“What’s the best sunset you’ve seen?” — All of them.
A Mindful Frame on the Windy Hills of Guimaras
San Lorenzo Wind Farm in Guimaras isn’t just a place for energy—it’s a quiet teacher in humility, patience, and creativity. I’m not one for tourist crowds or fighting for the “best angle,” but something about this place—its openness, its chaos, its sunsets—reminded me to ease up on my own expectations.Relearning Patience in a Popular Place
On a typical day, vans pull up and tourists spill out, heading straight for the base of the nearest turbine, camera-ready and selfie-bound. As luck would have it, the tower they swarmed happened to be in the middle of my frame. “Well, good luck to me,” I muttered. Later, two amateur photographers hovered over my shoulder, audibly discussing settings and camera gear, eyeing my tripod. One finally asked, “Sir, what’s that in front of your lens?” I told him, with a polite smile, about the square camera filters I was using to control light exposure. Sensing the sunset slipping away, I offered them my spot. “Do you want to shoot here? I’m heading toward my friend anyway.” No harm done. Just a reminder: not everyone’s on the same chapter of the creative journey.From Greenhorn to Grounded
These small moments reminded me of my earlier days as a travel and photography newbie. I was once the one full of questions, sometimes asking them at the wrong time. I didn’t care who got there first or how many had photographed that same sunset. I was just thrilled to be present. And that, I realize, is still what matters most. If you want to enjoy travel and photography, you must welcome the unpredictability of people—their energy, their curiosity, their occasional clumsiness. You don’t need to change anyone. You just need to adapt, accept, and sometimes laugh at the absurdity of it all.Creativity Starts Where Ego Ends
Yes, I did find myself in a “sanitary” position for a photo (think comfort rooms), and yes—we laughed. That’s part of the joy. There’s freedom in laughing at yourself or quietly enjoying the oddities around you. It softens your posture. It opens your lens. Avoiding crowded places is tempting, but sometimes, doing so can also rob you of spontaneous joy—and creative breakthroughs.Courtesy, Curiosity, and the Mentee Mentality
Asking questions is wonderful. But when and how you ask them matters. I’ve been on both sides: the hungry mentee and the focused photographer. Timing, respect, and tone are crucial. The best mentors are those you don’t interrupt during their moments of flow. So, what do you do instead? Observe. Learn by watching. Ask when the moment is right.Sunsetting the Ego, Winding Up Creativity
San Lorenzo taught me this: creativity thrives not despite imperfections, but because of them. You can be fully present, passionate about your craft, and still kind to the curious soul beside you.
Filed under: Mindful Frames | Tips and How-Tos — for creatives seeking connection, grace, and perspective in every frame.
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