Understanding How We See: Stages Of The Practice Of Photography

Have you ever thought about how photography impacts you? I'm not referring to the business side but the personal side. Something inspired us to pick up the camera at some point in our lives. When you used it for the first time, did you already know that you would have the eye, the passion for photography? Did the desire to be behind the lens occur after seeing one of your first photos or did it evolve over time?



Photographers see the world differently. On-road trips we see ‘stop the car now' moments that would never draw attention from 99.999% of the population. On a nature walk, we go from standing to lying horizontally on the ground. At airports, in buildings, we notice chairs, patterns, and lines. We see literally and abstractly. We see the character in people's faces, wildlife emotion, beautiful bokeh, color, with perspectives that cross the gamut. We see it in color and black and white. Photography is a way of observing, absorbing, and forever (thanks to digital and photograph restoration) storing a moment. Photography is work. It involves patience, a fresh eye, and the diligence to work the shot at the onset and take it all the way to post-processing. When we photograph what moves us at the moment, what stirs the passion inside us…it shows in the outcome not only to us but the viewer as well.