Thursday
Jul082010
The things we do for......
July 8, 2010 
love....
First of all a great song by 10cc. But music was not the issue I wanted to talk about, so let's get to business.
Since I consider my photography my second biggest love around, first one being my family of course, and I would die for the loves of my life, there are many, many escapades I have been involved in to get that one particular shot. That ever so overwhelming beauty of a photograph that, by only looking at it, makes you still wonder when that doorbell will finally ring, with someone behind it holding that Pulitzer you deserve!!
This lighthouse is sitting on a rock on a little Island in county Kerry, Ireland, Valentia Island. Hubby and I were there a couple of weeks ago, and first thing I noticed when driving up one of the island's mountains was this charming little lighthouse being beautifully lit by an early morning sun .
'See that, hubby? Go there!! Photo!!'
Insubordination is not something my husband usually practices, so he looked around for a road going in the right direction, but being on a tiny Island, the roads were a bit scarce. I had managed to unfold the map and was frantically looking for some turn right, which, by the looks of the map, should emerge some 800 meters from where we were. And before you start giggling and look pitying, yes, I am one of the very few women in the world that can actually read a map and narrow down giving directions to the cm.
At the cross roads it turned out the road was a private road, or so a big sign stated! Bummer!! Yet I was so determined to get that lighthouse in front of my lens that we decided to park the car and go on, over that private road, by foot. So we did. The road was twisting and hairpinning down and after a while of walking I expected the lighthouse to show up behind every next bend. But it was a Rottweiler that suddenly jumped out of a houses driveway, posted itself in the middle of the road, facing us in scary silence but with eyebrows down, flickering teeth and foam around the mouth, although that might have been my vivid imagination too. I could barely withhold a loud cry and hissed: 'Go back, go back!', to hubby, who was walking right behind me. But with a 'not a care in the world' attitude my husband walked on and, arriving next to Cujo, bent over and petted the bloody monster on the head. It even started waggling its docked tail! At the same time the owner of the dog came walking out of the driveway too.
'Hiya folks, are ye lost? Can I help?'
After explaining what we were after he told us it was not going to happen. The lighthouse was very difficult to reach. Once being on the correct road you were stopped by a huge wall in front of it, you were not allowed in the gates, the road we were on stopped at the shore which was another 2 km from the lighthouse. In short, best option I had was a zoom lens and his backyard overlooking the bay. So there I was, in the guys backyard, hanging in the hedgerow that formed a barrier between his yard and the edge of some cliffs, Cujo's nose sniffing my behind, taking pictures of the lighthouse. After a grateful shake hands with mister Cujo owner we went back to the car, and the result of the pictures taken you can see above.
Now this was a relatively easy 'thing I did for love'. During the years of photographing I have been:
- Sitting very carefully in a horse ants nest. I only got about 2315 bites and a beautiful shot of a rare butterfly.
- Sliding into the river Shannon, I was soaking wet, but my camera stayed dry as I held it above my head. I was trying to shoot some fish.
- Trapped in a house, a very spooky abandoned house.
- Tearing at least 12 pairs of trousers on shrubs, thorny bushes and so on
- Walking into barbed wire, I still have the scarfs on my stomach. I was following some deer. You shouldn't start running with the camera in front of your eyes.
These are about the clumsiest I have done, the list is longer.
But you know what? I'd do it all over again! I love it!
Just one more tiny thing.... If you are interested, I have participated in their project and completed a photobook at www.SoFoBoMo.org which you can find
here. A lot of love (and sweat and an occasional tear!!) went into that one too...
Reader Comments (14)
beautiful capture! I love the colors, the light and the intensity of the sky. glad you survived Cujo to share :)
Oh..I can so relate to this one. Can't even count the number of times I've put my life and limb at risk to capture that 'perfect' moment. My husband likes to call himself 'only the driver' - as I direct him where to go to get what I hope to get.
Gorgeous image. Definitely worth a chance encounter with an angry rottweiler..but so nice and kind of the homeowner to invite you in!!!
Wonderful image - it's so full of drama that it reflects your adventures in capturing the image perfectly!! It's been a couple of years since we were in Kerry. This really makes me want to be there NOW :)
You already know how much I like the photo but it's great to hear the more detailed story behind it. I can totally relate to the scrapes you've gotten yourself into with following your passion, I've had my fair share of crazy stupid moments in pursuit of the perfect shot too. You'll get to read about some of them eventually.
We all know you're a crazy talented person, but a woman who can read maps??? C'mon, who's leg are you trying to pull? ;-)
Ok, ducking for cover right about now...
Hey Marion, that image is so worth what you & your hubby went thru to get it...just beautiful.
Yes, breathtaking...and such a great story, that makes it mean even more. The things we do for... art. You be careful!
P.S. I, too, can read maps. But I have no sense of direction on my own...
ahhhh the things we do to capture the essence of the 'NOW'...love it.
This is a beautiful photo, full of drama. And that goes with your story. Which made me smile, laugh, catch my breath, and empathise.
By the way - I share your talent with maps.
I can read maps, too! But I'm usually by myself and don't dare open a map up while I'm driving. ;) Such a beautiful image - well worth the effort and rottweiler encounter to get it! You go girl!
That picture is superb ! Great capture with a great story. I have been in Kerry once and I loved it
I absolutely love that image and my husband also calls himself the driver ;-)
After reading all the comments, Marion, I wonder if maybe reading a map is similar to "reading" a camera! :) It appears all we photographers can do it. HA. I love it. And you know I am such a fan of your images but to also find out what it takes to get them is the icing on the cake. It would be fun to read a book on the collective experiences of photographers all over the world...with accompanying images. That book would sell like hot cakes, I'm sure.
I'm the driver, the map reader, AND the photographer in my family. My husband simply goes along for the ride. He's very protective of me, not very adventurous and, needless to say, would have kept me from having the opportunity to try to take a photo like yours. I say try because your photo is spectacular. Mine would have paled in comparison.
Loved the image as well as reading about your "adventure!"
I love this story and the photo!