Today is November 3rd and most Americans rejoiced in their opportunity to steal and extra hour of sleep; I chose a different path. By getting up and out early, I was able to hike in solitude. The still of a quiet forest is a rare pleasure that needs to be experienced to be understood.

The image pictured was taken at a popular destination near the Twin Cities. Had I slept for that extra hour, I would have fought contrasty light and intermittent crowds. The result would have been an exercise in frustration rather than the meditative experience that it was. To make the most of your time with a camera, put yourself in the right place and in the right frame of mind.