Strange though it may be, my path to photography began with bird watching. More than anything, bird watching taught me to slow down, observe and pay closer attention to the natural world around me. Whatever kind of photography I am doing, it is always the best when I lose expectations and wait to see what is revealed. In being still, in mind and body, it is possible to see things that would go unnoticed, though it is always a balancing act to actively go somewhere and then let go of preconceived ideas.
Internationally recognized photographer Freeman Patterson said, “Seeing, in the finest and broadest sense, means using your senses, your intellect, and your emotions. It means encountering your subject matter with your whole being. It means looking beyond the labels of things and discovering the remarkable world around you.” I can’t think of a better way to express what photography has meant to me. It is a wonderful journey with camera in hand.
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New Hope Mills
I must admit, shots like this involve some planning. It calls for a day with soft even lighting to capture all the texture and color in the iconic mill with the fall foliage.
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Fall Tapestry
I am always drawn to birches and aspens. I love the sense of rhythm in the repetition of the trees.
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Letchworth State Park
What I like about this point of view are the trees anchoring the shot, giving the viewer a sense of scale for the canyon.
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Diana Whiting is an award-winning photographer. Her work can be seen or purchased at Headquarters Hair Salon in Skaneateles where she is the owner, and at her website, dianawhitingphotography.com
story and photos by Diana Whiting
