Although this could be a corollary to Rule #1, I’ve decided to make it a rule on its own. Rule #1, if you remember, is ƒ/8 and be there. Part of being there is really being there fully; knowing the place completely, holding conversations with the genius loci in a manner of speaking. At the very least, you should have a good understanding of the views in all 360?.

Some of my favorite shots were the result of turning around to look behind me. Recently I hiked to Parker Lake on the Eastern Sierra, just south of Lee Vining. The first part of the trail leads up a gentle incline, and was bordered by sage and balsam root flowers. Clouds were gathering above me, but the view going up wasn’t very interesting. I turned around and looked behind me, and saw the youngest mountain range in North America in the distance, shadowed by clouds and under virga. Right in front of me was a handsome balsam root plant in full bloom, brilliant yellow flowers contrasting with the greys and blues of the sky and mountains.

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Sometimes conditions change rapidly; Watching the sky in one direction only will prevent you from capturing a fleeting rainbow.

Recently I was at Mono Lake, trying to capture the brilliant golds and deep blacks of the sunset:

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And then I turned around, and saw a rainbow fragment to the east, yelled out “Look behind you!” I grabbed my camera, yelled again “Put a tufa in it!” and ran to do just that;

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The final reason for looking behind you on location is safety. We do have predators of the 4- and 2-legged varieties on the trail. Know what’s gaining ground behind you.