Leaving your comfort zone

Work on the series about the Vltava / Moldau river, I came across a bunch of people who train swimming in cold water. Really cold water - meaning icy water…

They call themselves “otužilci” i.e. someone who withstands cold temperatures. I call them ice swimmers. They train every week in the Vltava river outside Prague and their method is quite simple: just continue swimming when the summer ends, into autumn and then continue in winter. That’s it. Oh, yes, I guess it needs a good portion of will and discipline, but which sport or new passion does not?

I came across them because I was looking for interesting things happening along the riverbanks. And so, I went there several times and also attended their competitions. The most famous one is the winter swim on Boxing Day in the centre of Prague:

Standing in the middle of the platform among other photographers and swimmers dressing or undressing was quite an event. I could shoot some nice portraits and funny views from above. But all in all, it was more suitable for a reportage which I was not going to make. And there was no snow on that day.

So, when it started snowing a week or two later, I went again to their training spot at the southern outskirts of Prague. These pictures I like much better since they show the challenge of winter and the plunge into the cold water without crowds watching or reporters taking pictures (just me..). Just for the love of it. One or two will make it into my booklet because they transmit the spirit of life along the river much better. They are not linked to a special event, but reveal some kind of timeless fascination of man by the river, the cold, winter…

What the ice swimmers taught me once again is that you only progress if you leave your comfort zone. Some of them have only recently started to practice and they were enthusiastic because of their courage to start something new. Some have been doing this for many years and are still enthusiastic because every time they overcome their inner resistance and leave their comfort zone.

This is very much true for photography, too. When you want to take a picture, especially if it is a portrait of somebody, you have to ask that person. And before that, you have to get to know that person, be it only a little bit. Spend some time, have a small talk and then you might ask if you could take a picture, or several and if the person is patient even give some instructions of how you want the person to move. You have to overcome your hesitation to speak to a foreign person and ask for something. That means leaving your comfort zone. And that is also why I often enjoy travelling on my own. It means a permanent challenge to test what is outside your known bubble. New discoveries and connections to different people are your reward. With time you get some routine, true, but you have to stay vigilant, curious an open-minded. A good guidance not only for travelling, but also for photography.

Take care and enjoy the spring!

Petra