Another really enjoyable read Erik. You have described you journey and all the highs and lows so well.
I love the image of Hilliard Falls. It turned out really well although I can see why it was difficult to photograph.
I think we all make our best work when we are stretched or challenged. Without that push it is too easy to stick with what has worked before and then we never develop or grow as photographers.
I appreciate that! Looking back now, there are so many other ways I could have approached Hilliard Falls, but I had to take the photos quickly and keep moving. I'm looking forward to more trips where photography is the main objective and I can spend much more time.
Before I got to the end of your post with your question on the Hilliard Falls photo, I had to stop reading your post when I saw that photo. I studied the photo carefully - wondering how you captured the water flowing down, the water jumping up by the log and the clearness of the water in the foreground. Being an amateur photographer, I not familiar with all the settings/tools that one could use. So I would have to say that your photo was amazing.
Your Day 3 report - you definitely have the creativity to suck me in and make me feel your suffering. Of course, it helps that I have experienced some of this drama - hiking for days in the rain and then finding the right spot to dry the clothes and the tent out. One has to remember that although you know you have an end-goal to finish - you force yourself to stop, pause and think about what is going on around you (and remember). Too often, I run into "peak baggers and thru-hikers" who just want to get it finished. This kind of mentality totally turned me off and I stopped short of completing several of goals because I wanted to enjoy the journey.
Jenn, I really enjoy all of your thoughtful comments! I try REALLY hard to get waterfall photos in one exposure, but in this case with direct sunlight hitting the top, I could not. I had to take my main exposure of the larger, shady part of the falls and then another of the brighter area, where I dialed down the exposure. I create the different images as layers in photoshop and blend the better exposure of the top into the image of the bottom. I did this manually and I feel like it turned out pretty good, but not great. If I had more time to stay and play, perhaps I could have found a different composition or waited for more clouds to arrive...
I'm with you on enjoying the journey! Even in the middle of the difficulty and discomfort it is exactly where I want to be!!
Wow, so much to unpack here! First, Hilliard falls is GORGEOUS! The smooth rock face is so unique. And that foot bridge looks like an entryway to Narnia lol. How beautiful.
As for your questions in the end: "Do you all think suffering is necessary for creativity? I guess for me, the suffering is like a buy-in. It is soul in the game that gives the creation value. What do you think?" << I can totally relate to that as a former travel blogger. The lengths we go to to create compelling content for our people (and ourselves) knows almost no bounds. I've put myself in some precarious situations just so I can say I was unique and different.
The bridges on this trail were crazy! Every size, from a sawn log to these massive constructions. And whenever they ran out of streams to build bridges across, they built stairs instead!
It's good to hear that you understand where I'm coming from with the suffering! I was beginning to think I'm the only one struggling here! 🤣🤷🏻♂️
Man, and here i thought i could read this and then breeze on by to your next installment, which I'm very much looking forward to! But instead, I was completely sucked in by your musings on creativity at the end...(ALSO THE BEES!!! ) it's interesting how you compare your journey with creativity to your journey on your hike. And perhaps the internal pressure you feel to create (forgive me if I misread that!). So to answer your questions, I think I'd agree with the second half of your statement (creativity benefits from the soul put into it) but not necessarily the first half (suffering is a requirement for creativity). Again, apologies if I'm misreading! I certainly think all creativity needs an element of soul..otherwise we may as well have AI do it for us! And I do think some great things can result from pain and suffering. Just not that suffering **must be** a part of the process.....hmm....so thought provoking..
I like weaving in my thoughts with the story. I call it my philosophical hatchet work, because it's rough, unrefined, and often just open ended questions. You are right on track with your reading of it.
I think I did use the wrong word when writing about 'suffering.' Or, at least I'm thinking of it much more broadly than people normally think of it. It's just the idea that some people go through hard shit in life and they *might* be a little more worth paying attention to than someone who has never faced adversity. It's just hatchet work. Anyway, I'm really happy to hear that you are enjoying reading all of this!
With the exception of the wet feet, that sounds like a perfect day, thanks for taking me there Erik.
It felt SO good to dry them in the sun at the Toxaway River! Thanks for reading!
Another really enjoyable read Erik. You have described you journey and all the highs and lows so well.
I love the image of Hilliard Falls. It turned out really well although I can see why it was difficult to photograph.
I think we all make our best work when we are stretched or challenged. Without that push it is too easy to stick with what has worked before and then we never develop or grow as photographers.
I look forward to reading the next instalment.
I appreciate that! Looking back now, there are so many other ways I could have approached Hilliard Falls, but I had to take the photos quickly and keep moving. I'm looking forward to more trips where photography is the main objective and I can spend much more time.
Before I got to the end of your post with your question on the Hilliard Falls photo, I had to stop reading your post when I saw that photo. I studied the photo carefully - wondering how you captured the water flowing down, the water jumping up by the log and the clearness of the water in the foreground. Being an amateur photographer, I not familiar with all the settings/tools that one could use. So I would have to say that your photo was amazing.
Your Day 3 report - you definitely have the creativity to suck me in and make me feel your suffering. Of course, it helps that I have experienced some of this drama - hiking for days in the rain and then finding the right spot to dry the clothes and the tent out. One has to remember that although you know you have an end-goal to finish - you force yourself to stop, pause and think about what is going on around you (and remember). Too often, I run into "peak baggers and thru-hikers" who just want to get it finished. This kind of mentality totally turned me off and I stopped short of completing several of goals because I wanted to enjoy the journey.
Jenn, I really enjoy all of your thoughtful comments! I try REALLY hard to get waterfall photos in one exposure, but in this case with direct sunlight hitting the top, I could not. I had to take my main exposure of the larger, shady part of the falls and then another of the brighter area, where I dialed down the exposure. I create the different images as layers in photoshop and blend the better exposure of the top into the image of the bottom. I did this manually and I feel like it turned out pretty good, but not great. If I had more time to stay and play, perhaps I could have found a different composition or waited for more clouds to arrive...
I'm with you on enjoying the journey! Even in the middle of the difficulty and discomfort it is exactly where I want to be!!
Wonderful to join you on this adventure! Thanks for sharing, Erik!
Hey, thank you for reading!!
Wow, so much to unpack here! First, Hilliard falls is GORGEOUS! The smooth rock face is so unique. And that foot bridge looks like an entryway to Narnia lol. How beautiful.
As for your questions in the end: "Do you all think suffering is necessary for creativity? I guess for me, the suffering is like a buy-in. It is soul in the game that gives the creation value. What do you think?" << I can totally relate to that as a former travel blogger. The lengths we go to to create compelling content for our people (and ourselves) knows almost no bounds. I've put myself in some precarious situations just so I can say I was unique and different.
The bridges on this trail were crazy! Every size, from a sawn log to these massive constructions. And whenever they ran out of streams to build bridges across, they built stairs instead!
It's good to hear that you understand where I'm coming from with the suffering! I was beginning to think I'm the only one struggling here! 🤣🤷🏻♂️
Heck no, you're not alone!!
As for this type of beautiful nature, it's probably what saves us from a lot of other life garbage. So just keep doing what you're doing!
Really enjoying this journey Erik. The rich green foliage looks amazing - I especially like those images where you have captured with the light beams.
Thanks! Those beams were tricky because they were shifting very quickly. I really didn't do them justice compared to what I saw at the time.
So often the way! Beautiful none the less.
Man, and here i thought i could read this and then breeze on by to your next installment, which I'm very much looking forward to! But instead, I was completely sucked in by your musings on creativity at the end...(ALSO THE BEES!!! ) it's interesting how you compare your journey with creativity to your journey on your hike. And perhaps the internal pressure you feel to create (forgive me if I misread that!). So to answer your questions, I think I'd agree with the second half of your statement (creativity benefits from the soul put into it) but not necessarily the first half (suffering is a requirement for creativity). Again, apologies if I'm misreading! I certainly think all creativity needs an element of soul..otherwise we may as well have AI do it for us! And I do think some great things can result from pain and suffering. Just not that suffering **must be** a part of the process.....hmm....so thought provoking..
I like weaving in my thoughts with the story. I call it my philosophical hatchet work, because it's rough, unrefined, and often just open ended questions. You are right on track with your reading of it.
I think I did use the wrong word when writing about 'suffering.' Or, at least I'm thinking of it much more broadly than people normally think of it. It's just the idea that some people go through hard shit in life and they *might* be a little more worth paying attention to than someone who has never faced adversity. It's just hatchet work. Anyway, I'm really happy to hear that you are enjoying reading all of this!
For sure: "going through hard shit and it might be worth paying attention to.." couldn't agree more!!