on inspiration, driving, thinking and handel

do you ever see work of other photographers that moves and inspires you to the point of wanting to try the same type of photo? i often do, and a recent example is the inspiration that led me to take the above shot tonight.

i had recently seen two photos that i adore... this one and this one... and found them moving and beautiful beyond words. i've tried to take a shot like these before, but never achieved something quite as effective as theirs. but oh how i like road shots like these. in fact, i recently discovered a whole series of these kinds of shots on flickr from this photographer. i LOVE his work!

well, as i drove home from the baby shower and from visiting another friend {as long as i was in the area }, i had plenty of time to think. but i quickly found myself thinking too much... of things from big and heavy to small and insignificant. i then realized that i needed to turn on the radio and try to not think so much for a bit... just drive.

how pleased was i when my ears met the sounds of handel coming from the speakers. i often underestimate just how beautiful and moving his music is when i have not heard it in a while. i tend to gravitate toward the classical and romantic periods of the classical music genre, and thus the reason mendelsohn, schubert and brahms are my three favorite composers.

but when i hear handel {like the concerto in b-flat major for organ and orchestra that i heard tonight }, i start to rethink my favorites line-up. gosh, i'm a sucker for that kind of beautiful organ music {not the heavy, brooding stuff }. it was just what i needed for a snowy drive home that would have otherwise been filled with the many things that have been on my mind.

well, as i type, the snow is coming down quickly and is supposed to amount to between eight and twelve inches. after two sunny, warm days last week, i almost forgot it was winter. but winter has a way of reminding us when we forget. still... one month from today is the first full day of spring. i'll be counting down the days... of that i am sure.