First and foremost, I am a documentary photographer—a storyteller who observes and records natural, unchoreographed scenes and unrehearsed emotion.
I watch people’s faces, body language and interactions. I seek expression, gesture, spontaneous happenings, ever-so-small capsules of time to tell visual stories.
I call these moments.
But sometimes, I don’t feel like interacting with humans. Sometimes I prefer to commune with nature or watch wildlife. Other times, I am drawn to the beauty of lines, shapes and the power of architecture.
As photographers, many of us gravitate toward geometric shapes such as triangles, squares and rectangles—even when we are not consciously aware of it.
Years ago, while on a tour of Israel, I was struck by the architecture of Herod the Great. Beholding these magnificent creations, I stood in silent awe.
Composition is a dance of visual notes that create a musical feel—an orchestra for the eye, with each line, shape, tone and color contributing to the symphony.
By changing angles, lenses, time of day and even seasons when we photograph, we change the look, the feeling and the perception of another’s creation, putting our own signature on their masterpiece. It’s a matter of photographic addition or subtraction, inclusion or elimination.
Struck by the design of this bridge, I made several trips to photograph it at different times of day and in different seasons. Finally, I felt including the small figure of an elderly man jogging in the early morning fog helped animate and provide living contrast to the stationary beams.
Reader Challenge
Find a bridge and make it come alive with your camera. Consider how different it looks and feels at various times and with different lenses. Remember: Light coming from behind your subject (bridge) shows shape, while light from the side reveals texture. Perhaps a slower shutter on a tripod at night can help capture the mood.
Email your best image (just one, please) with caption information, including an explanation of how it affects you to GPH@pur.coop. We may share the best submissions on our website and social media channels.