SEEING THE WORLD IN A DIFFERENT LIGHT!
Photography is more than just clicking a button—it’s about perspective. Living and shooting in the Fraser Valley, surrounded by places like Harrison, Abbotsford, and Chilliwack, I’m constantly reminded that two people can stand in the same spot and see completely different worlds.
This blog is where I’ll share not just my photos but my way of seeing. I’ll post side-by-side comparisons of what someone else might capture and how I frame and edit the same scene.
Harrison, BC – Still Waters, Shifting Vision
Harrison is known for its tranquil lake, misty mornings, and moody light. A popular spot for tourists and photographers alike, it’s easy to take a postcard-perfect shot and call it a day. But I try to look deeper, past the obvious. Where most see a peaceful lakeshore, I see reflections that tell stories, or solitary trees that lean just right against the soft skies. My edits often pull back the saturation and push the shadows, trying to recreate the quiet I felt in that moment.
A typical lakefront shot, bright and symmetrical—What many photographers would naturally capture on a clear morning at Harrison Lake.
My version focuses on the hazy textures and the tips of Mount Cheam, BC. I zoomed in and cropped for asymmetry. I edited with muted blues and lower highlights to emphasize mood.
Abbotsford, BC – The Fraser River
In Abbotsford, many photographers are drawn to the wide-open farmlands and golden hour light. And it’s beautiful—there’s no denying that. But while others zoom out to catch the sunset over the fields, I’m usually crouching down, lens pointed at a broken fencepost or the way fog wraps around a single tree. I like to find stillness in motion, simplicity in chaos. My edits lean toward muted tones and grain—evoking memory, not just scenery.
You may think this is a great photo to start of the Fraser River. Bordering Abbotsford, the water, land and trees frame the scene. But it lacks a “subject” or focal point.
What I see is the trees being the subject. Slightly touched by the sun’s light, creating fractals on the waves of the Fraser River.
Chilliwack – Nature’s Frame
Chilliwack offers dramatic mountain backdrops and vibrant farmland. A lot of photographers chase the light up at Mt. Cheam or shoot along the river. I sometimes do too—but I also search for unexpected framing: the way shadows fall across a barn wall, or how the trees cut our perfect focal points down a trail. While others might brighten and sharpen everything, I often introduce contrast, texture, and a cooler tone. I want the viewer to pause—not just look, but feel.
This photo is off to a great start, the trees frame the subject, “the path”. It’s a little dark and lacking a warm summer’s day feeling.
What I see is the rays of the sun illuminating the path. The warmth of the summers sun breaking through the leaves.
Final Thoughts: Why I Edit the Way I Do
My editing process isn’t about making an image look “better”—it’s about making it feel more honest to what I saw and felt in that moment. I strip away distractions, dial back the colors, and lean into mood over clarity. While others might chase dramatic skies and perfect light, I’m drawn to quiet tension, small imperfections, and emotional weight.
Each photo I share is more than just a snapshot—it’s a conversation between what the world showed me and what I chose to see. Editing, for me, is the bridge between reality and interpretation. And through these comparisons, I hope to show how powerful that difference in vision can be.
Keep your eyes open,
Dare to see differently,
And continue to explore!
