And Breathe...
The Urgency of Calm
Last Sunday was going to be a full day, starting with our monthly donation breakfast at the fire department. There was not going to be much time for photography. But as luck would have it, my trip to the fire department was right at sunrise. The light was perfect. With the addition of fog in the valleys and some frost, the conditions could not have been better.
I grabbed my camera bag.
It’s only a short drive to town, and I didn’t have a lot of time. So there was a sense of urgency. I only had an extra 15 minutes or so, but that’s all I would need. That orange glow would not stick around very long. And I knew where I needed to stop.
My first stop was all about that orange glow, silhouettes of trees, and a small pond with a calm and undisturbed surface. A slight mist just above the water, and reflections on the surface were all there for me this morning.
Closer to town, the light disappeared behind thick fog that filled the valley. I stopped again, this time beside an old truck parked in front of a barn. It’s retired now, a lawn ornament. I pass it nearly every day, but this morning it looked different. The fog behind it hid all the clutter. The scene was simple. It was all about the texture of the rusty metal and the stillness of the fog.
I feel compelled to stop for moments like this, though I’m never completely sure why. Maybe it’s because calm feels rare these days, and I want to hold onto it. Maybe it’s the need to remember mornings that would otherwise fade away.
After my short detour, it was time to get back to the task at hand. The light would not have lasted much longer even if I had more time. The fog, however, stuck around for a while. Just enough to give me a slight sense of regret that I couldn’t grab just a few more shots. Soon it was all about coffee, bacon, friends, and conversation. The calm of the foggy valley and the orange glow of the sunrise were behind me.
I don’t know why it felt necessary to stop.
It just was.
✅ Where to Find Me
You can find more of my work on the web at: Simmons Photography
If you want to work with me, or inquire about licensing images: Contact Page
More of my work can be seen on Vero and Flickr.
🎒 The Gear Bag - Gear and Inspiration
Some links in this section are affiliate links. If you make a purchase through them, I may earn a small commission at no extra cost to you. I only share gear and resources I personally use or believe in.
As an Amazon Associate, I earn from qualifying purchases.
A rotating list of tools, resources, or inspirations you've used recently. Keeps it practical and helpful without sounding like a shopping guide. Could include:
The gear used for the photos in the post
A short review of something new you tried
A book or video that inspired your outing
A creative resource (e.g., composition tip or shooting
💬 Closing Thoughts
A curated, slightly nerdy or poetic roundup for curious readers. Ideas:
A link to a destination you want to explore
A historic tidbit about a location in your photo
A quick nature fact or observation
A quote that ties into your photo story’s theme