“Within you there is a stillness and a sanctuary to which you can retreat at any time and be yourself.”  – Hermann Hesse

Grate on a bridge covered in soft snow ISO 200 | 35mm | f7.1 | 1/200 sec.

We often get so wrapped up in being in four places at once that we sometimes find ourselves in a frenzy by noon. But that in no ways means that we have to give in to the chaos surrounding us. Just a few moments of inner reflection to get yourself back on track can keep you going for the rest of the day, regardless of how crazy things get.

ISO 200 | 50mm | f7.1 | 1/250 sec.

This past weekend we went into a forest in Bavaria and it was a snow paradise. For the most part, you didn’t seen anyone around you until you reached the forest hut…and it was absolutely beautiful within the trees. The 45-minute walk in was very slippery (I totally ate it when we got going and thankfully didn’t injure myself or my camera) and so serene. But everywhere you looked there were little waterfalls and creeks and signs of forest life.

I was obsessed with all these tree stumps with "snow hats" piled up on them ISO 200 | 135mm | f5.6 | 1/200 sec.

I remembered while we were walking that still life was the topic of the week for You Capture. But to be honest, I don’t know that I’ve ever done that much still life photography — or maybe I’m just not fully aware of what constitutes as still life. It seems that so many times it is just objects being captured on a quiet backdrop, but these trees and hut aren’t going anywhere anytime soon…

ISO 200 | 26mm | f4.5 | 1/60 sec.

How still and peaceful is that? Perhaps tomorrow  I will share some more photos from this walk. Simply beautiful.

A fantastic opportunity to get in touch with nature and just reflect to yourself as you walk along. And sometimes, that’s really all we need to get refocused and back on track.