When I think back to my earlier years as a photographer, it's with a measure of both bemusement and regret as far the restrictions I placed on myself.

While the landscape is - and has always been - my primary interest, the definition of what constitutes a landscape photograph has broadened dramatically for me over time. Back in the day, I would seldom have considered photographing a composition featuring a man made object.

I unnecessarily constrained myself.

The fact that I lived in New England - a region filled to the brim with wonderful, unique, character and charm - and didn't consider photographing things like covered bridges and churches and all those amazing old brick buildings until after I'd been there for a few years? Opportunities lost.

Of course, one's thinking can evolve over time. That's what happened in my case. Thankfully!

All I needed to do was give myself permission to expand my horizons.

The photograph above is a classic example. Early in my career, I never would have made that image. While I'd have appreciated the spectacular burning bush in all its autumnal splendor, it would have been a pretty scene and nothing more. Fast forward to a few years ago. I saw this in a little town near Acadia National Park and it nearly screamed at me to stop and capture it!

It wasn't just that the shrubs were so spectacularly vibrant, and that there were so many of them: there was a story in what I was seeing. Here was this poor fence struggling mightily to stand up against the onslaught of the burning bush. Though someone had tried to help the fence by installing supports, the hedge appeared to be gaining the upper hand. Who would win in the end?

Not only did I spend quite a bit of time with this subject, the image is hanging on one of my walls. It's called "Tug of War."

Following this epiphany in terms of subject matter, of course I continued to photograph the natural world - one where humans are out of sight. But I also began capturing a lot of other things.

There's absolutely nothing wrong with shooting all nature, all the time.

In my case, I'm glad I decided "landscapes" could mean something more.