A few years ago my friend Gord commented to me, “it must be hard for you to take pictures now?” I wasn’t really quite sure what he meant but the fact that I can recall this conversation certainly means that it stood out. More recently, another friend commented “I bet you’ll get some really good pictures in Mexico.” (I’m travelling to Mexico at the end of the month.) My immediate response: “I am not going to Mexico to take pictures.” I was steadfast in this response too and I immediately recalled the conversation I had with Gord which I now understand fully. For a photographer, it’s not about “taking pictures.” It’s about becoming one with the scene or subject, viewing that scene or subject and masterfully transforming it into an image. It’s not easy, composition must be technically precise. The lighting has to be just right and the list goes on and on and on. The fact of the matter is, no! I just can’t take a picture and I’m okay with that. I don’t have a choice.