This is my hometown, where I grew up
in almost every way, a very unremarkable town
just one of many in this region
some would even say that it's a boring and ugly one
definitely not a place one would have in mind when it comes to making images
and yet, I love doing photography here
I love it because it's hard
because it's challenging
because it's different
because it's pretty much just me out there
because it's unique
because it's real
I'm going to show you the spot where I made one of my favorite images from
And no, this is not Yosemite
there are no majestic peaks, stunning alpine lakes,
rugged coastlines, or crazy rock formations around here
this is just a roundabout, just outside of my hometown
I walk by here, if not every day, very often
this is part of my daily morning walk
but it took me months to see this image,
because it required the right light and the right conditions
this is the spot, right there
and this is the image
that's the house that you can see in the photograph
Rachel and I joke about that house every time we come by here
because it has to be one of the ugliest buildings in town
and that is a very low bar
but that day, everything was perfect here
the fog, the sun breaking through the fog, the overgrown weeds here in the foreground
and, the most important thing, me being here ready with a camera in hand
and paying attention to my surroundings
if you get to travel, by all means keep doing it
but if you don't, or you can't very often,
try embracing the local, what we have access to right now
instead of longing for trips to faraway lands
why wait when we might have all we need right in front of us
let's ask ourselves: what can we create, here, today?
we need to give ourselves permission to create art where we thought there was none
after all, art is everywhere, if you say so
this is easier said than done, though
we are so used to where we live that we stop seeing
day after day, the same streets,
the same buildings, the same faces, the same smells, the same sounds...
the same sameness
our senses are numb, barely working
so we fail to see what's in front of us
what's been in front of us all this time
it can be... no, it is, very frustrating
but also so rewarding when we do find an image
and even if we don't find any, the practice will force us to pay more attention
it will make us better observers
take it as photography training to develop our photography muscles
I had to move overseas and come back a few years later to
really appreciate my hometown for what it is
and that is... whatever you want it to be
so wherever you are right now, look around
but really, really look
can you see?