On my way back to Wupatki National Monument for some Golden-hour photography, I passed along scenic Sunset Crater National Monument. I was not expecting to take any photographs here, but it is hard to stay focused on the icy roads when driving through a landscape of great beauty. As we were passing through the lava fields, I was struck by the stark contrast of the shades of black peaking through the snow of the lava fields. Tourists were more interested in sliding down the slopes on a pair of tires.

The scene passed by my car in less than a second, but I was so struck that I pulled a 180 degree maneuver on the tiny road, scaring passengers and passersby.

I pulled into the lava beds overlook parking and made my way across the street towards the other lava bed, the one nobody cared about. Not a single track disturbed the snow that had fallen several days ago. I jumped into the snow and headed out for the lava beds.

I hadn't counted on the ruggedness of the lava beds though. Suddenly I sunk into the snow and got wet feet. I knew where I wanted to be. Just a few hundred yards out where the road should be invisible and the sun behind my back when shooting the lava beds, while aligning Sunset Crater to create a superb background.

I pressed on, but the snow became deeper. Suddenly my right leg hit hole in the rugged lava beds. I immediately sunk in waist deep and scuffed my leg on the sharp lava rocks. It was painful and yet I ignored it until I reached my destination. I hurt my hands too, catching my fall several times, but I didn't even notice.

Follow your intuition to find unique compositions. When you head somewhere for a photography session, open your mind to the things you see along the way. If anything catches your attention, ask yourself why. What is it that attracted you to the scene? Why did you look?

When you train to ask these questions and consciously focus to find out what attracts your attention, I guarantee that you will see something unique. Our mind is often preoccupied with a shot we have in mind causing us to skip over excellent photography opportunities.

I took a couple of shots of the lava and headed back for the car, where Dani insisted that I treat the bleeding wounds on my leg and my hands with rubbing alcohol and disinfecting creme making my eyes roll back in my head in pain. I guess living with me for so long, she learned to be prepared. I didn't even wonder where the stuff came from.