Unexpected Stops: Why the Unplanned Shots Often Become Our Favorites

I was out at CSUN earlier today getting some test shots with the Fuji GFX 100 II, just seeing what this beast of a camera can do. As I was walking back to the car, this scene just grabbed me.

I had seen the "Northridge" mural before many times in passing, and always wanted to get a shot. This was the opportunity seeing the mural next to the lit up 76 station with the perfect blue hour mix. The contrast between the glow of the station lights and the deep blue fading in the sky was a must get.

I set up the tripod right there on the sidewalk near a bus stop. I wanted to drag the shutter a bit to catch the traffic passing by—adding a little motion to the stillness of the mural. There was a guy sitting on the bench wating for a bus which added some personality.

Honestly, the files out of the GFX 100 II are incredible. It turns a quick roadside stop into something that feels almost cinematic.

Sometimes the best shots aren't the ones you plan for, but the ones you stumble upon on the way home.