left fork of north creek in zion national park

Wilsonville, OR -- (SBWire) -- 09/11/2014 --When faced with something larger than oneself, one is often feels either a sense of fear, or awe. Nothing is more awe inspiring than the flow of water in a river. Dennis Frates, in his photograph of the left fork of north creek in the Zion National park, has captured this sense of awe, like never before.

Capturing water in motion is an art in itself. Anyone can shoot a half-decent photograph of moving water using bits and pieces of advice and suggestions nicked from the internet. But a truly inspired photograph brings out the beauty of the element itself andinvolves the coming together of two very importantfactors in perfect unison.

The first, and most important aspect, is the context. The photographer will first ask himself the question ‘why?’ What emotion is one seeking to evoke within oneself? What memory rises to the surface, so to speak? Once this question is answered, the context is set, and everything else, becomes necessary detail. In the case of this picture, the context, undoubtedly is to visualise not just the motion of water, but its colour as well. Even a simple glance at the photograph will reveal a multitude of colours, many of which are born out of the very motion of the water. This ‘context’, therefore rules out the necessity of using an extremely high ISO or high shutter-speed to ‘freeze’ the motion. Also, it allows for a polariser that enhances the natural colours. The context drives the technicalities.

The second factor is the viewpoint. How does a photographer decide where to shoot from? Everything in the great outdoors is large and imposing, and connected in a way that makes it seem endless. How then, does the photographer choose the right vantage point? The answer is simple.

‘The question is not what you look at but what you see.’ – Thoreau.

Dennis Frates, while choosing the vantage point of the photograph in question was ‘seeing’ not the scene in front of him, but the final photograph; his interpretation of the scene, replete with the emotions that he wishes to evoke through the photograph, and those that the scene evokes in him. And that, is the long and short of a beautiful photograph.

About David Frates
David Frates is an award winning photographer whose works have been featured in National Geographic, Sierra Club and Audubon.

Media Contact:
Dennis Frates Photography
10759 SW Wellington Lane
Wilsonville, OR 97070 USA
Phone toll free: 866-657-2717
Local phone: 503-685-9826
Website : http://www.fratesphoto.com/