06/07/2020
NOW AVAILABLE:
Serenity. This image Serenity was shot at Monument Rocks National Natural Landmark, Gove County Kansas. I had been to this the night before to shoot but the lighting wasn't just right.
While I did get some shots, I didn't like them.
The next night, Wednesday, June 10, 2020, the storms were brewing once again. I was actually about 20 miles south of Leoti, Kansas shooting the storm when I decided to go back to my hotel due to the bad weather. I was staying in Dodge City, which is about 2 hours away from Leoti.
As I headed about 2 miles south of where I was shooting, I had an idea to go back to Monument Rocks. I immediately thought, oh it's not going to be worth it because the light was bad. It was also about 7:15 pm. Sunset was at 9:05 pm that night and I was an hour away.
At the last minute, I decided to go back there thinking... I've got nothing to lose. I quickly turned around and went straight there. I arrived at about 8:35. I scouted where I wanted to shoot as I wanted to get the sun in the keyhole. I found the spot, got set up, and started shooting.
Within 5 minutes this was the scene. I was blown away. I thought wow if I had waited a few more minutes to go there I would have missed this. Two minutes after shooting, this light was totally gone. Whew, what an experience. I'm so glad I went there.
When I first posted this I was shocked, my Mom had texted me and was so excited. She and my Dad were totally blown away by the image. That text made my day.
Serenity Photograph by Todd Ellingson
