1
99:59:59,999 --> 99:59:59,999
What is the most beautiful place
you have ever been?

2
99:59:59,999 --> 99:59:59,999
And, when you were there,
did you take a picture of it?

3
99:59:59,999 --> 99:59:59,999
Here's a place that tops that list for me.

4
99:59:59,999 --> 99:59:59,999
This is Mesa Arch

5
99:59:59,999 --> 99:59:59,999
in Canyonlands National Park
in Utah at sunrise.

6
99:59:59,999 --> 99:59:59,999
It's the traditional homeland

7
99:59:59,999 --> 99:59:59,999
of the Pueblo, Ute,
Paiute and Navajo people,

8
99:59:59,999 --> 99:59:59,999
and when you are there,

9
99:59:59,999 --> 99:59:59,999
it is absolutely stunning.

10
99:59:59,999 --> 99:59:59,999
The sunrise illuminates
the bottom of the arch orange,

11
99:59:59,999 --> 99:59:59,999
and then behind it you see the buttes
and clouds and cliffs.

12
99:59:59,999 --> 99:59:59,999
But, what you might now see
from my photo here

13
99:59:59,999 --> 99:59:59,999
is the 30 people behind me
who are also taking photos,

14
99:59:59,999 --> 99:59:59,999
and these are just the committed people,
the sunrise people, right?

15
99:59:59,999 --> 99:59:59,999
So when you think about that,

16
99:59:59,999 --> 99:59:59,999
there must be hundreds if not thousands
of photos of Mesa Arch taken every week.

17
99:59:59,999 --> 99:59:59,999
I've been sharing my photography
on Instagram for years,

18
99:59:59,999 --> 99:59:59,999
and it started to become
really interesting and funny even

19
99:59:59,999 --> 99:59:59,999
just how many similar photos
of the same places

20
99:59:59,999 --> 99:59:59,999
I've started to see online.

21
99:59:59,999 --> 99:59:59,999
And I was participating in it.

22
99:59:59,999 --> 99:59:59,999
So this made me wonder,

23
99:59:59,999 --> 99:59:59,999
why are we taking photos
in the first place?

24
99:59:59,999 --> 99:59:59,999
Sometimes I visit a popular landmark --

25
99:59:59,999 --> 99:59:59,999
this one is Horseshoe Bend in Arizona --

26
99:59:59,999 --> 99:59:59,999
and I see all the people
with their phones and cameras out

27
99:59:59,999 --> 99:59:59,999
who snap a photo

28
99:59:59,999 --> 99:59:59,999
just to turn and get back in the car,
walk back to the trailhead.

29
99:59:59,999 --> 99:59:59,999
And sometimes it seems like

30
99:59:59,999 --> 99:59:59,999
we are missing the point

31
99:59:59,999 --> 99:59:59,999
of going to this place
to experience it for ourselves

32
99:59:59,999 --> 99:59:59,999
or to see it with our own eyes.

33
99:59:59,999 --> 99:59:59,999
When I'm behind the camera,

34
99:59:59,999 --> 99:59:59,999
I notice the smallest details:

35
99:59:59,999 --> 99:59:59,999
the layers of light in the mountains

36
99:59:59,999 --> 99:59:59,999
as the light fades at the end of the day;

37
99:59:59,999 --> 99:59:59,999
the shapes that nature so expertly makes,

38
99:59:59,999 --> 99:59:59,999
abstract and yet completely perfect.

39
99:59:59,999 --> 99:59:59,999
I could go on and on here musing
about the intricacies of this planet

40
99:59:59,999 --> 99:59:59,999
and the way that it makes me feel.

41
99:59:59,999 --> 99:59:59,999
Photographing the beauty
and complexity of this world

42
99:59:59,999 --> 99:59:59,999
for me is like making a portrait
of someone that I love,

43
99:59:59,999 --> 99:59:59,999
and when I make a photograph,

44
99:59:59,999 --> 99:59:59,999
I have to think about
what I want it to say.

45
99:59:59,999 --> 99:59:59,999
I have to ask myself
what I want it to feel like.

46
99:59:59,999 --> 99:59:59,999
When you're communicating
through an image,

47
99:59:59,999 --> 99:59:59,999
every creative choice matters.

48
99:59:59,999 --> 99:59:59,999
Sometimes, I plan to share my images,

49
99:59:59,999 --> 99:59:59,999
and other times I take them
just for myself.

50
99:59:59,999 --> 99:59:59,999
I currently host a video series
on the future of the outdoors,

51
99:59:59,999 --> 99:59:59,999
and for one of the episodes
we wanted to explore

52
99:59:59,999 --> 99:59:59,999
the relationship between
photography and outdoor spaces.

53
99:59:59,999 --> 99:59:59,999
I learned about the research
of Kristin Diehl and her colleagues at USC

54
99:59:59,999 --> 99:59:59,999
who studied photo-taking's
effect on enjoyment levels.

55
99:59:59,999 --> 99:59:59,999
They found that, when we were
behind the camera,

56
99:59:59,999 --> 99:59:59,999
when we're the ones taking the picture,

57
99:59:59,999 --> 99:59:59,999
we enjoy our experiences more, not less.

58
99:59:59,999 --> 99:59:59,999
But it wasn't true all the time.

59
99:59:59,999 --> 99:59:59,999
If the person took the photo
solely with the intention of sharing it,

60
99:59:59,999 --> 99:59:59,999
there was no increase in enjoyment,

61
99:59:59,999 --> 99:59:59,999
because they didn't do it for themselves.

62
99:59:59,999 --> 99:59:59,999
So this points to
an important distinction:

63
99:59:59,999 --> 99:59:59,999
photography can enhance your experience

64
99:59:59,999 --> 99:59:59,999
if it's done intentionally.

65
99:59:59,999 --> 99:59:59,999
The intention piece is what matters.

66
99:59:59,999 --> 99:59:59,999
As a photographer, I've really
had to check myself on this.

67
99:59:59,999 --> 99:59:59,999
When does it help me
to have my camera out?

68
99:59:59,999 --> 99:59:59,999
And when do I just need to put it away?

69
99:59:59,999 --> 99:59:59,999
On a trip to Alaska, I had the opportunity
to photograph Alaskan brown bears.

70
99:59:59,999 --> 99:59:59,999
I was on a boat with
four other photographers,

71
99:59:59,999 --> 99:59:59,999
and we were all having our minds blown

72
99:59:59,999 --> 99:59:59,999
at the same time

73
99:59:59,999 --> 99:59:59,999
in such close proximity to these animals.

74
99:59:59,999 --> 99:59:59,999
And it's an emotional experience.

75
99:59:59,999 --> 99:59:59,999
Being eye to eye with these bears
gave me a feeling of connection

76
99:59:59,999 --> 99:59:59,999
that transcends words,

77
99:59:59,999 --> 99:59:59,999
and having my camera with me
in this case enhanced that.

78
99:59:59,999 --> 99:59:59,999
We were all creating independently,
but also all completely in the moment,

79
99:59:59,999 --> 99:59:59,999
both with nature and with each other.

80
99:59:59,999 --> 99:59:59,999
I so clearly remember capturing
the water droplets

81
99:59:59,999 --> 99:59:59,999
and the motion as the bears swam

82
99:59:59,999 --> 99:59:59,999
and the cute cubs following their mothers.

83
99:59:59,999 --> 99:59:59,999
That group and I will have
that experience together

84
99:59:59,999 --> 99:59:59,999
and these images to look back on
time and time again,

85
99:59:59,999 --> 99:59:59,999
and photography is what enabled us
to share this in the first place.

86
99:59:59,999 --> 99:59:59,999
Other times, I choose
to leave the camera behind,

87
99:59:59,999 --> 99:59:59,999
and I think that choice ultimately
improves both my experience

88
99:59:59,999 --> 99:59:59,999
and my work.

89
99:59:59,999 --> 99:59:59,999
I recently flew to
the South Pacific island of Tonga

90
99:59:59,999 --> 99:59:59,999
to swim with humpback whales.

91
99:59:59,999 --> 99:59:59,999
I noticed myself feeling pressure

92
99:59:59,999 --> 99:59:59,999
and a certain obligation
to take the camera with me,

93
99:59:59,999 --> 99:59:59,999
when sometimes I just wanted
the pure experience itself.

94
99:59:59,999 --> 99:59:59,999
And the experience is seriously amazing.

95
99:59:59,999 --> 99:59:59,999
You're talking about being in the water

96
99:59:59,999 --> 99:59:59,999
with a curious baby animal
the size of a station wagon

97
99:59:59,999 --> 99:59:59,999
while you are surrounded by particles
that float around you like glitter

98
99:59:59,999 --> 99:59:59,999
and the mom swims gracefully below you.

99
99:59:59,999 --> 99:59:59,999
There were times, obviously,
when I did take my camera with me,

100
99:59:59,999 --> 99:59:59,999
and those were really amazing
to capture as well,

101
99:59:59,999 --> 99:59:59,999
but the set-up is pretty big.

102
99:59:59,999 --> 99:59:59,999
It's like this big box.
This is what it looks like.

103
99:59:59,999 --> 99:59:59,999
And so this is between me and the whales,

104
99:59:59,999 --> 99:59:59,999
and at times that feels like a block
between you and reality.

105
99:59:59,999 --> 99:59:59,999
Is there a difference
when it's just your phone?

106
99:59:59,999 --> 99:59:59,999
Last year I went to Ularu
in central Australia,

107
99:59:59,999 --> 99:59:59,999
which is this massive rock
that towers over the desert.

108
99:59:59,999 --> 99:59:59,999
This is sacred land to Anangu,

109
99:59:59,999 --> 99:59:59,999
who are the Aboriginal
people from this area

110
99:59:59,999 --> 99:59:59,999
and the traditional owners of the land.

111
99:59:59,999 --> 99:59:59,999
There are particular spots in Ularu
that you cannot photograph professionally

112
99:59:59,999 --> 99:59:59,999
because they are culturally sensitive,

113
99:59:59,999 --> 99:59:59,999
equivalent to sacred scripture to Anangu.

114
99:59:59,999 --> 99:59:59,999
So because of this, most of my photographs
are from either far away, like this one,

115
99:59:59,999 --> 99:59:59,999
or from specific angles in the park.

116
99:59:59,999 --> 99:59:59,999
You could say that some of the most
interesting and beautiful visuals in Ularu

117
99:59:59,999 --> 99:59:59,999
are located in these sensitive areas,

118
99:59:59,999 --> 99:59:59,999
but the request not to photograph them
is an explicit and direct invitation

119
99:59:59,999 --> 99:59:59,999
to learn more about the land,
its importance, and its people.

120
99:59:59,999 --> 99:59:59,999
Isn't that what we should be doing anyway?

121
99:59:59,999 --> 99:59:59,999
So my visit to Ularu
quickly became not about me

122
99:59:59,999 --> 99:59:59,999
but about connecting with the place.

123
99:59:59,999 --> 99:59:59,999
Ironically and unsurprisingly,

124
99:59:59,999 --> 99:59:59,999
I have found that presence and connection

125
99:59:59,999 --> 99:59:59,999
also happens to make
for more compelling images.

126
99:59:59,999 --> 99:59:59,999
We can probably all point to social media

127
99:59:59,999 --> 99:59:59,999
as being a good place to share the images
from our travels and from our lives.

128
99:59:59,999 --> 99:59:59,999
We not only share pieces
of the world that we have seen,

129
99:59:59,999 --> 99:59:59,999
but also parts of our
day-to-day experiences,

130
99:59:59,999 --> 99:59:59,999
and if we're applying intentionality
to the photos we take,

131
99:59:59,999 --> 99:59:59,999
then hopefully we're sharing
intentionally too.

132
99:59:59,999 --> 99:59:59,999
For me, allowing people to see pieces
of my story and my perspective online

133
99:59:59,999 --> 99:59:59,999
has reminded me that I'm not alone.

134
99:59:59,999 --> 99:59:59,999
It's helped me build support and community

135
99:59:59,999 --> 99:59:59,999
to do the same for others.

136
99:59:59,999 --> 99:59:59,999
Let me be clear:

137
99:59:59,999 --> 99:59:59,999
I am not trying to discourage you
from taking photos.

138
99:59:59,999 --> 99:59:59,999
Even if thousands of people
have been to whatever exact location

139
99:59:59,999 --> 99:59:59,999
and taken whatever exact photo,

140
99:59:59,999 --> 99:59:59,999
I encourage you to get out and create too.

141
99:59:59,999 --> 99:59:59,999
The world needs every
voice and perspective,

142
99:59:59,999 --> 99:59:59,999
and yours is included.

143
99:59:59,999 --> 99:59:59,999
But what I'm trying to show you
is that the phone or camera

144
99:59:59,999 --> 99:59:59,999
doesn't have to stay out all the time.

145
99:59:59,999 --> 99:59:59,999
What I'm trying to encourage you to do

146
99:59:59,999 --> 99:59:59,999
is to put it away, just for a moment,

147
99:59:59,999 --> 99:59:59,999
a moment for you.

148
99:59:59,999 --> 99:59:59,999
So let's go back to Mesa Arch,

149
99:59:59,999 --> 99:59:59,999
the way that the rock glows orange

150
99:59:59,999 --> 99:59:59,999
and the lovely layers of blue
in the background.

151
99:59:59,999 --> 99:59:59,999
What if the next time
you were somewhere amazing,

152
99:59:59,999 --> 99:59:59,999
you couldn't bring your camera or phone?

153
99:59:59,999 --> 99:59:59,999
What if you were not allowed
to take any pictures at all?

154
99:59:59,999 --> 99:59:59,999
Would it feel like a limitation?

155
99:59:59,999 --> 99:59:59,999
Or, would it feel like a relief?

156
99:59:59,999 --> 99:59:59,999
So what can we do?

157
99:59:59,999 --> 99:59:59,999
Well, the next time you feel the impulse
to take out your camera or phone,

158
99:59:59,999 --> 99:59:59,999
or, in my case, once you realize
you have already pulled it out,

159
99:59:59,999 --> 99:59:59,999
first, stop, pause,

160
99:59:59,999 --> 99:59:59,999
take a deep breath,

161
99:59:59,999 --> 99:59:59,999
look around. What do you notice?

162
99:59:59,999 --> 99:59:59,999
Are you experiencing
this moment with someone else?

163
99:59:59,999 --> 99:59:59,999
Remember that this moment only comes once.

164
99:59:59,999 --> 99:59:59,999
Photography can be part
of a beautiful experience.

165
99:59:59,999 --> 99:59:59,999
Just don't let it be a block
between you and reality.

166
99:59:59,999 --> 99:59:59,999
Be intentional,

167
99:59:59,999 --> 99:59:59,999
and don't lose a beautiful,
irreplaceable memory

168
99:59:59,999 --> 99:59:59,999
because you were too focused
on getting the shot.

169
99:59:59,999 --> 99:59:59,999
Thank you.

170
99:59:59,999 --> 99:59:59,999
(Applause)