So I have written a few times before that I often go back to the same place, over and over. Why do I do that? Is that not a waste of time? Don't I already have "that" shot? Well, first of all, I do attempt to get different looking shots from the same scene. Even if I shoot the exact same composition, the light is different. Different light totally changes the mood and feel of the image. If this were not the case then photography would be dead as most places have already been shot. We go shoot it non the less because the light and clouds change. We get different shots even of the same scene.

          This image was taken at one of my old favorite spots. I can show you many shots taken there over the years. For today I would like to show you only three of these shots. Two of them were taken on the same evening, about 30 minutes or so apart. Look how much difference the light makes:

Here is the first shot. It was taken in the dry season as you can see from the color of the grass. I like the rolling hills just rolling into the distance. By themselves these hills do not make for a great image. Being there when the light is great is what makes it work. Remember that photography is all about light. Now let's wait 30 minutes or so ... You see many photographers will take this shot, like it and move on. I prefer to wait until there is no more hope for the light to get better. Yes, many times the light does not get better. On the other hand, I have many shots that I would never have had, had I not waited. Ah, the light is changing, let's shoot:

So we change the angle of the camera. We get a slightly different shot, but it is essentially the same. What is very different is the light. This shot has a very different mood and feel to it than the previous one. Light makes all the difference. Many photographers would take their two images and never return because they have already been there and done that. However, this same scene might look very different in a different season with different light. So I return in the rainy season:

Yes, this is the same tree with the same hills. This time the grass is green and the light is different. Once again I change the composition to get a different shot. It is really amazing how different you can make a scene by changing your angle. Move around. Look at things from many different angles and see what you can come up with. I am at higher elevation in this shot than at the previous two shots. A higher elevation brings out the rolling hills in the background. Walk around and find different views.

          Can you see the different light makes? That is why I go back to the same scene, I want to see it in different light, in different seasons. I need to be there when the light is nice. Yes, it happens too often that I am out there to shoot when the light does not cooperate, so I leave without even getting my gear out. If you get to know the area well (by coming back many times) you will start to be able to read the weather and predict whether or not you should wait or leave.

          Light changes everything.