My interest in photography started while I was in the army. In 1988, I was an officer cadet undergoing my training at Sandhurst in the UK. My fellow officer cadets and I were digging trenches in Salisbury Plains one rainy, dreary evening. Suddenly, the rain stopped as rays of sunshine pierced through the grey clouds. A glorious sunset emerged amid a sky that was a deepening shade of purple. As the sun sank lower into the horizon, billowing mists began rolling across the plains. It was breathtaking. There and then, I just knew that I needed something "better" than my point-and-shoot camera!
For me, photography is about trying to capture the essence of the moment. I know I will never be able to record the full sense and emotions of a particular experience, but it is certainly worth trying, even if what has been captured is only a sliver of the full experience. But I have also learnt that some moments are so unique that feeling and enjoying the unfolding spectacle trumps the need to photograph it. While this is true of nature, it is even more so with people.
We pass by so many people every day that we often forget that etched in every one of these faces is a whole life's story. In a way, taking pictures of people helps to remind me that every individual matters and each has a unique story to tell. Taking photos has taught me to not just look at people, but really see them.
It has been a tremendously enriching journey, and I hope that through these few pages, I can share some of my experiences with you.
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