Seeking Perfection: When Is Enough, Enough?

I’m always chasing the perfect shot, sometimes to the point of obsession. I’ll revisit a location time and time again, hoping to catch it in the perfect light, the perfect moment, the perfect mood. Sound familiar?

For me, one place embodies this pursuit more than any other - Warnscale Bothy in Buttermere, tucked away in the Lake District. I first discovered this location when I took up photography seriously during the lockdown in 2020 (remember those days?). I saw a breathtaking photo of the Bothy at sunset, glowing under golden light, and I was hooked. I had to try capturing that magic for myself.

But there's a catch, to get that golden light streaming into the Bothy at just the right angle, there's only a narrow window of opportunity: June, when the sun sets in just the right position. So once a year, I return, hoping the weather plays ball and the elements align.

In June 2024, I finally got a shot I was incredibly happy with. One I’m proud of. But even now, I wonder, could it be better? Probably. Maybe. Hopefully. So I’ll be heading back again this month, weather permitting.

Will I ever get the perfect shot? Or do I just enjoy the chase? Maybe it’s both. Or maybe, deep down, I just love being there.