Matters of the Heart

This is the day. Finally I have realized my prime equipment when taking photographs. It is not with my camera. Nor with my lens, though admittedly it is a good one. Nor am I relying solely on my eyes. Or my hunger for exciting compositions, for subtle shades, thrilling contrasts, intriguing subjects. As for technical skills, I am a novice.

My prime equipment when taking photographs is in fact my heart.

It took me another journal to see it. What suddenly hit me was this photographer?s engagement with whatever captured her attention. And whatever engaged her, engaged me. Not because I recognized any of the visual elements, but because I recognized her passion. It was her heart that painted the picture.

It doesn?t need to be photos of loved ones. While walking in the rain today, I recapitulated what really draws me to certain photos. When the heart is involved, I am pulled in as by a magnetic force.

On this site I have encountered bicycles captured with love. I have met strangers on the streets, captured with love. I have seen flowers, feet, satellite dishes, doors, boats, derelict houses and horses captured with love. And of course I have looked at sons and daughters, mums and dads.

But it is not the depicted itself which draws me in. It is the equipment with which it is captured.

So while my photo today is of someone so close to me my heart expands just by looking at him, it is not because of him I am writing these words.

I am writing because I finally realize why I am here. I am here because I am involved with matters of the heart.