My Story Behind This Image
Minutes turned to hours, those hours turned to dawn … And when the sun rays popped on the tops of the clouds with Mt. Adams in the distance, I was very emotional. And very grateful to still be standing near the top of the mountain to witness such a beautiful sunrise. But, I almost didn’t see it. I almost wasn’t there to capture this beautiful moment. Let me start at the beginning. And try to explain.
A few hours earlier, after finishing photographing the Milky Way near the top of Mount Rainier, worry and doubt crept into my mind during the darkest part of the night. I sat alone against a large boulder to help protect me from the cold mountain wind. That doubt and worry grew and started taking over my thoughts. Just give up, it said. Get off the mountain. Hike back down. You shouldn’t be up here. It's too cold. Too windy. Bears will eat you for a midnight snack. The glacier above you is going to crack off and crush you. It was a heavy, negative force and I eventually gave into that darkness.
I started hiking back down the mountain in the middle of the night. But, after about 1/2 mile down, I came upon a small meadow with a babbling brook and a sense of calmness overcame the doubt and my thoughts turned to my family. My wife and daughters and their glow of love began growing inside of me, pushing away all the darkness. The feeling that they were with me, rooting for me to stay on the side of the mountain. Cheering for me not to give up. So, I listened. I stopped and pushed doubt and worry aside and gazed upon the nature that surrounded me. Its beauty, just vailed in the darkness, was patiently waiting for the morning light. So, I decided to do the same. And I laid down on the path and waited. Gazing up at the endless sky of stars above me and those few minutes eventually turned to dawn with me standing on the mountain side, capturing one of the most spectacular moments that I’d ever witnessed with my own eyes.
Final Thoughts
I really don't have any techniques with this image on how to capture a scene like this. It's more about understanding that you might encounter a series of trials and tribulations when you're in the field photographing nature. And the one that that I can offer you is a reminder to keep going. Because most likely a bear is NOT going to eat you for a midnight snack. And yes, you most likely will get very little to no sleep, but who cares because eventually you'll be sleeping in your own soft bed, comfortable and worry free. But, that light ... That view ... That moment ... It will be gone. Gone forever. So, don't listen to that doubt and worry and grab your camera and head to the mountains.
If you're interested in the image above, Click the link below to purchase a print. Limited Edition, Museum Grade Acrylic Prints are available. If you don't see this particular scene in that folder, email me and I'll open up this series for you.
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