The Sidequest Series — Episode 01: Photography
How I Started to Notice My Surroundings More Consciously Again
Some ideas stay on the “someday” list for a surprisingly long time.
Photography was exactly that kind of thing for me.
Not because I was never interested in it—quite the opposite, actually.
I’ve always found cameras fascinating. Over the years, I’ve collected quite a few different models as a result.
But there’s sometimes a surprisingly long gap between “I’m interested in this” and “I’m actually doing it.”
And at some point, I realized:
If I keep waiting for the perfect moment, I’ll probably never get started.
So photography became my first sidequest.
The idea that had been in my head for a long time
The idea behind it was actually pretty simple: I wanted to start capturing moments more consciously.
Not perfectly.
Not professionally.
Just more consciously.
Because at some point, I felt like I was only noticing my surroundings in passing.
The same paths, the same places, the same days.
And somehow, photography changed that.
As soon as I have a camera with me, I suddenly notice things I probably would never have noticed otherwise:
Light, shadows, colors, small details, or brief moments in everyday life.
It feels completely different from just quickly snapping a photo with my phone.
With a camera, a picture somehow feels more intentional.
As if you were making a brief, conscious decision: I want to capture this moment.
All the bad photos in between
At first, I somehow thought that I’d automatically become more creative as soon as I started taking photos more often.
The reality:
I take an incredible number of mediocre photos.
I often look at my pictures and think: “Somehow, they all look the same.”
Especially when you’re constantly out and about in the same surroundings.
The same streets, the same paths, the same subjects.
That can be pretty frustrating at times.
But what helped me was: not constantly searching for new places, but looking at familiar places in a different way.
For example:
- going out earlier or later so the light is different
- photographing only small details
- taking black-and-white photos
- or setting myself little challenges
This makes even the same surroundings feel new again.
My little Kodak Charmera was also a real game-changer.
Because it’s so small, I can take photos spontaneously without thinking too much about it.
No heavy gear. No “Is this even worth it to take out my camera?”
Just capturing the moment briefly.
Above all, it does something that cell phone cameras often can’t: It feels unobtrusive and authentic. The photos feel more spontaneous and authentic.
This results in photos that look much more natural.
Little everyday scenes.
Random moments.
Things I probably wouldn’t have photographed at all before.
And that’s exactly what I love about it.
What I Was Actually Looking For
I think the best part of this side quest isn’t taking photos at all. It’s learning to look more closely again.
Photography didn’t suddenly make my everyday life excitin
But it did make even ordinary moments feel a little more interesting again.
And that’s really what side quests are all about: doing things that spark your curiosity. Simply because they’re fun.
I definitely want to get more into photography in the future—maybe even with a professional camera someday.
But right now, I like the idea of just getting started without having to be perfect at everything.
When was the last time you tried something without knowing if you’d be good at it?
Maybe this will inspire you to pick up a camera and see the world through the lens 🙂
