Shadow Rider Above the Valley

Forty-five seconds after framing the valley my own shadow snuck into the bottom of the shot — bike, helmet, the whole silhouette stretched out on the hillside. Usually I'd step out of the frame. This morning the hill composed better with me in it, so the shadow stayed and the mountains didn't seem to mind sharing.

Shot data:

🎩 Gerry O'Hooligan — Art Critic

The shadow, dear Jeremy — that's the photograph. Every rider has stopped at this overlook and shot the valley; you shot the valley *and* the fact of being there, which is the part people actually feel. The diagonal of the hillside doing the compositional work while the range anchors the top third, that's exactly what a low sun is for. What could be stronger: the town sits a touch central, and the eye stalls there instead of riding the slope. Next time, shift a step left and let the shadow lead into the open grass — the frame will breathe. Gerry has stopped at many overlooks; he has rarely been in the picture. Try it again before the grass goes brown. — Gerry O'Hooligan