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Behind the Camera: In the Wake
It is almost the end of the month and that means it is time to spotlight another one of my pictures and tell a little bit about how I created it and what I see special about it. With over 500 pictures in the Four Forty Six Photography gallery, it can be quite daunting to pick just one picture to talk about. They are all special to me. However, this month was made a bit easier with the new Alaska pictures. Out of all of those pictures I have been asked specifically about one picture in particular.....
In the Wake
Sometimes a photograph just creates itself and all the photographer has to do is capture a fleeting moment on film, or on the digital sensor of their camera. Such an opportunity presented itself to me while in Alaska recently. In the Wake was created on a day cruise that we took with Major Marine Tours based in Seward, AK. As we were leaving Seward Harbor into Resurrection Bay and ultimately out to the open ocean briefly before heading into Aialik Bay, I found myself watching Seward receding into the mountains behind. The wake from the boat that we were on was leading right to the harbor, splitting the surface of the Bay into a smooth reflective surface and a torment of prop wash.
Staring at this scene I knew I was looking at a picture. The clouds over the mountains provided a sense of foreboding for the day, but they were breaking up as we were heading out to sea. There were patches of blue reflecting on the smoother water to the left, as well as a few open areas at the top of the frame. Everything was set for a very special picture.
There was very little in the way of special equipment used for this shot. I had my Image Stabilized 70-200mm f/4L lens attached in preparation for wildlife photography, and because it was my only IS lens and tripods were not allowed (nor would they work on the boat). As it turned out, this was the right lens for the job compositionally speaking because of our distance from the mountains. I did not have my normal polarizer filter fitted because I did not dare loose the two stops of light which would slow my shutter speed entirely too much.
The proper camera position for this shot was a bit tricky, and actually required me to lean a good bit off the back corner of the boat. It was a very good thing that the water was calm, or I would not have tried leaning out quite so far (the water looked cold, and I didn't want to find out first hand). At any rate, about two feet off the side achieved the perfect position for the camera and I fired of 4 shots with slightly different compositions in hopes that at least one would be sharp, and a pleasing view.
As it turned out, all of the images were tack sharp because of some precautions I took when planning the shoot. All that was left was to find the most pleasing composition out of the bunch with you see at the head of this entry.
Alright, enough techy stuff about this picture, lets get into why I like it so much, and what it says to me. It is the foreground as much as the background that makes this image special. When you look at it, you can immediately tell that it is the wake from a boat...not merely wind. The wake indicates the boat is headed away from shore. herein lies the story of this picture. The Trek to Alaska was a trip of faith for me as it was further that I have ever gone before and I didn't know exactly what to expect once I got there. Seward Harbor happens to be the location of the hotel where we were staying, so the wake is leading back to my sense of familiarity and comfort. The boat, however, is heading into the unknown.
The sky tells part of the story as it is unknown what the weather will bring. There are dark clouds, lighter clouds, as well as blue sky above...anything is possible on this particular adventure. The mountains are strong and dominant in the image indicating the weight of ones thoughts as they head off into the unknown.
Finally, the water around the wake represents a part of this story as well. On the one side, you have the calm water, and the other...turbulent. I see this as choices and options in ones life. Everything in life is a choice, and most often the ramifications of your choices can be reduced to smooth sailing or rough waters. Regardless of your choices, you still come from the same place, and the future is still unknown.
Oh wow, and you thought this was a picture of some mountains with some funky wake leading to them. It just goes to show you that there is often much more to a picture than meets the eye, so it pays to venture Behind the Camera from time to time to get into the head of the photographer.
If there is a picture you would like to learn more about, just let me know which one, and I'll be happy to feature it in an upcoming installment.
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Wow Greg, what a picture. And what a description you told about it. My eyes stayed on the mpountains and then went down to the reflection of the blue sky. That is amazing. I saw the grey water and the wake of the boat. For a minute I thought " How did he take this picture" and then you told me how you hung over the back corner of the boat. It was worth it to get this one in a million picture.
You did good Greg..........
Each picture that you took I think you should show us with a description of how you took it and what your feelings were at the time. I want to know about every one of them........
Myke -
I'm back and just popped in to see if you had returned from your trip. Beautiful photo Greg! I can't wait to read on and catch up on all the entries I've missed!
Martha :-) -
You totally own this one, Greg. Right on target. I see you developed your "sea legs." In the Old Navy we were instructed to fire our big guns during that split-second of hesitation at the top of the arc if the ship was rocking. Bravo Zulu, Well Done.
Clyde -
I will have to read this entry again to really "get it". What I do get is that it is a gorgeous, special photo. And another thing about the water...not symbolically, but... it "mimics" the snow-capped mountains visually. I just love that.
Nancy
6/1/08 6:54 AM