There are times when I come upon a river and layout on its boulders or adjacent granite surfaces to feel its roar move through me. So it is in passing, sometimes you come upon places that pull for a second look. To listen and be receptive to what the place would say. Especially from waters that are rushing, moving, and life-giving in so many ways. It is otherwise such a loss to miss where it is you really belong at the moment.
When out on the trail and while alone, you might be more inclined to pick up on what you hear with extra sensitivity. While the visual quality of an area can be overwhelming, there is a peace that comes with rushing or gentle waters you can hear if you listen. These waters are a symbol of life. They nourish, rinse, and soothe the spirit. If there is any favorite wilderness quality I would have chosen above all others, it would be still, gentle, or rushing alpine waters. To stimulate the heart and bring renewal all at once.
Falls that roar and begin their descent from high above can captivate the imagination. The force of the river shapes hardened surfaces and cleanses both body and soul. Among rivers throughout the Sierra, it is often that we only see a small segment of a rushing cascade to invite further exploration.
There’s something soothing and refreshing about being alongside a fast-moving stream. The sound of the water that cascades before you make a perfect place for contemplation and wonder. The formative nature of water carves its beautiful expression of matter between states.
Today’s time was spent on blending practice. Several different images where some came out very hideous. This one was a final practice image for the day. Some photos I took quite some while ago.
Combined the same image across numerous layers to get an adjusted image with lens correction. Interwoven between two images a soft-light algorithm was applied with 50% opacity. Selective erasure and sharpening by an entirely different methodology. What you’re seeing are actually two copies of the same image combined and re-sampled together.
The depth of learning continues to better automate workflow through Actions. At least for photos that come together in quantity for outings. The manual process will stay indefinitely and with greater attention simply to get more from the creativity that follows. There is so much more to learn and practice.
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