Bare Nature
Near the Loyalsock trail
Driving up to World’s End State Park was a smidge longer than what I expected. Referring to good old Google maps on my iPhone, I estimated about how far we’d need to travel. In any event, we eventually arrived. A brisk, windy day we unloaded the car at our first stop; an overlook with a view into the valley. It was what it was, simple, green and pretty but not breathtaking. And so we moved on, heading to our next destination in the park. It seemed like we drove for miles and miles before finding the perfect space to capture some nature shots. From what I can remember, we set up shop near the Loyalsock trail where Dean found a nice waterfall and natural surroundings.
Though artists hit creative funks like everyone in life, sometimes it is just a matter of sliding into hip-waders and trudging through the s**t. This particular day Dean was not feeling creative, nor was I. Hiking a few thousand feet through the forest wasn’t highly inspiring. What it all came down to was this odd feeling in the woods. Only after hiking did Dean make the observation that there was no sign of wildlife. No bunny, deer, snail, chipmunk, squirrel. Nothing. Not a thing. Not even a bird! How peculiar! A state park with no animals! I think that aided us into not feeling inspired, it was so boring the animals left. Bizarre! In any event, we happened to get some images that proved to be useful.
To better describe this image, I stood in the woods and looked down to see an intense shade of rust in a linear form with multiple striations but not much movement. It was called mineral creek. What Dean captured here was part of that rust colored formation along with many shapes. I was drawn to the color but seeing this same image in black and white forces your eye to appreciate the forms. What Dean can find in situations as I explained, is what sets him apart from many photographers. Taking a unique view and making it his.
