It wasn’t my ideal sunrise. I had grandiose ideas floating in my head as I drove to Cocoa Beach in the pre-dawn hours. Realistically, I knew what the weather was forecast to be but I still had hope. It had been almost three years since my last visit to the Florida coast. Weather be damned…
Solo Nikon Z6 II, Nikkor Z 24-70mm f/4 S, 1/125s, 40mm, f/11, ISO 100
I struggled this morning to see the image. I suppose I let the less than perfect conditions inhibit my vision. This ended up being the last image captured. There was a small group of people setup with tripods and cameras working the fading sunrise when this person calmly walked through the scene. Not a typical image for me but I decided in the moment to go with the flow.
Once I finished my new year’s post this morning I went back to my adventure in the video game I am currently playing. I was about to battle the big baddie of the area I’m exploring. Time to gear up and charge in there.
It started off cold this morning and burying myself in the game on this, the last day of my extended holiday/vacation was all I had on my mind. And then it looked really nice outside. The weather app was telling me it was 60F with barely any breeze and a bright blue sky. OK. Is the botanical garden open? No! Dang it! There is always the park.
I didn’t think about it because as I drove into the park I was floored by the number of people.
Don’t panic! You can work with this.
But… people!
They are less interested in you then you are in them…
…people…
It will be alright.
I had no plan for what I wanted to photograph. All I wanted to do was go for a walk and if I find a subject for the camera, it will be a bonus. I put the 105mm macro lens on the camera and headed out.
My other self was right. The people were not a hinderance. I chose to walk the trails winding through the woods rather than the road that circles the park. The park has a lot of mountain bike trails and to my delight a lot of paths to walk. Who knew?
What was churning in my head as I walked… see the little things, look for textures and patterns. But most importantly, be open to everything. There are subjects for you in every direction, be open to seeing them.
I was having a great time. It was a beautiful day and my path through the woods allowed me to bypass the “crowds”. And then I found it…
Carefree Days Nikon Z6 II, Nikkor Z MC 105mm f/2.8 VR S, 1/640s, f/2.8, ISO 100
MLCreations Photography 