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I remember standing in the atrium of London's Kings Cross station for the first time. The juxtaposition of the steel and glass against the brick had me in awe. Looking down at the people rushing to their commute or catch their train, I wondered why people didn't appreciate the sight as much as I did. Then it hit me. I, too, was one of those people who were in a hurry to get somewhere.

I was 30 years old and had traveled the world, but it seemed as I hadn't really seen anything. As an IT consultant, I would arrive in a city on Monday, work from 8 a.m. to 8 p.m., and then fly home on Friday morning. I was missing the opportunity actually to explore the cities I was fortunate enough to visit.

After that London trip, I purchased my first digital camera, lenses, and tripod, thinking this would encourage me to get out and explore. I could have never known where this decision would lead. I did get out more; I explored cities in the early morning light and finished my work early to photograph them as the sunset. I would arrive a day early and stay late to spend time in museums and explore. Now, I find myself planning trips months and years in advance to be there to photograph them.

It has moved beyond just the cities, forests, and mountains. I desired to photograph the big animals of Africa before they were driven to extinction at the hands of mankind. After just a few days, I noticed how beautiful the birds of East Africa were. I saw their patterns and was fascinated. Some of my favorite images from that trip are of the birds we encountered. Upon our return, I am in the field photographing my local birds multiple times a week with the same zeal.

So, from all of that, what is my inspiration? Photography has allowed me to see the world in the most literal sense. I notice the kestrels perched on the telephone lines, hunting their food as I drive to make groceries. I look at the curve of the arm on a bench and think it would make a perfect frame for an image of the church down the street. I observe cars moving through traffic and notice how they lead to the famous monument in the traffic circle. All these little things I begin to see give me a greater appreciation for our world.