I grew up in a small mid-western town called Chicago, IL. Growing up next to 6 million other folks was a rich experience, and gave me the opportunity to see life from many angles. I've even considered writing a book of short stories based on thousands of trips around the city on public transportation. That wide range of experiences may have something to do with my desire to try just about everything in the area of photography. I once read an article that said a good photographer finds a style on which to focus. I've considered that advice and discarded it because I found it too confining. There are simply too many techniques, subjects and digital tools to limit oneself to a specific style.
I view photography as an art form. When I snap an image, that's only the beginning. In some cases, the composition is powerful enough to require only slight alterations of color and brightness, etc. But in other cases, the image acts as a canvas for adding life, drama, or other digital moods. For this reason, I am less concerned about technical quality of an image, and more concerned with composition. I don't toss away an image that has a wonderful composition just because it is a terrible, out-of-focus photo. I have converted a number of such photos into some of my favorite pieces.
I now live in the Phoenix area because I got tired of dreary, sunless days, and long, cold winters. I moved here for the weather, but I find that Arizona is in the center of the photographer's universe. So many wonderful photo-ops are within a day's drive in just about any direction: slot canyons, the ocean, snow-capped mountains, deserts dotted with huge saguaros, spring wildflower blooms, and of course the Grand Canyon. Just to name a few.
Will Wagner joined Pixels.com Licensing on November 9th, 2012.
