This was taken on the Huihang Ancient Trail (徽杭古道) — an ancient passageway that people used to travel between provinces back in the day.

I was just there for a Toastmasters club outing. At the time, I was in my film photography only phase and brought my Canon AE-1 along with some Kodak Portra and Ektar.

We'd already passed the village and walked further up to cross over to the next section. For some reason…I randomly decided to look back — and then the scene revealed itself to me - An elevated view of the pathway leading into the village.

I can hear my gut telling me: “Click the shutter! It’s worth the frame!”…and so I did.

When I got the scans back it was better than I remember seeing it. I loved how organic the colors were rendered. I'm pretty sure if I had shot with a digital camera it won’t have the kind of storytelling effect it does .

Every time I look at it, it still has the same draw...drawing me in and showing me the passage home.