I have a habit of forgetting, but that night will stay with me (the photos will, for sure). It was winter in Sa Pa, North Vietnam, and my friend and I were shivering in our out-of-season apartment as darkness and rain enveloped the town. We decided to fight the elements, to search for warmth outside, and we were lucky to stumble upon a magical scene: wet streets, misty clouds, and dark roads that transformed with the moving lights of motorcycles and wandering locals. I was in my element, watching people and capturing the moment without any pressure or judgment. It was a moment of clarity and emptiness, a rare feeling that has stayed with me ever since.
The wet streets, misty clouds, dark roads - what a magical combination. The moving lights of the motorcycles constantly changed the appearance of the streets and its wandering locals. It was a wonderful and heartwarming time to take photos - a moment to forget the temperatures, to clear my mind, a good state of emptiness. Looking back, I realize that it was one of those times in life that just happen - moments when you simply experience the world around you. I was fully immersed in the moment, and it was liberating.
Why do I love these photos today - I didn't judge them while taking them. I didn't have to deal with pressure. It's times like these in my life that just happen - times when I stop judging myself and others. Fortunately, they seem to happen more often as I get older - or at least, I get more aware of them. It’s lesson is to try to remember this every time I pick up my camera. If we focus too much on taking good pictures, we might miss out on the chance to experience something more special.