Travel Story: Still Shooting Photos, Even Through the Pain!

IMAGEFRONTIERS Post #003 Despite a torn Achilles, I captured Charleston’s vibrant spring beauty in my photowalks.

Welcome to my third IMAGEFRONTIERS Post. This is from my Travel collection. I plan to share more work from my many destinations around the world with you. Today, I’m sharing my recent photography journey through a spring holiday in Charleston, South Carolina, where a torn Achilles tendon couldn’t stop me from chasing the perfect shot.

I want to hear: What do you seek when you travel? How do you shoot, and what makes a photo “the one”? Let’s dive in, and don’t forget to share your thoughts in the comments!

Join me on this photowalk adventure—hobbled but unstopped—and share your own stories!

What’s Up? My Photography Journey 📸

I’m on a personal journey to explore the possibilities open to me in photography, building a body of work across genres like street photography, architecture, portraits—both candid and posed—and the images, photos & stories I uncover in my travels.

I’ve set a thoughtful pace, dedicating at least three days a week to photowalks, racking up 10,000 to 20,000 steps per day in cities I live in, visit, or travel to. Since starting my sabbatical, I did this 3 or 4 days a week at least.

Even with a recent injury (more on that soon), I’m out there, learning from classes, connecting with other creatives, and refining my vision. From the thousands of pictures I take on a photowalk, event, or project, only a handful—often in the single or double digits—emerge as my “A Edits,” the top photos worthy of sharing or displaying, a pursuit that fuels my growth.

Holiday Accident: The Pop Heard ‘Round the Court 🏸

My wife and I planned a three-city escape from Boston’s brutal winter, hitting Savannah, GA, Hilton Head, SC, and Charleston, SC, to meet longtime friends. In Hilton Head, mid-trip, disaster struck during a pickleball game. POP! A sharp sound echoed, and pain shot through my ankle. Everyone on the court froze. My ankle swelled, forcing me to prop it up at our friends’ stunning home with an open-air living room—perfect for chilling in tropical weather. Stubbornly, I ignored the pain (and started Aleve), not knowing I’d torn my Achilles tendon, sidelining me for at least eight to 16 weeks.

Four weeks later, I feel like my leg’s been slapped with a “Denver Boot”—that infamous yellow clamp Boston used to immobilize cars of parking ticket scofflaws. It’s frustrating, but it hasn’t stopped my photography.

Two Boots and a Cast

Here’s how I kept shooting in Charleston.

Charleston: High Hopes, Hobbled Steps 🌆

As we arrived in Charleston, it promised vibrant city views, unique architecture, and a tropical vibe and weather—perfect for photowalks. I looked forward to boating, exploring alleyways, hanging with my wife and good friends. But my injury forced a slower pace. Instead of my usual brisk photowalks,

I started out exploring with my wife, but quickly realized that I could not keep up to her pace. So we parted ways as they went shopping. But, I couldn’t stop photo-walking yet as it was later afternoon and shadows were rising. So, I hobbled six to eight blocks around our Old Town hotel, camera in hand, eye trained for “the shot.”

Street Scenes in Old Town Charleston (and One Self-Reflection)

Charleston’s charm delivered: classic cars with open windows, dogs peeking out, and convertible Chevys gleaming in the spring light. I love dogs and I appreciate good cars. They have a lot of them. Click the Photos to See in Full Size.

Cars of Charleston

Meeting Local Artists 🎨

While My wife grabbed an ankle-stabilizing wrap from a drugstore, I wandered around the Hotel’s neighborhood. On my photo-hobble, I stumbled across local artists painting a blooming alleyway. They were fun to chat with and gave me permission to shoot them “in the field,” sparking an inspiring chat about seeing the world through a creative lens. Of course I shared my shots with them to see and use in return.

Painter Artists at "Work in the Field"

You can contact them and see their great work on their Instagrams: @janieballpaints, @elizabethmiddourfineart, & @MaryHoffmanfineart .

Their energy pushed me to notice details around me I’d overlooked, with my recent focus on people and street photography. I started noticing things like intricate doorways and hidden alleys. Thanks to them, I leaned into capturing more doors and passages that day.

I captured restored garage entrances—once for horses and buggies—now adorning homes and businesses, plus flower-laden alleyways and historic churches.

Click the Photos Below to See in Full Size.

Gallery of Alleyways of Charleston

Courtyard Chills & Portraits 🖼️

Back at the hotel, the courtyard became my oasis. With perfect weather, a cigar, and some top-notch tequila, I relaxed and shot daytime storefronts and window reflections.

My Tequila and Cigar Waiting for Me.. But First, A Picture

The courtyard also hosted a lively Saturday wedding and a business meeting where I met a local for the first time. The light and shadows were perfect for shots from my balcony

Golden Hour & Great Eats 🍽️

Charleston’s food scene is a highlight of any trip. We Lyft’d to local gems near Old Town, where I wielded my fastest lenses to capture golden-hour restaurant vibes and nighttime street activity. We started with a rooftop visit to The Vendue that offered cocktails, appetizers, and stunning vistas—plus candid people shots.

Click the Photos to See in Full Size.

Gallery - Rooftop Bar at The Vendue

The warm air and lively ambiance fueled my creativity. It was a nice end of our first full day there. Click Below to See the Pictures in Full Size.

Gallery- Evening and Night shots

And as we were walking back to the hotel I saw this.

Photographer’s Lessons Learned

This Charleston trip taught me to rethink how I judge my photos and hunt for those elusive “A” edits.

A Cluttered Mind in the Moment
Photography, for me, is about freezing a memory—a fleeting moment or scene. But my ADHD-driven enthusiasm and sensory bias cloud my judgment. When I shoot, my mind captures more than the frame: the breeze, the crowd’s chatter, the sticky humidity, the uneven ground, sounds just out of view. It’s all there, vivid and overwhelming.

Culling with Clarity
Back home, sifting through thousands of shots, I’m often let down. Few images match the full sensory immersion I felt. I’ve learned to slow my culling process, taking days or weeks to find my selects, B’s, and those rare A’s—sometimes just a handful—that truly stand out or tell a story. It’s a struggle to separate my memory from the photo’s quality, but I’m getting better at it.

What I Learned
This trip reshaped my approach:

• Break free from routine: At home, I stick to familiar shots, but travel demands openness. I chased quirky moments, like dogs riding in golf carts, and wished I’d made a shot list to stay focused.

• Slow down: Wandering slowly isn’t a flaw—it’s a gift. Taking my time helped me see more and even chat with locals who became fast friends.

• Question the excitement: My initial thrill often blinds me. Now, I focus on what the image itself conveys.

I’m still refining this process and would love your thoughts. I will write about this again in an upcoming post.

NOTE: I learned something else. Be Careful when Playing Pickelball, its not easier on your legs than Tennis… 😊

How do you pick your best shots? Any culling tips?

Your Turn: Let’s Talk Travel & Photography ❓

I’m curious about your experiences! Here are some questions to spark conversation:

1. What inspires your travel? Unique destinations, local culture, or personal connections?

2. How do you approach photography? Do you wander freely or plan your shots?

3. What defines a standout photo for you? How do you choose your favorites?

4. Do you weave stories into your images? Through captions, collections, or the photos themselves?

Would love any feedback. Does this resonate with you?

Wrapping Up ✍️

This Charleston journey—despite the “boot” of my injury—reaffirmed why I pursue photography: it’s about discovery, persistence, and preserving moments that matter. From limping through alleys to cruising coastal waters, I found joy in the process. Thanks for joining me. Keep shooting, keep exploring, and let’s share more stories in the comments!

Rate this post with a quick emoji in the comments: 😊 (loved it), 😐 (it was okay), or 😞 (not for me)! Your stories inspire me, and I can’t wait to hear how you capture your travels.

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1. All photographs and images were taken and produced by me, David Rosen. Feel free to share this post by linking to it, re-stacking, or creating notes to spread the word! The images may not be reproduced or distributed without my explicit permission. If you would like to use the photos be glad to accomodate you, so please contact me at Click@davidrosenphoto.com. Thank you for supporting my work—subscribe or share to stay connected with my photography journey.