BURN FAT and GET FIT With Photography

Becoming a Walkabout Photographer and using photography as your personal gym.

The Modern Day Neanderthal stalking their prey

Whenever I think about what life must have looked like for early man - and by early, I mean Neanderthal, not hustle-culture entrepreneur - I always picture a hairy, ape-like creature with a tall forehead, spear in hand, in the middle of hunting some large game which is probably also hunting them. (Ok, so that could also apply to a hustle-culture entrepreneur, but stay with me.)

They are wearing some kind of haggard animal skin, which is doing a very rough job of covering their bodies. They are also carrying some sort of sling across their backs, which contains a quiver of arrows or some other stabby implements, as well as something to eat in case the hunt takes too long.

The main thing that all of these Neanderthals also have in common, is that they are all slim, athletic and very fit. They are also very motivated to stay alive, and will keep hunting until they have something to show for it.

In fact, the only way that I am able to picture an obese Neanderthal, is by imagining their Chieftain, sitting inside the largest tent, barking orders, surrounded by bones of various animals which have been brought to him for his gluttonous consumption.

I don't know what his story may be, but I don't imagine him having hunted anything in a very long time, or being very motivated to do anything but eat and procreate.

Cue several millennia into the future. Soldiers on the battlefield, fighting an opposing army that is attempting to take over their kingdom. Same story - slim, athletic, and very fit. Motivated to fight for king and country.

Now picture their king. Again, large, hairy beast of a man, who most likely considers himself anointed by God, sitting on a giant throne, surrounded by food, also giving orders to everyone and procreating with the entire nation.

Now imagine how this scenario would look in 2023.

Again, we have a large, smelly, hairy man, sitting on his La-Z-Boy throne, surrounded by empty packets of whatever passes for food these days, barking orders at his digital assistant about which Netflix show they want to binge on next. Motivation levels near zero. Procreation hardware not used in decades.

Meanwhile, the slim, athletic and very fit 'hunter' is nowhere to be seen.

In fact, Modern Neanderthal Man has no need to hunt, or defend their country. They now have Amazon Prime Same Day Delivery, a food court (not food, caught), and a false sense of security regarding their 'king' having access to nuclear weapons, should an opposing army try and attack their freedoms.

Okay, so what the hell does any of this have to do with burning fat, or getting fit?

I'm glad you asked, because I want to tell you that in 2023, you have the ability to become your very own modern day hunter - stalking prey, whilst wearing a heavy sling filled with supplies across your back.

I'm talking about becoming a Walkabout Photographer.

The Era of the Walkabout Photographer

It doesn't matter what you hunt with, as long as you're in the game.

Walkabout Photographers are modern day hunter gatherers, in a time when there is very little need to go out and gather (much less, hunt) anything.

A Walkabout Photographer is not motivated by hunger or the desire to survive another day. Their motivation is to hunt and capture great photos in new and exciting locations.

The Walkabout Photographer doesn't care about nice weather. In fact, they love it when it rains. They also don't care how far they have to walk in order to make their 'kill'. Their bodies are tuned in to the environment, and merely serve as vehicles for getting from point A to point B, simply because their instincts are telling them that that is where a great photo opportunity awaits.

Walkabout Photographers are guided by the sun, especially by its position in the sky, and how that pertains to the quality of the light which illuminates their surroundings.

Walkabout Photographers know that the best time of day for hunting is right around sunrise, or shortly before sunset. The midday sun is no friend of the Walkabout Photographer. The light is too harsh, contrast too strong.

The Walkabout Photographer is a self-made outdoorsman or woman, who has caught the photography bug and seeks any and every opportunity to don their sling of supplies and go out for another shoot.

The moment that sling, bag, or backpack is securely fastened across their backs, the Walkabout Photographer feels no pain. They feel no tiredness or weariness. They are one hundred percent driven by adrenaline and dopamine, and will not stop hunting until they feel deep down that they have had their fill for the day. Reaching said fill usually takes several hours and many kilometres of walking, and will often result in an even greater desire to do it all over again the next day, seeking a stronger hit than before.

How Does One Become a Walkabout Photographer?

This is the best part - you can join the Walkabout Photographer gym today - right now - and it doesn't cost a damn thing!

All you need is something with which to take photos. Your phone will do, just make sure it's charged, as there is a good chance that if the bug bites, you will be out and about for several hours.

Find a comfortable pair of shoes, as well as a bag that can hold a bottle of water and some healthy snacks.

Then, step outside and start seeing the world around you through the lens of your camera.

With time and a growing collection of fantastic images, you will seek ever-greater challenges and places to conquer. You will develop a sense for the best time of the day to go out, as well as which camera and lens combo is ideal for any given situation.

You will also begin to attract the attention of other, like-minded Walkabouters; and before you know it, you will have joined a community which will always be there to motivate you to come out and shoot with them, on those days when you feel like becoming a La-Z-Boy king instead.

Best of all, I guarantee that you will burn fat, get very fit, and will achieve all that whilst doing what you truly love.

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Happy shooting!