I just got back from a very quick photo trip for a couple days to the Cleveland area, about a 3.5 hr drive from where I live. I went primarily to photograph wood ducks in a spot known for their approachability, but also ended up being able to explore some other areas of Ohio I am not familiar with. Ever since visiting Hocking Hills a couple of years ago, the impression of Ohio has changed in my mind considerably. Basically most of my exposure to the state was along the I-75 corridor, mostly flat farmland, and where I go for bird migrations – also flat. But venture into central southern and eastern Ohio, and you discover a vast array of gorges and small canyons that are all part of the Lake Erie watershed, with some decent elevations and waterfalls.
I know waterfalls are often viewed as overdone and perhaps a bit trite as subject matter, but I still like to shoot them. I enjoy them not only for the typical dramatic element to a landscape, but because they create opportunities for a lot of other ‘intimate landscapes’ within and around them. They can be challenging to come up with something original. However, you can do a lot with flowing water – shoot it slow, shoot it fast – shoot it polarized or not – with fall colors or vibrant green spring foliage. I like the image here because it make me think of a water versus rock concept in approaches to photographing certain subjects. The rock shown here isn’t budging, stubborn as can be. The water accepts that the rock is not moving, and simply goes around it.
You can be a rock in your approach to certain subjects, rarely moving from your comfort zone – only turning or moving if someone forces you. You can avoid subjects like waterfalls completely – because they have been ‘done to death.’ On the other hand, perhaps as a rock you have found your place and there is no reason to move. Or you can be water, and move and flow in whatever environment you find yourself in, try to make the best of a situation. Sometimes you are predictable, other times not so much. Having a rock attitude or a water attitude can greatly influence how we perceive the world around us and in our viewfinders. It greatly affects our ability to react to adverse situations.
I have my rock days, and my water days. I probably have rock attitudes and water attitudes towards specific subjects also. As long as we recognize these factors of our perception, we may be able to move past creative hurdles and boundaries.
I LOVE this picture! This is one of the most stunning waterfall images I have ever seen – beautiful in its simplicity.
Thank you all for the comments on the image. I liked how this one in particular turned out.
Thanks for the tip Ron – I will definitely keep that in mind the next time I am in that area.
Great shot Mark!
If you want Wood Ducks, there is a little lake near San Diego where they are very approachable. I know, much longer drive, but probably nicer weather!
Ron
You weren’t kidding when you commented on my blog that you had just written about waterfalls yourself. I love this photo of course.
I often feel like everything, not just waterfalls, has been done to death. Maybe that’s why so much “modern” art is just weird for the sake of weird – many people are out of ideas.
Fortunately the web lets me see stuff being created all over the world by talented people like yourself. Then we see that it is less about the subject matter of a piece and more about the person creating it.
Infinite possiblities exist no matter what the subject matter so long as there are imaginitive creative minds to point out new perspectives.
Mark, there is something about waterfalls and moving water that captivates me and I can’t seem to be able get enough of them.
At some of the other photography forums, they treat you like you are a hack if you post one, but I find them to be my favorite images along with floral shots. This image is a prime example of a lovely flowing water shot that I enjoy.Great work and keep shooting them!!
I used to be real closed minded to art but gradually taught myself a deeper appreciation of various art forms and I think it has helped me greatly. Great article.
This is no waterfall photo. It’s a “waterfall” photo. I love your take on water and rock, too. When I see photos like yours, I wonder what I’m doing.
The photo reflects your thoughts beautifully.
And I agree.
Mark, I’m an Ohio native. I was born there and lived there until 1984. The Hocking Hills area, and all of southern Ohio is fantastic. There are lots of hills, old farms, big red bards, and classic landscape shots to be had, especially along the I-77 corridor from the WV/Ohio border all the way up through central Ohio. It’s my favorite part of the drive, almost, when I go back to visit from Charlotte.
Also, in northern Ohio, there are some nice parks. An interesting place is Hinckley Reservation, where the turkey vultures return to roost each year around mid-March.
That’s a fantastic shot and your writing about being water is right in line with the philosophy of my favorite book, The Tao Te Ching. The Tao uses water, a lot, as a metaphor.
I really like the interpretation of the image…stability vs flow…
Let me know next time you take a trip out to Ohio and perhaps we can shoot together. I live about 2.5 hours from Cleveland.