On a stormy shore, a lone maple bears witness to the churning waves. This steadfast tree stands resilient, a symbol of endurance and beauty, unfaltered by the storm that rages on the horizon, reminding me, once again, of the power of nature and the tranquility that can be found even in chaos. – Ed Lehming

This image just beckoned to be rendered in black and white. The scene was intensely moody and a bit somber, encapsulating the essence of a winter’s day that felt both desolate and beautiful. Across the lake lies Oswego, New York, which looked like it was experiencing the full brunt of the January snow squall.

When I left home to visit the shore for some pictures, the sky was slightly overcast, and a few delicate flurries drifted through the air, giving me hope that my outing would yield some captivating shots. However, when I arrived at the lakeshore twenty minutes later, I was greeted by howling winds and raging waves crashing against the icy shoreline. It was completely unexpected, yet stunningly beautiful in its chaos. The energy of the storm, many kilometers away, was palpable, and I couldn’t help but feel a rush of exhilaration at being part of such a lively spectacle of light and dark. Which is another reason for presenting this in black and white.

A bonus during my visit was the occasional opening in the clouds, which allowed bursts of bright sunlight to break through the gloom, providing me with spectacular lighting for my photographs. Each moment felt like a new scene was unfolding just for me.

Due to the extreme cold and the relentless wind, I did not spend much time at the lakeshore, but I knew what I wanted as far as photos. I proceeded to shoot about 20 images, each one different from the last, capturing not only the landscape but also the ethereal quality of the winter air. This tree stood sentinel at the end of my walk, its gnarled branches silhouetted against the stark backdrop; it felt like the embodiment of resilience amid the harsh winter.

With my fingers frozen despite a warm jacket and gloves, I reluctantly headed back, already pondering the images I had captured and the stories they would tell. Sunday’s adventure, marked by the visceral encounter with nature’s raw beauty, will linger in my mind long after I returned home, reminding me of the magic to be found even in the most challenging of conditions.

Nikon D800
Tamron SP 24-70 mm f/2.8 Di VC USD @ 50 mm
1/200 sec, f/7.1, ISO 400