Mill Pond
If you’ve read my blog for any length of time, you know I love to capture great reflections. Last week in West Virginia, at the historic Jackson’s Mill, I was presented with such an opportunity!
mill pond
Some thoughts on this image….
– Strike while the iron is hot! I knew that I was going to have about 6 days or so at this location for a conference and after taking this shot, figured that this was a “test/practice” shot and I would have plenty of opportunities to capture better light later. Negative, ghost rider! The only day, the only time I would have been able to capture this light and these colors was this shot.
– Be prepared. I had (luckily) remembered to throw my neutral density filter in my bag before leaving on the trip. After taking a few pics without it, I remembered that it was in the bag, screwed it on and viola. Those vibrant colors are the result of that filter, and not me messing around with the image in Lightroom…
– Rules? We don’t need no stinking rules! Particularly the rules about only shooting with the magical sunrise and sunset light. This shot was taken around 5:30 in the afternoon, a good 3 or 4 hours before the magical light time in the PM…
Unaffected Photography 
Quite a few times I have seen great photo opportunities and either done something fast or skipped it altogether thinking I would return. My father used to warn against this kind of thinking and now I am adamant no matter how little time I have or whatever the weather or other situation is, TAKE THE PHOTOGRAPH NOW, is my permanent motto. Three or four good ones is too many to miss. Life is short. It has been said many ways before, going all the way back to Heraclitus who said, “You can’t step into the same river twice.” You never get the same opportunity twice. Waiting for photographs or going back to get something you missed, or planning when the moon will be at a certain angle may be for those who pursue that sort of thing for a hobby, but for finding as many good photographs as possible, while you are waiting or planning one photograph, you are missing 10 more good ones. I’ve found this is a good lesson for life too. Opportunities only come in windows. The race goes to the prepared, not the lackadaisical. If you miss the window, you can’t get it back. Your photograph here is superb. I don’t see how you could improve on it.
LikeLike
Well said, David!! I raise a toast in your honor!!
LikeLike
Dang!
That’s ridiculous! What a capture, Mr. B – so vibrant! Stunning shot, sir!
LikeLike
Thank you, Inky – I took about a dozen or so shots of this scene, working it over and tinkering with the exposure…. the ones before and after are all of similar composition, but the lighting on this one was there for a second or two…. and then gone. There were some clouds in the sky behind me in this shot, and they parted for oh but a moment!!!
LikeLike
WOW – vibrant indeed!
I am glad you ‘took the shot’! Yes, we all suffer from the ‘whatever excuse I can use to talk myself out of taking the shot’ and then regret it later. Always better to shoot first, ask questions later. You never know what you’re gonna get. 🙂
LikeLike
Amen, sista!! I’m still kicking myself for not stopping to catch some pics of the low fog in the mountains on the way back…..
LikeLike
That’s an absolutely beautiful scene Derek! I’m happy for you that you got the shot.
LikeLike
Thanks James!
LikeLike
Beautiful shot. The deep blue and greens balance each other perfectly.
LikeLike
thanks Binky!
LikeLike
The blues and greens are so vibrant and balanced from top to bottom! Love it. A great memory of Jackson’s Mill 2011!
LikeLike
Thanks Susie! More to come, stay tuned!
LikeLike
This one may have to become my screen saver – my absolute favorite colors together!
LikeLike
Classic Americana – very well done, Derrick. We are having such a green early summer aren’t we?
Sharon
LikeLike
Thanks Sharon! At least everything east of Dallas is green anyway! Points out west are dry dry dry. Driving across the Mississippi at Memphis you could still smell the mud from the recent flooding….
LikeLike
Stunning Image mate, such clarity
LikeLike
Not bad for hand held, eh??? Thanks, mate!
LikeLike
Hi, Derrick…
I’m back again! Now I’m searching for some new content to my blog.
LikeLike
Welcome back!
LikeLike