I'm a real fence rider...artistic, sometimes to my own detriment;

Naive in a sophisticated way.

I put up a lot my LifeImages in a random manner. I don't like to bundle things up...it takes away from discovery somehow; sort of like telling others how they should see the world...let 'em look! They'll see without your guidance.

That's the way I do it.

I was proud to receive a comment from my friend Michael.

He had told me that he thinks photography is my calling.

...quite a compliment, sez I.

He commented further:

"The compliment was completely sincere. my girlfriend is a photog, I enjoy getting behind the lens and it's probably my favorite art medium...there are some of your pic's that I look at and say, damn, that's good...I wish I could take a picture like that.

Coming from him ...and he, from The Culture Mecca of Oakland, Ca,... I puffed up and grinned all toothy.

I kinda like what I show, too. That's why I put them here.

One key is having the camera with you when you see something magical. Having a soul thief that fits discreetly in your pocket really helps.

The other key is take shots freely...lots of them.

And, Boy-O-Boy, can digital ever allow THAT.

I play with Photoshop a bit here and there, often doing nothing more than tweaking brightness and contrast.

SEEING the shot when you find it, before you take it, is a lot of the magic...and fun.

And if it's not fun, why do it?

Thank you, Michael.

-Sumshee