Pondering how one's emotional state impacts creativity while surrounded by beauty
After struggling to focus on photography during a meetup/mini-conference in Lone Pine, California. I was less than two weeks removed from learning my mom had cancer, and what the future held was anything but clear. Indeed, it was until the day before I left for Lone Pine that I even knew if I was going to make the trip; I had initially cancelled it.
Tempted to just head home after the meetup ended - a full week earlier than planned - I instead opted to return for at least a couple days to my happy place: southern Utah. While the prospect of being alone with my thoughts was a bit scary, I had a hunch that the peaceful solitude of the area was exactly what I needed.
As I hiked along the river, intermittently recording video as I talked through what was going on back home and what I was hoping to get out of my return to Utah, I began to see more and more opportunities to stop and set up the camera.
Most of the hike was spent within the narrower confines of a canyon the river has worn through the rugged landscape. Normally, I would look for the unique qualities of reflected light in such a location, but clouds floating across the sky often subdued enough light to take away any such opportunities.
Instead, I found myself seeking out - and seeing - small scenes such as the one above. Fortunately, although clouds had once again rolled in to block much of the light, they moved on and I was able to work several compositions in a small sandbar in the middle of the shallow river.
Just beyond where I had stopped for a while to work with the smaller scenes, the canyon widened out considerably and, with the river winding its way back and forth, I was treated to a beautiful vista of the rugged land spread out before me.
Climbing a rocky outcropping to get some elevation above the scrubby foliage that filled much of the widening river plain, I was able to make a couple photos using my 100-400mm lens to pull in the distant scenes.
Initially, the sun was blocked by heavier clouds that had come in but, as soon as I set up my first composition atop the outcropping, brilliant, warm strips of light suddenly bathed parts of the landscape. For this second composition, I carefully framed the snaking river in the foreground while making sure I balanced the dramatic landscape against the gathering storm clouds in the distance.
Fortunately, those clouds stayed well away from where I was hiking and planning to camp!
As the sun sank closer to the horizon and the temperature began to drop, I made my way back to the trailhead and my truck. Having a particular campsite in mind, I headed back south along Cottonwood Canyon Road.
Along the way, I had to stop along the side of the dusty road as the soft, cool light of approaching dusk gave new life to the bare foliage along my route. From rich purples and oranges and reds, to the blues of encroaching shadows as the remnants of daylight linger in the sky, it's a magical time.
Join Me Behind the Scenes
For more photos, and a sense of the peaceful experiences I had exploring and photographing along the Paria River, watch the first episode of my latest Utah video series.
Patreon members can enjoy the ad-free version of the video. All my videos from Utah can be found in this YouTube playlist, as well.
Support My Work
I've been pursuing my passion for photography, while producing educational resources and other content, for several years now. It has required plenty of time, patience, and monetary investment. Without my supporters, none of it would be possible. Every contribution, no matter the amount, allows me to continue creating new work while sharing my love for the natural world.
Become a member of my Patreon to earn exclusive perks, such as ad-free videos, early access to my ebooks, exclusive discounts, and even free prints and limited-edition folios.
You may also make a one-time donation via PayPal. However you choose to contribute, it will be greatly appreciated.
Join the Community
Sign up for a free site membership to leave comments under your own name and receive notifications when I or others reply to your comments (or like them). You'll also receive a special welcome offer towards your next order of my open-edition fine art prints.
Comentários