At first glance, Scott’s new assignment looked to be a piece of cake. Photograph “Water.” Okay. No problem.
So I thought I’d try and be a bit creative…the plan was to travel around my area and photograph bodies of water from different perspectives, trying to take into account the skills I’ve learned since last Autumn. Well, I got as far as photographing Lake George from the top of Prospect Mountain. You will remember my Prospect Mountain views from last year?
Well, the colors last year were glorious…this season cannot compare. However, I thought, “I learned about Storytelling this year, so I’ll take that into account as I photograph this year’s view.” So…..
And…
Thomas Jefferson had this to say about Lake George: “Lake George is without comparison, the most beautiful water I ever saw; formed by a a contour of mountains into a basin thirty-five miles long and from two to four miles broad, finely interspersed with islands, its water limpid as crystal and the mountainsides covered with rich groves of silver fir, white pine, aspen and paper birch down to the water, here and there precipices of rock to checker the scene and save it from monotony. An abundance of speckled trout, salmon trout, bass, and other fish with which it is stored, have added to our other amusements the sport of taking them.” (History of Lake George, Chamber of Commerce Site.)
So, on to the next local body of water and another learned skill!!!
Yeah, and I never got there. 😦 My plan of taking y’all on a photo tour of the local water holes, went down the drain. (See what I did there? *wink*wink*)
So instead, I decided to try something I have never tried before, but have seen done a hundred times—macro shots of water droplets. I know, not very original, but I’ve wanted to give this a try for a year now, and Scott’s assignment seemed the perfect opportunity to give it a go.
It’s WAY harder than it looks, and if someone out there has done this successfully, I would really appreciate hints as to aperture and shutter speed settings. Over a hundred attempts and I only got three keepers.
(And here’s where I start to really go off course, but bear with me for a bit longer….this really is related to my photos!)
So, I’ve had a weird symptom (a buzzing leg…please don’t laugh…I already know it’s weird) and had to go through a multitude of tests only to be told they have no idea what could be wrong with me. Only one doctor was able to point to a possible cause…….”Are you sleep deprived?” he asked. At first I chuckled. Many answers came to mind such as, “Who isn’t?” and “I have a two year old who continues to wake up twice a night, what do you think?” and “My husband almost bled to death in the middle of the night a few months ago, so I’m still dealing with post traumatic stress disorder…of course I’m sleep deprived!” and, the answer I actually gave…”I don’t *think* so, but maybe.?.”
I tell you this little story to help explain what I saw when I viewed these three photos on my screen…as a set, they are a pictorial representation of my nights. I had no intention of doing Conceptual Photography for this assignment, but here it is nonetheless.
So, here are my REAL exhibitions for Scott’s assignment!
I call this one “Hovering.” This is the stage of my night when I can’t slow my mind down enough to settle into sleep…I hover above it’s inviting surface in a fog, waiting, suspended.
This one is “Dream State.” This is where I spend the majority of my night, not awake, but not fully immersed in sleep, able to hear the slightest noises in the house, and yet adrift on the surface of sleep, riding the waves of surrealism.
And this one I call “Yanked.” This is how I feel when Mister’s screams rent the quiet air in the middle of the night.
And then the process begins all over again….Hovering, Dream State, Yanked night after endless night.
Am I sleep deprived? I believe that would be a definitive “yes.”
A Half Hour a Day 
Wow…love the colors of fall and these water droplets are fantastic! I’ve never attempted this…but would love to some time!
Thanks Stacey!
I thought it would be fun, but I’ll admit it the frustration took the fun out of it! lol Ah, well, I’ll have a go again another time, hopefully with better results.
Your “Hovering” photo looks almost like a moon, I’ve never tried this myself but looks like fun, and your story makes it more interesting. I think most people are sleep deprived, I know I am.
Yes, I know I am not alone in the “sleep deprivation” department! 🙂
The water drop series is so powerful that I am reliving a gray, twitchy feeling of despair (I Will Never Be Able To Sleep Through The Night Again). Great images, hard year, eh? I wish you more mountaintop vistas, fewer nights of yank, and no more nighttime screams at all.
Aw, thank you Gerry!! As with everything “this too shall pass” and I’m sure a part of me will be sad when it does. 🙂
You certainly took the subject and created powerful images to go with your current sleep issues. I remember those days and am glad they are long behind me.
Excellent work, KD!
Thanks Scott! 🙂
You certainly have had a hard time, but you have been able to use some of this negative experiences to create. Both your photo series are very special, and interesting. Best wishes for more sleep.
Thank you giid! Thanks so much for stopping by. 🙂
The photos of the droplets are amazing! The autumn photos are beautiful as well, but I agree with the colors. The view is still very beautiful, though.
Your photos are beautiful. I like the colors in ‘your autumn’.
The water droplets are interesting. I’d like to try that. I’d be proud if my results came out as fine as yours in the first try.
I really like the water surface in the ‘Hovering’.
I wish you a good sleep. Don’t listen to the buzzing leg!
It doesn’t matter if others have done it, it’s always unique from the individual perspective of the photographer. I think water droplets are very cool! I had been thinking about trying some myself, never have, but I am intrigued to see what mine would come out like. I especially love the drop sitting on the water, mili seconds before it is completely absorbed. A moment of individuality before being assimilated into the the mass once again.
Carsten and Valerie, it’s always nice to see new people over here!! 🙂
Hey, maybe we should do a mini “water droplet” challenge!! LOL Nah, I won’t make it a challenge, but if you do get around to trying it, I would invite you to feel free to post a link to them here. I would LOVE to see your results!! (That invite is open to anyone who wants to give it a try!)
Those water droplets certainly have an eerie look to them and definitely tell a poignant story. How exactly did you set up the shot? Were you positioned by the sink letting it drip into some sort of container? Could we see the shots in color? I’m very curious!
And no, KD, I don’t really think you’ll miss those nights when they are gone! Our kids give us enough wonderful memories during the daylight hours! 😉
Hey Karma!
Those shots are actually straight out of the camera. I just shot them way underexposed. (Faster shutter speeds than my wide open lens was happy with.)
As far as setup, I used a glass bowl, filled it to nearly overflowing, and shot straight on, eye-level with the surface of the water. I used a medicine dropper to drop the water. 🙂
Hi! I’m finally getting the chance to check out Scott’s challenge enties! Your fall pictures are gorgeous!! And the water droplets… wow! OK, how many tries did it take you until you got “dream state”? Or was it pure luck?
I did some water droplet shots a while back, to kill time while I was waiting for the electricity to come back on. I might have to try again soon!
Hey Daily!
I took around 100 shots, but I would still say they were all pure luck! lol