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regnaD kciN

(26,591 posts)
Wed Jul 5, 2023, 09:28 PM Jul 2023

An Olympic Event

Two weeks ago, conditions looked right for woodland photography, so I set out for the Hoh Rain Forest in Olympic National Park. After around five hours of driving, I approached the entrance to the park, only to be brought to a complete halt by an approximately one-hour wait at the entrance gate. I was sorely tempted to turn back, but decided to stick it out, mainly because I figured that the near-solstice day meant that I'd have until the early evening to have enough light.

While waiting, I took an iPhone shot from my car window of the wetlands along the side of the road.



Once I got inside, I realized the obvious: that long lines outside meant dense (collectively and, shall we say, individually) crowds inside. While much of what follows may seem serene, it really was a matter of run-and-gun, wait at a given location for ten minutes so the tourists could finish taking their selfies, etc. Definitely one of the higher-stress shoots I've ever conducted.

Close-up of branch over the Hoh River.



Scenes on the short ascent to the Hall of Mosses trailhead.





Hall of Mosses Trail

















Although the forecast had been for clouds, I was surprised, upon exiting the forest, to realize that the conditions for good sunset light were starting to develop. Therefore, I raced down to Ruby Beach, a frequent location of mine, and one where I have tried repeatedly to capture the ultimate sunset, but always fallen somewhat short. Indeed, when I got there, I could see the beach itself had a thin mist in the air, precluding good images from down there; however, the upper viewpoint offered a scene that could only be described as "epic."







So, while this might have started out as an incredibly stressful photo trip, it proved, in retrospect, to be one of my most-rewarding ones.

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CaliforniaPeggy

(152,070 posts)
1. Wow! My dear regnaD kciN!
Wed Jul 5, 2023, 09:39 PM
Jul 2023

I'd say you hit the jackpot. All the trees in the rain forest look as though they're dripping water everywhere, and loving it. I can practically feel the humidity.

And your sunset photos are superb. I'm happy that you're back here, sharing your work with us.

Thank you.

usonian

(13,782 posts)
2. You exhibit four qualities of a great photographer
Wed Jul 5, 2023, 10:14 PM
Jul 2023

Last edited Wed Jul 5, 2023, 11:17 PM - Edit history (1)

• An "eye" beauty and composition.
• Patience!!!
• Intuition, that a great photo is developing, and
• Stamina, to hustle self and camera to the right spot, just in time.

Top rate. A day you'll remember forever.

3Hotdogs

(13,394 posts)
3. I it was in black & white, it would pass for one of the 1930's Tarzan movies.
Wed Jul 5, 2023, 10:54 PM
Jul 2023

Some of those were actually filmed at the St. John's river in Florida.

MLAA

(18,598 posts)
4. Beautiful. The last two sunset shots really speak to me, but they are all well done, interesting
Wed Jul 5, 2023, 11:12 PM
Jul 2023

and beautiful and not a tourist or their detritus in any of them!

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