans of Gavin Hardcastle it sounded like it was a fun adventure and something which I wanted to experience.
I went out and bought a Fuji XT200 mirrorless camera the next week and my life was transformed. Every weekend I would get up around 5 AM and go to one of the many southern California beaches near me and take landscape photos. Mind you I do not have any pretensions of matching a Peter Mckinnon or Thomas Heaton. But there is something relaxing and therapeutic about the whole process that the outcome does not matter.
For an introvert like me, Landscape Photography has been heaven-sent. I look forward to getting out during the weekend and I spend my week planning locations and what I want to photograph. I mostly go out early morning and there are very few people up and about at that time. I walk around taking photos and relishing the feel of just being out in nature.
Let me give you an idea about my transformation. I have been living in Long Beach CA for the best part of 5 years. For the first 3 years, the only places we went out were to the local beaches near me and to San Diego during our yearly pilgrimage to Sea world. I used to wake up at 8 or 9 am during the weekends because I would either have watched movies the previous night or played on my PS4. After I bought my camera I visited all beaches within one hour drive on either side of Long beach. I consider myself late if I leave home after 5.30 AM.
There is something magical about walking on a beach at sunrise watching the first blush of sunrise sweep through the waves. With the crashing of the waves, the symmetry of the piers, and the ever-changing skies, each day is pretty unique. I also feel a strange kinship with the people walking around at this time. They normally smile at you and keep to themselves.
Having a camera also gives you a level of respectability. Last year I was at Manhattan Beach at around 5.30 AM and it was still pretty dark. The Manhattan Beach pier is at the bottom of the incline and If you stop in the middle of the traffic light you can take a good photo of the pier. When the traffic light turned to the walk symbol I rushed to the middle and framed up the pier. Just as i press the shutter a police car rolls into my frame before the pier.
I completed the shot and walk up to the side of the street. As I walked down to the Pier the Police car stopped in front of me. It was still early morning and there were not a lot of people around. The shops were all shuttered and I was walking suspiciously in the middle of the street. The window rolled down and a stern-looking policeman looked at me and says Hey Sorry I blinked when you took the photo, do you want to retake it. And with a big smile, he waved goodbye and continued on his way. I had a smile on my face the entire time I was out taking photos.
My camera has been the biggest motivator for me to go out and take photos. Every Friday night I go through the process of wiping down my lenses, charging the batteries, Packing my bag, and setting the alarm for 5 AM. I reach the beach before 6, walk around, take photos and around 8.30 get breakfast and reach home. I repeat the same on Sunday. This routine has made my weekends so much better and my wife gets concerned if I miss a day.
So if you are an introvert like me try Photography. You will not be disappointed. There are so many areas you can try and see which one fits you. I switch between landscapes, seascapes, Long exposure shots, architecture, macro, Moon, and even street photography. I found that I even liked street photography in small doses. The variation in genres keeps it interesting. So get out there and start taking photos.
