“You learn to see by practice. It’s just like playing tennis, you get better the more you play. The more you look around at things, the more you see. The more you photograph, the more you realize what can be photographed and what can’t be photographed. You just have to keep doing it.” – Eliot Porter

I did a bit of fly fishing a few years ago. A newbie needs to learn the mechanics of casting so the fist step is to practice casting with a fly rod in the backyard: the 2:00 o’clock, 10 o’clock thing. Lot’s of practice. But once on the river we became aware of the difference of mastering the mechanics and seeing the fly land delicately on the water then drift to the spot we want. A good fly fisherman will visually follow the fly, watching to see the trout rise and take the fly. This takes more practice, lots more practice.  We must learn to see the fish take the fly or we will miss opportunities. A veteran will see those fish rise and take home his limit.

Since picking up a camera back in 2003, practice has become an everyday experience. Each time I pull the camera out of the bag, hold it in my hand, press the shutter, it is practice. As we practice the mechanics become second nature and allows the scenes to be seen. Earl asked me a question about the lighting in one of my images a couple days ago. In answering his question, I realized I no longer am taking snapshots but learning to see images.

I’m back in the air again today, starting a 4-day trip. This will be my last trip out of Columbus as I start flying out of Denver in February. Packing is basically done. All I have to do is put it in the car and hit the road. Later.