Out and About
Leaf and stream.
Is it stretching the definition of relationship too far to think of a stream as a friend? It’s bizarre I know but if it offers comfort and solace at times, doesn’t it qualify as more than just a place? Anyway, there’s a steam I know, set in the old woodland near my home in north east Wales: Nant-y-Ffrith. I explored the waters shooting shutter priority some months ago but felt I’d kind of overdone it after several trips and stopped taking my camera with me, setting my sights on hiking further, stopping from time to time to write down ideas for a book I’m working on.
Something a good friend (the human kind) said the other day however, made me think it was time to spend a few hours, camera in hand, at my favourite place.
Unlike earlier in the year, I didn’t head straight for the water but made sure I worked my legs first, although as soon as I started to drop down the old familiar track toward the stream I could feel my nervous energy rising. Cognisant of my dodgy knees, I resisted the urge to pick up the pace. Nevertheless I felt like a kid let out after a grounding, finally allowed to call on a mate. I know that probably sounds a little melodramatic but it’s how I felt.
Stream reached, camera torn from rucksack I switched from Manual to Shutter Priority and the sweet 1/8 I find best for these shots. Back and forth I went, seeking out interesting flows but I had indeed captured most of these effects before and perhaps I wasn’t going to find anything new but no matter, I was enjoying myself, becoming reacquainted. Besides, this was a beautiful day, early autumn and the trees were shedding their foliage in preparation for winter. The process would accelerate, the numbers would grow but already the stream carried many an orphaned leaf. Some stubbornly clung to rocks and twigs, reluctant to leave parental tree too far behind, others nestled in groups of mixed origins, shapes, patterns and colours. With an old Wishbone Ash song “Leaf and Stream” coming to mind from my youth, I’d found my focus.
The stream always flows, the waterfall is never silent but today was special, for despite it's pace being accelerated by recent rains, the water wasn’t as deep as usual and I could cross without use of the bridge. Always wary of soaking my hiking boots inside and out I’m usually careful but I was enjoying myself. Hiking stick jammed into the river bed at an angle, I was able to prop myself up by leaning against it with my stomach, keeping both hands free for camera work. It felt safe enough but I was aware that I could end up head, body and camera face down in the water so I didn’t take too many risks.
My boots made their usual cameo appearance and did their job well but once the water had finally found its way over the rim and gushed down through my socks and in between my toes I figured I may as well walk as far downstream as possible with new freedom. Fortunately the day wasn’t too cold, it was in fact sunny and clement for this time of year but hiking in water sodden gear isn’t recommended so before too long I headed out of the stream, back up the path to car, onward to home, towel and dry gear.
A few of the photos were taken at 1/8 but for most I reverted to Manual and 1/125. Despite the available light elsewhere, the depths of the forest and much of the stream’s course are heavily shaded so the images tend to be quite dark. I don’t use flash as I prefer the atmospheric look.
