If I were granted a single wish as a photographer

... I would choose patience above all.

Without it, all the photographer's accumulated skills are of little use. When little crises arise, patience is the fist to unravel. If a photographer has never felt the need to hurl his camera at a brick wall, he has either not tried hard enough, or he has already been granted this one wish.

Patience is key for two reasons: partly because of the time involved to set up a picture, but also, and importantly, because nature imposes its own pace and rhythm. When you need time, nature hastens; when you are in a hurry, nature slows down.

- John Brackenbury, "Creative Techniques for Successful Macrophotography"