Field Notes: Finding Color in the Gray

Pixel and I went for a short walk the other on a trail we’ve done a hundred times before. It was one of those quick outings between rain showers—just a chance to stretch our legs and get some fresh air. I brought the Sony A7CR with the Samyang 24mm, mostly just to see what I could find.

Even though we’re well past the peak of fall colors here in Washington, I wanted to see what color was still out there. Little bits of green moss, muted browns, and hints of red still peek through if you look closely. Along the way, I started noticing small puddles and decided to play around with reflections—getting down low and seeing what might show up.

When the rain picked up again, we turned around, but it stopped almost as quickly. I still wanted to get my two miles in, so we wandered around some nearby apartment buildings I’d only ever driven past. There, too, I found reflections—this time in sidewalks and windows instead of trees and leaves.

Nothing I shot will end up in a portfolio, but that’s not what these walks are about. It was just a fun little experiment—a reminder to stay open and curious, to see what the scene gives you rather than forcing it to be something else.