Dani Watson, Tranquility (LANDSCAPE 2024)

There’s something about this photo, this moment frozen in time, that speaks volumes of my journey. I was in New Zealand, a place known for its stunning landscapes and breathtaking views, but I was struggling, struggling to find the motivation to get out there and capture the beauty that surrounded me. It’s not that I didn’t appreciate it, it’s just that I found myself making excuses, finding reasons not to, but it was why I was also there, to find myself again. Then came the tree. It was a location I’d seen before, a beautiful, solitary tree against the backdrop of the Mountains and setting sun. I knew it would make for a great shot, but once again, I found myself back at the hotel, sinking into the comfort of routine, the familiarity of the mundane. It was an internal tug-of-war, a battle of wills between the part of me that wanted to go and the part of me that wanted to stay. And then, something shifted. In the eleventh hour, I decided to go. As I drove, my memory of the exact location was hazy, but the landmarks looked familiar. And when I finally arrived, the motivated photographer in me resurfaced, rekindled by the sight of that magnificent tree bathed in the soft, golden light of the sunset. When I get to the location, I’m fine… I sat there, absorbing the scene, framing compositions in my mind, and watching as the sun slowly dipped below the horizon. The beauty of long exposures is that you can truly immerse yourself in the moment. As my camera captured the scene over the course of five to six minutes, I was able to take in the sunset, to truly appreciate the beauty of the world around me. It was a turning point, a pivotal moment in my trip. The desire to get out and capture the world through my lens came back, stronger than ever. A few days later, I joined a group of talented photographers, each one inspiring me in their own unique way. Sometimes, all it takes is a friend, a companion, someone to share in your passion and reignite that spark within you.

Images have been resized for web display, which may cause some loss of image quality. Note: Original high-resolution images are used for judging.