Seeing is not merely looking.

Seeing something in a lost glove.

As an avid fan of Louis l’Amour, I remember him frequently writing that most people look, but do not see. He often extolled the virtues of expert scouts as being able to see the most minor of details. Later, when reading Sherlock Holmes, I found out that the same sentiment was embodied by in that character. Mr. Holmes would often play ticks on others, noticing and inferring the most incredible things from very minor details. As many of his fans would attest, replicating this skill is no easy task. But, for a photographer to get better at his trade, it is essential to master it.

Photography, as the name suggests, is about painting with light. It is often the case in this kind of painting that the moments are fleeting, and the light changes from moment to moment, therefore being able to “deeply see” is absolutely critical to ensuring that the moment could be captured well. It is also often the case that this kind of seeing also helps notice, organize, and compose the photograph overall. Many times, it can lead to noticing things that may go unnoticed by others and these little “notices” can sometimes create interesting compositions.

This was the case with this fallen glove, noticed during a little walk. I was struck by the gesture that it was making, and the dialog that it seemed to be having with the line. It seemed to be puzzled that it was lost and separated from its twin. So, even as everyone walked right by it without even sparing the briefest of glances, I felt like someone had to acknowledge its predicament, even if simply to say, 'I see you, and I will remember you."