Just call it “FATE”

Photographers work really hard.  No, I mean really hard.  Pretty pictures you see all over the web and at galleries are the result of careful planning, commitment, and determination.  I really have learned this over the years.

My first favorite artwork of 2012 thus far was merely by chance, however.  Randomly, I took my camera with me before I left to go work out since there seemed to be some soft clouds in the sky and although there were about 90 minutes or so before sunset, I thought what the heck.  I can count the number of times I've done this on one hand in my life.

After getting in a great workout, I decided to ditch my normal route on the freeway so that I could head west to get outside of town in case the sky would cooperate as I had planned.  Normally, this path is filled with traffic, but I had to take the risk in order to get to the spot.  Conveniently, Meaghan could pick up AJ since it was a Wednesday.

Green light after green light, I screamed down the road and witnessed the sun lowering and the sky softening.  The clouds were thick, layered, and high. Things were looking up.  After studying sunset conditions for years, I thought that this could be good.

I had a decision to make.  I could visit my "normal" spot and capture a solid sunset photo or venture out into the unknown.  I turned left, and suddenly the decision was made for me...I guess the optimism pushed me to roll the dice.

So here I was driving and turning, not knowing where to go.  It was a race against the falling sun. 

I pulled over, jumped out of my car with my camera and spare cards and battery, I was ready.  I was in a field I've never been to, and it seemed like all of the others.  So I walked, and admittedly, was disappointed with the immediate scene in front of me as the sky started to glow with BRILLIANT colors.  I could tell that I was part of a rare event.  I kept walking.  A shot here.  A shot there.  Mud filled my shoes...I didn't care one bit.  I just couldn't find anything to really shoot other than the sky.

I walked further.  As I poked my head around the tall grass, a reflection glowed on the ground, illuminating a small pond.  At that moment, I smiled and knew it was meant to be.  A tree stood alone behind it, and it was just one of those unexplainable and somewhat spiritual moments you could say.  The light was so soft and splendid.  I don't know how I got there or why, but am so glad that FATE was with me that evening.