I fell in love with photography at an early age. At 13, I built a small darkroom in the basement. In high school, I got a job at a local camera store. In college, I majored in it until switching to advertising in my junior year, explaining to others the change was "for practical reasons, so I could earn a living."

But after 20 years in high tech, even with many successes and rewards, I felt adrift from my artistic side. I decided to step off the corporate playing field to pursue photography full-time. For four years, I've traveled, I've learned to see better, and I've started to understand what I'm drawn to, and what I need to focus on more.

When I'm out shooting, I slow down. My vision improves, and subject matter begins to reveal itself. I sense my observation getting keener, and I start to see visual relationships and ways of framing things that elude the casual observer. It's exhilarating, and calming, all at the same time.

Now, I'm ready to share the beginnings of my experience. I hope you enjoy the work you see here. Then again, I don't see it as work. Perhaps that's an important accomplishment, in and of itself.

• Tom Darnall
• Portland, Oregon