for me, photography is a means to stop and take time to really see the world around us.  I definitely PREFER TO BE AN ACTIVE PARTICIPANT RATHER THAN merely a SPECTATOR, and eschew any attempts to “document” life’s adventures, but I find that the mere act of slowing down and framing a shot allows me the pause needed to appreciate the beauty in little things — intricate details, SUBTLE LIGHT CHANGES OVER TIME, and resulting mood shifts.   I OFTEN FIND THAT THE EXPERIENCE OF SETTING UP A SHOT IS INFINITELY MORE VALUABLE TO ME THAN THE RESULTING PHOTOGRAPH.