I was nominated by a fellow blogger, Project Relish, for a 7-Day Nature Photo Challenge.
So for the next week, let’s see, if I can come up with some interesting nature images and pass the challenge onto some of my fellow bloggers.
Geese on the Quinapoxet
This image goes back almost 12 years, but is one that I still like after all these years. Of course, the Canada Geese are the main actors in this image, but there’s a bit more to it…
First of all, this was a lovely Autumn day, and I had been tooling around doing a bit of photography, when, all of a sudden, a thought struck my mind that the light would be perfect at the Quinapoxet river in West Boylston, not far from home. I made it over to the bridge where the river flows into Wachusett reservoir in no time, only to find that I wasn’t the only person with this idea: a number of photographers had taken position on the bridge with nice tripods pointing down the river.
Not easily deterred, I decided to take a different approach and went down to the edge of the river, so that I would shoot from a very shallow angle. My camera was about 1 foot off the ground during the sequence that I shot to capture these geese. The shallow angle and whisper of a breeze produced this magnificent reflection of color. Standing on the bridge would not have resulted in this image.
Also, I discovered that posing geese is not easy, as no amount of brainwaves caused them to line up until this shot, where they are all distinct. It took more than thirty shots to get this particular one.
Technical Details
This image was taken with a Canon EOS 10D and 75-300mm f/4.5-5.6 lens. Exposure settings were f/6.7 at 1/60 second at ISO 400.
The Rules
Post a #naturephoto every day and nominate another blogger for this challenge.
Nomination
The challenge of nominating a fellow blogger… Holly’s OCA Blog has lots of great information on photography, as well as very cool images; you should definitely check out this talented person’s blog! If she accepts this challenge, I look forward to the results!
A Fresh Perspective
Photography is more than just a vehicle for capturing the world around me; it provides me with a palette and a set of brushes, with which I paint not only what I see, but also look to express the emotions that are evoked by the scene in front of me in that moment.
Growing up in the Netherlands exposed me to a wide cross-section of visual arts that laid the foundation of my photographic view of all that surrounds me. Early influences were the Dutch Masters of the 17th century, to whom I was introduced by my grandfather during museum explorations; favorites among them are the scenes of quotidian life depicted by Jan Steen and Frans Hals and the vivid landscapes of Jacob van Ruisdael.
My classical high school education was supplemented by the Boijmans Van Beuningen museum, where I spent many a lunch hour exploring its great collection. Here I was introduced to surrealism with a particular love for the approach taken by Salvador Dali; Dali also rekindled my appreciation for the work of Hieronymus Bosch, who often showed the folly of us mortals.
Universal Connections
My approach to any photographic subject is to look for understanding first; in this I look to establish either a connection between the viewer and the subject or capture the connection of the subject with its surroundings. The captured image then aims to portray this connection from a perspective that is part of my personal interpretation.
This interpretation is often a form of externalized introspection, which may alternately display the connection of isolated beings and items with their environment or highlight the whimsy of the profound world, in which we find ourselves. The universe is full of connections, many of which are waiting to be discovered; part of my journey as a photographer is to document these connections.
Any assignment, be it an event, a product shoot or a portrait session is always approached through communication with the client; this is where the first connection is established. Ideas are exchanged and a collaborative plan of action forms, ultimately resulting in a set of images that aim to exceed the expectations of each client.
And, lest we forget, it is important to have fun while practicing the serious business of photography!
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6 thoughts on “7-Day Nature Photo Challenge – Day 5”
Dutch goes the Photo! 
It looks like a painting. Beautiful shot!
Thank you! Many people have asked me what I did in Photoshop to get this effect. They’re invariably surprised when I tell them.
I think all the time you spent trying to take this photo was well worth it!
Thank you! I appreciate it.
Wow, I like your picture. Looks serene and the ducks are happing waddling in the water. 😀
Thank you very much! Yes, it was very serene, which is part of the reason that I still enjoy looking at this image.