The book of faces

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Why I Take Pictures

I photograph in an attempt to make good images, to edit my visual experience in a way that draws the viewer in. I do not take pictures in order to a) create art for art's sake or b) demonstrate photographic acumen or c) simply document my life (though those things may end up happening along the way). I compose and arrange the elements, either through cropping or camera position. I consider color and lighting. If the image comes out blurry, maybe that is okay. If there is motion, fine. These things might not lend themselves to do traditional commercial photography, but that isn't my goal.

The photographic process is an artificial one, and in that fundamental way, could never convey the full "representational truth". So I feel free to edit an image to my satisfaction, to make it more compelling or clear. Or if nothing in the image needs to change, I don't change it. I present these photons to you, and they form a picture in your mind. Representational truth is not present there.

When I take a picture, I'm usually thinking "That looks interesting". I'm generally not thinking "This represents my life philosophy" or "This could be as good as [famous photographer]". Life happens around me, and I find it visually fascinating at times. I share this fascination with the viewer.