When I first picked up a camera in high school, I began recording what I saw and felt in the diminutive world of the California grasslands around my home, illuminated by the life-giving rays of the rising sun. In time, as I began to understand the abilities and limitations of color film, I discovered the potential of the soft, even light of overcast days, the cool blue light of open shade reflected from the clear blue sky above, the rich orange light of sunset, and learned to avoid the harsh, contrasty light of midday.