Rio Grande Vision

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Often, we photographers have blinders on, and as a result, we miss out on other opportunities due to a narrow field of vision. I’m someone that believes that there is always a photo, it may not be the subject or scene that you were hoping for, but it’s important to keep an open mind (and an open eye) to other possibilities.

This photo is a perfect example. I created this image yesterday while sitting on the bank of the Rio Grande waiting for clouds that never materialized. It was a beautiful late-afternoon, so I spent sometime wandering along the river until I came across this wonderfully textured boulder with the river rushing past.

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~Tech details~
Camera & Lens: Canon EOS 5D Mark II and EF16-35mm f/2.8L II USM
Exposure:  f/11, 0.8 seconds and ISO 400
Filters: Hoya HD circular polarizer
Notes:  I was using a Gitzo 3540 tripod, but the rushing water was still beating against the tripod and I needed to have a long enough shutter speed to blur the water. After a little experimentation I decided on just under 1 second for the exposure which was enough to blur the water and still keep the boulder sharp.

This entry was posted on Wednesday, July 1st, 2009 at 10:20 pm and is filed under Environment, Landscapes, New Mexico, Rio Grande River, Southwest States. You can follow any responses to this entry through the RSS 2.0 feed.

6 Responses to “Rio Grande Vision”

  1. Desiree says:
    July 2, 2009 at 8:06 am

    I love the motion, the turmoil, and the sense of calm all mixed together. Very nice composition.

  2. Estevan Montoya says:
    July 3, 2009 at 2:28 pm

    Great shot! I really like it in BW. I would have never thought that.

    BTW…We had a baby girl 7/2/09 @ 1:13 PM. Baby Esther Estrella Montoya was 6lbs 12 oz. 19 inches long. Pictures to come…

  3. Sarah says:
    July 6, 2009 at 11:08 am

    Love everything about this……………..enough said!

  4. Adam Schallau says:
    July 6, 2009 at 2:57 pm

    Desiree, thank you for your kind words.

    Estevan, congratulations on the birth of Baby Esther! Thank you for stopping by and leaving a comment.

    Sarah, as always, thank you for your support.

  5. Laurent says:
    July 8, 2009 at 5:32 pm

    This is really sweet, Adam. TK is the one that clued me in first on the idea you’re talking about – “always being open to what’s there.” Not always easy to do, but it’s a practice worth practicing.

  6. Adam Schallau says:
    July 28, 2009 at 9:07 pm

    Hi Laurent,

    Thanks for stopping buy to take a look and leave a comment.

    I think TK is the master of “always being open to what’s there”.