This week, Egidio takes the helm for our challenge and invites us to explore where a simple path might take us. He writes, “However you read it — literally, compositionally, or metaphorically — I’d love to see where your response leads. Post your photo, link back here, and let’s see all the different ways a path can lead…“ You can read his entire challenge post here.
Compositionally, the white line in the opening photo draws the eye over the edge of Sitgreaves Pass and directly to the sign naming the location. It’s as literal as a photo can get. But this challenge is also about journeys, and Route 66 is one of America’s great ones. Where does it lead? From 1926 to 1985, you could drive a single highway from Chicago to Los Angeles. Sitgreaves Pass is just one small part of the fabled Mother Road—a high point in every sense, offering a view as unforgettable as the journey itself.
Driving through South Dakota, I noticed a DEAD END sign marking a short gravel road. The road leads only to barricades and a cemetery entrance—in the photo, a literal dead end becomes metaphorical.
Some paths are defined by where they touch the earth, others by where they lead the eye. Framed from above, the runway’s diagonal lines become a visual invitation, drawing the eye toward the horizon. Build a mile of highway, and you can drive a mile. Build a mile of runway, and you can go anywhere. Where does it lead? To a highway in the sky, defined by endless possibilities.
Some paths aren’t chosen by travelers at all. In the rail yard, switchmen decide which direction a train will take, guiding tons of steel with a simple lever pull. Where does it lead? Sometimes to a destination planned long ago, sometimes to a new route chosen in the moment—determining the miles ahead. The rails in the foreground create strong leading lines that direct the eye to the action, switchmen making a routing change.
Not all paths are measured in miles; some are measured in steps—219, to be exact. Inside the Saint Augustine Light, cast‑iron stairs spiral in a tight helix, drawing you upward—or downward—depending on how you read the image. I know exactly how I photographed it, but I like that the image might leave the viewer wondering whether they’re climbing toward the lantern room or descending back to solid ground. Where does the path lead? Did I shoot from the top looking down, or from the bottom looking up? It’s all a matter of perspective. Leave your guess in the comments. I will share the answer in the next Cellpic Sunday.
When we plan a road trip, I always try to find and drive at least part of a scenic byway. We returned from our autumn trip last week and chalked up another byway—this one in Wisconsin. It’s about 66 miles (106 km) long and follows Wisconsin Highways 42 and 57. We traveled along bluffs and past harbors, lighthouses, and lakefront views. The Door County Coastal Byway now joins the growing list of roads that have shaped our travels. Whether it’s a desert highway, a mountain pass, or a coastal loop like this one, each byway answers the challenge in its own way… Where does it lead?
Thanks to Egidio for reminding me of the many literal paths we’ve taken over the years—and for highlighting the compositional and metaphorical ones we find in our photography. Last week, Ritva brought the music to our eyes in her “Music” photo challenge. Next week, Tina hosts—follow her here so you don’t miss her challenge, which goes live at noon Eastern Time on Saturday, October 17.
If you’re sharing a Lens‑Artists Challenge response for the first time, welcome—we’d love to visit your post. To participate, publish your take on this week’s theme, link back to this page, and add the Lens‑Artists tag so others can discover your work. You’ll find more details on how the challenge works here.
John Steiner
it is import to try find byways, and scenic routes, your memories and photos highlight that.
Thanks, Ritva! I love finding things to share that most people drive by on the Interstate.
I’ve been looking forward to this post all week and John, it is as special as I’d imagined! I love how the road in “Sitgreaves Pass” disappears over the rise. Great perspective! My favourite (no surprise) is the train tracks shot. And John, your humour in the “Dead End” sign reminds me of my dad, that’s a shot he’d have taken too. As always, though, the very best bit is your writing. Great, great post! pp
Thanks, Pam! I’m flattered!
John, I love your approach to the challenge. Your images are terrific and I like how you talked about taking the scenic routes.
Thanks, Beth! This one was easy… given my history of scenic drives. >grin<
What a great interpretation of this challenge John. I loved it!
Thanks, Anne!
John, your photos covered each leading path so well. I couldn’t help but grin at the dead end sign and its location. The opening image is one of those classic shots that leave the viewer wondering what’s beyond the top. I loved the whole gallery. As for the dazzling spiral staircase, I think you photographed it looking up.
Thanks, Egidio! That Dead End sign made me laugh when I first saw it.
What a fun post John with your engaging photos and musings. The dead end sign is ironic and the spiral staircase is beautiful. I think you photographed it from the bottom.
Thanks, Brad!!
A great variety of interpretations of the theme John. I love the Rte 66 sign of course 😀 As for the lighthouse, the position of the balustrade suggests that you were at the bottom looking up.
Thanks, Sarah! I really enjoyed this challenge!
I love seeing posts like this, shows how different countries do things. We don’t have dead end signs here, they say No Thru Road.
Thanks, Leanne. You got me thinking about the variations I’ve seen. Dead End signs are the oldest style in America (according to AI). No Thru Street, No Outlet, and Street Ends are all more modern replacements for new signage.
No outlet is the style I’ve most commonly seen.
I love your approach to the challenge… The spiral is cool
Thanks, Nora!
A beautiful and fun gallery John and I love the surprises taking a byway can bring. As for the lighthouse spiral staircase, to me it looks as if you shot it from the top looking down 😊
Thanks, Xenia! It was fun adding that question to the post, something I’ve never done before. The answer is in my post on Sunday.
Great post John. I like the railways guys in particular. I can add another some more ‘Dead End Road’ variations. In residential areas here in the UK they’re called Cul-De-Sacs’. I love how things are just called exactly what they are in the USA. A Dead End Road over here would be signposted ‘No Through Road’
There are Cul-de-Sac signs in the .S. as well. They are not as visible as the other styles. No outlet is the most common around my neck of the woods.
I’m calling it top down John 😊. Wonderful exploration of the topic as always.
Thanks, Tina! Fun challenge!
Those were fun! I had to laugh at the “Dead End” sign.
I drove by that DEAD END sign a few times before I noticed the cemetery. Then I stopped to take the photo. >grin<
Great collection of images John! Love that one with the dead end haha someone had to have known what they were doing there. Awesome find!!!
Thanks, Pamela! It was a surprise find!
I love the Dead End photo, cool sense of humour, John!
Thanks, Sofia! It was a natural for my twisted sense of humor!