Tax Day Four Years Later - Random thoughts on sunsets, photography and tomorrow

“What’s your favorite photo?”
“Which one do you like best?”
“Do you have a favorite photo?”

These are some of the questions I get asked when doing art shows or other events. Each time my answer is similar, “that’s like picking your favorite child – you can’t do it – they are each special in their own way.”

And that is a true statement, I don’t know that I have a favorite image. There are some that I like more than others, but a favorite – too hard to pick – or maybe it’s not.

On April 15, 2015 I left my house to mail my taxes – yes, I waited until the last minute.

As I began driving I noticed interesting cloud formations and thought to myself it could be a good sunset. So I detoured from my original destination, and headed to the Gallagher Pier along Buffalo’s outer harbor.

For about an hour I watched and photographed as the sun moved below the horizon and the clouds continued to flow through the deepening blue sky. When I finally packed up my gear, and headed to the post office for my original errand, it was nearly 9 p.m. Some of the images from that evening are posted below.

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Just this past weekend I lamented about missing last Friday’s sunset, which looked to be incredible. A friend of mine questioned my disappointment, noting that I probably have dozens, if not hundreds, of images that could be comparable to what I missed on Friday.

While I respect her sentiment, I will say this, I continue to look for sunsets to photograph, and four years later I’m not sure that I have captured one quite like the one from April 15, 2015. There have been very good sunsets (and some not so good), but none quite like tax day, and that’s why I go back. Each one is different – some more red, yellow, or orange, some more dramatic or peaceful, and some just plain beautiful.

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I have often said that I love taking photos, and I do it primarily for my enjoyment. I know that may sound selfish, but isn’t that what a hobby is truly for?

Now, that being said, it is incredibly rewarding that people enjoy my work, which has allowed me to turn my hobby into a small business, and for that I am extremely grateful.

And with any business, you need business cards. I decided to order cards with a photo on one side. For my first set of cards I chose the photo “Tax Day Sunset 2”, which appears above this story.

Again, it would be much too hard to pick a “favorite” image from my portfolio, but four years after capturing this one it still holds a special place in my heart.

But as noted photographer Imogen Cunningham said, “Which of my photographs is my favorite? The one I’m going to take tomorrow.”

We’ll see what tomorrow brings.

Tax Day Sunset 2015