What happens when the sun finds its way through the quiet spaces we usually walk past?

I’m honored to share that my photograph “Beneath the Shadows of San Clemente Pier” received an Honorary Mention in ViewBug’s Sun Sparks Photo Contest. The theme focused on moments where sunlight becomes the subject—those fleeting sparks of light that transform an ordinary scene into something memorable. Under this pier, the sun did exactly that.

The moment before the moment

I didn’t arrive chasing a shot. I arrived curious. Beneath the pier, everything felt muted—cool tones, deep shadows, slow water. The sun was present, but not expressive yet. Most people would keep walking. I stayed.

Minute by minute, the light changed its tone. It slipped lower, grew warmer, and began pressing against the structure instead of overpowering it. The pier didn’t fight back. It framed the light, narrowed it, and held it just long enough to make it matter.

That was the moment I raised the camera.

What this image is really about

This photograph isn’t about a pier or even the sun. It’s about restraint.

• The light doesn’t flood the scene. It earns its place.
• The shadows don’t disappear. They give the brightness something to push against.
• The water doesn’t steal attention. It quietly mirrors what’s happening above.

Everything had a role, and nothing needed to shout.

Why it stood out

The Sun Sparks contest celebrates images where light transforms a scene. What I love about this recognition is that it honors subtlety. The spark here is brief, controlled, and easy to miss if you’re not paying attention.

That’s often where the strongest photographs live.

Receiving an Honorary Mention among such a wide range of interpretations reinforces something I believe deeply: light doesn’t need to be dramatic to be powerful. Sometimes its strength comes from timing, balance, and knowing when not to intervene.

Thank you for following along and supporting this journey. The next time you find yourself beneath something familiar, pause. The light may still be deciding what it wants to say.

View the image award here.
Click here to purchase this award-winning image.

What does it feel like to stand at the edge of something that demands your full attention?

I’m honored to share that my photograph placed #6 out of 6,203 entries in ViewBug’s Facing Down Photo Contest. The theme invited images that challenge perspective and height—moments that make you pause, look straight down, and feel the scale of the world beneath you. This image from Horseshoe Bend in Arizona captured that exact sensation the moment I stepped to the edge.

The story behind the shot

The approach was quiet and deliberate. The desert air was still, and the early light was just beginning to warm the canyon walls. As I reached the overlook, everything slowed. Looking straight down, the Colorado River wrapped tightly around the sandstone below, carving a perfect curve that felt both powerful and humbling.

I waited for the light to settle and the colors to balance. The water deepened into rich blues and greens, the rock glowed with layered reds, and the scene felt complete. This was one of those moments where you don’t rush. You breathe, steady yourself, and let the landscape lead the frame.

Why it resonated

• Perspective with impact. The straight-down view immediately draws the eye and holds it.
• Natural contrast. Warm sandstone against cool river tones creates visual tension.
• Scale and stillness. The image invites awe without needing drama or movement.

The Facing Down contest celebrates images that push viewers to confront height, depth, and perspective. Placing #6 overall among thousands of submissions, and landing in the top 10% most voted, is deeply meaningful. It’s a reminder that strong composition and patience still matter.

Thank you to everyone who voted, supported, and shared this journey. Sometimes the most powerful images happen when you’re willing to step to the edge and look straight down.

View the image award here.
Click here to purchase this award-winning image.

View the image award here.
Click here to purchase this award-winning image.

View the image award here.
Click here to purchase this award-winning image.

View the image award here.