In the first in a new Blog series here on Expressive Photography, we are publishing articles from our newsletter and forum subscribers. This was first published on the Expressive Photography forum by member Scott Fuller.

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Golf & The Art of Tea Making

When I was younger, much younger, I golfed. The premier golfer of the day, and arguably one of the greatest of all time was Jack Nicklaus. Of course I was a fan. Of course I watched every match he played. And of course I bought his book, “Golf My Way” by Jack Nicklaus.

To this day, I still find this book fascinating. Not because of what Jack taught regarding the game of golf, but how.

Jack could have easily written the definitively manual. Detailing in explicit detail everything there is to know about mastering the game. This is the way to hold a golf club. This is a proper golf swing. This is the correct method for driving the ball off the tee with distance. This is what you need to know to putt. But, he didn’t. Instead, he shared.

Jack shared how he held a golf club. How he swung the club. How he putted. And so on. Always sharing. Never dictating. Never talking down to the reader.

If there was ever a golfer who had earned the right to declare the “best” way to play the game of golf, it was Jack Nicklaus. Instead, he chose to share how he played the game. Moreover, he shared why he played the game the way he did.

The truth is I know very little about the man, but in his book, I found Jack to be very grounded. Very open and honest about his game of golf while at the same time acknowledging and accepting that other golfers may and do play the game differently.

What does this have to do with photography? Everything!

I want to be like Jack. I want to share how I practice photography. I want to share why I practice photography the way I do. I want to do so with the mindset that my way is not the correct way, or the preferred way, but is just one of many ways. And I want other photographers to respond in kind.

Now let’s talk about tea.

I love tea. I love the aroma. I love the taste. And I love to make it. I love tea. And I feel fortunate to be in a forum whose members also love to make tea.

Each and every one of you makes the most wonderful, delicious tasting tea. I so enjoy and savor every cup you chose to share. Your teas are exceptional, unique, and exotic. So many outstanding tea makers in this forum.

And, it should go without saying. Your cup of tea isn’t necessarily my cup of tea. And vise versa. My tea, my favorite cup of tea, is really quite simple to make.

I start by watching Mother Nature do what she does best. I watch her shine light on those leaves. Nourish them with a little water from the sky. Maybe, shake them up with a bit of wind. Once she is done doing her thing, I simply step in and collect those leaves. Capture them, if you will. After that, I dry them and maybe roll them, then place a few leaves in hot water. As you can see, I do very little. Mother Nature really does all the hard work.

The tea I make may not be exceptional. It may not be unique. It may not be exotic, but I’m OK with that. As much as I want others to enjoy my tea, what really matters is that Ienjoy my tea.

Mmmm, tea, nothing like a good cup of tea.

Next time, some words on the subject of photography.