EPJ - 2nd HM

Uncertainty

Josiah and I were out driving the backroads near our home this spring when we got caught in a fairly intense, but brief, snow storm. In fact, the sun was trying to make its way through the clouds and snow the whole time, and it created some pretty dramatic lighting.

While Josiah was busy photographing a robin who had only minutes earlier been singing in the spring sunshine and was now surrounded by snowflakes, I was watching a few mule deer coming down a ridge to the west. As I watched, the clouds broke just enough for this wind turbine to become visible, and I grabbed my camera and composed a few shots before the deer disappeared over the ridge.

I love photographing wildlife in juxtaposition with human elements because it speaks to how the animals have adapted to our presence in their world, whether successfully or less so. In this case, the deer became concerned about something around her and really slowed its progress, whipping its ears back and forth to make sure everything was ok. Its uncertainty as it headed in the direction of the wind turbine had a double meaning for me, as indeed so many of our North American species face an uncertain future in the face of perhaps ominous human development. The foreboding look to the turbine with the stormy skies filled with back-lit clouds and snowflakes just emphasized all that even more for me.

I hope this strikes a chord with you as well, recognizing the need for careful, intelligent decisions as we continue to live in and bring "advancements" to the land that we share with so many wonderful animals.

Field Notes:
Nikon D7100
Nikkor AF-S 300mm f/2.8 IF-ED VR
ISO 100
1/500sec @ f/8
-1.3EV
handheld from truck window with lens leaning against door frame for stability

Processing Notes:
Converted from RAW using Phase One Capture One Pro 7
Minor adjustments to tones and contrast using Nik Color Efex Pro 4 and Viveza 2 before converting to B&W with Nik Silver Efex Pro 2 in PS5
Cropped to app. 75% of original