Nigerian-American photographer and writer Teju Cole once thought back on his own artistic experiences. He often wondered why taking a great picture made him feel better than writing something just as good.

According to Cole, this distinction results from photography's inherent magic. The act of taking a picture involves a certain amount of chance and requires being in the right place at the right time. A photographer needs to be ready to capture that moment when light, composition, and emotion all come together flawlessly. It requires both skill and timing, much like attempting to catch a butterfly with your hands.

For Cole, photography is a combination of serendipity and technical skill. The greatest moments are frequently impromptu and surprising, which lends them a magical quality. In contrast, writing can occasionally be a more intentional process, even though it still demands commitment and effort. Like constructing a house brick by brick, it entails creating something lovely from the ground up.

Cole's viewpoint emphasizes how various artistic mediums captivate us in distinctive ways. Photography freezes the world in time, capturing it as it is or was at that exact moment. For someone who values both preparation and being receptive to the whims of chance, this spontaneity and immediacy can be immensely fulfilling.

Cole challenges readers to think about their own creative processes and what fulfills them through his observations on photography versus writing. The quotation relates to a larger discussion about inspiration, creativity, and the unanticipated magic that can enter our work when we're prepared for it.