Mountain Home

Sometimes, while I lived in New Mexico I would take long, long drives just to explore and see things.

It was on one of those day trips that I found this little country church. I stopped, walked around it and made a lot of pictures. Even though this picture isn’t the most detailed, I like it because it is what I first saw as I happened upon it.

It is a good illustration of why artists like coming to New Mexico. It’s the light. Even in this light, there is a special quality to it. You know it when you see it. I haven’t seen it in a long time.

I sometimes wonder what I did by moving away. Oh sure, I was pulled back to New Orleans by the culture, by the folks you’ve seen in my pictures. Black Masking Indians, Social and Benevolent Societies, brass bands and Mardi Gras, itself.

But, in my mind after ten years, that project is over. There isn’t much more for me in New Orleans. I certainly get out into the “country” a lot, but still it’s not my country.

So, I return to my picture a day project and remember…

Still, nothing technical to talk about. Once again I’m not helping the photographers among you.

Working in a semi-photojournalistic way means no trickiness.

No trickiness means no technical discussion, except to say that you should be patient when you are making these kinds of pictures.

I wasn’t patient with the church. If I had waited another hour, I would have had New Mexican golden glow.

I guess that’s the lesson. Patience.

Stay safe. Stay strong. Stay mighty. Wear your mask. Wash your hands. Keep your distance. Get your jabs. Look after each other. Be patient (that word again).