Sometimes I find myself turning my camera to record something that may not have the components of the perfect picture, but is an effort to keep something to remember about a moment.
In this instance, I’d pulled off on a random exit between Wyoming and Colorado, driving unknown dirt roads, following the sunset with my vehicle just hoping for a good photo. Unfortunately, no matter where I went, power lines remained in frame. Resigned that this just wasn’t the night for an epic sunset shot, I leaned back against my Highlander and took in the beauty of the moment as the light faded.
But I forgot about the power lines when instead I studied off to the side, the soft hues the approaching rain took on while it seemingly floated below the clouds. The shades of the sunset against the mountains varied from smokey blue to shimmering gold. The fields and farms took on warm, earthy tones and somehow the green of the crops and trees melded seamlessly into it all. It was a modern-day shire: Quiet, comforting and glorious all rolled into a brief, 5 minute moment. I could have stayed in that moment all night.
It was almost as if the universe said, “Sorry about not getting your photo, here’s a perfect moment of tranquility and earthly beauty you’ll remember for years to come instead.” And I did not feel one bit slighted.