Winter Flow
A river running though the mountains with recent snow.
Image Location: Washington
A river running though the mountains with recent snow.
Image Location: Washington
A river running though the mountains with recent snow.
Image Location: Washington
Winter Flow
On the drive into one of my favourite locations to spend time with a camera, I had passed this area many times but had never paused to really observe it. Located only a short walk from a vehicle pullout and not far past the iconic Mailbox Peak trailhead, this bend in the river rarely sees people stopping. It was on an early December day, when I was short on time to travel deep into the forest beyond, that I stopped to explore this area. Being somewhat unfamiliar with the location I wasn’t expecting to get an image to add to my portfolio so, I parked and hopped out of my car to practice photography for the day.
Recent snowfall had blanketed the shores of the river but temperatures hadn’t dropped enough to slow the river’s flow. On this day rain clouds were low lying in the area and often passing though the forests around. With the sun being filtered through these clouds and the fresh snowfall providing contrast to the dark pines in the distance, I felt there was an image to be created in the area. And I began to feel excitement.
I spent awhile walking about, looking at various compositions, and watching the clouds move through the trees. When I finally came upon this location I wasn’t very far from where I had first started, I could in fact see my vehicle from where I was now standing!
I set up my camera, fussing about with my exact location and securing my tripod in the snow. Then I waited. I watched the clouds pass in and out of the trees in the background. I wanted enough atmosphere to diffuse the shapes but not so much the distance would be predominantly grey. I took images as the light and clouds moved through the scene and then, just as I was about out of time and needing to pack up, conditions came together to create the image you see today.
Additional images take in the Snoqualmie Forest area
I have had many experience like this in my photography career. This and all those other images constantly remind me that capturing images isn’t about running around to as many places as possible, it’s about spending the time to learn an area. Returning to an area you enjoy gives you the opportunity to see it in varying conditions, it let’s you become more familiar with where subjects that speak to you reside and, like this image, will sometime surprise you when you least expect it. Photography is about practice, patience, and persistence.
Images are printed on Hahnemuhle fine art paper with archival inks.
All artwork is printed and drop shipped by Saal Digital. Shipping costs are included in price.
Custom made frames available at Frame Destination
