Every year our local life science museum sponsors a nature photography competition. Most years I’m not organized enough to submit an entry by the deadline. This year I thought about it often and set my mind to having two images ready in plenty of time. After the Christmas season passed, I began culling through the hundreds of images I made in 2017 searching for the ones that might make the cut. The competition only allowed a photographer to enter two pictures. I narrowed the field to 5 possible. Several of the images were not my most beautiful from the previous year but instead, showed an interesting graphic design. I figured the judges were likely looking for images that were not necessarily ordinary or conventional. I sent my five selections to a local printing shop. I decided to have the images mounted on foam-core at the same time. I wanted to place them side by side in my office and consider them over time to see which of the two resonated with me the strongest. I then narrowed the field down to three images, which I then took to a framing shop for matting. I looked at the three candidates for several weeks before finally choosing the two I would enter.

When the day of submission came, I carried them to the museum, paid my entry fee, signed the proper waivers, and left. The museum employees informed me that I would be notified in advance if I was a winner, so I could be in attendance when the exhibit opened, and the winners announced. Unfortunately, this was the weekend of Easter and I was planning to be out of town.

Oak in Fog, Santa Rosa Creek Road, California

During that week, I left for a short trip to southern Utah to spend time with family and enjoy the warmer weather of the desert. Day by day I anticipated a call from the museum, but none came. I quietly accepted the fact that my images were below notice. I was discouraged as I calculated in my head the enormous cost I’ve sunk into photography over the years. I’ve spent thousands of dollars on equipment and outings. Countless hours of my life have been devoted to studying the art of photography. Now I was feeling that perhaps I’ve invested too deeply. Just the submissions alone cost me a fair amount considering the image processing, mounting, matting, and submission fees. The cost is real and the cost is significant.

I reconciled myself to the purpose that brought me into photography in the beginning. I love the outdoors and enjoy attempting to capture small pieces of its beauty and slices of moments in time that are unique. For whatever cost that is spent, the true joy comes from the time I spend outside. I suppose it is enough to have an excuse to go outside, to make that next image. Rarely am I disappointed and regret the time I’m wandering through the mountains and forests. It’s true that I am a fair-weather photographer. Winter isn’t my favorite time of year to be outside. But when I make the effort to go out, I’m always rewarded.

On the day of the exhibit opening, Virginia and I were heading out on a spring hike in beautiful St. George, UT. While driving down the road, my phone rang. It was the museum, informing me that I was a winner and requesting my attendance at the opening that evening. I wasn’t able to return home and be there for the announcement. The secretary wouldn’t tell me over the phone where I placed. I spent a long weekend wondering which image won, and where it placed.

Monday morning, I stopped by the museum on my way to work and pleasantly learned one of my images was selected as first place in the nature category. My second image received an honorable mention.

At the time of submission, the secretary that received my entries asked me to title the images. The title I chose for one was Ablaze. She misunderstood and typed in A Blaze. It is a subtle difference and changes the intent of my photo. I chuckled to myself when I saw it hanging in the exhibit hall.