A Road Less Traveled

There is nothing quite like looking up into the vastness of space. Much like the blue abyss of the ocean, space has a unique ability to help put things into perspective. In the fast paced, globally connected world we live in, I feel that we sometimes lose focus of whats important. We get so wrapped up in our daily lives that we think the world revolves completely around ourselves.

A few weeks ago I was fortunate enough to spend a few days camping in the high country of Yosemite National Park after a workshop I taught in California. Even though I lead a fairly stress free life, with my amazing wife, adorable dog and dream job, I still find it necessary to search out these quite moments, away from the hustle and bussle of civilization and become connected with nature again. What better place to do that then in the middle of the Sierra Nevadas with not a soul in sight at 3AM.

As most of you may well know, it is very hard for a true photographer to ever take “a vacation”. Those of us with the gift and curse of seeing alot of life on this planet through a viewfinder, know that it is virtually impossible to turn it off. Even when I don’t have a camera available, I am always sizing up a scene, looking at angles, and watching the light. This particular trip to Yosemite was meant to be a time to relax and catch up on reading. While I still was able to accomplish those things, I couldn’t help but set my alarm for 3am every night I was there and go wandering through the forests in search of compelling imagery. Not something I recommend to those that don’t like to “feel all alone”.  However to me, I thrive on those moments. I find inspiration in the quiet beauty of the morning sky, the midnight reflections off of Tenia Lake and the erie stillness of the forest at night.

So what is life without a little perspective?