Some are thrust in our view: Photo of the Day

Some are thrust in our view: Photo of the Day, originally uploaded by BCMielke.

I sometimes find myself looking for pictures and other times they are thrust in my way. The above picture was just such a case. We recently went on a camping trip into Wisconsin. We had rented a group campground, which gave us plenty of space to invite friends and even other family members. One of those nights my sister arrived with my brother-in-law.

It just so happens that if there were an award for professional fire-maker my “Bil” would win the award. He can build a fire with the proverbial two sticks of wood if he has to. The smoldering old damp wood around our campsite was no match for him, however it was a match for my wife and myself the next night.

For those that know such things when you check into a campground purchasing wood is a necessity. The little packet of wood is usually so dry that it will have burnt edges by the sunlight if left out on a bright day. Inevitably the last night for your fire you either have too much or too little wood. Since “Bil” was there the night before we were left with too little. Keep in mind I’m not complaining, I would rather have a great fire then none at all. My “Bil” builds great fires. In the case for this night we should have picked up some more wood because our meager skills just weren’t enough for the damp large tree branches left over on the ground.

The group was clamoring for a fire though and so I jumped in my car to make that happen. I had noticed through the weekend a couple of places that had wood, what I hoped for was they were open late. Yes I know stores open late at night selling wood probably isn’t going to happen, but man of action that I am, I have to look.

Driving around the lake to get to the second store I was greeted with this site of the sun setting and me, well being me I had to stop and snap this picture. Well so I snapped a few more than just one and even a couple of different angles. The scene was thrust upon me so I had to work it didn’t I?

Thankfully this did not cause my mad dash to the store to wind up differently than if I hadn’t taken the time to take pictures. Both of the stores were long closed. Regardless I couldn’t have asked for a better sunset.

Always have a camera handy and if something catches your eye then really try to work the scene from all different angles and compositions.

Panasonic Lumix LX3 and converted in Aperture with the Local Contrast filter in Nik Color Efex Pro 3.0.