I’ll shift away from snow images to photos taken just before this last snowstorm. But I do reserved the right to return to snow photos at my whim.

Winter's Forest Floor

These last few weeks the winter has seemed so cold it’s easy to loose sight of opportunities for images with warm tones. But these opportunities can still be found with du-diligence and little closer inspection of most natural areas.

Take the above scene from the forest floor with ferns partially covered and protected by a blanket of fallen brown leaves. Add a little late afternoon sunlight and it’s suddenly a little less chilly. This wasn’t perhaps the artistic masterpiece I would have envisioned, or hoped for, upon setting out on this particular photo jaunt and it’s certainly “warmer” then many winter photos I seem to make. This photo could be interpreted by some as telling a story of spring being just around the corner but I’m afraid that would be a blatant lie. Still a pleasing simple winter photo to enjoy — and that counts for something.

This reminds me of a quote by Michael Kenna.

“Life is about turning up. The more you get yourself out there, whether you wake up at 5:00 a.m. to pouring rain or not, the more you’re likely to experience the wonderful happenings that are going on all around you. Sometimes the most interesting visual phenomena occur when you least expect it. Other times, you think you’re getting something amazing and the photographs turn out to be boring and predictable. So I think that’s why, a long time ago, I consciously tried to let go of artist’s angst, and instead just hope for the best and enjoy it. I love the journey as much as the destination. If I wasn’t a photographer, I’d still be a traveler.”

Hope for the best and enjoy it — wise words.

Perhaps as photographers we’re not only travelers of the body but of mind and spirit as well, with each photo being but one of our footprints. And as photographers we’re not locked into a portrayal of only the obvious. Sometimes you have to find a little warmth in the dead of winter. Have a wonderful weekend everyone.

13 Comments

  1. I couldn’t agree more with your last paragraph. And it’s nice to see that Michael Kenna, whose work I adore, is spot on with his philosophy as well as his photography.

    • I would venture philosophy and photography are closely related and so it stands to reason that one would reflect the other. Thanks for the visit and comment.

  2. I like the contrast of the brilliant greens with the brown. Nice idea to get this shot despite winter weather.
    I like it very much.

  3. Beautiful tones and composition here, Earl. You’ve succeeded in bring a warm image out of a bleak season. The optimist in me still thinks spring is just around the corner, and time will prove it’s true.

    • Ken, thanks. I so hope you’re right and what I wrote is wrong about spring being just around the corner. Have a good weekend!

  4. Thanks for the warm, rich, cheery photograph. We have sunshine here, but it’s definitely winter light and winter colors. Your photo warms my heart and delights my eye. All these wise words are a lovely bonus.

    • Anita, I’m glad you enjoyed both the photo and the post. This cold has me feeling the need for warmer subjects.

  5. Hey! if you are going to start posting warm stuff, how about some tropics! ;-)

    I like the footsteps remark.

    • Mark, thanks. If you’d like to contribute to my vacation fund so I can make those tropic shots I’ll gladly send you my PayPal account info. :-) Have a good weekend my friend!

  6. Beautiful photo Earl, and I too really appreciate your last paragraph. Very well said.

    To go off topic for a moment, I’m running into the same thing Monte mentioned a few posts back. When I want to comment I have to log in fresh every time — for some reason your site doesn’t remember my info. It’s not a big deal, but I thought I’d mention it.

    • Thanks, PJ.

      I reported the problem with this theme not remembering commenter’s info and got a confirmation yesterday from the theme designers that it’s been confirmed as a theme bug. They promised to issue an update/fix for it this next week. Sorry for the inconvenience until then…I know it’s a little aggravating.

      I do appreciate you mentioning it! Have a good weekend!

  7. I couldn’t agree more with you and Michael any more! I agree with Mark but that means you and Bonnie would imply a trip south. Are you up for that? :-)