Pit Stop #1

Back in September, my wife and I were driving home along the dusty range roads that lead through much of the land around us. The moon was lazing across the night sky, leaving just enough light to wonder if every shadow was a deer ready to leap out of the bush. After a few miles of familiar road and false security, we crested a little hill and saw two large shadows that seemed out of place from the surrounding shrubbery and fence lines. As we coasted down the hill, the shadows moved across the road just in front of us. To our wonder, two moose - a bull and cow - passed us just a few feet in front of us. There are many moments of awe to be enjoyed where we live but this was truly special. 

The next morning I grabbed my camera while getting ready to take my wife to her work, developing a hope to return to the same area where we saw the moose the night before. Immediately, the conditions were fascinating for creating images. There was a heavy fog blanketing the hills and pockets of land around us, while the sun was rising and quickly burning off the fog. With these dynamic conditions, I went to photograph a few spots before turning onto the intersection a mile south of where we last saw the moose. Slowly driving north and enjoying the morning, I was eager to see if I'd have any luck.

About a third of a mile later, I saw the bull in a field to the east. I was thrilled. Amidst the foggy conditions and the rising sun, the moose was a striking silhouette. He was also traveling north at a steady pace so I followed along in my car a good distance away. I went ahead, hoping to set myself in a position where I could shut my car off and frame a nice shot. 

I saw this spot and immediately liked the potential composition, particularly the depth from the more clear foreground and hazy background. I knew that if the moose kept on his path that not only would I have a great subject but it would also act as a strong midground. That was about all the time I had to think before the moose was in frame.

I knew that this was a shot I would love as soon as I took it. Only after the fact did I see the pleasing balance in the image with the silhouetted trees, furthering the composition. It definitely would have been stronger had the moose been closer and perched right on the foreground hill but at that point I think I would have retreated to my car! Jokes aside, this was an image that I felt very pleased with for the stated reasons and for another. Up until this photo, I had been in a rut of taking mostly snapshots, photos that I considered to be fine but mostly uninteresting. I hadn't taken a photo that I was excited about, a photo that stirred me, in a while.

I actually believe that these kinds of photos are necessary in one's photography. They aren't bad things, it just is part of the process of taking photos and working that creative muscle. They do get tiring though and for me, often lead to doubts of creativity and ability. I start to wonder if the images I created previously were just beginner's luck or that I have somehow lost what I once had. Having talked to other photographers experiencing similar feelings, I think that these times are precisely the moments to keep photographing and focus more on what actually draws us into image making. I often ask myself if I'd still photograph things even if I never made a pleasing image? For me, the answer is yes. These "ruts" act as times to remind me what I actually enjoy about photography and can become catalysts for renewed passion.

All that said, the excitement and adrenaline of a shot that I feel great about washes all those doubts and worries away. The practice, the studying, the many photographs in between, make a great shot all the more worth it. 

While editing the image later that day (the image above is an edited version, not the unedited RAW) I struggled to decide if I preferred a color or a black and white version of the image. At the time, I leaned towards the color. As I write this post, however, I think I prefer the monochrome:

I find the heavy contrast very appealing, along with the image's tonal range that's retained. It feels pretty crunchy to me and I love it. I also love the detail and capacity of the GFX in these images, I think the sensor really shone in its sharpness and resolving capability. Both are full size images, so feel free to click on each and check out the finer details if you desire.

Which do you prefer? The black/white or the color? If you're reading this, I would love to hear from you! Thanks for taking the time to read this and engage with me, I look forward to writing some more and posting more images!