I do extensive scouting before hosting my photo workshops. About a month before hosting a workshop in the Big Sur area, I visited the Ghost Trees along 17 Mile. The trees are an interesting photo subject, although it can be challenging to isolate them in an appealing composition. Often there are distractions in the background, including signs, people, and parked cars. Or, the namesake tree gets lost within the rocky cliff faces.

There are a few Ghost Trees that can be isolated and make excellent subjects - when the conditions are correct. During my scouting trip, it was a sunny day without a cloud in the sky. A month later, I returned with my workshop group and the sky was far more interesting. I captured nearly the same composition on both visits and the difference a good sky makes is undeniable. Both images were captured at roughly the same time in the late morning.

When looking at the “outtake” image, you might think - sky replacement! Sure, that could be done. That would be easy work for modern post-processing tools. However, for me, part of the enjoyment of landscape photography is the pursuit of good conditions. It’s the chase to capture nature when it shows us something special. This pair of field outings underscored that for me.