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Media Credit: Ryan Rendleman

Bryan Moss, a talented photojournalist, put together a quality and simple photography book called "PhotoSynthesis." Every page displays a beautiful black and white image with accompanying type. The words and photographs work together to explain elements of good photography, as well as how to be a better photographer.

One component places more importance in a photographer's mind than technique.

"In every event, big or small, it's rewarding to watch for what happens on the edges," Moss states.

Events happen. Most of the time a photojournalist, myself included, will take the expected shots. If it is a basketball game, it is safe to assume an armpit will appear on the back of the newspaper the following publication day. If it is a meeting, a "vertical corpse" (as they are called by photographers who dislike such dull images) will appear in the paper.

Sometimes the unexpected does happen - a pleasant surprise.

The SIU baseball team played at Abe Martin Field Sunday. I was the photographer. Truthfully, most of the game was not spent focused on the edges, but rather setting the home plate, first base or second base in the viewfinder.

Luckily, I happened to turn around.

Gracie Cameron stood near an embankment about 50 feet away. She held a tree branch in her hands and the sun beat down softly on her face. She was clearly lost in whatever thoughts young children are lost in.

On the edges was a beautiful picture of a child doing what children do.

Maybe I missed a base hit, but sometimes the edges are the more important event.

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