Turn Around!

Sometimes we get so focused on the obvious that we miss the miraculous.

I have just wrapped up a wonderful trip to Arizona. I was sent there by my company to film a short piece on an Indian school located on Route 66. Because I enjoy photography as much or more than film work, I bring along my still camera on these work trips in the hopes of seeing something along the way. As is always the case I don't just see "something" I see SO MANY things, and always have to leave feeling that I could have stayed and shot for weeks to properly cover the subject.

As I'm sure you can imagine, Arizona is a wonderful visual feast and photographic opportunities abound. On the drive out (back to Phoenix and the airport) I stopped in Sedona to look at the red rocks. The sun was setting and what a gorgeous light it shone on this wonderful series of rocks. To make it better I could shoot from a river bed and catch the reflection in the water! I was in heaven! It couldn't get any better. Or could it? I took a chance and turned around. Away from the stunning beauty of the towering rock cliffs.

I was amazed. The sun was shining behind a cloud and bursting beams in all directions. As the crowd of people around me continued shooting the lovely rocks I turned and furiously fired away in the other direction. I must have looked odd but I had found magic and wasn't going to let it go.

So next time you find a location of great potential, get that shot and keep looking. There might be magic just behind you.