Morning Climb.
It’s
hard to beat an early morning mountain bike ride in Annadale State Park. This time of year, temperatures usually hover in the forties or drop even lower. Depending on the trail, it’s not uncommon to hear the crack of ice under your tires as you roll over frozen puddles. As you climb, the air is cold and wet, and the fog often feels slightly frozen. But that chill in the air only adds to the magic of the ride.
On this particular morning, we timed everything perfectly. It was me and my cousins Ross and Brad. We were climbing the Warren Richardson Fire Trail just as the fog began to lift. The sun started burning through the mist, casting these ethereal, wispy beams of light. Over to my left, the sunlight pierced through the Oak Trees from the east, creating pools of golden light. The glow illuminated Ross and Brad, who were climbing ahead of me, turning the trail into a true scene that I captured while actually peddling, myself.
I’ve spent countless hours on my bike, though I’ve never been the fastest in the group on the climb. However, it’s moments like this that remind me that speed isn’t everything. If I had been racing ahead, I would’ve missed this scene entirely. I wouldn’t have had Ross and Brad perfectly placed in the frame, bathed in light, climbing toward something unseen.
When I first captured this photograph, I was drawn to the colors: the massive oak tree on the left and the vibrant riding kits Ross and Brad wore (I will show you the color version another time). But as I worked with the image later, experimenting and reimagining,
I decided to strip away the color entirely. Turning it into black and white transformed it, emphasizing the interplay of light and shadow and giving the scene a timeless quality.
This print is available in vertical orientations ranging from 8x10 inches to 40x60 inches, as well as square formats. Each print, whether it be on the Pearl Paper, Canvas, or Metal is reproduced in the highest quality possible, bringing the details and mood of the photograph to life.
I hope this photograph reminds you of a moment when, even in the midst of struggle, beauty was there waiting to be noticed—if only you looked up. I hope it inspires you to slow down, to pause, and to remember that life is more than a race. Sometimes, you’ve got to hang back to truly see the beauty unfolding right in front of you.
If you are interested in purchasing this print for yourself or someone else, please reach out. We are happy to help with sizing, material, framing and lighting.
