The morning light streaming in through a window. The texture of peeling paint. The color of autumn leaves. The form of a coffee cup. The lines of bare tree branches. This is what I see. 

Every day, as a photographer, I get to see interesting things. Scenes which might be passed by unnoticed by the average person will stop me in my tracks. These otherwise mundane things cause me to pause and observe. I honor the beauty that exists all around me, when I take the time to see.

If the time and scene is right, I may pull out my camera to memorialize the moment in a photograph. Find a piece of the world to use for my art. Like this tree, with this gorgeous morning light coming through the leaves. I drove around the block to park in a Burger King parking lot to photograph this tree after seeing  a flash of these leaves, these lines, this light.

Beauty is available to me, to all. You just have to see.

I was giving a talk on mobile photography last week, and I talked about how my process starts with seeing. The art I create relies on a photograph as a starting point. And the creation of a photograph relies on the ability to see. To see the world as light, texture, color, form and lines. To see the beauty in the everyday. 

And I realized, as a photographer, or any kind of artist, you and I are lucky. This skill of noticing, developed over time and practice along with our technical skill, is something special. It allows us to experience the world with wonder. It allows us to find something unique and special to honor with our notice, each and every day. It brings us joy and gratitude for the simplest of things.

What an exquisitely wonderful way to go through life! 

The morning light streaming in through a window. The texture of peeling paint. The color of autumn leaves. The form of a coffee cup. The lines of bare tree branches. Do you see?