Put Passion Into Your Pictures I found the following passage in a travel article in a newspaper. I was so impressed with the ideas in the article that I recorded them. As I am going on holiday quite soon it is timely to again consider these ideas. The passage read as follows: How often have we packed our camera bags and enthusiastically ventured out for the day in search of great images only to come back disappointed? The same can be said for wasted overseas phototrips that have produced little more than record shots of where we have been. Frank Calidonna writing about the creative process says that what is often lacking is a clear idea of what we want to say. Regardless of competency in technique, lack of a communicable idea will still produce dull images. Camera clubs have an abundance of good technicians and equipment buffs. Creative people share 3 precious elements: imagination, originality, and ideas they are able to communicate. The old maxim is that if your only interest in life is photography, you are probably a terrible photographer. Ask yourself what is my passion - what subject matter in my travels really attracts me? If you lack a passion for the subject you will be limited to taking uninspiring photographs. If you lack a passion for a subject at this time, find something you can develop a passion for. Enjoyment of the subject may grow with the quality of images produced and it gives you a goal in your travels. Ask: why are we taking these photos. What am I trying to communicate? Write ideas down before they are forgotten. Having captured the idea, develop it. Often it will lead to another or perhaps a whole series for a project or a collection, exhibition or a book. Ideals, like goals need to be specific. Avoid vague descriptions. Ideas may need to be nurtured to maturity which may take days or months. Who are the viewers and what do we want them to feel. Recording ideas may include dates for re-working them, resources needed, time frames for milestones leading to a final outcome. Proposed use. If it is a new way of looking at an old subject, what are some of the images from others that may be used as a benchmark. Follow your passion and start with well-written and developed ideas and this creative process to memorable travel images.