MooseCat knows something is up. First, there are other people in the house, whose who will stay on after we leave tomorrow morning for the Outer Banks and another workshop. He tried to cadge another breakfast out of Arnie, but Arnie knows his ways and called his bluff. He (MooseCat) had to content himself with extra scratches.
We head off for scouting, and look forward to dining with dear friends out there where the dunes are wild, the surf magnificent, and the skies always dramatic.
Almost exactly a year ago, when Arnie and I were out doing our preliminary scouting, I gravitated over to a site where iron tries to keep the sea from gobbling up the beach. Mother Nature, of course, always prevails, but I love the textures and colors of this particular area.
It’s odd, because many people refer to me as Mother Nature because of my love of the outdoors and experiences in the wilderness. Still, textures and colors are textures and colors. I love angles, too, and this covers it all.
Except, we’re talking about one shot. Why is this a one-shot image? The tide was coming in, and those who have grown up on the water know there is a Ninth Wave, or an eleventh, or a seventh, whatever. It’s a phenomenon where every xth surge of the sea, the waves come crashing on the shore more strongly. What makes this location particularly challenging is that the wind is coming in the opposite direction with nothing to temper it. The waves come crashing in, the spray is thrown high and potentially right back into your lens.
Hmmm. Salt water and lens. Not a particularly good combination.
What to do? Protect the lens, of course, and lose the shot, or move really quickly, grab the shot, and protect the lens, as well. This time, I grabbed the shot.
Having grown up on the sea, I was watching the patterns of the surges, counted them carefully, watched as they scuttled along the iron jetty, and was ready to jump in a nano-second if need be.
I never had a second chance at this shot, as the next time the wind, spray, and waves were right, the light was gone. There was no more glistening on the metal, bringing the colors and textures alive.
So, once again, observe what goes on around you. Watch the patterns, and in the case of water, be ready to grab the shot, already carefully composed, and protect your lens.
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