Rainy Day Reflections
Now that the judging is over, I can happily share this photo.
Taken last August, Rainy Day Reflections captures Cedar's inquisitive nature out on the rocks at Jordan Pond in Acadia National Park.
If you've ever been there, Jordan Pond is quite famous for its Bubbles, two rounded mountains nestled between the pond and Eagle Lake.
Cedar standing rock with the Bubbles in the background was the image I had in my head. (We had visited a few days earlier, but it was during the very harsh, midday sun and photography conditions were not ideal.)
iPhone snap of Cedar from a few days earlier.
The morning we had planned to shoot (the only one left available before the trip ended) I awoke to rain loudly hitting the van. While it seemed to be slowing down, my bed so cozy and warm, I turned over and went back to sleep, snuggled up with Cedar.
That is, before Blue (my photographer friend of Beyond the Fence,) pounded on my door, adamant that we still head out to the pond as originally planned.
Those of y’all who know me know I’m not a morning person.
And when you throw a cold rain mixed into that, forget it, I’m out. But as much as I didn’t want to let her down, I don’t think she would have let me, even if I had tried.
The drive to Jordan pond was miserable. Coffee hadn’t quite kicked in I just wanted to go back to sleep. It was still drizzling and when we got to the pond, it was a whiteout. I was less than underwhelmed.
Fog everywhere. Bubbles gone. Complete whiteout.
But here’s the thing you gotta know about me. I can’t stand staying in a negative mindset. An enneagram 7 through and through, I do my best to find the good in any situation. Vowing to make the most of this failed photo journey, I started quietly looking around, taking it all in.
When I noticed the awesome reflection of the rocks in the water, I knew that the image I was about to create, while polar opposite to what I originally set out to do, was going to turn out to be one of my favorites from the whole trip to Maine.
The Setup
If you didn’t know, dogs and people are not allowed in the water at Jordan Pond. But thanks to growing up on the James I have perfected my rock-hopping technique, and Cedar leapt from rock to rock like a champ.
I perched her on the furthest rock and carefully returned to shore. After getting a few photos of her posed looking at me and out, I started tossing pebbles into the crystal-clear water to draw her attention over the edge.
It didn’t take long for Cedar to become mesmerized by the little fish swimming around and she started moving all over the rock, chasing the fish from side to side. Not at all what I had planned.
Know what I do when plans go to shit?
I shoot through the chaos. When things go awry you can either break down and cry, or laugh and roll with it. I take the latter approach to most sessions and have found that letting the dog lead almost always creates the best images. It’s a much more fun approach and hasn’t failed me yet.
Awards
Cedar with the 2024 VA PPA Vanguard Award
Judged on the 12 Elements of a Merit Image Rainy Day Reflections placed Silver (Top 16) in the Professional Photographers of America: International Print Competition
At a state level, in the Virginia PPA competition, it received merit, along with the Vanguard Award (best image by a first-time entrant) and Judges Choice Award (each of the judges chooses their favorite image from the competition.)
Key Takeaways
Photograph with friends who push you outside your comfort zone
Let the dog lead
Don’t wait for perfection, continue shooting through the chaos
Not every photo has to be bathed in golden light
Emerge
I’m starting another round of image competitions as a way to continue to push my creative boundaries. The Emerge Competition by Unleashed Education is a faster-moving competition with 12 specific briefs over the next 6 months.
I’m looking for friendly, confident, well-behaved dogs of all breeds and sizes. Bonus points if they know a few fun tricks.
There are only 12 Emerge Sessions available and your reduced session retainer will include 2 digital files and $500 in art credit towards wall art, albums, and other print collections.