After years of photography, I still don't understand conceptually what makes a fine photograph. There are widely taught "rules" about lighting and composition, and following them closely can create wonderful or terribly dull photographs. Similarly, breaking the rules will inevitably bring both transcendent and dreadful results. What's a photographer to do?

I have spent two different days along this stretch of the Presque Isle River in Michigan's Porcupine Mountains Wilderness State Park. Both were warm and sunny Indian Summer days, but most of my pictures on the first day were deadly dull. I returned the next year to equally beautiful conditions and returned with some of the best photographs of my life.

What made the difference? I'm not sure, but sometimes a special force emerges from within me that makes me see with more clarity, more creativity. If only I could bring it forth upon command!

Lee Rentz