Characters

For me, photography is all about the gasp. That split-second audible reflex when your viewfinder captures what your naked eye almost missed. Your pulse quickens. Your shutter releases. Time stops. And then you breathe again, this time with a smile. It’s a rush I’ve chased since the day I held my first SLR and secretly declared myself “an artist.” Decades later I have to admit — I don’t gasp from behind my camera as much as I’d like. Instead, I’ve allowed function, formula, technique and deadline to drive the lion’s share of my image making. I’m often shooting to deliver a product or result, and less frequently to express unique perspective and creativity. Then a spectacular day comes along and I head out for a fun photo adventure — but am shocked to discover I can’t summon the “creativity muse” on demand. When I sense I’m becoming outcome-driven and need to reinvigorate my creative soul, I “chase the gasp.” I shake up my routine by changing my approach, embracing some chal