This morning I received a message from a BBC researcher who wants one of my photographs to be used in the forthcoming publication “Countryfile: 100 Favourite Days Out,” to be published by BBC Books in May 2010.

Hum, I thought, me with a landscape image in a British publication!  Even though the British continue to spell “Favorite” the wrong way.

Lindisfarne Castle

Click on Photograph for a larger version.

Of course, I am delighted about the fact that the photograph will be published in a coffee-table book by a very well known organization.  Although I am surprised as the market for photographs in today’s world is becoming more and more competitive.

As the old saying goes, “Even a blind pig can find an acorn once in a while.”

But the trouble is that I will no longer be able to say to my colleagues that I don’t do landscapes.  No more excuses.  Which means, I guess, that I must work harder to get my stuff to the level of work done by my friends.  Since I am basically lazy, this is a major shift in my life style.  No more excuses.  Meaning that I have to get up well before dawn, traipse across bogs and hills and rocky trails in near darkness all the while trying to stay warm or fight off the midges.  And, getting out the camera and the external shutter release and setting the mirror lock up and leveling the shot with a bubble level and making sure I have mounted the right filters and have checked the DOF.  I am already worn out.

I must confess, I would rather walk with bears.  But, on the other hand, the chance to find wondrous places and capture good light is something I cherish.

And, it is always good to know that someone else out there has enjoyed something I have found while looking for the light that dances.

The gist of all this is that anyone can wind up with a photograph in a major publication, all it requires is persistence.

Machrie Moor Stone Circle

Click on Photograph for a larger version.