“Window to Woods Lake, Forest Reflection” is an image I have envisioned for a very long time. Most often I visit this beautiful little mountain lake in Fall when the Aspen and Willows are turning yellow. However, I had the pull to visit when we received some early snow. I just had a feeling that this place would be serene. I am glad I trusted my instincts. The feeling I had envisioned came to life. The lake, as well as the stream that feeds it, were mirror calm. In order to compose the image that drew me in, I had to wade out into the stream. As I composed my 8x10 inch film camera, I attempted to remain still, so as not to disturb the reflection. As I held the shutter release cable waiting for the last ripples to disappear, I knew I had something special. Looking through the trees and the streams entrance to the lake, we are pulled in by the tree standing on the little rock island. The background is a field of granite boulders that make up the mountainside upon which the lake rests. A true High Sierra dream.
Like many of my most successful images, this shot started with a general feeling and was based upon previous scouting excursions, hikes and pre-visualizations, not an exact shot plan. When the weather conditions are right, which usually means stormy, inclement, 'bad", changeable... I seam to be emotionally moved to visit certain locations that are living in my mind as potential photo opportunities. I most certainly don't work in a clinical manner. I felt as though I needed to go to this place, so I did. Over the course of a week, and numerous visits, I exposed three sheets of 8x10 inch film here. Two more images will be released soon.
Compositions in nature grab my attention with the way they make me feel. My art is the translation of that emotion. I use my big film cameras because they enable me, more than any other media I've tried, to do justice to how a place makes me feel. This image is not the result of capturing 1,000 images and choosing which one works. This is THE composition and exposure that I was moved enough to create. These experiences change my life. They keep me going. The final images I produce are my attempt to share that with you. That is "The Fine Art of Nature".
Jon Paul joins his 8x10 inch film camera in the stream to get the shot!
This new image is available as a fine art print for your collection in several sizes and materials. We look forward to speaking with you directly. Click Here
The Details:
Camera: Canham 8x10 Metal Field
Lens: 150mm
Tripod: Gitzo 1325 Carbon Fiber
Tripod Head: Really Right Stuff BH55 Ball Head
Light Meter: Sekonic L558R
Polarizing Filter
Film: Fuji Provia 100 RDPIII 8x10 inch Transparency
Aperture: F32
Exposure: 1/2 second
Enjoy the View!
Jon Paul