I had cashed in some points and certificates for a trip to the Waldorf Astoria hotel in Orlando and though it would be fun to take some photos with my TS-E 24 f/3.5L II lens mounted on my EOS 5D Mark III.  While I had timed it well and was treated to some beautiful light, I found it difficult to find a good angle because of the water between me and the back of the hotel.  I took the shot above, but wasn’t too happy with it.

Then I remembered reading somewhere that you should never forget to turn around as there may be an even better shot there.  In this case, the setting sun and dramatic clouds over the golf course was stunning.  I quickly moved my tripod to the front on a golf cart bridge to enhance the foreground and I took this beautiful shot:

Lesson: Always turn around!  The light, animal, view, or moment you’re looking for might be just behind your back.

architecture clouds golf course hotel landscape lesson long exposure Orlando sunset Waldorf Astoria