Experiment with Nature » Journeys

Journeys 034 – OVERNIGHT SUCCESS

Joe — Tue, 16 Apr 2019 20:07:29 +0000

LET’S GET ONE THING STRAIGHT.

Overnight success doesn’t exist, and if it did, you shouldn’t want it. If you want to be good at something, the time it takes to get good is important! “Overnight success” takes years of practice, dedication and education. I’ve been a filmmaker and photographer for over 10 years with SO MANY failed attempts at trying to make it full-time. Still, I worked hard and kept my focus on my dream.

To “make it” you need to make sure you are constantly fueled, but you have to equally be diligent. Four years ago almost to the date I had a calling that I could no longer ignore. This feeling prompted me to quit my job and focus on my freelance work, and I’ve been extremely blessed to do so ever since. I have to say though, success won’t come to you just because you want it or feel entitled to received it. Some people think the ‘universe’ owes them. This world doesn’t owe us anything and you must work incredibly hard for what you want.

Success is not built on success — it’s built on failure. It’s built on frustration. Sometimes, it’s built on catastrophe. You can’t let doubt, fear, or negative opinions stand in your way…

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Excerpt from Sam’s Journeys story. Hit the link below to read the full story.

journeys.shwoodshop.com/overnight-success

Story and photography by Sam Ciurdars

www.ciurdar.com / @samciurdar

JOURNEYS 033 – HEARTLAND

Joe — Fri, 03 Nov 2017 15:25:22 +0000

“After you do something long enough it becomes a part of you. The way you interact with the world changes. Even walking down the sidewalk, I pay attention to the cracks. The spacing. The depth. How easy would it be to ride over this? I notice the texture of surfaces, take note of curb heights, and fantasize about hitting that handrail. I’ll scope out peoples feet to see what shoes they’re wearing. You can tell a lot by the wear patterns left on shoes by griptape. Goofy or regular? Kickflips or heelflips? If there’s wear on both shoes then they skate switch. Sweet. Not everyone can say they have something that has shaped their lives like this. Skateboarding has given us long lasting friendships, it has sent some of us all over the world, and it has taught us a thing or two about ourselves. It’s kept us young. As the late Jay Adams once said, “You don’t quit skating because you get old. You get old because you quit skating.” Skateboarding is our thing.”

– Excerpt from Will Corwin’s story about growing up, skateboarding, and find purpose in it all. Check out the full story HERE.

JOURNEYS 032 – GET LOST

Joe — Tue, 03 Oct 2017 16:11:43 +0000

“Time moves differently when you are on a trip like this. Each day is packed with an endless amount of things to keep you busy so time feels like it’s flying by. Yet, the shear amount of memories makes yesterday feel like a month ago. It’s a strange experience that comes to life when you push your limits. This can happen for anyone, it has nothing to do with riding motorcycles. 2 wheels just happened to be our poison of choice for this adventure.

To me, this is what truly living feels like. That’s why we push all the negative thoughts aside and jump into the unknown. It’s what makes us real. I feel extremely fortunate to have truly lived for the past 30 days.

The only question that remains: what’s next?”

– Excerpt from Under Open Air’s (@underopenair) 6000 mile motorcycle ride across the Trans-America Trail. Check out the full story HERE.

JOURNEYS 031 – LOSING MYSELF IN AMERICA

Joe — Wed, 08 Feb 2017 23:56:15 +0000

“Inspiration is not something you can go out to the store and buy, rather it’s something that’s discovered spontaneously and kept close when found. I want to share that inspiring feeling with the world! Which is exactly why I had decided to make my dreams a reality and travel the United States building the photography portfolio I’ve always wanted. With just enough money and supplies to stay alive, I hit the road. The search for beautiful started early…”

– Excerpt from Devin Tolman’s (@devin.tolman) month long adventure across the USA. Check out the full story HERE.

Journeys 030 – A Month In Iceland

Joe — Thu, 05 Jan 2017 04:01:36 +0000

“Although I am not particularly well traveled when it comes to countries outside of North America, I know that Iceland will forever be my favorite place in the entire world. It’s refreshing local culture and the people who make up those cultures are non-comparable to anything else in the entire world. I encourage everybody to experience Iceland deeper than the average tourist.”

– Excerpt from Christopher Kerksieck’s (@chriskerksieck) Iceland adventure. Check out the full story HERE.

Journeys 029 – Returning

Shwood Shop — Tue, 11 Oct 2016 02:53:52 +0000

“There is a palpable sense of freedom in living month to month. Financial security has never been in view, and I certainly don’t expect to see it over the next pass, or the one after. This lifestyle is stressful for some, freeing for others. For me it’s a sacrifice I make to travel and to create work I am passionate about, without concession.”

See Andrew Ranville’s full Journeys photo essay here.

Journeys 028 – Pacific Coast

Shwood Shop — Fri, 01 Jul 2016 15:05:20 +0000

As soon as we left Los Angeles, I promised myself to be more trustworthy with my intuition. I started to confidently make decisions without any hesitation simply because it felt right. Oddly enough, by loosening control over everything, it felt as though life became effortless. Everything for the trip began to take shape.

Grant Puckett contributes his second Journeys piece, this time hitting the road up the Pacific Coast with his friend and fellow photographer Dylan Sido. Seeking a reprieve from their L.A. lives, they find solace in the aimless journey. Read the full post now over at Journeys.Shwodshop.com.

Journeys 027 – Home

Shwood Shop — Thu, 19 May 2016 14:25:48 +0000

Photographer Peter Schweitzer shares this candid, intimate piece for Journeys No. 27.

And then one day I saw you, I stopped and truly looked at you. That was enough, that is all it took, I had found home. I found that point of light to guide me back, a safe place to rest. For me, you exist in a place deep within, under my skin, the hollow in my chest previously unfilled. You are my home.

Read the full story here.

Journey 026 – Brothers

Shwood Shop — Tue, 05 Apr 2016 18:26:46 +0000

Join brothers Matthew and Dakota Thornton as they travel through Oregon and the Eagle Cap Wilderness in Journey No. 26.

You can view the entire story on the Shwood Journeys site here.

Journey 025 – The Big East Trip

Shwood Shop — Fri, 12 Feb 2016 22:41:09 +0000

On our 25th Journey, we follow photographers Devin O’Dea, Ashleigh Rose, Heno Head, and friends on a train trip down the East Coast, relying on the helpful nature of perfect strangers and traveling via good vibes from Montreal, Quebec to Austin, Texas!

Check out the rest of their adventure on the Shwood Journeys site: http://journeys.shwoodshop.com/the-big-east-trip