Every day, I make myself take a walk. Sometimes I take my camera with me, sometimes I leave it behind. Regardless, my goal with each walk is just to notice.

The way the light splashes on the ground through the trees, the sound and smell of the water from a sprinkler in the park. Anything that evokes a response in me, I take mental note of, and maybe a photo if it feels right.

Noticing is more than observation, it’s a way of slowing down, of tuning into what resonates, and of letting the overlooked details guide how we see and tell stories. In creative work, whether editing a film or shaping a brand message, the art lies not just in what we make, but in what we choose to pay attention to.

These little moments are what can turn an ordinary project into something more moving, more human. When starting an edit, I watch the entire interview; not just the answers from producer notes, not just the last take that “nailed it”, but for unique “in between” moments.  Someone laughing at something said off camera, the way someone shifts in their chair or wrings their hands trying to answer a difficult question – these moments often go overlooked, but can be used to tell a visceral, human story.

In the end, noticing isn’t just about gathering material – it’s about cultivating presence. The more we attune ourselves to the details that often slip by, the more depth and honesty we can bring to our work. Whether behind a camera, in the edit suite, or going for a simple walk, creativity begins with attention. By honoring the subtle, fleeting moments, we create stories that don’t just inform or impress but connect – reminding us, and our audiences, of what it feels like to truly be human.

Being human by Bryan Fusco