Amphitheater Sunrise Seating
I reached the top of the ridge and made my way to an area with westerly views. I could see remnants of night lights defining Terrebonne, Redmond and Bend, Oregon. Early commuter headlights and taillights defined the main arteries.
I found a high spot that would shelter me from the occasional 10 plus mph cold wind gusts. A faint line of predawn light outlined the eastern horizon behind me. As predicted the sky was cloudy to the North and to the West.
I plug in the ear buds. I choose Michael Hedges, Breakfast in the Field and began my workflow.
Smith Rock State Park is a ‘go to’ place for me. Not only is it relatively close to home but its photographic options are limitless. Even after years of regular visits I frequently find new vantage points with beautiful compositions.
On this morning my plan was to create a multi-layered image. I planned to include the beauty of a rock formation in the foreground, the distant stretch of Cascade Mountains at the western horizon, and the inhabited area between.
As the light behind me began to define the landscape in front of me, I organized my composition. It was important to me to make the amphitheater-like rock formation the main attraction of the photo. I would use the mid-ground city lights as a transition element to push the eye to the line of snow covered mountain peaks and the sky in the background.
I kept my numb fingers crossed. If the world was spinning true, maybe, just maybe the sky would oblige and add the final dramatic element to the photo.
My fine art photographic process consists of two parts; first collect the raw data in the field and then create my artistic interpretation in the studio. Part one is critical to achieving part two.
I composed and recomposed the scene. Perspective was important. I was using a wide angle lens and struggled to include important elements without distorting them. I wanted subjects to be proportioned correctly.
I wanted to be a few steps forward and lower, but the downslope in front of me dropped steeply making this impossible.
I settled into a workflow taking photos as the acoustic guitar played in my ear. As the light changed I made exposure adjustments. I shifted right then left in the limited real estate I occupied all the while trying to fine tune my composition.
Pleased with my captures I sat for a minute admiring the landscape in front of me. The music was over. I packed my gear, leaned forward and headed downhill on Misery Ridge trail.
I expect this photo will elicit a wide variety of emotions. ‘Originals’, those native to Central Oregon, may interpret the photo as documentation of how the region has changed over the years. Others may see it and celebrate their decision to settle here. Non-residents may simply marvel at the stunning beauty.
Honestly, my hope is the photo will move viewers to contemplate and then act to preserve and protect all natural places.