Serendipity and the luck of the photographer: the chance of being at the right place at the right time!


I recently received  a request for a photograph that I do not currently have in my files so I planned a quick trip to try and capture it. I pre-visualized the image: sunrise light on a specific snow covered mountain with some nice clouds in the sky, and on the morning I was there to make the image conditions were almost perfect with the exception of the clouds.  I made the shot and granted it is a nice image, but not exactly what I was hoping for and I will most likely return to try again. I have learned over the years that patience and  perseverance reward the photographer.  That said, later in the day as I was traveling the weather started to change  and  as I was driving through the northern San Luis Valley  an amazing lenticular cloud developed over the Northern Sangre de Cristo Range.  It was mid-day light, but the combination of the snow covered mountains with the incredible sky and clouds was too good to pass up and envisioning it in black and white, I knew it would be an excellent image.  So the moral of this story is that as photographers as much as  we may plan and have  hopes to capture certain images, it is often the random serendipitous chance moments that we encounter that produce the most satisfying images. I am not saying you should not plan and pre-visualize, but just getting out there and seeing what images come your way can be rewarding. In other words just get out and do it and see what nature provides!

A Lenticular Cloud over the Sangre de Cristo Range, CO

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2 responses to “Serendipity and the luck of the photographer: the chance of being at the right place at the right time!

  1. Ah, the ol’ pre-visualization trick! You’re one of the chosen few who can see an image in your mind before, well, before seeing it in your mind! Just giving you a hard time!

    I was up on one of the higher dunes when that thing hovered almost directly overhead. I couldn’t do anything with it, but it sure was cool. I really like your comp here. The snow on the peaks makes all the difference. I’m surprised by the apparent space between the peaks and the cloud; usually those things hang right on top of the peaks.

  2. I would say that luck favours the prepared mind. The fact is, you had the presence of mind, skills and vision to take what nature gave you and turn into a masterful piece…

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