This image was made during a recent backpacking trip into the Sawtooth Wilderness, in Idaho. There's something deeply satisfying about carrying everything you need to survive on your back, miles into the backcountry. No matter what you're going through in life, spending extended periods of time in the wild will help revitalize your spirit. There's nothing quite like waking up to a pristine alpine lake, watching as the morning sun casts its warm glow across the mountaintops, or falling asleep under a star-soaked sky. As a nature photographer, these are the moments that I not only attempt to capture, but also live for, and cherish.
Your description is eloquent and touches on similar feelings that have about backcountry hiking. Your words say "revitalized your spirit," but this says more REI tent advertisement. The tent is bright, centered and is the anchored weight to the photo. The mountains, stars, moon, and trees that you cherish barely rate. Having the tent as part of the story you're trying to tell makes sense, but the human element is overwhelming in this.
Yea, photography always seems to go better in the back country. It's just the hauling on my camera gear on top of my backpack gear that makes it more challenging each year! This is a stellar shot for sure! And, yea, I agree with Tim, REI should be knocking down your door for the rights to this image!
Lovely scene, but the bright tent makes it an ad for outdoor gear, and not about the nature experience, i would tone it down, and brighten those trees a bit, if i was excited about the spirit as much as you are...
I think some of you are looking too deeply into the meaning behind this image. I was referring more to the experience of backpacking, than I was the actual image here. Geez!
And since this was intended to be a nighttime image, I think brightening the trees would diminish that nighttime feel. The only light source here is the moon, well, that and the tent, which was lit from the inside during the exposure. Since I do make a living at this I will be sure to get in touch with REI, I'm sure they'll love it, thanks for the advice!
Zack, this is a pretty cool shot, did you take any without the tent? I was looking at your website, and I always enjoy seeing what other photographers can do in areas I am familiar with. I am very familiar with the Wind River Range and Ticomb Basin. My hat is off to you, those are some extremely fine shots that capture the mood and solitude of that very special place.
DaleBerlin wrote:
Zack, this is a pretty cool shot, did you take any without the tent? I was looking at your website, and I always enjoy seeing what other photographers can do in areas I am familiar with. I am very familiar with the Wind River Range and Ticomb Basin. My hat is off to you, those are some extremely fine shots that capture the mood and solitude of that very special place.
Thanks everyone...
Dale, I didn't take any without the tent that night, but I do have at least one other shot from that trip that I'll share here eventually. Thanks for the comments on my Wind River images, it's an incredible place, can't wait to get back there!
