swept away
silver falls state park, oregon
On the weekend I realized I’ve reached a new point in my photographic journey. Our group was at Silver Falls State Park in Oregon shooting the Falls from the creek. On the way down it was wet and Robyn, one of the participants, slipped and slid a few feet but she was fine. All of us were well aware of how we might also land up in the water if we weren’t careful. As we worked the scene Bryan set up a shot down stream that required us to cross over rocks and when I attempted to get to that spot, I fell in. It was actually quite funny because even though my fellow photogs rushed to my rescue, all I could think about was my camera and not getting it wet. So they grabbed my gear and I was able to stand up. The water was freezing cold and I was soaking wet below the knees and so too was my butt. In a previous life I might have packed up and tried to get dry and warm by shooting from the sidelines but instead I made like the Ever-Ready Bunny and kept on going.
We moved to another part of the creek where Bryan demonstrated using the wide angle lens. The image above required us to wade into the freezing water mid-stream and get down low so that we had a strong fore, middle, and background. I was surprised at the initial reluctance of the group to take the shot. Since I was already wet, I took the plunge and was the first person to shoot this image. Once others in the group realized that the shot was worthwhile they too dove into the water. Hats off to Carolyn D. who had also fallen in earlier and went back in and to Lamont who removed his socks and shoes and froze his tooties.
Reflecting on this, I have to thank David Duchemin for his support and encouragement. It was in the summer during the Worldwide Photowalk where I first ventured out into the water to get a shot. I was standing on the shore watching David work and wondering if I should join in when he asked me if I was going to step into the water. That was the beginning of this “new me”. I’m also grateful to Bryan for motivating me to venture off the shore once more to create images like this. His “seeing” is not just inspirational; it is transformational.
[...] This post was mentioned on Twitter by Mark Olwick, Stuart Sipahigil. Stuart Sipahigil said: Don't be afraid to get wet. Great advice, Sabrina! RT @SabrinaHenry: Today's blog post: venturing off the shore http://tinyurl.com/yf5xhzx [...]
I like the contrast of the tranquility of the placid water and still forest in the top half with the frenzied rush of water, and leaves just a push away from taking the plunge downstream, in the bottom half.
Wow! Well done, Sabrina. I can smell the forest looking at that image
I’m glad you like the visual tension, Jeffrey. Those leaves were very tenacious as they stayed there the entire time!
Thanks Dave. The only thing better would be a scratch ‘n sniff monitor :]
Haha, I remember David up to his knees in the ocean, suddenly taking a “why not” attitude and just plain sitting down in it! It did make me re-evaluate how far I would go for ‘the’ shot!
Wonderful!
Sabrina, I just fell in love with this photo and hope you don’t mind me sharing with people I know…… Like I said, it really reminds me how truely beautiful this earth is and that one should stop pollution from ruining these tantalizing scenaries…..
It’s amazing Simon, how something so natural to one person can inspire so many others. I’ve had other people echo your exact same sentiments of that day.
Welcome David H-W; people please check out his amazing imagery!
Thanks for dropping by Mabel; nice to see you here. I don’t mind at all that you share my photos. When they speak to people, I’m humbled and tickled pink.
Beautiful image with a strong composition.
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