A Christmas Eve Choice

It’s Christmas Eve.  I’m thinking of last-minute shopping, maybe getting a few last-minute projects out of the way …

And as I look out the window…

I see snowflakes.

Is there enough snow on the ground?

Yeah.

Is there enough time to get there and back?

Yeah.

Plans change in a second.  Instead of my last-minute Christmas shopping …

I’m driving off to Washington County.

Specifically, the Rexleigh Covered Bridge in Salem, New York.

I’m still trying to get a wintry image of the covered bridge, and if it’s Christmas Eve, I should have limited traffic on the road and very few tire tracks on the bridge path.

One hour later, I arrive in Washington County.

And an initial photo test shows … I’m closer to my goal.

All right, Miller, let’s get closer.  Can I get that angle from my previous test shots earlier this year?

This is working.

And let’s try a beauty shot from the right side of the bridge.

How about a deep shot inside the bridge?  Straight on view and see if I can get the trail going upward?

With a lot of post-processing …

I came up with this.

Ooh.  I like that one lots and lots.  If I don’t get a better winter photo than this… this will be a submission for Competition Season 2019.  For sure.

Okay… we’re closer.  I like these shots – I like them more than the ones I took earlier this winter – but I know that if we get a big fat Nor’Easter, and if I can safely get to this shooting location, I will get the big fat winning photo for next year.

Yes, I know I’m focusing on this target over and over again… but I feel like I’m so close to hte image I want, and I just can’t let it go.

But as I drive home from my photo shoot …

I remember something.

This is the first photo shoot I’ve done since my cataract surgery.  I’m not 100% healed yet – my left eye will take the blade in less than two weeks – but I’m feeling more confident in my photos and in traveling for same.

Especially if I can get shots like this.

This is proof that photography is therapy.

Amirite?

Yeahimrite.