photo of the month from randy kato Photographs are often appealing to the photographer who took them because they are linked to a particular experience. For example, a grandmother's poorly composed, blurry, washed out snapshot of her grandchild's first visit may be the most precious thing in the world to her. A stranger probably wouldn't give it a second look. On the other end of the spectrum are provocative, gorgeous photos that are devoid of this value because the 'experience' is fake, manufactured and choreographed for the sake of the final image. Both have their place and their appeal, but I like to try to combine the best of both worlds. Personally, I don't feel motivated to capture an image if the experience isn't driving it. This picture is special to me for the experience - a sublime vacation on a remote tropical island. But it's alluring on another level because it transcends the experience and evokes unrelated feelings in me. When I look at this image I find it hard to look away. It draws me in, and like a sailor to a siren I become fixated. I forget about the vacation and the idyllic little beach; I'm just hypnotized by the silhouette and the mystical halo....and sometimes I think I can actually hear the siren's song. Enjoy! Randy Photo of the Month archive