I first visited the Garden of the Gods Recreation Area in the Shawnee National Forest of southern Illinois as part of a photography group in 2018. The sandstone formations there are astounding. I returned in the winter of 2020, in January, making the 150-mile, three-hour drive early in the morning. I remember how cold it was, setting up the 4x5 view camera before the sun was over the rocks. The first time I shot this, when the rock face was entirely in shade, I used Kodak Ektar 100. I loved what came of it, but I was equally irritated that parts were not in focus—a depth of field issue. I returned on Christmas day at the end of that year, renting an A-frame from Cave-In Rock State Park, overlooking the Ohio River. The temperatures while I was there were frigid. I learned that on the 26th, my favorite writer, Barry Lopez had died, which only added to the mood. This time, I made the shot on slide film: Fujichrome Velvia, perfectly in focus, vibrant and rich. The film was developed by AgX Imaging in Michigan. One of the greatest compliments I ever received from someone was from a woman in the Small Town Gallery in Brooks, Kentucky, where I’d taken the 20x25 print to be mounted. She blurted out that it was beautiful. I’m grateful for that.