Wanaka
A solitary drowned willow appears to yearn towards the rising winter sun on a cold morning, as the early mist slowly lifts to a clear day. Lake Wanaka, New Zealand.
I have clear memories of swimming in this lake as a young child. I remember the smooth pebbles, the smell of the surrounding alpine grass and the clear water that deepened sharply into a dark abyss. Such fond memories of swimming seem absurd on this sub-zero morning of minus 10 degrees (about 14 degrees Fahrenheit). Getting out of bed early is the life of the landscape photographer, however my motivation was increased on this day by being in a motor home...starting the engine the only way to get the pipes flowing and heater working.
This is an image I may have missed if not for the need to drive to get warm. With freezing fingers I positioned the camera to select a composition that respected the solitary nature of the willow, the freezing snow-capped mountains on one side and the rising sun on the other. A perfect composition for panoramic photography. My fingers recovered and I am thankful this moment was not missed, and I will never forget the new memory I created on this morning.
capture: film | paper: fujiflex crystal archive | edition: limited 200
