No, this is not a photo from an exotic location in Nepal, it's across the street from my son's school.For the last hour, I watched a National Geographic special about photography. Watching photographers capturing life in the furthest away places on earth made my heart race. It is almost midnight and my eyes are wide open thinking of where I can next direct my lens. The documentary featured the photographers' efforts beyond clicking the shutter. One sat for hours being eaten alive by bugs waiting to capture a baboon on film. Another hoisted himself 200 feet up on a rope laden down with equipment just so we could witness life in the canopy. While during the days of film, a marine photographer carried 6 camera bodies, lights and gear to capture thousands of barracuda swirling around him 100 feet below the ocean. As I covered my 5 mile trolly-like track that takes me to my kid’s schools, I wonder if I could have just a taste of National Geographic’s adventure. Am I odd for wanting to capture dirt roads and challenged existences and peeling paint? Maybe; so I realize that my family life will keep me close to home. My experiences lead me down concrete paths where generally happy people are at the end of my lens. My adventures are localized. When your general perimeter of photography stays within 15 miles, you have to look under lots of rocks to actually find something unique in an image. I will walk around it, crawl under or over it and get really cold toes and fingers and dirty knees just to see something differently. My hope is that in some way, there is a relationship to be nurtured. I like the idea of using the lens to create a bridge that unites people. In the moment the shutter clicks seals that connection forever. Even in photographing buildings there is value in knowing they have meaning to their occupants because of the lives they create in them. The NG Photographers are the lucky chosen few that wake up every day to a world unseen by others. I get to see the world seen by everyone, everyday. The challenge whether your a big gun or just a casual shooter will never differ. You just want to get the shot. But for now, I’ll be happy to get some shot-eye.
1 Comment
Liz McCoy
4/2/2011 12:49:20 am
Jen, don't underestimate your talents, and what you are bringing to people, and your children. What you do is amazing, and has made me interested in photography in ways that I never thought about. I even purchased a really nice digital camera and I am trying to learn about photography. I will never have the talent or the eye that you have, but you have brought about the emotion in photography to me and many others. You are touching many people, so do not forget that. It might not be as glamourous as National Geographic, but it is real and just as important. I admire your talent and emotion. Keep up the good work!! It is not going unnoticed!!!
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