Remember to look back

I went to my favorite spot on the East side of Tucson to take some sunset shots and I set up my tripod to do just that. I was looking forward to one of those spectacular sunset scenes that we sometimes take for granted here in the Old Pueblo. Well to tell you the truth, the sunset was not shaping to be as spectacular as I wished for, but then I remembered something I read about taking sunset pictures at the Grand Canyon. Yes I am more than 5 hours away from the Canyon, but you can apply this principle anywhere really. It goes like this: having your camera face the setting sun isn't always a recipe for success, the horizon in front of you might not always be the most colorful, and in the case of the Grand Canyon, everything below the rim in front of you is quickly turning completely dark. But if you look behind you (now your back is facing the sun) the scenery in front of you is getting beautiful light from the setting sun! There is your picture now. Back in Tucson, no Canyon rims in front nor behind me, after not liking the light in front of me I turned around and saw the beautiful light of the setting sun illuminating some clouds above a range of mountains on the East side of Tucson. So there you have it, a beautiful picture taken at sunset, but not of the sunset; and yes, I had a little help from Snapseed Photo Editor. Next time your are taking photos at sunset, remember to look back!