inLA

I love photography because--at its very best--it reminds me of the beauty, wonder, and mystery of life.

Every photograph is like a single frame of a motion picture--with the photographer as the director and the model as the actor. In a split second, the temporary becomes permanent. And both the model and the photographer instantly become part of something lasting. What a great thing.

My feeling is that these days we photographers add the most value by joining with models to transform the ordinary and somehow render it extraordinary. To rise above the snapshot.

Some folks do it with light, some with an eye (and a vision) that's unique, some with Photoshop--some with all three. Knowledge of the camera and its settings still matters, but probably not as much as any of the rest.

At our best, we photographers should seek to transcend the ordinary. When we do, our work delights the eye. And sometimes--if we're fortunate--it also touches the heart and soul.

SHAMELESS PLUG: I'm involved with Heart Gallery, a wonderful organization. Photographers volunteer to take quality photos of kids seeking adoption. These photos increase adoption rates significantly. The LA branch is at http://heartgalleryla.org and there's a very strong affiliate on the East Coast http://www.heartgallerynj.org  Check it out. Volunteer.