why I shoot

There is a quote from this book on Antarctica that I’m currently reading that has stuck with me all week:

“Just look: look with your mind and your soul, and not just through your camera’s viewfinder. Memory is worth more than a thousand digital files.”

I have to say, he’s got a point…I just don’t think it necessarily applies to me.

I think a lot of people, myself included (sometimes), spend so much time trying to capture the moment that we forget to enjoy the moment. But for me, being the photo-obsessed lunatic that I am, taking the photos is the moment. It’s what I love, getting lost (sometimes literally), forgetting everything around me except for finding the proper light and background…it’s kind of surprising I haven’t walked off a cliff yet.

For example, my recent trip to Colorado/Indiana. I don’t need any more photos of these places.  But I was just so damn happy to be back in Colorado… and autumn makes me giddy like a school girl. 

 

Long's Peak, Rocky Mountain National Park:

The weekend in between nerd conferences, I got to spend most of the day hiking in RMNP.  It was getting late, the light was starting to fade and my travel cohort was looking ready to keel over from the altitude. We hadn't had a great view of the mountain. Then the views presented themselves and kept getting better and better. The poor trees are getting their asses kicked by the pine beetles but it makes for some great shots. And, I have to say, I always love bringing other people here.

Somewhere in Indiana

I was still rather sick and even more tired, but there was a tiny little patch of woods near my parents house that was still in full bloom. How could I resist? I traipsed around the woods, kicked leaves took 150 pictures...and kept 4. Of all the things I miss about the US, autumn is pretty high on the list.