As a scientist, I seek to “know” the phenomena of my investigations in order to understand their workings. There is an pleasure to discovering some bit of information, no matter how small, that was not previously known. I experience a similar feeling when reading the literature related to my areas of academic interest.
As a nature photographer, I seek to “know” the subjects of my work on a more directly personal level. My implicit goal is to recognize the subject of the lens on its own terms. Doing so in the field fuels a sense of understanding much more affective than cognitive.
I can seek to know a flower, a mountain range, a prairie in different ways. Each way brings with it a relevant delight.
