20041002

I put down the camera for a few days, a week or so. I took a photo here and there and deleted them
from the sensor. After taking a photo every day for a solid year, I found the exercise to be an
obligation rather than something I looked forward to. How many sunsets, pictures of my cat, tiki
dolls and desaturated three-quarter profiles of my brooding face could you take? So, more and more,
I turned to candid photography. Shots of a crowd became stolen moment candids and I found a lot of
enjoyment with that. What kept me coming back was two-fold. I felt like I was getting better as I
was getting bolder, for one. For two, seeing the encouragement day to day was a little addicting. I
don't think I am alone in that. Feedback is nice - especially when the commitment to shoot every
single day starts to wear. Still, the closer that one year mark came, the more I was ready to set
the long lens down. I would be remiss, however, in not thanking anyone - one person in particular. I
purchased my first 'prosumer' camera based on Donna Lear's rig of choice; a Sony F707.
When she moved up to a D70, I was right behind her. She's always been a source of encouragement. I used to
shoot with an Oly P & S, 800 Speed Film, right out the car window. I would scan the shots and email
them to her before I ever knew what PBase was. A lot of what I shoot and the way I shoot it
originates from her initial and continued observations and comments. When she discovered 'freebase',
she showed it to me; encouraging me to post photos. Before I ever received triple digit daily page
views with multiple comments, Donna shared her thoughts about what I shot. She's good at finding
joy in life and helping others do the same. Be a pal, check out her work.