Get close, really close…

 

As a photographer, I, like many others, find myself often in the quest for the quintessential landscape. And just as often, when I go out to scout a location, that “Ah!” factor is somehow missing. Granted, I need to spend more time scouting and not delude myself that it’s somehow going to appear without putting in a little legwork, but practically speaking, sometimes you just aren’t in the right place, at the right time.

Such was my evening last night, when I had an hour to myself just before the magic happened at sundown and the sky looked marginally promising for a nice sunset. The place was a local park close to my home and I thought–surely there is a spot in this park where the vista will afford me the shot I am imaging? Brilliant skies, dramatic clouds, tree silhouettes just peeking through the horizon? After driving and walking around for about 30 minutes, it was oh so apparent that I had been deluding myself. No vistas… only garish park lights, flat obstructed views, and cars meandering around as they picked up or dropped off children for sports practice. OK–face it, I thought. This is not going to work.

But luckily, I had armed myself with my macro equipment, just in case. Here is where it all paid off. I settled myself into a remote corner near a bike path, and found a panoply of subject matter. Those little dots of color we all see when we cruise down the road at 40 miles an hour just came alive under a macro view. I spent the next 45 minutes having a ball with the little gift nature had presented to me.

So to paraphrase Churchill, “never, never, never give in”–nature is all around, large and small, and there are often great shots right under your nose. Hope you enjoy…