The experience of grabbing your camera, jumping in the car, and setting off through places you’ve never been, or places you’ve been but never truly explored, is one of the most rewarding things you can do. It connects you to the world in such an intense, focused way that few other activities can compare. The satisfaction it brings is so deep that it can even feel addictive. On weekends like this one, when the weather turns bad and I’m stuck indoors, I feel as though something essential has been taken away from me.
But not all feelings that come with photography are positive, sometimes I have to face emotions that conflict with the ones I cherish most. One of my recurring worries, however irrational it may be, is the fear of coming home empty-handed, of running out of inspiration, of not finding a single thing worth photographing. It’s never actually happened, but it’s not unusual for me to spend long stretches of a photo outing without taking a single shot, and that tends to make me anxious.
When I become aware of that feeling, I don’t let it grow. I confront it. I remind myself that the true value of photography doesn’t lie in the final result, but in the process, in the journey, in the experiences it creates. Photography adds layers to our personal story, it’s about much more than just images.
This photo came out of one of those very moments. I had been driving through the mountains for quite some time without seeing anything that sparked my interest. That sense of frustration had started to creep in, but I refused to let it take over. I told myself to keep going, to enjoy the road and the landscape, even if I didn’t take a single photo. And when I finally let go and simply appreciated the moment, I found this scene.
I pulled the car over immediately and walked toward the horses. They were gentle and even came up to greet me. The light of the setting sun turned the whole moment into something magical. Maybe that magic doesn’t fully come through in the photo, but for me, it’s one of the best I’ve taken in a long time.
