Why?
Because you will have more strength, endurance, and longevity to continue walking and moving through the front lines of life! Perhaps the main thing photographers should focus on is simply lifting weights and walking longer distances.
Photography has nothing to do with photography
When I first started to photograph abroad in Israel, I spent every morning in the gym, lifting weights. I recognized photographing in this heavily militarized country, that courage and confidence was critical to move through those streets. I recognized very quickly that it requires more than just compositional skills and understanding lighting to become a strong photographer, but requires real, physical strength.
Train with a friend
Having a friend that shares similar values and curiosities as you is a privilege. During my travels I was lucky to meet my friend Matthew who had the same crazy courage as me to venture into the unknown. When we returned from our first time photographing conflict at the checkpoint of Qalandia, we decided to wrestle in the grass as a way to increase our confidence. Knowing that we both are willing to confront each other physically increased our trust in each other to continue exploring in unknown chaos with our lives on the line.
Lift for leisure
Don’t force yourself to lift weights and physically train, but look at it as a time for leisure and pleasure. It shouldn’t be this thing that you dread doing everyday. I am a big fan of the farmers walk, push ups, and pull ups as a simple solution to continuously get my day started off on a good note. I desire to get stronger incrementally over time and have no desire to lift insanely heavy weights or become some steroid raging strongman. Just keep it simple and focus on longevity.
The goal is strength and curiosity
The balance between physical strength and creative curiosity is what all photographers should focus on. The stronger you become, the more you will walk. The more you will walk, the more curious you become. The more curious you become, the more photographs you will make! Photography has nothing to do with photography. To me, it’s most important to be strong, confident, and courageous. I want to go out there into the unknown without my physical strength getting in the way. The ultimate goal is to be strong and fueled with endurance to keep moving onward to conquer the streets!