The more or less we see

The more often we see the things around us – even the beautiful and wonderful things – the more they become invisible to us. That is why we often take for granted the beauty of this world: the flowers, the trees, the birds, the clouds – even those we love. Because we see things so often, we see them less and less. – Joseph Wirthlin

I believe there is some truth in Mr. Wirthlin’s statement – in life and photography. In life, let’s not take for granted those precious people around us, or the plight of those less fortunate. We tend to hide our eyes from the ugliness in the world around us. In doing so we miss many opportunities to make something beautiful from it.

In photography, like life, it takes great discipline to see beyond the ordinary, or the familiar. You have to approach each shoot as if you’ve never captured that subject before. Case in point… So far this year I’ve captured over 500 images of birds – mostly in my backyard. And while there are only about 10-15 different species, I try to see something different in each one. It may be the lighting, time of day/year, behavior, or anything else that helps me capture the essence of the creature. The bottom line is – it helps keep my focus sharp. (no pun intended)