You lookin' at me?

 

Mailboxes of Route 10

With one sleep encrusted eye pried open while still under toasty bedcovers, I spotted it in the predawn light. Fog was rolling in, and a dreamy veil of mist was being cast over the dew drenched New Hampshire landscape. This was the morning I eagerly anticipated for so long.

But despite my glee previsualizing a cornucopia of photographic possibilities awaiting out in the fog, I opted to close that crusty eyelid, roll over, and reconnect with the warmth of the sheets and comforter. 

No way!, that pesky gremlin perched on my shoulder shouted silently into my ear! The little twerp wouldn't stand for such sloth. "Get up and get out there, this chance doesn't happen every day".

So, albeit somnolently reluctant, I did. Here's how I was rewarded.

Heading down NH Route 10 south, there's an old New England red barn statuesquely set back from the road. Whether riding past by bike or car, it's a head-turner any time of day. Now out of the sack, clothed to counter the chill and soggy ground, and with camera in hand, I headed out imagining all the standout images I hoped to capture. Sure enough, the fog/barn combo offered a magical vista, but to my surprise it would not be the main attraction.

One photographic rule-of-thumb in striving to create the extraordinary from the ordinary, is to always check behind you. Sometimes the most striking images can be found there, even better than what might lie in front. With that in mind, I followed the 'road less traveled', taking a narrow bypass, and approached the barn from a rear vantage point. Not only did it offer a more up-close and personal position, but the farmer's sheep happened to be out for an early breakfast and spotted me as I approached - an unexpected bonus.

At first, only a sole muncher in the flock was sufficiently curious to pause his/her high fiber repast to stare me down.

Baa

But as I surreptitiously moved closer, a few more wooly heads turned my way. 

Having completely forgotten the earlier reticence at vacating my comfortable slumber cocoon, I sensed the sheep studded landscape before me was rife with stunning image-making opportunities. They were just a soft shutter-click away, but first I needed some uniform front facing Rodney Dangerfield respect from these guys.

Moon-shine

To capture a prized image, all the guys and gals had to turn my way, not just those who already chomped their fill. I was so close, but no cigar ... as yet. There remained one indifferent holdout looking the other way and flashing me the moon.

Besides waiting ... and waiting ... and waiting for the stubborn one, I pondered what I could do to capture the image I envisioned. I could wait, but I know one who waits for perfection waits an eternity. That was not an option. Then a lightbulb lit up in my head.

"What wolf, where?" I shouted (at least I imagined shouting that alert). Whatever, instantly I had unanimous attention. It was the sought after 'decisive moment' and I clicked. The rest is history.

You lookin' at me?

PS: This past summer, the chair of the NH Photo Group I belong to, tipped off members about a contest sponsored by the Howe Library in Vermont. Generally I shun entering contests but I did so with the sheep image for the Nature/Animal category. It won the blue ribbon. It won overall Best in Show as well. That award was accompanied by a monetary prize. 

Crime doesn't pay, but it did pay to get out of bed that foggy morning.

images © David Greenfield

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