“The Lighthouse”

Location: Palo Duro Canyon State Park, Texas (2019)

Producing no light of its own but reflecting the sunlight off its orange surface, the sandstone ‘Lighthouse of Palo Duro Canyon’ mimics the appearance of its man-made coastal cousins but guides curious hikers instead of sailors.

Curious photographers also come here, as I discovered that I wasn’t the only one this evening to photograph the rock.

After finding my composition, a pair of photographers showed up.

They found a composition that they liked, and it happened to be away from where I was. But after the sun went down, the three of us hiked back to the parking lot and talked shop.

But this time, instead of being guided by The Lighthouse, the light from the moon as well as our headlamps were our north star to our waiting cars.

Companionship is always great. Especially when I’m amongst photographers I share a common interest with.

Maybe this companionship is similar to sailors coming together to talk and share ideas at a local pub after coming safely ashore by the light of a lighthouse.