Photography can be understood in many ways-- meaning different things to different people. For me, photography is an eye on the world.

It serves as a window into the visual universe of the photographer. The camera lens allows you, the viewer, to see through the "eye" of the photographer, and thus share his (or her) unique perceptions and interpretations of the world around him.

The camera has been my artistic companion for over 40 years. In my travels and through my empathy for the human condition, I have used photography to capture the remarkable beauty of our world, the experiences of the people who populate it, and the singular interactions between them. And without doubt, as a personal aid to memory, allowing me to keep my fading memory from robbing me of so many of the wonderful experiences I have had throughout my life.

Along the way, my interests and activities in psychology, eastern philosophy and meditation, martial arts, physical fitness, public speaking, music, writing, and publishing, have influenced what it is I see through the lens. There is very little, if anything, in the makeup of who we are, that does not in some small way contribute to the images that interest us and how we convey them.

The singular fundamental element that determines the quality of a photograph is light. When we snap the shutter, all we are doing is capturing the light that comes in through the lens. Light is forever changing. On some days the "light" aspect of an image is more apparent than others, but light nonetheless determines the essence of what makes a photograph a photograph. The nature of natural light in any single moment is beyond the control of the photographer-- which means that it is light that requires his constant attention, and more than anything else, determines the quality of the final image. For me, the mantra as a photographer is "respect the light".

Please share with me some of the places, people, and situations that have caught my eye and excited my senses. I simply hope that by viewing these photographs you experience a few moments of pleasure.


Thank you.


Paul Rappoport