Some photographs begin with a destination. Others are simply the result of following a road to see where it leads.
I made this photograph while exploring the backroads of Kittitas County near Ellensburg, Washington. Traveling without a particular photograph in mind, I came across this view along Charlton Road and stopped to spend some time with the landscape.
The panoramic composition follows the road into the distance, bordered by weathered fence posts and utility poles. Beyond them, open agricultural land gives way to the hills beneath a broad Central Washington sky. In black and white, the lines of the road, fences, and poles become more prominent, drawing attention to the structure and character of the rural landscape.
This kind of exploration has long been an important part of my photography. Rather than heading out with a specific composition in mind, I prefer to travel unfamiliar roads, pay attention to what is around me, and respond when something catches my eye.
Further Explorations
Grain Silo, Ellensburg, Washington
