The Process

The quietness. Being lost in thought, free from distraction, and free to explore whatever captures the imagination, the eye, or both. This is my favorite part of photography. Just letting the mind and the spirit wander. Slowly walking in the woods, along the shore of the lake or an ocean, and just breathing in and letting go. This is the feeling I try to capture in my images. That is why I like to photograph small scenes. I want to iris in (pun somewhat intended) on the detail and let everything else just dissolve in the distance. Outside the frame of the image, the rest of the world ceases to exist.

It is this process that I have begun to love—a sense of meditation of sorts. To just wander and let my surroundings dictate what my next image will be. I find the “reaction” to my surroundings creates more appreciation for my surroundings. It generates a curiosity that is fun to follow. Once something does catch my eye, I want to know why. Was it the color, the shape, the contrast? This is what draws me in at first. Once I start to look closer, my attention zooms in, and I find the essential elements that convey the feeling of free-flowing thought and freedom from distraction—the peaceful, calm aspect of a quiet mind. I love this photography process, which drives me to keep creating, get outside, and quiet my mind.