The best photographers wear the most comfortable shoes

But of course, the point isn't really about the shoes

I once read that the best photographers are those who wear the most comfortable shoes.

Over the last 4 months, I walked 884 miles and took over 5,000 photographs on the streets of San Francisco. And I did it without pain or injuries, all thanks to a good pair of shoes.

But of course, the point isn’t really about the shoes — it’s a reminder that nothing else matters unless we put ourselves out there to explore, discover, enjoy, observe, and appreciate the beauty in this world. If we want to see, we must not forget to look first.

In my book ONE, I shared a story from my childhood about the day I got my first pair of glasses. I remember that moment vividly because the blurry world I was used to suddenly became so clear and sharp. I had no idea you were supposed to be able to read the signs across the street, or recognize faces from far away! It felt like I’d been given a new superpower.

The camera did the same for me years later. It was through my camera’s viewfinder that I first discovered this whole new world — a world that had always been there, hiding in plain sight, now finally revealed. The camera, once again, felt like having a superpower.

When I have a camera with me, I dare. I go to places I’d never been to before, I do things I’d never done before, and I imagine possibilities I’d never considered before.

Photography pushes us to explore this brave new world — but it all starts with a pair of comfortable shoes.

Thank you for reading,

Adrian