Tuesday, February 23, 2010

Deputy and Deputy Dawg

One of the things I love most about being a photographer is the chance it affords me to capture and communicate to others the visual humor I see all around me.  Those funny moments in life are unpredictable but inevitable.

Here is an example of that in one of my favorite images from the past.  A reporter and I were covering a hearing on unusually high cancer rates in a small, Louisiana bayou town.  Before the hearing started, I had noticed the painting that resembled a slimmed down Deputy Dawg on the wall of the room in the school where the hearing was to be held.  While the reporter was talking to one of the panelists, I saw the deputy sheriff walking towards the door.  I couldn't believe my luck.  It was quick, but I managed to get a frame off in time.

Sometimes it's anticipation that allows me to capture a moment and sometimes the moments just show up in front of me, unexpected.  But either way, one of the most important skills that a photographer can develop is the ability to be a constant observer.  It's amazing what we can see when we spend a little time looking.



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