For many years, I enjoyed reading the monthly column of Dewitt Jones in Outdoor Photographer magazine, called Basic Jones. Dewitt Jones is a professional photographer turned motivational speaker. What a seemingly odd combination . . .

Odd, only until you understand the passion that drives Dewitt Jones’ art. Through reading Dewitt’s column, I discovered the secret to his passion: gratitude.

Dewitt would seldom write a column wherein he didn’t express some form of gratitude for the opportunity to be there as it would click – to be present at the creation of art. Dewitt described how he would often pause after capturing an image and whisper a quiet thank you. He would express gratitude to God for nature and nature’s art and for the blessing of being there, at that moment, as a witness to its grandeur.

Meanwhile, I worked for a man who was a motivational dynamo in his own right. He preached: Attitude comes from Gratitude. He taught that to be right-minded, one must first be right with the world. One must understand his relationship with God and recognize that all blessings flow into our lives from external sources.

I often think about what I’ve learned from these two men. Sometimes, when I find things aren’t clicking as I’d like them to, I recognize the need to reevaluate things: to count my blessings. Often, when I’m behind my camera, I recognize that my experience of creation and discovery and my subsequent thankful heart is a metaphor for life.

As I turn my inner lens on circumstance around me, I begin to search out the good in it. I work to find the better perspectives (yes, plural) and compositional setting. Just like working a photographic subject!

As I work the subject, I’m thinking about the technical aspect of making the image (or, to continue the metaphor, making the best of circumstance). How much depth of field should I employ? Do I want every detail in sharp focus from front to back, or do I want just the important parts to be crisp with all the competing, non-essential elements in the scene cast into a soft, visually appealing blur? What lenses are in my bag to help me accomplish this? How should I best manage the exposure triad (ISO, shutter speed, and aperture) to showcase my subject? What about the use of creative control devices, such as filters or external lighting sources?

There are many decisions and much knowledge that go in the making of a master photograph. So, too, in life. I’m grateful that photography has given me a tool that is also useful in interpreting life. I’m also grateful for wise teachers. Those who have opened my eyes to the nature of gratitude: a wellspring from which goodness does flow.

The below thought is my paraphrase of a line from some book or magazine article I once read by some photographer who I can not now name. Although I’ve long forgotten the source of this thought, the depth of its meaning has stayed with me.

Although paraphrased in my own words, I think the author’s original intent remains clear:

Life should never be measured by the moments we breathe;
rather, by the moments which take our breath away . . .

– Author Unknown.

Cheers,
-Mike.