Photo: Branch Brook Park Fall Colors, Newark, NJ

This photo is from a delightful afternoon spent in Branch Brook Park in Newark. NJ on a rainy late October afternoon. Truthfully, no photo can fully capture the delightful landscape that stood before me! I shot this photo with the cheapest lens that Nikon makes, the 18-55mm VR kit lens on my Nikon D60. This photo was shot at 1/6 second, F:8, at 200 ISO handheld! That was only possible due to the Vibration Reduction (VR) feature of this marvelous little lens. While the photo is not as sharp as it would be had I used a sturdy tripod, it is sharp enough for a very nice 13×19 print. VR is a valuable tool for photographers who travel light. This lens is an excellent performer and value for the money! I wrote a brief explanation of my post-processing method for this photo for those who like to know that sort of thing!

It is worth saying that there is a certain acknowledgment and joy that comes with landscape and wildlife photography that I rarely gain from shooting the urban environs of my current home, New York City. That acknowledgement is something seldom mentioned when most appreciative men speak of nature. They may praise, indeed glorify, its beauty and awe inspiring splendor without acknowledging its origin. Would you view the works of a great artist with great appreciation while refusing to acknowledge his existence? Of course not. We instinctively want to know who created a great painting or sculpture, for appreciating the artist is naturally linked to appreciating his work. In fact, we often identify great art by the name of the artist. Could we ever remove the name Picasso from his work? Would we even consider praising the works of Michelangelo while keeping his name obscure?

Following that sound logic, I cannot view a beautiful landscape or intriguing creatures without bringing to mind the Artist behind it. The notion that such artistry, complexity, and reliability can exist merely by chance does not satisfy me. I am a web designer. I know that it requires effort, knowledge and experience to create something of beauty and functionality. It never happens by chance. Therefore, when I see a beautiful setting such as this glowing Autumn landscape on a pleasant rainy afternoon, I acknowledge the Artist. The Bible reveals his name, Jehovah. I thank him for his work, often in an undertone. His work reveals how he feels about us as his children. It shows a depth of affection and a desire to make our lives delightful. The evidence of God’s love seen in Creation brings me joy. That is something I can never experience in a man-made environment. Man can accomplish much good. However, his great works are rarely done for altruistic reasons; profit or power is often its underlying motive. However, our Creator does not need a beautiful sunset, warm Autumn colors, or majestic snow-capped mountains. The beauty of our planet exists purely for the good and pleasure of humans.

That points to a powerful lesson I am reminded of each time I am in a beautiful natural setting. Our Creator teaches by example. The great works on display in the natural world are gifts solely for our pleasure and benefit. He gives generously as an expression of unselfish love. When we do the same for others, it is one of the noblest ways to imitate our Heavenly Father. Unselfish giving and expressions make life more meaningful and happier. Sadly, most people put self-interests, self-determination, and selfish pursuits first, robbing themselves of happiness and contributing little to the good of the world around them. We can learn much from Creation in this regard!

Take time to appreciate the natural creation around us and the Master Artist behind it.

“That people may know that you, whose name is Jehovah, You alone are the Most High over all the earth.” —Psalm 83:18