Just like in most things, sometimes you do best when you trust your gut. Here’s my story:
We’ve been up since 4:45am and driving for over 8 hours through winding mountain roads, and finally, we arrived at Badlands National Park. It is hot with not a cloud in the sky. Somehow, 96 degrees here in South Dakota seems so much hotter than Scottsdale.
Too early to check into our lodge room and too hot for a hike, we drive through the park (with the AC cranked) to scout our a sunset shoot location. After another 2 hours in the car, we’ve identified two awesome view points. We’ll make the final decision based on whether or not there are clouds in the sky.
Sunset is late at 8:24pm, so there is time to enjoy an early dinner. At 6:30pm the sun disappears behind a cloud bank which is darkening rapidly. A storm is brewing. The sky is dark, and the wind is blowing so much dust its feels like a Haboob. The rain drops start and a bolt of lightning streaks across the sky. Thunder cracks almost immediately. The storm is very close. We look at each other.
![](https://i0.wp.com/www.sweetlightphotos.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/06/2018-06-05_BadlandsStorm55214.jpg?resize=800%2C533&ssl=1)
Dark and stormy skies, lightning soon followed
The weather radar shows the storm cells are building around us. As much as we might want to photograph a storm (the clouds can be wow factor in a photo), this one looks dangerous. Furthermore, the cloud bank seemingly goes on forever. There is no chance of the sunlight breaking through (with no light there isn’t much of a photo, because, you know, it’s all about the light). Hot, dusty and tired, Jeff is grateful to have an excuse not to go out and shoot. I give in to his suggestion to open a bottle of wine and relax. After all, we are on vacation.
At 7:30pm I notice the sky is brightening in the distance. My gut tells me that shooting after this storm could be amazing, and I don’t want to miss it. There’s still time to scramble to a view point. Through some unhealthy marital discussion, I convince Jeff we should take a chance and go out.
As I walk out the cabin front door, the wind gusts again and I get a face full of dust. As far as I can see to the west, there are clouds. Sunset was not meant to be. I apologize to Jeff and give in to another glass of wine.
Sitting out on our cabin back porch sipping wine we watched the storm clouds…. At 8:05, the rocks behind us begin to light up. I give Jeff that look, grab my camera and run across the road for a shot. Sure enough, at about 8:15 the sun breaks through. It is gorgeous. The rocks light up even better than I could have hoped. Unfortunately, there is not enough time to drive to a view point. I am kicking myself knowing that our selected location would have lit up in an amazing way. An award winner is lost…..
![](https://i0.wp.com/www.sweetlightphotos.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/06/untitled-203.jpg?resize=800%2C533&ssl=1)
The clouds lit up as did the rocks, if only we’d made it back to that amazing viewpoint.
![](https://i0.wp.com/www.sweetlightphotos.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/06/untitled-234-2.jpg?resize=800%2C533&ssl=1)
Just imagine the colors on the other side of these peaks… and the sky behind us was also amazing. Opportunity lost…
We make the most of it, but I make Jeff swear that next time we will trust my gut.
Remember it is all about the light and light after a storm can be especially amazing.
I think the pix you did get were amazing.
Thank you!