The Challenge and Reward of Nature Photography

I tend to get really bored doing the same things over and over again. It's one of the reasons I enjoy the freedom of creativity - there are so many things to discover and try. Photography has been one of those eye-opening and difficult endeavors for me. Over the last four years, I've learned a lot about photography in general and about my own camera. And when it comes to nature/landscape photography in particular, the opportunities have been endless.

However, so have the challenges.

My most recent hike was a good example of what photographers can expect (or not expect) when looking to shoot a particular location. I decided to hike out to Moraine Lake earlier this week. There are two different ways to get to this location, but I chose to follow the route that branches off the Green Lakes trail. Green Lakes is a very heavily trafficked area, especially during the summer. Since this was October, I figured it wouldn't be quite as busy, but I still wanted to have a little more space to myself and I had never been to Moraine Lake before, so I chose to check out that location instead.

Both of these trails feature beautiful scenery, and the Green Lakes trail follows a river for most of it. Several beautiful waterfalls greet hikers along the way, and there's one in particular that I've always been fond of, Fall Creek Falls. However, every time that I had tried to get a long exposure of this waterfall, I was never able to time how long it would take to get there, and the sun would always end up shining directly on the water. I had pretty much given up on ever getting a photo, and resigned myself to just enjoying it's beauty as a break on my way to my ultimate destination.

You can imagine my surprise when I hiked to it this time around, because for the first time ever, it was completely covered in shadow, with just a few areas highlighted by sun. I couldn't believe it. Unfortunately, because I wasn't prepared for this particular photo op, I hadn't brought my tripod with me.

This is where creativity helps in more ways than one.

I literally balanced on one leg on a small piece of wood while I set my camera precariously on a fallen log, shifting it around to get a decent angle. I was not about to let this opportunity slip past me, and the result was that I finally got my long exposure.

It wasn't exactly how I had imagined it would be, but I was ultimately happy with the results. Even though I was caught unprepared, I was able to make the best of it, which is one of the many reasons that photography makes me so happy. (I should know by now to just carry my tripod no matter what, but sometimes you just don't want that extra bit of weight, you know?)

Just past this waterfall is the intersection where the trail to Moraine Lake branches off. Bailey (my rescue pup) was especially happy that we went during October, because leashes are only required through September. She had a grand old time running back and forth on the trail, while I slowly trudged my way up.

It was more difficult than I expected it to be, but I pushed myself to go forward anyway. I knew it was going to be harder than the Green Lakes trail, which is fairly easy, but I wasn't quite prepared for the level of intensity towards the end. Experience hikers wouldn't find it to be too challenging, but it is good to keep in mind that this is the first leg of a trail that eventually leads to the third highest peak in Oregon, the South Sister.

Eventually I made it to the lake, and my timing couldn't have been better. Because it was still mid-morning, I was able to get a nearly perfect reflection of the South Sister in all her glory in the waters of the lake.

Photographers have to take advantage of every opportunity when capturing nature. In this case, I snapped away, ignoring the fact that a few of my shots had people in the distance. That's an easy fix to either crop or Photoshop out. I knew the sun was still rising quickly, and that these tranquil waters wouldn't stay for long.

I was right, for not even fifteen minutes after I arrived, the wind picked up and this beautiful reflection was nothing more than a memory.

To some, this might sound like more work than fun. Trudging up the side of a mountain while carrying several lenses and other survival gear is not easy. Never knowing if the light is truly going to be on your side, finding more people around than expected, sudden weather making an appearance...there are so many things that can go wrong.

But so many times there are hikes like this one, filled with pleasant surprises and tranquil moments. These are the ones that I savor. It helps me remember that I was made to do this, and that there is more to life than just the everyday grind. It's where I come alive.

Whether you're a photographer or not, find the thing that makes you come alive as well. It will be well worth every moment of difficulty. And if you are a fellow photographer, remember to savor the moments that let you capture the perfect shot, and take a moment to be proud of your work. You've earned it.