Don’t Forget To Turn Around

This Monday I’m not going to tell you about things I’m loving but I am still (hopefully) going to inspire you. I have a little story to share and I hope it will encourage you to look in ALL directions, 360 degrees, so as not to miss out on the wonder and beauty of things.

Two and a half years ago, I took a 3-day photography class with my Dad through the Arizona Highways. The setting was in a beautiful part of Northern Arizona near Flagstaff. Each morning we woke about 4am and trekked out to a new location; meadows, volcanic areas, birch tree forests and old farm equipment to name a few.

We spent a few hours trying to capture the beautiful morning light with our lenses and then, after a quick breakfast, we headed into the classroom for editing and critiquing. It was a fantastic experience and although I was in way over my head, I did gain several bits of valuable information. Over the years much of that information has become a bit foggy, mostly due to lack of practice, but there is one piece of advice from the instructor that I will always remember.

 

When you are looking for that perfect shot, that special composition worth capturing for eternity, don’t forget to turn around and look behind you.

I didn’t know it at the time but this bit of advice was going to be played out for me in a way that would keep the words rumbling in my head for years to come.

Several months after the photography class I caught a glimpse of the beginning of a beautiful Oregon sunset out our front window. I grabbed my camera and tripod, as the light was getting low and headed out to apply my newly gained knowledge. After about 20 minutes of shooting, reviewing and deleting, I began to pack up my things; frustrated at my inability to capture an image even remotely as spectacular as reality.

As I collapsed my tripod I noticed my neighbor from across the street standing in his front driveway with a smile, gesturing towards the sky. ” I know”, I thought.  “Great sunset.”  He gestured up again. I’m thinking maybe he wants us to stand and enjoy it together or talk about it or ??? “No, look behind you” he said. I pivoted around and as I walked backwards further down my driveway, this scene unfolded… a double rainbow ending right on top of our house.

My back had been turned to it the entire time. While I was trying so hard to capture something beautiful in front of me, the real beauty was happening behind me. This picture is not good. It’s grainy and parts of it are out of focus but I will keep it forever as a reminder that what is happening behind me is just as good (if not better sometimes) than the thing in front of me that is taking all my attention.

But the story doesn’t end there…

I worked my way up the driveway thinking about the beautiful rainbow. Standing on the top step of the house’s entry I packed up the rest of my things. As I was loading my camera into it’s pack I dropped the lens cover in the flower bed. I bent down to retrieve it, soaking the knees of my jeans as I felt around the base of the flax plant. I was about to curse my clumsiness when I saw him. The most perfectly majestic praying mantis posing with a giant dew drop hanging from his elbow. He was beautiful.

I will forever remember this experience because it proved my photography instructor’s point so clearly.

Don’t focus so hard on what’s in front of you, trying to make it more amazing, when there exists something already completely perfect on it’s own… just behind or below. 

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