Jackson School Lavender. North Plains, Ore.

Could I have cropped this photo of the tree differently? Sure. But I love it anyway. Could I have shot the landscape photo you see below later in the day, to take advantage of changing sky colors? Sure. But I love it anyway. From a subjective point-of-view, it seemed right in the moment to photograph both this way. Also, it pays to have a polarizing filter and to expose for the highlights.

I’m lucky to have scenes like this to photograph.