The view materialized out of a moment of insight, a single flash of time and place caught from the edge of my eye. All of it, a sky filled with clusters of brilliant white clouds drifting across is face, an old weathered fence stretching along the flowered country scene, a tangled spit of woods searching for the breeze atop a shallow hill, and colors of a landscape filled with crisp and clean contrasts, all of it at once came into view stirring an instinctive reaction from within.
My Jeep slowed as I applied brakes, then rolled to a stop. The gears rattled as I shifted into reverse to backup a few dozen yards so I could step outside. The total scene more clearly came into view as all the elements filled my vision, and my heart told me, '...this is the moment...' I stood silent alongside the road...in the moment...soaking in the profound simplicity of the scene, one possessed with all the ingredients for a fine landscape, but even more so, it possessed intangible abilities to create that rare, personal experience of being in the moment.
Being in the Moment. When it comes down to a simple definition of what Beyond The Campfire represents as an outdoor/photography site blog, being in the moment best describes what it is all about. It took me a while to realize just how much so, and only recently did this idea make itself known. I suppose I unknowingly knew it deep inside, but somehow managed to miss the mark while attempting to define the nature of this site.
Recently, I just finished a fantastic project, The Ansel Adams Project, where I sought out photographic opportunities that would translate well into Ansel Adams style of black and white images. It is the kind of project that never actually ends, I just refocus in another direction. I learned a great deal about myself, about photography, and about just how important being in the moment meant while chasing after Ansel Adams style of images. It was not only a fun and exciting project, it opened my eyes to a whole new realm of what I am capable of achieving.
Searching for a new project theme often requires a lot of effort and thought. This in the moment theme at first glance offers a wide range of possibilities and challenges, but the kind of challenges I thrive on. I love being outdoors, canoeing, backpacking, or just a simple walk in the woods. Sharing those moments help to reinforce just how important participating in them can become.
I'm looking forward to seeing how this concept plays out. Hope all of you follow along as I chase after not only photographic opportunities, but outdoor adventures as well. I can see how my YouTube site can benefit from such an undertaking and plan on creating a series of video programs that chronicle the adventure. The first in the series, Coming soon; Chasing The Sun.
Come and join me, beyond the campfire, as I begin a new and exciting project called, Being In The Moment.
