I avoid writing about suffering while doing street photography. Still, today (I wrote this text on the 22nd of July, 2023), I will write about it.
I wrote this text in the middle of the heatwave. It is time I suffer most while walking and taking on Warsaw’s streets. Sun rays burning and scorching my skin are like Harpies’ (vicious birds with the women’s faces described in Virgil’s “Aeneid”) excrements, which bombarded Aeneas and his companions out of spite. Undoubtedly, to create is to suffer. Of course, first of all, it is also about having fun and taking on new challenges. Still, I would compare the process of creating to working out. The latter activity also brings much joy, pleasure, pain, aches, and injuries.
To act, work, and make something out of nothing is to fight against my greatest enemy – myself.
It is not the case that the Sun King’s burning rays are my enemies, and they attack me without any reason. I believe creating something out of nothing while suffering is one of the most fundamental activities we can do for ourselves and humanity. It may be an occurrence when artis is being born. Do I suffer only while walking and feeling scorching sun rays? No. While writing, I sometimes also suffer. How? For example, when I wanted to sleep but did not finish writing my text. Sometimes, I sleep while writing. After waking up, I finalize my text.
Still, usually, I do my best to continue typing and finishing my work. It is a moment when I feel my mind and body suffer. They need rest and sleep. Still, I force my mind to be active. It is similar to when I am tired after walking and doing street photography. I am near my house and want to end my walk, but suddenly, I see an excellent frame to be pictured. Despite being exhausted, I turn on my camera and take a picture.
