Comfort Zone

 

Rycke and Michael racing

As my 60^th birthday approaches, I’ve been thinking about how to avoid stagnation and keep growing.

I admit that the “comfort zone” concept is a bit cliché, but lots of authors make a great case for seeking a little discomfort.  Here’s Tony Robbins’ take on the subject:

The ability to move out of your comfort zone in regular, positive ways allows you to strike the right balance between certainty and uncertainty. Pushing your boundaries can make you more productive, more adaptable, and more creative. As you push your personal boundaries, you train your brain to adapt to new situations and create new neural pathways that make you a better problem-solver, decision-maker, and leader. 

Last week was interesting.

Late Light at Organ Pipe

After a couple of nice quiet (comfort Zone) nights in Organ Pipe Cactus National Monument and a little exploration and social time in Ajo AZ (you’ve got to check out the murals!) I drove to Gold Canyon, on the easternmost fringe of metro Phoenix (easternmost for now at least.)

 

Andella and Revvy's mounted shooting demonstration

Lisa Langell does a photography workshop which she calls “The Magic of Cowboys,” hosted by Don Donnelly’s d Spur Ranch.  These three days offered plenty of opportunities for discomfort, but only the best kind. My favorite was an action shoot with mounted shooting athlete Andella Parten.  This young woman is pure inspiration and the challenge of getting action shots with the muzzle flash and her horse Revvy in a flattering stride was exhilarating…and challenging. There’s a sarcastic photographer expression, “spray and pray.”  We shoot fast bursts and rely mostly on luck to capture the moment we’re after.  It’s not elegant but is often effective.

 

Rycke and Michael roping

A close second was roping action.  Here’s team roper Rycke Scheier and Ranch Manager Michael Poulin pursuing a reluctant longhorn.

 

The decisive moment with Bill

Six members of the Salt River Regulators re-enactment group modeled for us.  One evening we had another challenge: capturing blank shots from their period weapons.

 

The Regulators

Rycke

The Regulators and the cowhands made great models.  Portraiture is not my greatest strength, but Lisa’s staff taught us all so much about posing and shooting people.

 

Cassie and Navajo in Silhouette

Then there were the silhouette images at sunrise and sunset, which can be tricky.  I find the resulting images particularly emotive, though.

Ranch life provides plenty of opportunity for interesting detail shots, too.

 

Before I’d even had a chance to recharge all the camera batteries, I joined friends from the nonprofit Through Each Other’s Eyes doing school portraits for Children First Leadership Academy in Phoenix.  The annual tradition is one of our outreach projects for TEOE.  Portraits again.  I was nervous, yes, but I learned so much from my colleagues who do them for a living, and the kids were fun.

 

As always, more images are in the Winter 22-23 Gallery on the website.