I've been down this road before. Bright blue skies, wide open Texas in seasonal change, one map, 4 cameras, one brand new convertible, and one husband (also a photographer)....... in the driver's seat. Oh he's left me on the road before! Taking that slow roll away as I am knee deep in wild flowers waiting for the breeze to stop blowing my perfect shot out of focus. Expecting peace on today's drive was unrealistic at best but we hit the road with good intentions.
Texas reveals her autumn with subtlety. Sturdy yellow flowers rise in rolling pastures, green crops are harvested leaving brown stubs behind, and tractors recline with ease along barn sides. Even barbed wire fences take on a rusted orange hue.
As we twist through empty county roads, the perfect shot is around every corner. The trouble is knowing where to stop. I know the spot instinctively. I notice small details, the tree line opening, the lone remaining corn stalk spared, or the longhorn whose cinnamon coat catches the afternoon sun.
My husband is a big picture guy. He jokes he's "the one who knows the perfect shot". So when I say "here"! He keeps rolling. Inching along at 5 mph as my shot gets smaller in my rear view. We playfully bicker away another 300 feet of asphalt. And when he finally says "here's the shot"- I am hoofing it back to my muse while he checks his phone. (Smoke billowing from my ears.)
I get my revenge when I am in the driver's seat. There's no stop I won't make, no U-turn too sharp for the right composition in nature. Loose pit bulls threatening that shot of the bayou curving off? No problem! And those antique stores my husband slows near and asks, unimpressed, "Really? You want to stop here?" as he rolls on by..... Oh yeah! I'm stopping when I am behind the wheel.
No wonder our photo explores wear us out! But after 20 years, we've got this photo sharing thing figured out.
LOVE & BACK ROADS!
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