THE DEFINING MOMENT

Transitions are something I'm always looking for in landscape photography. They help tell the story, add a dynamic energy and create depth in a 2-dimensional image. It's that defining moment where conditions begin to change and transform a scene that enables you to see, or feel, the essential nature and character of a location. I find them rare to come by, or at least notice sometimes, but these are the moments that I'm after.
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On the second morning photographing the "Musquash" in Grand Lake Stream, ME. I was able to witness and capture one of these "transitional periods." After a pre-dawn of abundant cloud cover, morning mist, and calm waters, all of which were beautiful in their own right, a gentle breeze came into play as the first light of the sun kissed the western shoreline. The fog began to dissipate. The surface of the water became entwined with ripples, partially concealing the reflection of trees. The sky opened up, and clouds started to take shape as light penetrated through creating separation and structure. Everything became much clearer as if I had switched from standard to high definition.
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After capturing this single frame, I quickly rearranged the camera to a vertical orientation and leveled the tripod to attempt a multi-frame panorama. It was already too late. The moment had passed. The turbulent water had removed all reflection, and light filled in the shadows, creating a much flatter scene. It had lost its energy and identity in a way, at least until the next morning.
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