Professional landscape photographers don't take pictures we make them. That means that we spend a lot of time planning and plotting to get the shot we want. We often go to a scene with a specific shot or look in mind before we even get there. We plan when to go (time of year and time of day), we plot the moon / sun / ocean tides, etc. Going to Oxbow Bend in the Grand Tetons National Park with a professional workshop (Don Smith Photography Workshops) was one such shoot. The idea is to shoot Mount Moran in the distance while it reflects in Jackson Lake.

          However, you get there and the weather is not conducive for great photography. A long time resident told us that he has never seen five or six days of consecutive rain during this time of year during his 30 year life there. Regardless of the rain we still go out to shoot because photographers love bad weather; that is often what gives you drama and shots that others don't have. In mountainous terrain the clouds and weather can also change by the minute.

          So here are were attempting to shoot Mount Moran. Just about all the cameras are pointing at Mount Moran. That is what we came to shoot. It is so easy to get fixated on shooting the shot you wanted to shoot that you don't look around, especially behind you. This is even more true when you get to a place for the first time and you are so excited to get that trophy shot of the famed icon (I have been there a few times). Professional landscape photographers learn to always look around them. They constantly observe the light in all directions. They make a point of looking behind them from time to time; even if the great iconic scene is in front of them. With Mount Moran not at its best I started to look around. What is the light doing elsewhere?

          With most people shooting one way I saw the light turning behind us so I turned around to shoot the nice light behind us. Remember that photography is always more about the light than about the scene. This was the result:

          Now there is no great mountain in this shot, but there is color and at least something was happening in the sky. Always look around you. Look behind you. Things may be more exciting there than in front of you. Look for the light. Criminal detectives always say "follow the money". Photographers always say "follow the light".