Wanted: old trucks with character!

Anyone want to buy an old truck?

Until recently, I have not entered photo contests. With the encouragement of friends who like the pictures I take, I've become a little more daring.

In December I submitted the above photograph to a contest offered by BetterPhoto.com. I uploaded the photo, figuring it would get lost amongst the thousands of photos submitted by photographers worldwide.

In fact, 15800 photos were submitted. Imagine that. Imagine judging that many photos in search of a winner. My goodness! Well, I'm pleased and proud to say that I was one of 880 finalists selected. For any of us connected to BetterPhoto.com, this is a definite honor.

There is a bit of story surrounding this photo. I visited my sister in Sequim, Washington last August. She showed me around the state. We traveled to scenic mountains, the seashore, Forks, Washington, and even  the rainforest. It was a wonderful week. My camera was very busy.

One afternoon we drove along a road near her home and I shouted, "Stop! I want to take that picture!" She had no idea what I had seen and yet very kindly pulled over to the side of the road.

When I climbed through tall weeds to these two old trucks, my sister wondered why anyone would want a picture of two trucks for sale. I told her they had character! You see, true photographers have an eye for pictures. They just do. Well, my judgement about these trucks making a good photo was verified when another car stopped and the driver said, "I don't know what folks see in those old trucks, but they're stopping here all the time to take pictures."

Guess there's an advantage to being an amateur photographer. It gives me an excuse to be silly sometimes, tapping my playful and creative inner child. So many of us take the ordinary for granted. Not me. I'm forever surprised when my best pictures are snapped by the side of the road.

Comments about my old trucks? They have character.