PHOTO OF THE WEEK

-- Don Leach

Once in a while a winter storm will pass through the area cold and

gray. Leaving behind a crisp new day. And for one day the snow-topped

mountains come into play.

How do you make them seem closer, like they are in your head? Put away

the small lens, put on the big one, instead.

So I went to the place where I knew I could put the elements together

and make it seem like the mountains were as close as they seemed, the

Back Bay.

The first clear day after a storm is always unique because the

mountains are bright and brilliant. And to get a great picture of them,

rather than just average, you have to capture it before noon to beat the

smog.

So I drove to the Back Bay and walked out to the middle of a field,

lining up the highest brightest spot on the mountains with a trail next

to the cliffs. I waited, and waited, and waited some more.

I must have looked funny standing there in the middle of an open field

with this huge camera, staring at nothing. It wasn’t like there were a

lot of people out there. If patience is a virtue, then this was my best

quality as a photographer. I was really hoping for something special. A

runner with dogs, a horse and rider, etc. to put in front of the

mountains.

A woman walked by with her son. I said hello as they meandered up the

trail. I waited. After almost giving up on the situation, I saw the same

woman with her son on her shoulders walking back toward me on the same

trail. I was hoping she wouldn’t get tired before they walked into the

frame. Twenty minutes later, they walked through and I had a picture I

hoped would make the front page.