Photojournalism was my path into the newspaper world.

With a camera in my hand at the age of 16, I was fortunate enough to hang out with the photo staff of my hometown newspaper, The Wichita Eagle.

How I landed in the chair of a newspaper as its editor/publisher is a story and different column for another day.

In terms of photojournalism, if we fast forward several decades, I’m still watching those guys make amazing images. Especially during last week’s eclipse.

Sometimes I find myself at a proverbial crossroads as a photojournalist. I am present, but not participating in events.

Please allow me to explain.

Let’s take last week’s solar eclipse as an example.

To nobody’s surprise, some of my friends from the Eagle were sharing amazing images of the peak of the eclipse. The imagery was breathtaking. I knew it would be.

Do I feel left out? It’s actually not something I spent any time thinking about. I didn’t want to take a road trip and jostle through crowds for peak viewing.

I did want to wander around Ellsworth Jr./Sr. High School and even the streets of Ellsworth, finding people enjoying the experience.

Is one approach right and the other wrong? No. It’s a choice. I made this specific choice at this point in time. At another time in another place, perhaps I will choose differently.

Sometimes, as a photojournalist, I feel like I’m missing out. Not on the epic imagery my friends create, but sometimes I feel like I’m missing out on the actual experience itself.

Yes, I paused several times, slipped on my viewing glasses and checked out the status of the eclipse. But no, I didn’t have the luxury of lying on the grass or sitting in a lounge chair, chilled beverage in hand, kicking back and watching the show.

But that’s OK. For now. I take immense pleasure and derive joy in watching those around me experience life. Experience joy. Experience victory. Support one another through defeat.

One of the earliest photographers I became enthralled with was Jim Brandenburg. He specializes in wildlife photography. I don’t have the patience for it, but he is truly a master. Years ago, I watched ”Chased by the Light: A Photographic Journey with Jim Brandenburg.” In his project, Brandenburg allowed himself to only take one photo per day for 90 days. This was in the days of film, so there was no checking to see if he “got the shot.” It was instinct, skill and moxie.

It’s an interesting project to contemplate, and one that in some small way explains that if I choose to photograph one thing (patrons or students enjoying the eclipse), I obviously cannot photograph the other (the epic eclipse photo).

In another two or so decades, the total solar eclipse will again grace the skies over Kansas. Perhaps at that time, it will be I who is enjoying the event as purely a spectator.

But until then, I remain grateful that I get to enjoy life right now as an observer. As a documentarian tasked with capturing the current events of Ellsworth County that will become its history.

Bonar is the editor/publisher of the I-R and can be reached at kbonar@indyrepnews. com.