Page 14 - 0215_SAM_FINAL

CREATIVITY

Castle Grotti Sunrise. Copyright Oliver Johnson, MD

Why I’m a photographer

By Oliver Johnson, MD

As an anesthesiologist in San Antonio for the past 25 years, I A simple Google search uncovers a wealth of information, some
have lived my life mostly in my left brain. My father (another very of it free, regarding how good photographers create their finished
left-brainer) told me that photographs are only for recording a mo- images. A new world was beginning to open for me, as I was at-
ment in time — nothing more. It wasn’t until 10 years ago that I tracted to the creative side of photography. I began learning the
came to see the photograph as an opportunity to make a statement, craft on my own with Internet resources. There is a plethora of tu-
to convey an idea or emotion visually. I began with the question, torials, written and video, authored by some of the great photog-
“Why don’t my photographs look anything like the ones in mag- raphers if we have the interest, patience and most especially time
azines,” and I started a search for what was lacking in my photos. to devote to learning a new craft.

14 San Antonio Medicine • February 2015