When I posted the picture last week I asked for some comments and received a few. They ranged from "courage" to
"sleep walking". I think that I captured some of the essence of what long
distance hiking is all about.
First the picture. I could have staged a shot and fixed a few technical problems, but this was truly a snapshot. I like the composition. I like the way the trees are lit, the way our model was lit, the way the light looks like it is pushing at her. I like the placement of everything in the shot and I did not crop the final result. I like how our hiker interacts with the scenery and is the center of attention but still part of everything. Sometime you just get lucky ...
Then there is the feeling of action. There is a timeline in this picture; I see her putting one foot in front of the other, moving through the picture even though it is a frozen moment in time. I see the confidence and determination; she looks strong with just a hint of fatigue. She is definitely going somewhere.
She is walking on a trail, but in front of her everything disappears into a white nothingness. She does not know what is around the next corner or where exactly the adventure will lead. Behind her is a complete scene --- trees and trail and a sparkling, colorful landscape. It's like she is creating her environment as she goes. The experience belongs to each person and each hiker has the opportunity to make it into something uniquely their own. She was choosing, or so it seems, to make special and and beautiful moments.
There is a story behind this picture. This was day seven of hiking and we had been through a lot. The day before we had watched EMS crews evacuate a friend with a broken arm off the mountain. We had spent a long night in a buggy, fairly awful shelter. We were all tired. Together we had done about 3 miles that morning and at a road crossing I bailed out so she could complete the last 15 miles in one high-speed push. Her pack stripped of excess gear to lighten up, it was already 11:30 when she took off "slack-packing".
The rest of the team arrived to pick me up and we immediately set out to park at the next possible road crossing a few miles away to offer some "trail magic" in the form of ice water, cold drinks, snacks and our injured friend in the truck feeling better with her new sling on. That is where I grabbed my camera and took this picture.
When I see that picture it takes me back to that day and everything that was going on. I see a woman who fought hard to get to this place and overcame all of the obstacles to push on. I see someone boldly walking towards the unknown and not breaking her stride. I see a hiker that will achieve goals yet still enjoy the beauty around her. I see a picture that tells not only her story, but shows anyone what it is like to be a backpacker on a difficult trail living life one step at a time.
First the picture. I could have staged a shot and fixed a few technical problems, but this was truly a snapshot. I like the composition. I like the way the trees are lit, the way our model was lit, the way the light looks like it is pushing at her. I like the placement of everything in the shot and I did not crop the final result. I like how our hiker interacts with the scenery and is the center of attention but still part of everything. Sometime you just get lucky ...
Then there is the feeling of action. There is a timeline in this picture; I see her putting one foot in front of the other, moving through the picture even though it is a frozen moment in time. I see the confidence and determination; she looks strong with just a hint of fatigue. She is definitely going somewhere.
She is walking on a trail, but in front of her everything disappears into a white nothingness. She does not know what is around the next corner or where exactly the adventure will lead. Behind her is a complete scene --- trees and trail and a sparkling, colorful landscape. It's like she is creating her environment as she goes. The experience belongs to each person and each hiker has the opportunity to make it into something uniquely their own. She was choosing, or so it seems, to make special and and beautiful moments.
There is a story behind this picture. This was day seven of hiking and we had been through a lot. The day before we had watched EMS crews evacuate a friend with a broken arm off the mountain. We had spent a long night in a buggy, fairly awful shelter. We were all tired. Together we had done about 3 miles that morning and at a road crossing I bailed out so she could complete the last 15 miles in one high-speed push. Her pack stripped of excess gear to lighten up, it was already 11:30 when she took off "slack-packing".
The rest of the team arrived to pick me up and we immediately set out to park at the next possible road crossing a few miles away to offer some "trail magic" in the form of ice water, cold drinks, snacks and our injured friend in the truck feeling better with her new sling on. That is where I grabbed my camera and took this picture.
When I see that picture it takes me back to that day and everything that was going on. I see a woman who fought hard to get to this place and overcame all of the obstacles to push on. I see someone boldly walking towards the unknown and not breaking her stride. I see a hiker that will achieve goals yet still enjoy the beauty around her. I see a picture that tells not only her story, but shows anyone what it is like to be a backpacker on a difficult trail living life one step at a time.
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Note: Laura and Cristina completed this hike together and arrived in Damascus safe. This blog was about this picture, but I would not feel right without mentioning Cristina and her efforts too. Step by step she hiked this hike and inspired her own stories that are coming. She completed every mile including this 18 mile day and I applaud her strength and courage. A picture of them together would have told a bigger story but technology or my skill as a shooter did not allow that.
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| Cristina (front) and Laura during their 15 mile slackpack and 18 mile day, arriving at the Trail Magic intercept point |
Wow TJ,
ReplyDeleteYour story was very good and told of the trials and tribulations that you all went through and the picture was worth ten thousand words. Very good reporting and it makes one feel as if they were there. Guess your college writing skillare paying off.
Dad