I may not get to this every Friday, but today I want to start telling a bit more of the story behind the photos. My inspiration comes from watching videos at LensFlare35. I listened to Brenda Tharp’s a couple of times – having taken a class from her at Better Photo a couple of years ago, I watched the video immediately, and then had to watch it again. It’s really another way to document life with words and photos – which, of course, I love. Hearing her tell the story behind the photo helps me to better see her vision behind the click.
As I’ve worked on the organization of my files rather heavily this week, the videos sat in the back of my mind prompting me to better define what captured me enough to make or simply take the image. And in helping me to better define my vision, writing out the stories like this should help.
Last August I headed to Yellowstone for three days. West Thumb holds a special place in my heart and I stopped there a few times on this trip. Between Fishing Cone (just the rim is sticking out of the water over there on the right) and Big Cone (far out of view to the left) I noticed these boards. Maybe a dozen or more of them. I honestly don’t recall seeing them before and checking other photos taken, I’m still not sure if I just missed them. If I hadn’t had the time on this trip to make it to West Thumb for sunrise and sunset shots, I wouldn’t have worried about trying to get something more stunning. However, I did have time, so arriving back at West Thumb a little before sunset and using a polarizing filter to cut through the glare on the surface of the water, I took a few shots. I have one where Fishing Cone is the focus, but this one intrigues me more simply because of the unanswered question: What are they from? The old dock? Were they dislodged from a resting place by the underwater thermal activity? I’m not sure if anyone has an answer, but I’ll start digging and see if anyone knows.
While processing the image, I worked to bring it to what I remembered the scene to be. While the sunset wasn’t one to stun you, there were a few moments where the spectrum of soft colors nearly took my breath away. I was pleased to take the ordinary shot in extraordinary light and having just the rim of Fishing Cone exposed was icing on the cake for me. I hope you enjoy it, too.
I was told the boards are indeed from the old pier.
Very nice view…thanks!
R
Thanks so much for the information! You have a fun website there with some great Fishing Cone memorabilia.
So glad you shared this photo with us this morning….breathtaking