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I am not a fan of cold weather but the allure of a great shot is like Christmas morning; I can hardly wait to get out there! That said, it was the first frost of the season when I headed out with eager anticipation of what I might find. As I drove along this countryside I stumbled upon this view and I immediately noticed the lead in lines of the bulrushes and that they lead my eyes to the old farmhouse. It was early, the morning air was calm, the light was still blue (see note below) and the sun was just about to appear from behind the mountain. “Perfect!” I thought to myself, and I waited patiently for the sun to appear (brrr!). When the sun finally did appear and I was thrilled by what I saw! Notice how the warm casting sunlight accentuated the lead in line of the bullrushes and how it created a mix of both blue and gold color hues. Within seconds this amazing view disappeared; my patience (and tolerance for the cold) paid off! “Blue hour” is the light that is just prior to sunrise, or after sunset.
Coming up with a unique, impactful and fitting name for a photograph isn't easy. I consider the subject, it's location, a mood, or a message it evokes. That said, I felt a my favorite message (quote) was most fitting for this photo, "To Rise Above".... “Our greatest glory is not in never falling but in rising every time we fall.” — Confucius
With plans to tour and photograph Monument Valley, we checked into the KOA campground (not far from the park’s entrance). A very polite and young clerk from behind the counter quickly informed us that the park was closed but she excitedly suggested we visit The Valley of the Gods instead. She had us intrigued, so off we went; not knowing that we were about to be astonished. We traveled north from Monument Valley (through the small community of Medicine Hat) before turning west down a side road and to the entrance of the 17 mile scenic route. The road was gravel, windy, very dusty and very bumpy and (honestly) it seemed like we had traveled for miles before we saw one towering pinnacle; and we thought, “Is this it?”. A few miles further though, I was captivated and enthralled by the tall, red, majestic, mesas, buttes, and cliffs that towered above the valley floor! “Oh wow!” My chin dropped, and then I quickly grabbed my camera because the sun was setting fast and I knew the mountain shadows would grow The “Valley of the Gods”, was truly “God-like”. My soul was truly captivated and I was moved to tears; I felt at peace with Mother Nature in the grandeur of the valley. It was hard to leave, knowing my many travels were coming to an end; it was time to go home. * Valley Of The Gods is located in the south-western Utah.
