--- title: "Meaning & Key Takeaway of: You sort of have to be always aware, even…" description: "\"You sort of have to be always aware, even when you're not thinking of shooting. That's when the best stuff happens.\" — Jay Maisel" image: "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/ef7/jay-maisel-7730_happens_you-sort-of-have-to-be-always-aware-even_1631622.png" --- # You sort of have to be always aware, even when you're not… ![“You sort of have to be always aware, even when you're not thinking of shooting. That's when the best stuff happens.” quote by Jay Maisel](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/ef7/jay-maisel-7730_happens_you-sort-of-have-to-be-always-aware-even_1631622.png) [Download](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/ef7/jay-maisel-7730_happens_you-sort-of-have-to-be-always-aware-even_1631622.png) [Open image](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/ef7/jay-maisel-7730_happens_you-sort-of-have-to-be-always-aware-even_1631622.png) > “You sort of have to be always aware, even when you're not thinking of shooting. That's when the best stuff happens.” [Jay Maisel](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jay-maisel/) ## About This Quote This interpretation was drafted with AI assistance. It is one reading of the quote, not the author's own explanation. Being constantly alert, even when not actively shooting, creates moments for unexpected great photos. **In simple terms:** Stay aware for spontaneous opportunities. Key Takeaway Maintain constant awareness. Themes creativity mindfulness photography Mood reflective inspirational Type philosophical practical When to use this quote - street photography - event coverage - travel photography Key Concepts spontaneity visual perception Questions to Reflect On - How do you balance vigilance with relaxation? - When have you captured an unexpected moment? A Different Perspective Over‑awareness can cause anxiety. ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ No ratings yet [Aware Thinking](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/aware-thinking-489799/) [Happens](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/happens/) [Photographer](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/photographer/) [Photography](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/photography/) [Shooting](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/shooting/) [Shooting Best](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/shooting-best-489798/) [Stuff](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/stuff/) [Stuff happens](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/stuff-happens/) [Thinking](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/thinking/) [Thinking Shooting](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/thinking-shooting-489797/) ## Related quotes > [You're looking for the best way of shooting it, but sometimes the best way of shooting it is changing the script.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jose-padilha/you-re-looking-for-the-best-way-of-shooting-it-but-sometimes-the-best/) [Jose Padilha](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jose-padilha/) > [If you are out there shooting, things will happen for you. If you're not out there, you'll only hear about it.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jay-maisel/if-you-are-out-there-shooting-things-will-happen-for-you-if-you-re/) [Jay Maisel](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jay-maisel/) > [I try not to tell students where to shoot, when to shoot, or what to shoot. I feel finding the picture is the most…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jay-maisel/i-try-not-to-tell-students-where-to-shoot-when-to-shoot-or-what-to/) [Jay Maisel](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jay-maisel/) > [“When you are aware that you are thinking, that awareness is not part of thinking. It is a different dimension of consciousness. And it…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/eckhart-tolle/when-you-are-aware-that-you-are-thinking-that-awareness-is-not-part/) [Eckhart Tolle](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/eckhart-tolle/) > [We need to realize that we are observers and creators, and in every moment that we are observing our world, we're constantly remaking it…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/lynne-mctaggart/we-need-to-realize-that-we-are-observers-and-creators-and-in-every/) [Lynne McTaggart](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/lynne-mctaggart/) > [Create a gap of no-mind in which you are highly alert and aware but not thinking. This is the essence of meditation.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/eckhart-tolle/create-a-gap-of-no-mind-in-which-you-are-highly-alert-and-aware-but/) [Eckhart Tolle](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/eckhart-tolle/) > [Here's one from me: 'You have to be aware that everyone else is thinking far too hard about themselves to be thinking about you,…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/damien-hirst/here-s-one-from-me-you-have-to-be-aware-that-everyone-else-is/) [Damien Hirst](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/damien-hirst/) > [When you walk into a room, you assess it instantaneously, habitually, before you're even aware of it. 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I acts as in a vacuum, with no other colors to relate to. It is only when colors relate…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jay-maisel/one-color-alone-means-nothing-i-acts-as-in-a-vacuum-with-no-other/) [Jay Maisel](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jay-maisel/) > [Sometimes as you work, you find that you are learning things about your own perceptions and motivations that are way below you consciousness. 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If you're not out there, you'll only hear about it.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jay-maisel/if-you-are-out-there-shooting-things-will-happen-for-you-if-you-re/) [Jay Maisel](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jay-maisel/) > [Sometimes as you work, you find that you are learning things about your own perceptions and motivations that are way below you consciousness. If…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jay-maisel/sometimes-as-you-work-you-find-that-you-are-learning-things-about/) [Jay Maisel](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jay-maisel/) > [I try not to tell students where to shoot, when to shoot, or what to shoot. I feel finding the picture is the most…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jay-maisel/i-try-not-to-tell-students-where-to-shoot-when-to-shoot-or-what-to/) [Jay Maisel](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jay-maisel/) > [One color alone means nothing. I acts as in a vacuum, with no other colors to relate to. 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