Still Standing

Snow blew in over the mountains today, stopping the steadily building warmth and ushering in cool, to even frigid temperatures at elevation. A part of me, the part that avoids the cold climate, argued with my urge to go out and look for a composition. A battle of wills ensued, until a dear friend arrived at my door, truck, coffee and warm coats. I almost gleefully packed my bags and cases and headed off, not wanting to shoot my usual stomping ground, I wanted something a bit different. Little did I know when we pulled up an unknown gravel road this scene would sit idly by in a blanket of snow with an odd illumination. The sky was overcast, snow was dropping, yet this tree defied it and remained strangely lit as if in defiance. Who am I to ignore a scene such as this?

It’s true, I have no idea how, or even why this tree was lit so casually here against all odds, yet it was. You can see around the base of the trunk it’s cold, dark, and uninviting, yet the tree itself is warm. Perhaps enough ambient light was available to give me this scene, or perhaps it yearned to be appreciated one last time before it inevitably falls. The point is, never pass up a scene. Even if you don’t grasp why it is, shoot it anyway, let the scene tell its story.

This comes back to scouting locations, which is honestly what I was mostly doing today, four hours on the road, mostly in the backwoods on old forest service roads looking for breaks in the tree line into valleys bellow. I did find one location, and get another composition from the day, but I’ve not quite gotten around to it just yet. For the time being, I urge you to scout your area, and experience the world through your own eyes before you settle behind your lens.

Until Next Time!

ISO: 160
Aperture: f2.8
SS: 1/500th
Focal: 115mm

Fujinon 50-140mm