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Most of the photographers I know agree with this
expression: the hardest place to take pictures is
in your own backyard. I agree too, and that’s why
I travel to different locations around the United
States and the world: to get inspired.
I took the pictures for this lesson in the Kingdom
of Bhutan, which sits on the right shoulder of In-
dia. I took the shot on the preceding page in the
countryside outside one of Bhutan’s major cities,
Paro. How could you not get inspired, and be
driven to taking the best possible pictures, when
experiencing a scene like that one?
So, being there, in a new, interesting, and inspiring
location, is important for many photographers. If
you can’t get to places like Bhutan, go someplace
that is new to you where something interesting is
happening, something that will motivate you to
take pictures.
Being aware of everything that is going on around
you is important, too. You must have your “radar”
activated, looking not only for interesting sub-
jects, but also for interesting scenes. What’s more,
you need to anticipate what might happen—and
what to do when something does happen.
This picture of several Buddhist monks was the
result of my anticipating what might hap