Where did you shoot this and how did you set up the shot?
This photo was taken on a sunny day at the Eagle whitewater park in Eagle, Colorado. This shoot involved a DSLR camera with underwater housing, a dry suit and PFD (personal floatation device — for safety). Standing offshore in waist-deep water with the camera partly submerged I was able to capture some of the wonders of water while Natalia Grey, a whitewater professional and kayak enthusiast, was on her way to put in at river’s edge. I wanted to focus on the water as the main subject because of its importance in our valley, environmentally, recreationally and for its general life-sustaining quality. Then from that point dial in a few settings, point and shoot.
Even though you spend a lot of time in water, what are some of the challenges you face with photographing it?
Some of the main challenges when working in or with moving water are staying focused on the shot while keeping equipment dry and maintaining some awareness of safety. The ebb and flow of the currents can be unsettling and often more powerful than many people realize. Even with protective gear and safety equipment, there is an added element of difficulty maintaining stability and framing a shot the way you intended. Expensive electronics and water typically do not mix.
How would you say you like to capture SPLENDOR with your camera when you’re out adventuring?
As a photographer and videographer, my focus is often on capturing the splendor of the things I enjoy most in life. Wilderness, sport and connecting to others and the natural world are drivers of my work and life. To convey the feelings I get from these through lines, I try to take a creative approach while finding new perspectives. To get a different shot, sometimes you risk loss of gear, exposure to the elements or injury to the body, but that is part of my process. I am a firm believer that there are no right answers and that we’re all just trying to figure it out.
