"Being a photographer gives you a license to go out and see how people live," says Dudley Brooks. "And in order for us to learn about each other, we have to see how other people live." A Post photographer since 1983, Brooks's images capture the kinetic energy of the world at large, from the colorful people of the island nation of Cuba to the psychedelic fury of an all-night rave dance party. In his photographs of the Anacostia High School football team, Brooks provides an intimate look at the everyday lives of youngsters in one of Washington's most troubled neighborhoods. He creates a portrait of determination in his photographs of 12-year-old boxing prodigy Deion Robinson. In 1992, Brooks co-directed "Songs of My People," a book and exhibition project documenting the African-American community through newly commissioned work from 53 African-American photographers.