Looking beyond the lens

"A camera is a tool for learning to see without a camera"

-Dorthea Lange (pictured above)

There's a moment in my photo filled day when I let my camera hang from it's strap and just mentally photograph the action happening around me. It's important to live the moments on the front side of the camera rather than constantly behind the viewfinder. 

I'm reminded of a quote from a favorite photographer, Dorthea Lange, who helped pave the way for documentary photography in the Depression-era; "a camera is a tool for learning how to see without a camera." This idea has greatly impacted my role as a photographer and continues to challenge the way I look at the world around me. 

There are times when you know to pick up the camera, wait for the shot and when not to. There are also times when regret sneaks in due to a missed photographic opportunity. I remind myself that the sun will rise tomorrow and surely there will be another photograph to seek out. I think back on those missed moments and they propel me towards future photographs. Whether through a lens on the camera or simply the eyes, there's still so much to learn about how to see. Isn't that the point? Never stop exploring?