It's Christmas. There's a great many photo-opportunities but, to be frank, I have missed them all. I have convinced myself that I am too busy. Well, there's the presents to buy and the parties to attend. And, where I live, EVERYBODY is shopping - that means queues, waiting, frustration and heartache. Add these problems to the usual ones of not knowing who to buy presents for and what to get them then I can justifiably consider myself worthy of a hard-earned rest. That means sitting with a glass of wine rather than taking photos.

But the other day I surprised myself. Having sat down with nothing else on my mind than resting, I noticed the beautiful colour of the sun outside. It was cold and I certainly didn't feel like venturing too far (I was still in "resting" mode) but I could see a few of the trees in my garden resplendent in the sun's rays. Even I couldn't miss this opportunity and I went out and took 6 maybe 7 images. OK, that's not many - I will usually take 100 or more in a simple session - but when I came in I felt refreshed and satisfied with my work - the images were nothing special but the experience was unrepeatable.

The satisfaction continued but, unfortunately, the refreshment didn't and I went back to my "rest" for the remainder of the day.

Eric Hartwell runs the photography resource site http://www.theshutter.co.uk and the associated discussion forums as well as the regular weblog at http://thephotographysite.blogspot.com.

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