I ventured to this location the day after witnessing one of the seaons best sunrises the day before. Fresh snow had fallen on the Boulder Flatirons and I watched from my house as fog lifted and the clouds, skies and Flatirons took on beautiful hues of pinks and reds. The following days sunrise was beautiful as well, but the previous days snow had all melted. It was with a bit of regret that I headed out this morning after missing the previous days sunrise. Even so, I’m glad I returned the follwing day to witness a different, yet beautiful sunrise. Technicial Details: Canon EOS 1DsIII, 24mm TS-E F3.5 L IIOne of the worst feelings one can experience when out photographing the landscape is that feeling of having ‘just missed the shot’. It happens to all of us, and watching a once in a lifetime sunrise or sunset unfold in front you while your out of position for the shot can be disheartening and torturous.
The image of what could have been can leave you feeling regretful. That shot that could have been becomes burned into your memory and you’ll run through the fateful course of events over and over. Why did I set my alarm clock so late?, why did I hesitate on hiking to a particular viewpoint?, maybe I should have hustled a little more on the trail to makeup some time etc.
Living with regrets is not a particularly productive way to go through life or landscape photography. We cant go back in time, and we cant re-create once in a lifetime opportunities. The best thing we can do is try to be more prepared for ‘the shot’ the next time. The second, and most important thing we can do is appreciate our time in the field and in nature even if were in the process of botching the shot.
