Phototropism

I’ve spent hours carrying my camera on its tripod on the dirt trails threading the Boise River bottoms. Following every side trail, searching for a composition. Ducking under fallen trees, high-stepping over branches. Leading with the top of my head to part the bushes. Sometimes the brush pushed all the way to the water with no way back to shore. I waded up the river.

One summer day in 2015 I was working my way up the river when the river’s most ordinary view caught my eye. Willow branches and leaves, reaching for the sun. For light.

Black at the bottom. White at the top.