Whenever I'm out west on a photo trip, I find a gallery featuring the work of a local photographer. And they always have beautiful images. As well they should! Someone who lives and works in a region has a tremendous advantage over someone that is visiting. As an obvious example, I planned my recent trip to Wyoming months in advance, picking the dates carefully for what should have provided the best chance at changing leaves, a dusting of snow, and great clouds. Instead it was clear, warm and extremely smoky for 7 days in a row.
A photographer that lives in an area can wait for the perfect conditions...and in fact will build up a sort of mental card file of when to be where, based on season, weather and time of day. Early snow on the aspens? This would be a perfect morning to shoot the sunrise at the river. Thunderstorms building on a September evening? The sun angle should be perfect at the overlook.
So I finally got my chance at a 'home field advantage' this week. And when I say 'home field' I am speaking almost literally. This shot was taken at sunrise about 200 yards from my house. The colors this year have been nice, and I've been waiting for a clear, still morning for just enough fog to provide interest without being annoying. So on Tuesday morning I filled my trusty LL Bean travel mug with hot coffee and drove my equipment to just above our pond to await the sunrise. I took several shots, one or two of which had a nice balance of sunlight and fog. Now I can put this in MY gallery....and that photographer from Wyoming will have a tough time trying to compete.
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