It’s easy to think that in order to make meaningful pictures you have to go somewhere else. That somewhere else could be the other side of the world. It could be the other side of the country or anywhere other than your front yard.
Last Thursday, while sitting on the porch after walking the dogs and pouring my third cup of coffee, rays of “god light” had me going back inside to get my camera. As I fumbled with composition and aperture, all I could think was no one else in the world had the same view - and experience - as me in that moment.
Finishing my coffee a bit later, I thought of all the times I’d tried to convince myself that making interesting pictures had to be done somewhere else. Maybe it doesn’t require a plane ticket or going to the other side of the world, but good pictures aren’t made by simply stepping off your front porch, right?
The truth is, good light is good light no matter where it is. This particular morning, it just so happened to me right out my front door.
Next month, I’ll be in Athens, Ohio where I’ll be in conversation with my good friend (and one of my favorite photographers) Rich-Joseph Facun. Rich recently published his third book, 1804, and will be opening an exhibit September 2, 2026 at the VisCom Focus Gallery at Ohio University. He’ll also be signing books! If you’re in the area, please come by and see this work in person.
The title of this week’s newsletter is inspired by Jim Wayne Miller’s Brier Sermon - You Must Be Born Again.
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Keep looking,
- Roger
Love that: “Good light is good light no matter where it is.”
I am a retired public K-12 educational guide who is disabled, but I shall do my best to get to OU (-50 miles away) to experience the show/exhibit ❤️🕊️
ps: the arts build and connect both sides of the brain and humanity🦋