Dawn is Breaking Everywhere Photograph by Gary Kochel

Dawn is Breaking Everywhere

by Gary Kochel

Canvas Print

$65

Framed Print

$74

Art Print

$18

Poster

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Metal Print

$71

Acrylic Print

$79

Wood Print

$51

Fleece Blanket

$53

Yoga Mat

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Greeting Card

$5.95

Spiral Notebook

$15

Coffee Mug

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Title

Dawn is Breaking Everywhere

Artist

Gary Kochel

Medium

Photograph - Photograph

Description

Dawn is Breaking Everywhere

Natural beauty is all around us if we are willing to look for it and accept it. We are constantly being bombarded with negativity, whether it be from TV, news headlines, or social media. It's so easy to get wrapped up in everything, and start to view this world as a sad negative place. But it isn't, it's bright and beautiful. It's filled with plants and animals of such amazing variety, spectacular landscapes, chemical processes, sights, sounds, sensations, all weaving together to create a web of being. Every single positive memory you've had your entire life was created on this amazing planet.

This is my first post in over two months, the longest break I've taken since starting this page. I don't know about you, but I found it incredibly hard to remain creative and focused over these past couple months. Nature has always been an escape and release for me, and being cut off from the Rocky Mountains during quarantine took its toll. Difficult or tiring weeks were not followed up by breathtaking sunrises on the banks of mountain lakes. Negativity was allowed to flow in and beauty became harder to see.

Following the reopening of Rocky Mountain NP, I packed up my camera bag and headed out the next morning at 3am. The familiar drive along winding mountain roads started to ease the built up tension. Anticipation grew. I didn't care what I saw or captured, I just needed to be outside and feel free. I pulled into an empty Bear Lake parking lot and assessed the sky. Little cloud cover meant a colorful sunrise was out of the question, but it didn't matter.

Tripod slung over my shoulder, I started hiking up in the silent darkness. Every step away from civilization was a step towards peace. The crisp clean air filled my lungs and trees lining the well worn trail seemed to welcome me home. By the time I got above Nymph Lake and the sky started to lighten, a tremendous weight was being lifted from me. The immense and intricate beauty of the park took and held that weight. Standing in the shadow of iconic Longs Peak, perspectives began to shift, and positivity flooded back into the world.

I encourage you to look for the natural beauty surrounding you. Go outside and feel the sunshine and summer breeze. Be kind and courteous. Smile and say hello to a stranger. Slow down and appreciate nature. Remember that the same Sun rises on every living creature on this planet, and we all have so much more in common with each other than we realize. We're all going to have to work together to make this world a better, kinder place, and now is the time to put in that extra effort. Don't wait for the world to become kinder without you. Become kinder than the world already is, and help your fellow travelers along on this bright blue Earth.

Stay safe, and I look forward to sharing more images with you soon!

70mm / 1/13 @ f6.3 / iso 250