Hello Reader !

X-Marked the spot.

Or in this case… a “camera.”

​

I was ready. Prepared. Packed. And focused.

I’d been planning this landscape shot for weeks.

But, there was one small problem.

No one mentioned anything about a steep and a very rocky road to the top of the mountain!

And if you remember from last weeks newsletter… about our brakes…

...well this rendezvous probably contributed to the pads wearing thin too (and the hole in the muffler).

Anyway, up and up we went… our destination Dolly Sods, in West Virginia.

Just 2 hours before sunset.

But our slow ascent meant time was running out.

Once we arrived we had 43 minutes left!

So, grabbed my gear and trotted out to my pre-planned “X marks the spot.”

But, it was not meant to be… I’ll explain why in a moment.

So, now it was time to explore and discover another photographic opportunity.

Every few steps was a gold mine.

Except for this one…

​
​

…it’s boring. Wouldn’t you agree?

Endless view, nice terrain… but, it’s boring.

Flat light. No real subject. Nothing to pull you in or hold your interest.

It’s… well, blah!

Now look at this… just 47 feet to the left…

​
​

…BOOM! Now we’re talking.

• That stone wall is the focal point... the "star"
• The red foliage frames the scene and adds foreground interest
• Rolling hills fade into the distance, giving it depth
• And the contrast between the cool blues and warm reds makes everything pop
• And I even snuck in some green in the middle ground to add even more dimension

​

A Star is Required

Like any movie there’s a lead actor/actress… the star.

The same is true for your photos.

Without one? Well, your photos will be boring.

So if you find yourself with a pretty view and a “meh” shot, ask yourself:

Who/what is the star?

If you can’t find one, move.

Even a few feet might reveal something stronger.

And, it doesn’t have to be anything obvious like a person, wildlife or a building…

…it could be a stone wall!

​

​
Have an awesome day!

Chris Parker

Parker Photographic

​

P.S. I had plans to shoot the “X” spot the next morning. But, it was not meant to be on this day… the breaks and an hour plus up… in the dark, was just too much to overcome. So, we slept in!

Dolly Sods… I’ll be back next year and will camp out the night before! Want to join me?

​

269 WALKER ST V5718, Detroit, Michigan 48207-4258
​Unsubscribe · Preferences​