Top Ten (#1)

Photo by: Tim Bindner Photography

Here is # 1.

Technical aspects:

Camera – Fuji XT-2

Aperture – F/2.8

Shutter Speed – 1/110 sec.

Focal Length – 18mm

ISO – 400

Film Simulation – Classic Chrome

Location – White Cloud, IN (https://goo.gl/maps/n36m8cNxcJxgdT8a6)

Date – March 31, 2018 @ 6:36 am

On this early spring morning, I was headed to meet a friend for a hike.  I crossed a bridge I had many times before but as I did I saw this majestic scene.  I tried my best to capture what I saw and felt, but I am not sure I did the scene justice.

As I pulled off Highway 62 and onto the road headed into the park, I immediately stopped in the middle of the road to take a photo.  The photo had a mystique to it that I felt best displayed my mental state.  It is one of my favorite photos I have taken, and like life was a spur of the moment decision.  It consequently is my number one (at the moment).

This picture is one of the Blue River.  In my opinion, it is not a river, but truly a creek, but that does not matter.  Most times when I cross this bridge or drive along this ‘river’ it is shallow and barren.  This particular section as can be seen on the map above can be easily traversed on foot with the water at most reaching mid-calf.  This day was not the case.  March was the wettest on record in years and the river was swollen, and overflowing its normal shallow banks.

The current created by the excess water seemed to appear as a silver snake to the left of the picture more dominant in the foreground and disappearing in the foggy distance.  The trees to both left and right appear to be losing their grip and leaning precariously toward the center of the creek creating a natural canopy over Blue River.  As the water, brown in color, caused by the excess rain, the mixture of additional dirt and debris, flows from my current vantage point toward an unknown destination blanketed in fog.  Much like my mood of that day, I was headed to the park to hike and clear my mind, and this symbolic image displayed my mental status.

The muted blue in the sky, the murky brown of the water, and limited details of the trees provided me the perfect moment to capture this shot.  One I was appreciative to have done.  I have crossed this bridge many times before this shot, and many times after, but not once has it shown such beauty as I was able to witness this day.  Nature always provides me what I need when I need it.  Today was no exception.

I will leave you with a quote written by Ansel Adams “A true photograph need not be explained, nor can it be contained in words.”  I have tried to do this with my Top Ten with the best of my abilities, but I think Ansel has it right.

Until next time,

Tim