Living every day can be a fragile thing. We teeter on the edge, hoping not to fall and break. An inch forward or an inch to the rear, and all is lost. Still we manage to stay upright, and we stand more firmly with each and every day of life. Still on the edge, but with a bit more confidence. If we live long enough, we even begin to appreciate the view. That view is prophetic. We only need to listen 

There is nothing like standing high in the mountains to achieve a clear view.  Sometimes a clear photographic view equates very much with the view we take of life. We look for scenes that we find compelling and inspiring, but we know that in the end it is what we as photographers put into each scene, that will determine the success or failure of the image.  The final picture belongs to nature, to us, and to the viewer.  Each of us affects everything around us.  It works its way from the inside out.

If you want to be a part of something in life that is bigger than you, then you have to join in “the dance”.  When does the dance cease to be yours, and become someone else’s idea?  While I was photographing the courtship dance of the Sharp-tailed Grouse, I began to notice that while the males danced to a similar song, each and every one had some unique moves that belonged solely to themselves.  It has always seemed to me that knowing when to stop dancing with the crowd, is just as important as dancing in the first place.

In photography as in life, standing alone can be a symbol of strength. Unlike Devil’s Tower (below) we need to know when it is time to join the crowd.

What to leave in, what to leave out.  Photography and life asks the same questions.

The edge of the canyon is both beautiful and dangerous. Beauty always comes with a risk.  It’s up to each of us to decide whether to stand at the edge, or to rest comfortably, far from danger.

I hope you will forgive me for changing the subject of today’s post from recent articles which have been primarily thoughts and techniques about pictures.  Today was more about personal thoughts pertaining to life. I have always wrote about what was on my mind at the moment.  That is just me, dancing to “my own” music.

“You build on failure. You use it as a stepping stone. Close the door on the past. You don’t try to forget the mistakes, but you don’t dwell on it. You don’t let it have any of your energy, or any of your time, or any of your space” Johnny Cash

Thank you and have a great day