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Look Close

by Andrew Waddington

Gallery: Man & NaturePosted July 6, 2014530 views15 comments
This is one image where I can be truly proud. Had I shot Horseshoe Bend from the typical viewpoint this would have been a 'so so' image. However by climbing down I was able to create something unique from one of the most heavily photographed locations in the American Southwest.

Magic Lantern was used to fire off an exposure approximately every 10 seconds, all I had to do was move my arms around a few times to make sure one exposure would have my arms in line with the bends of the Colorado River.

I count myself very lucky that you can't see which way the sun went down, so it's not one sided. Maybe I should have worn a white shirt, I remember deliberating on that at the time but I felt dark colors would initially take the eye of the person, the idea being that you'd see the view first, then see there person. Actually I'm sure most people glance at this image and don't even see me stood there.

Climbing down is easier than it looks, however, getting back up is a bit sketchy.

Comments

15 comments
Comment posted by Mark Metternich on July 6, 2014 at 1:47 AM
Dude, I have been here well over 50X and still can not figure out how you got down there! You are nuts as me! Awesome work! :toast: :toast: :toast:
Registered on June 19, 2009, 276 Posts, 6240 Comments
Comment posted by scott lanz on July 6, 2014 at 10:20 AM
Well done, Andrew, but I have to agree with Mark. Your nuts! :toast:
Registered on November 14, 2003, 840 Posts, 12902 Comments
Comment posted by Eva McDermott on July 6, 2014 at 2:17 PM
Stunning work Andrew. well balance exposure and of course your presence adds a sense of scale.
Registered on January 4, 2009, 1015 Posts, 13229 Comments
Comment posted by Nick Bristol on July 6, 2014 at 5:28 PM
Andrew, That is a great shot! Super cool.

Nick Bristol
Lone Rock, WI
Registered on February 1, 2004, 752 Posts, 14140 Comments
Comment posted by Mark Seaver on July 7, 2014 at 2:54 PM
Neat shot, Andrew. I hadn't noticed you in the thumb, but you show up nicely in the larger version so you're right about not being noticed first. You've got a great exposure on the rocks and some fine colors in the sky.
Registered on January 23, 2011, 1103 Posts, 17270 Comments
Comment posted by Gary McGhee on July 7, 2014 at 4:49 PM
I can't believe this has had so little attention Andrew, it's a stunning shot.

Gary.
Registered on April 15, 2010, 142 Posts, 2416 Comments
Comment posted by Pat Sampson on July 8, 2014 at 9:06 AM
I've never been here Andrew but I'm pretty sure I won't be trying to duplicate your image when I do get there. Fantastic image.

pat
Registered on May 19, 2007, 953 Posts, 15989 Comments
Comment posted by Andrew Waddington on July 8, 2014 at 12:35 PM
Thanks everyone it's a great feeling to pull of a bit of a unique image. I'm glad it was appreciated on Man and Nature. I hope I don't come across as reckless. This does look very dangerous but the reality of climbing down is actually more scary than dangerous. I've just been shooting another similar river bend in Nevada, when I get it processed I'll add it to NPN.
Registered on February 11, 2014, 44 Posts, 183 Comments
Comment posted by Andrew Waddington on July 8, 2014 at 6:44 PM
Thanks everyone it's a great feeling to pull of a bit of a unique image. I'm glad it was appreciated on Man and Nature. I hope I don't come across as reckless. This does look very dangerous but the reality of climbing down is actually more scary than dangerous. I've just been shooting another similar river bend in Nevada, when I get it processed I'll add it to NPN.
Registered on February 11, 2014, 44 Posts, 183 Comments
Comment posted by Mark Zelinka on July 11, 2014 at 2:56 PM
You should enter this one in a contest.
Registered on August 20, 2007, 206 Posts, 998 Comments
Comment posted by Andrew Waddington on July 11, 2014 at 3:12 PM
Any suggestions Mark, it seems all photo contests are a scam these days. You know enter my competition but pay $20 entrance.
Registered on February 11, 2014, 44 Posts, 183 Comments
Comment posted by Richard Olsen on July 12, 2014 at 9:05 PM
Amazing photo taken with lots of planning. Nicely done Andy!
Registered on October 19, 2006, 306 Posts, 1571 Comments
Comment posted by Harry Lichtman on July 14, 2014 at 4:01 PM
Person or no person I really like the comp. which looks different to me. A slightly brighter jacket might have been a plus so as not to loose you in the comp. Maybe you can modify that in post if you desire. :toast:
Registered on September 17, 2010, 304 Posts, 3507 Comments
Comment posted by Kah Kit Yoong on July 15, 2014 at 10:27 AM
Great job on a different HB image. It works a treat.
Registered on September 27, 2006, 636 Posts, 10682 Comments
Comment posted by Lincoln Castricone on August 1, 2014 at 2:30 PM
A wonderful image! Solid in every respect. That said I will put my neck out by raising the issue of including a human being and how it affects our perception of an image, a place. There are surely benefits such as scale and interest. But for me there are risks too. I'm not sure I can articulate my response. My first reaction is a direct connection with landscape/nature. Then the recognition of the human figure alters that response into an identification with the figure and less so with the natural scene. Then comes the thinking: who is that? how did he get there? who took the photograph and on and on. At that point for me the transcendent nature of the initial experience is reduced to the mundane and thus diminished. I 'm not saying that including a figure is a landscape never works, only that I need to be aware of how it alters the experience myself and others have of the scene. Anthropomorphizing nature is risky business.
Registered on February 10, 2007, 86 Posts, 167 Comments