Seeing the mist rolling in from the lake over the big dune,
coming closer, enveloping,
until finally, only feeling surrounded by grey.
mist rolling in
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a multi-disciplinary dialog
Posted by Birgit Zipser on June 27th, 2010
Seeing the mist rolling in from the lake over the big dune,
coming closer, enveloping,
until finally, only feeling surrounded by grey.
Filed in photography
9 Comments Comments closed
Hi Birgit,
I especially like the plants foreground in #2. Their relative sharpness emphasizes the softer tonal changes in the distance, and they also bring to mind you as viewer, by suggesting your location. They also enhance the aerial perspective, the clear green contrasting with the bluer color of similar plants far away. #1 strikes me as more of a “record shot”–good as historical record to show the change in the mist, but not as interesting in itself, photographically speaking.
I just returned from a horse trip in the Rockies, where one of the pleasures of being an early riser was hiking to a ridge and watching the mist drift down the river valley.
Birgit:
I agree. The second shot is evocative in an oriental sort of way. However, the first image, while more factual, has some interesting touches. I’m drawn to the little dab of sunshine that appears along the shoreline – right where it should be.
I see some little bright spots among the vegetation in the second image. Could they be examples of the Sleeping Bear Lights?
Steve and Jay,
I too like the second image best. Looking at it makes me feel happy.
Today, I checked on the location of the crisp vegetation in front. It is at some distance to where I stood to take the picture, but, of course, not as far as the bear dune. The little white spots within the more distant vegetation are probably houses. I will check tomorrow. If yes, I will probably take them out.
And Jay, I too like that little sunny spot on the beach in image 1. I am keeping track where the bright spots appear with the sun rising.
Steve, will we see some of your Rocky Mountain horses?
Birgit,
I’ve discovered that I’m really a project photographer: I work on various long-term artistic projects, but I don’t simply photograph things that might make impressive subjects. In fact, I didn’t even have my camera with me on the trip. The riding and the scenery were terrific, but I didn’t think I would have the free time (hours at a stretch) to do the exploration that would have made it interesting; under the circumstances it would have been a bit anti-social. This trip was more about covering ground (I was out with a game warden), while developing new calluses to match a saddle.
Steve:
Perhaps one can make a project of the merely happenstantial. Was that you who took the great shot of the trout?
Leaving your camera behind seems an odd thing to do in this day and age. It comes across as almost (impolite, perverse, free). I applaud your decision to go forth so unencumbered, but would hope that you didn’t happen upon a (bigfoot, jackelope, nearby meteor impact, reptile thought extinct, companion doing a Large Marge, etc.). Without a camera it would be my luck to witness an exploding bear.
The best reason to leave it behind! I’m always hoping for bear, but had to be content with sign. Plus lots of deer, elk, mountain sheep, and one coyote.
Yes, that was my trout, but I spent well over an hour at that stream. Not that it took so long to take the first picture, of course, but that’s the process I enjoy. A chance shot, no matter how amazing the result, would give me little satisfaction.
Very nice photos, Birgit. Evocative.
Steve,
You inspired me to leave my camera behind on my last two early morning walks. What a different feeling not to be a beast of burden but free to skip on the path.
Thinking about what kind of photographer I am, I am remembering my photos of water, of reflections in mirrors and of textures.
Photographing water, I am very much dependent on atmospheric conditions – angle of the sun and direction of the wind. As so much of that is chance or depending on the season, I like to have my camera with me, except perhaps now on my early walks up the Empire bluff. By now, I am so familiar with the view from the bluff that today, I only have to sketch the novel wave pattern that I saw earlier this morning.
I loved the photos. And the composition of the second seemed more interesting. Thank you.