“Everyday offers new beauty, just give it time, keep your eyes open, and be ready.” – Ed Lehming

There are days, as a photographer, where days seem to hold little promise. The skies are dull and dreary, and the forecast is not promising. But then, out of nowhere, a spectacle emerges.

Such was this evening in early July. I’ve been a bit off my game photographically, as many creatives can probably relate to. Too many days, lacking inspiration or motivation, had gone by and I was experiencing a bit of a lull. I live in a beautiful area that people flock to by the thousands every summer, and yet, I did not find inspiration. It was a long weekend here in Canada, but the clouds and rain had rolled in, and nothing inspired.

But, near the end of the day, the clouds unexpectantly shifted and the sun shone through the remaining tatters. And what a show it provided! Not for a long time had I seen such a display of colors and textures. The good thing was, I was ready for it. I know my gear and I know where to be to capture these rare moments. I got in my car at that first sign of color and drove the five minutes north of my house to a field that offered a clear view of the horizon. The field was still filled with unharvested, ripe wheat, providing a golden glow. In the foreground, a few conveniently placed boulders and some wildflowers added interest to the shot. The clouds and the colors were the real stars of the show, but this composition laid itself out nicely for this singular image. I did shoot the same scene as a landscape, but I fell in love with this orientation.

This single, successful, image inspired me again, and I have been out almost every day looking for something new. I’ll share those images over the next few days. I am so happy to be reinspired and now wonder how I got into my previous state in the first place. Maybe that will reveal itself as I undertake writing over the next few days and weeks.

iPhone 17 Pro Max
Main Camera — 200 mm
1/423 sec, ƒ/2.8, ISO 50