Pretty much every day I walk back and forth to work carrying my camera, but I rarely take any pictures. Things tend to become invisible when you walk past them 380 times a year. I've walked past that fire hydrant nearly two thousand times, but have I ever really seen it?

Lately I've been chastising a friend, currently living in Iraq on the government's dime, for not taking any photos. He said he couldn't see anything that wanted having it's picture taken. "Try photographing your walk to work this morning," he admonished, "and let me know what you see." Which got me wondering ... can I see anything that wants its picture taken?

Anybody can take a captivating photo of the Hindenburg blowing up. But to make the mundane interesting, that's where you prove your mettle.

To my friends in Iraq: Stay safe. Come home soon. Make sure to see those things you won't have a chance to see again.

Check out my walk to work.

kcassidy@asc.upenn.edu