Go Anyway. Here's Why.

I'm not a morning person. Nope. Not one bit. I like to drift in and out of cozy warm slumber until I'm good and ready to throw on my fluffy housecoat and slippers and trudge towards the aroma of my espresso machine. It's only about a half-hour after I've finished my hand-crafted Americano that I feel ready to venture into a conversation with anyone and then another hour or so before I'm ready to leave my home. 

My preferred method in which to greet any day is not all that conducive to sunrise landscape photography. I know first-hand how difficult it can be to force yourself out from beneath the cozy and warm comfort of peaceful slumber. 

But, even if you're not a morning person, like me, I think you should "go anyway," and here's an example of why. 

The morning I captured the image below, I rose quickly and as quietly as possible to not disturb my sleeping family inside our little trailer. Camping and without cellular coverage, I had no idea what the weather was like outside. As I stepped outside into the still-dark morning, I hoped to see a few lingering stars. Unfortunately, there was a noticeable absence of stars to my disheartening, which told me that cloud cover was a strong possibility.

Already up and not wanting to wake my family by heading back into our trailer, I hopped into my truck and drove down the mountain and away from our campsite.

As the skies became more visible, I was disappointed to discover that my hunch was correct; the skies were covered in clouds. "Go anyway," I told myself as a faint hint of light began to rise east. 

Upon arrival at my location, I stepped out of my vehicle and breathed in the calm refreshing mountain air that soothes my soul like nothing else can. I could hear the morning calls of excited birds further down the pond. Everything was quiet and still, and despite the cloud cover, the morning was both refreshing and beautiful. 

And then it happened...

Very quickly, a pink burn appeared and spread across the clouded sky.

Now rushing, I, as quickly as possible, set up my tripod and camera, and I stood in awe of the splendour of the show nature put on for what seemed only the little morning birds, who were happily belting out their songs, and me. 

^{ISO 100, 16mm, f13, 5 sec}

You've probably already guessed the morale of the story;

Go anyway. Persistence in landscape photography pays off, eventually. 

Persistence is a necessary attribute for the landscape photographer. The great Ansel Adams said it best when he stated, “Landscape photography is the supreme test of the photographer and often the supreme disappointment.” 

Nature has her own schedule and way of showing up that's unique every single day. Sometimes you're lucky enough to capture stunning light. Other times you capture something unexpected, but just as, if not more, beautiful than your vision, and other times, your outing might only result in the opportunity for you to experiment and practice. Regardless, adopt a "go anyway" attitude because the least of what you'll be gifting yourself is the opportunity to enjoy nature and your own health, which I think is a pretty incredible reward in and of itself.