Any experienced photographer can attest to the importance of patience. In this digital age of photography one would think that a hit and run, mafia like approach would generate far more keepers than in the film days. Just hold down the shutter and rattle off a couple dozen frames. One of those is bound to be good. Right? But those of us who have been blessed with those rare opportunities to capture that unique image know that it takes more than equipment to make it happen.
For me, that first time happened one summer like evening during the month of May, 2007. Lori and I had just finished dinner on the deck of the Downtowner under the shadow of the Portage Lift Bridge as the sun was going down. Because it was such a beautiful evening we decided a walk along the canal would be nice. A little voice in my head said it would be worth my while to take along my camera and tripod.
As we walked I kept a close eye on the bridge looking for that awesome sunset.
Unfortunately, I soon found out that the valley of the canal is not the place to be for sunset opportunities. Needless to say I was a bit disappointed that there was not going to be a photo op tonight. But as the sun set there was something unexpected starting to happen.
The bridge which was darkening on its east side as the sun went down was now beginning to come to life under its own lights. And the darkening sky was now beginning to match the artificial illumination of the bridge. It was not the sight I had hoped to capture, but I soon realized this was an opportunity.
It was the first time I captured the bridge shortly after sunset. The incredible result was highly unexpected. It forever changed my perception about photographic opportunities after the sun disappears below the horizon. It also produced a rather stunning 20”x30” print that now hangs in Lori’s dining room. Needless to say it set the bar rather high.
Since that day I have always been on the lookout for that next opportunity when the conditions would be just right. That’s the problem with taking that first magical photo. You now know just how important the conditions are to create such a capture. It doesn’t matter how many pictures you take. If the light isn’t right it’s not going to happen. Patience is a virtue also in photography.
Finally, one fall evening as I drove into Houghton my patience was finally rewarded. As I surveyed the decreasing light in the sky my instincts told me another opportunity was near. That little voice again suggested it would be worth my while if I stopped down by the canal. I did and it was. What I witnessed was an incredible mix of color from both sky and bridge. A blend of orange, red and blue perfectly exposed by nature.
A photographer’s greatest fear is that we may not be able to capture faithfully what is before us. Although we hope for those rare moments that come along once in a lifetime we also know that the camera cannot always capture the full range of what we experience with our eyes. Fortunately for me, on that evening, I walked away with a smile on my face and an image in my camera that will probably be my best capture of the bridge to date.
But instead of being satisfied I instead continued my search for the right light in anticipation of that next opportunity. And come again it did.
My attention was peaked by the suns rays which were now low enough to come in through the living room window. It drew me up off the couch to look out the window, which was followed up by a step outside. There it was, that calm, colorful aura which I have come to know so well. It was time. The bridge was again calling my name… 1 year and 1 week after my first magical experience with it. 53 weeks later to be exact.
So as I count I come up with three once in a lifetime opportunities with that bridge. I don’t know if these opportunities are anything similar to the nine lives of a cat, but I hope they keep coming. Oh, I’ve tried many more times than that, but only on three occasions was it magical. I’ve learned that it can’t be forced or created as nature has the final say. Every opportunity is just as exciting as the first and every image I come away with is as unique as the last.
