MY CAMERA STIRS MY CURIOSITY
Welcome back if you've been here before or if you're new, welcome! Cameras are incredible little pieces of technology, I think we can agree on that, but did you know they contain magic as well? Yes, that’s right, you heard it here first. Let’s talk about it!
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I may have misled you a little bit, cameras are not really magic, but it feels like mine is. Here's the thing: when that little black box is in my hand, I feel compelled to explore. It stirs my curiosity to the point that it's almost like my camera has magical powers that turn me into an intrepid explorer. Ranulph Fiennes has nothing on me when I’ve got my camera!
Okay, that may be the biggest exaggeration of all time. As my wife will tell you, I am not the explorer I’d like you to believe I am. However, I am far more likely to push out of my comfort zone when I have a picture or project in mind that I’d like to create. A prime example is the project I’m working on now, capturing and documenting life along the khlong's of Bangkok. If it weren’t for my camera, I would never have found these amazing places and communities. It was my camera that made me walk down countless small soi's (streets or alleys in Thai) that eventually led me to discover the Phra Khanong Canal.
That is the magic I’m alluding to, the fact that you may do things and explore places you never would have if the camera wasn’t in your hands. I actually owe photography and my camera a rather large thank you because I genuinely feel that I’ve found some of my favorite places in and around Bangkok simply because I was out making pictures. I think that’s pretty amazing, don’t you?
Finding New Places
First and foremost, finding new places has to be my favorite thing about photography. So many times, I’ve been out walking and turned down a random alleyway purely because I’ve said to myself, "I bet there’s something cool down there to photograph." And time after time, I’ve been right. Some of the most fascinating little markets in Chinatown and Talat Noi, beautiful waterside communities along the khlongs, and hidden temples I never knew existed have all been discovered thanks to my camera giving me that curiosity superpower.
Life Experiences
This is a huge benefit that my camera gives me. I get to experience things I could never have dreamt of. Hiking up a mountain in Thailand and then descending into a cave to witness the breathtaking Phraya Nakhon Cave Temple, unforgettable. And again, it all came about because my camera pushed me to go and capture the moment.
Sitting with a kind Thai family on the banks of the Phra Khanong Canal, sharing food and laughter. Playing football with a group of children, using a hole in a concrete wall as a makeshift goal. These are life experiences that I would never have been blessed with had I not had my camera in hand.
Breaking Through Fears
Growing up, I wasn’t exposed to much danger. I didn’t push myself far outside of my comfort zone, and honestly, I was a bit of a wimp, a self-confessed scaredy cat. But since taking up photography, I’ve become far more willing to ignore that fear and push beyond it.
Now, I’m not talking about doing anything reckless or dangerous. That would just be stupid. But calculated risks? Absolutely. A great example is navigating the small alleyways in Chinatown or Talat Noi. When we first arrived in Bangkok, they seemed intimidating, maybe even a little sketchy. I wouldn’t go alone, always making sure someone was with me. But over time, as I explored more with my camera, I realised there was nothing to fear.
Another example? Mountain climbing. I’ve never been a fan of heights, so climbing mountains was never on my to-do list. But when we lived in the UK, I found myself hiking and climbing with friends, just to get to the top and capture the breathtaking views along the way. Once again, my camera was the driving force, pushing me through that fear.
Connecting with People
One of the most unexpected joys of photography has been the connections I’ve made with people. The camera isn’t just a tool for capturing images, it’s a conversation starter, a bridge between strangers.
I’ve had the privilege of meeting street vendors who have shared their stories with me simply because I stopped to take a photo of their stall. I’ve been welcomed into communities I would have never stepped foot in if it weren’t for my curiosity and my camera leading the way. Photography has taught me that, no matter where you are in the world, a smile and genuine interest go a long way.
Conclusion
So, is my camera actually magic? Well no, not in the literal sense. But it sure does feel like it. It pushes me to explore, to experience, to connect, and to grow in ways I never imagined. It turns everyday life into an adventure.
More than that, photography has shown me the world. Growing up in my small home city of Liverpool, I never imagined I would one day be walking through hidden alleyways in Bangkok, hiking up mountains in Thailand, or sitting by a canal sharing food with a family I had just met. But my camera changed that. It made me want to see more, experience more, and capture all that life has to offer
And for that, I’ll always be grateful.
Maybe you can use this blog post to things of all the amazing things you have experienced because of the camera, because you're a photographer.
Thank you for reading,
Arran.
