2013 In Review

[jjeling]

In conclusion, those pictures pretty much summarize the park. Even though there are countless numbers of animals to look at, and some of the most breathtaking mountains, the geothermal features are what created the landscape of Yellowstone and are the reason the animals are there in such great numbers. Its a magical place, and deserving of a third visit this spring again.

[Hillbillygirl]

Thank you for sharing so much with us with this story, and pics of your life adventures into the art of photography.

All wonderful captures, and love the meaningful narrative with each. Thanks for sharing, and keep shooting/growing as we all do everyday.

[jjeling]

So continuing on in the journey, there is no way to continue without stressing the importance of the journey itself. I would be lying to myself if I said the best part of traveling was spending time at a destination. There is nothing more interesting to me when traveling than the actual travel. It is almost depressing when the driving ends and destination has been reached. We all know that sometimes the journey to our destination is just as important as the destination itself. I could speak about the parallels between our own learning experiences and travel experiences for hours, but then again, that's why I am so interested in photography. It seems that through photography, I am able to share my stories much more effectively. Sure this is not an isolated view, but it cannot be discounted either. The journeys we take through life are meant to be experiences we need to have. The road less traveled gives us an alternative view, the open road ahead gives us time to think and contemplate, and stormy weather in front of us makes sure have prepared ourselves for the future. If we decide to take shortcuts, we miss out on a whole lot.......

[jjeling]

[jjeling]

Having shared those images, I must state that with that trip being my second to Yellowstone, and my first super cell encounter, my ability to truly do what I had set out to achieve with photography had been seriously degraded. You see the thing is, many of you are all great photographers. If you still consider yourself a beginner, keep practicing and you will be able to do the same thing. Had any of you been in these same places, at the same times, you would have been able to capture the same images if not better, that I would put money on. Call me outspoken, or whatever you will, but I wanted to set out to take pictures of the ordinary and turn them into extraordinary. It seems as though now, it is backwards and these are extraordinary images of extraordinary things. So, to me it does not seem like much of a challenge. We all know our equipment well. We all know how light functions and how composition affects the aesthetics of our images. But its the constant struggle and drive to pursue a deeper sense of creativity in my images that drives me to continue doing this. With that being said, I cannot help but fall back on my own understanding that we cannot forget the journeys. Our individual journeys are what shape and influence our decisions and views throughout life. They are completely necessary. Its these journeys that if we decide to forego, then we miss out on an experience that may have given us that little extra knowledge we were looking for. The worst thing you could do is take a short cut. Take the path less traveled, and never forget that you can learn a something from everything and everyone.

[Runmonty]

Thanks for taking us on your inspirational journey with you. I admire your passion and agree that the journey (however one may decide to define that for themselves) is what is great.

P.S. Lovin' those roadside lightning shots.

[jjeling]

Thanks Monty. It is a difficult thing to wrestle with sometimes. Although I find myself happy with where I am at right now. I think I could push myself a little harder. I doubt that I am the first one to come to terms with this so I thought I would share some of what I've been dealing with over the past year. Maybe someone agrees with me, maybe some don't. Hopefully this opens up some conversation as to how people have dealt with it and how they feel they've overcome their struggles. In the meantime, it gives me a way to share what I've seen and experienced and perhaps it will open up some creative avenues or ideas for me.

[Marko]

Thx for sharing this story jjelling.
really liking the roadside lightning shots as well and those lovely road sunsets.