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Notice: Undefined index: LatestPoster in /var/www/vhosts/fredmiranda.com/httpdocs/forum/functions_2021_i.php on line 1852 Landscape Photographer - Photography - FM Forums
Crater Lake National Park is a magical place. At 1,943 ft. it is the deepest lake in the United States, the second deepest in North America and the ninth deepest in the world. The waters are fed only by precipitation and snowmelt, thus making the waters extremely pure, clear, and blue. In early October 2014, The subalpine environment was my home for two weeks as an artist-in-residence through the National Park Service.
Taking on the residency was overwhelming. For one, it was a major escape from the stresses of life in the city. The gratitude I felt at being awarded the opportunity was immense and surreal. On the other hand, I had a focus of being there and that was to communicate, document, or highlight the effects of climate change happening within the park through my photography. Taking on this project, an external influence on my work, was something I had never dealt with and something that I struggled with.
I realized in those first few days that I needed to shed expectations and create the photos that I normally do. I needed to connect with the environment on an emotional level. I feel that when I am disconnected, the photos I take lack a certain kind of soul. They feel empty to me. Flat. I believe that having emotion in my work is my best tool for communicating via imagery and that hopefully, viewers on the other end are also able to feel that connection, or at least get an idea of how I feel about nature and why it's so important to me.
As I watched the first light of day illuminate the horizon on the morning after the first snow of the season, I was awestruck at the scene. The landscape took on a whole different feel than what I had been seeing for a week. The snow played in harmony with the color of the lake. I could feel the crisp air rushing into my lungs and the quietness of the snow covered landscape in the early morning was almost deafening. It's these moments that cover me in goosebumps and, at times, bring me to tears.
In these kinds of serene conditions it's hard for me to imagine the violent, cataclysmic eruption that happened almost 8,000 years ago, quickly and dramatically changing the landscape. It's also easy to forget the changes that are occurring slowly and quietly, some of which we humans play a major role in. All I know is that I can't take these natural environments for granted. I owe it to myself, to my son, and to the earth itself.
TJ, very moody capture of the morning light, I like it a lot. Wow, how do you document climate change in pictures? What are the tell tale signs to look for? Dying trees? Non-native plant species? Changing water levels?
Heinz H wrote:
TJ, very moody capture of the morning light, I like it a lot. Wow, how do you document climate change in pictures? What are the tell tale signs to look for? Dying trees? Non-native plant species? Changing water levels?
Heinz
I guess maybe I should have worded that differently. Obviously it's hard to document climate change in a short period of time, but I was attempting to highlight aspects of the park that are being affected. Historically speaking.. the photos made of Crater Lake now will serve as documentation of this period in time when looking at climate change in the longer term.
What I was highlighting in this photo is the snow. Since they first started recording data in the 1930's the average yearly snowfall has been in steady decline to the tune of about 17 inches per decade. The expect this trend to continue. Less snowpack as well as hotter, dryer, and longer summers are causing water shortages downstream for communities, agriculture, and wildlife.
Other things being affected are the white bark pine population.. with half of the park's trees either dead or dying due to pine beetle infestations. With the dryer ground, the trees are no longer producing enough sap o drive the beetles out, and with the warmer temperatures at higher elevations (where the pines live) the swarms are not killed off as effectively as they used to be. The white bark pine deaths are the most in your face effect of climate change in the park, IMO. It's pretty sad to see these trees that have stood for hundreds of years finally sucuumb. The temperature of the lake is rising, and the pika population is dwindling because they can't survive in the hotter temperatures.
What a super cool shot here. And what a great opportunity for you, I envy you for that. I have thought about putting in for one of the artists in residency programs, but haven't yet.
Jim.. you totally should put in for one. I never in a million years thought I would get picked and am grateful I was. A lot of the national parks have residencies.
When I was in college I took a Geology course called Geology of the National Parks. Crater Lake was one of the national parks in the course. Since then I had always wanted to visit Crater Lake. I finally got the opportunity to visit Crater Lake, the Oregon Coast, and the Columbia River Gorge earlier this year. Crater Lake did not disappoint. I was just as impressed to see it in person as I was all those years ago sitting in that lecture hall. Crater Lake is a magical place that everyone who appreciates nature should see at least once in their life.
Nice photo, btw.
Nov 13, 2014 at 12:16 PM
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Beautiful shot! I can relate to the emotional aspect while taking photos. Just like you I do get teary-eyed. Lucky for you to be chosen as artist in residence. Congratulations!
TJ Thorne wrote:
I needed to connect with the environment on an emotional level. I feel that when I am disconnected, the photos I take lack a certain kind of soul. They feel empty to me. Flat. I believe that having emotion in my work is my best tool for communicating via imagery and that hopefully, viewers on the other end are also able to feel that connection, or at least get an idea of how I feel about nature and why it's so important to me.
Very beautifully said, cant disagree one bit there, Thorne. And this image definitely has a lot of soul in it !! Beautiful
