Description

Persistence implies adversity. One of the main goals of this trip was capturing a sunset at Ruby Beach. It took two days to get this shot; the first day ended up being spoiled by rain. On the second day, a more formidable obstacle emerged. I have struggled for years with depression. An episode can descend on my mind like a blanket of fog without warning. As I waited for sunset, I felt the descending numbness. This was familiar, but also frustrating. Here I was, surrounded by beauty, suddenly unable to enjoy it. All I wanted to do was drive back to my hotel. But then I would miss the shot I had traveled across the country to get. What to do? “Persistence.” I kept going. Sometimes that's all you can do in depression. I waited for sunset. And finally: it happened. The clouds parted and the setting sun set the sky on fire. It was glorious, and it broke through the depression with a new dose of joy. This was the shot I traveled 3,000 miles to capture. In the end, it captured me.