Inspiration found in a corn field

A Cross country runner from Russia High School runs through "Raider Country" in the final 800 meters of the course in the Shelby County Cross Country Preview meet in Russia Tuesday evening. The Russia boys cross country team finished first in the meet.

Inspiration and ideas really do come from anywhere, even the middle of the corn field.

As I was trying to develop creative ways to shoot this boring sport (yeah, cross country is right up there with golf), I kept looking at this barn with a mural on its side facing the high school. I pondered different possibilities between races and while I was waiting on the junior high boys race to finish. Then it hit me! If I shoot at a slow shuttter speed and let the runners blur in the foreground with the rows of corn and this spirit clade barn would make a nice sports feature. I contimplated about taking this photo for a while because I was unsure of how it would turn out. I finally decided to just do it, because I would not have the opportunity to take that photo again, ever. What would I lose by trying it out? Nothing. I am glad I experimented because after working with it for a while, I got an image I like. Although it would have been nice if there would have been a big group of Russia runners in front of it (which would have probably never have happened since it was a race with about six other schools competing), I still think it makes a nice simple photo.

Exactly one week left here at the SDN. It really hasn't hit me yet. I'm still stressed out about not having any job possibilities yet, but I'm trying to supress it at the moment and keep it out of my mind. Just trying to keep a positive outlook in the hazy sea of uncertainty.