The best of the best photographers have all agreed that rainy days can provide for the best photographs!
On the edge of my whits in Oregon. Trying to get a permit at the very last minute. Literally. The store in Baker City was stocked. Everything ready to start operations. Including waiting customers. I sat in a DEQ office in Bend Oregon. Literally begging the permits manager there to not bend the rules. Instead just process the permit in a couple fho ours and not the usual 30-60 days. It was a very long shot. I anticipated the call to Maverik’s executive team…” sorry guys we have to delay the opening between 30 and 60 days”. YIKES! I was begging. Believe me! I felt like Jack Bower at an interrogation at gun point. Didn’t sleep the hole night before. It was on my shoulders.
I don’t remember walking out of the building in pouring rain calling the area supervisor to tell him “go ahead and open. I got it” Felt like the one time mom forgave me for stealing the candy bar from Grand Central and not telling my Dad. Or the first time I kissed my sweetheart. Elated would be a slight understatement.
Three days before my plane took me home. What to do? As a habit I carried well over 75 lbs. in photographic gear. Bend is 3 hours from some of the most beautiful coast in the Americas. Fifty-five miles an hour was just not fast enough. Until I got to the first mountain range. Beautiful fall colors. In the rain the autumn hues were emphasized. The tree bark contrast was incredible. A photographers dream. I passed a small sign that pointed down a small to that said “falls”. Hey I have all day. Turned around and went back. Did not regret it. It was pouring as I hiked to the falls. The camera gear had all its rain protect in place. I did not. It was very cold as I turned the corner and gasped. A small burst of sun shone on the falls. Even where I shot from it was like a morning shower. I was drenched. Had about three to five minutes to get exposure, the correct shooting position and break out the gear. Forgot the tripod!!!!!!! DUMBY! I had to hand hold a 1/8 second exposure. My hope was to get a 9 exposure HDR image. In the end I think the single exposure worked to my favor. The contrast of the sun really popped without the HDR coverage. I love the shot…….
So beautiful Jim! I love the moss covered ground surrounding the falls! Thanks for sharing.
Share more of this area….. I so love the Oregon coast!