Switching Sides

So there's a gratification in photography that you don't get from broadcast?

To me, the goal was kind of the same, to somehow, as best I can, explain what it's like to be there. TV is a great way to provide impact and emotion. But if you really want to delve into a complicated issue or something that takes reflection…

And so images are…

When I'm doing a piece and I think god I wish I could put that into words, I have a way of doing it.

Do you find yourself capturing things with your Nikon that you could never catch on-screen?

Occasions where I've captured moments, alone, with my Nikon, that I never could have captured otherwise. I think what happens is-when you come with big TV cameras and sound guys, people act so differently. When you come with a still camera, it's much less intimidating. And I think you can capture people more as you are, when you have that.

What other kind of shooting do you do? Outside of on the job for CNN?

Well, I love taking pictures of my kids, but there's things unrelated to photography there. I come at [photography] clearly from a journalist's point of view. I'm capturing things in the moment-the action or the mood of a moment, I'm happy.

I don't think I could ever sit down and work in a studio, setting lights and doing still lifes. I think capturing, trying to reduce a mood or a moment or an action to a frame is what I'm after each time. And that leaves a broad array. Whether it's professional or just family, it's always journalism.