Over at Mark Graf‘s blog he discussed being asked about what he was photographing. It is a common question if one is shooting where people can come along. It is also one of the reasons I shoot in places I am not likely to run into anyone. I have a short attention span and if someone starts asking me questions or talking about sports or whatever, I lose my concentration and quite often am not so pleased with my results later on. Not the person’s fault but still a situation I try to avoid. It’s different if I am with another like minded photographer but that is not often. Even then there is always the question of who is looking at what and how and why and… So I shoot solo most of the time.
While visiting Acadia recently, I spent more time around other folks as the park was officially closed and we were all scrambling around for other scenery to work with. The Tarn is a large pond right by the side of Route 3 in Bar Harbor. It is photographed often enough, but on this occasion it was teeming with photographers. I was talking with one about things in general when a nice enough guy stopped his car and asked what was so special that we were all stopped there. I hope this image is a good example of just what was there to be seen. The Tarn is backed by a large chunk of mountainous rock littered with trees of various autumn hues. That is enough to merit attention. The reflection in the water certainly did as well.
Please click to see it larger.
Well, that’s it for now. In a few minutes the Social Security website opens up and I can start the planning. Autumn on the calendar…autumn of my years. 🙂
Stephen Gingold Nature Photography Blog 
You did a very nice picture here, undisutbed I presume.
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Undisturbet, sorry for not seeing the misspelling….
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Thanks, Bente. No worries about the spelling. 🙂
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I love the photograph. I also had a good laugh. Just this week I was on the ground taking s photo or two or eight of some fungi. A couple came along. Looked at me oddly and taking a wide path passed by. Another couple came along. The man asked “what are you taking photos of”. When I told him he looked at me with compassion, backed away slowly and the couple went off whispering to each other. My family thought it rather amusing. 🙂
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Yes, we do present some humor for those who don’t appreciate the same things as we do, Rod. True of most everything, I think.
Thanks.
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Oddly enough most people seem interested in my photography efforts. After I have been lecturing for 30 minutes or so they seem somewhat cooler but I rarely let them off easily. Once they have disturbed me they have to stay to see the entire 48 images for the stack.
Beautiful shot Steve even if the Philistines don’t appreciate it.
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That’s funny. Good for you.
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That is a good strategy, Andrew. Of course, it must be repeated every time. Maybe it would be better to just not bathe. 🙂
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I remember learning the word tarn from an Edgar Allen Poe story. In searching online now, I found this in “The Fall of the House of Usher”: “…acting upon this idea, I reined my horse to the precipitous brink of a black and lurid tarn that lay in unruffled lustre by the dwelling, and gazed down….” I’d say your tarn was not lurid.
The most common question I seem to get when someone sees me photographing is what bird or animal I’m taking pictures of—even though I’m almost always photographing something botanical at the time.
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Yeah…I get asked the same thing, Steve. It is interesting to see the disappointment in the faces when I tell them I am shooting a mushroom.
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What you saw is a wonderful scene! It’s probably best enjoyed solo when you can – my preference anyway. Best of luck with both autumns!
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Mine too, Lyle. Thanks.
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Very nicely done indeed. Love the tones in this one.
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Thank you, David. I am sure you are quite familiar with the Tarn.
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Yeah, but I’ve never been successful there like you with my camera… you’re inspiring me to go back and try again.
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One of your best autumn photos IMO, congrats!!! So good that the park was closed and you had the opportunity to enjoy this scene… yup, autumn is around us everywhere 😉
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Thank you, Sandra. I am happy about this image but not so much about the park being closed for a few reasons of course. 🙂
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Absolutely gorgeous colors. I like this photo a lot. Different area and a different look. Looks like great habitat for water birds.
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Thanks, Yvonne. I did not see any but I am sure you are correct.
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I sincerely hope that you have gathered by now that I’m a huge fan of your photography 😉 All of your photos are works of art, Steve but this one is now my absolute favourite. It’s SO beautiful and peaceful – and peace is what I need right now after one of the most stressful weeks of my life!
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Thank you, Lottie. I’m happy this image was able to bring you a little pleasure and maybe a few moments of escape. 🙂
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Wonderful complementary tones here, Steve…I like this very much!
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Thanks, Greg. It just feels more personal when shooting solo……singular experience.
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Also, I completely understand about photography sometimes (often?) needing to be a personal activity.
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Green Heron/Han Solo: Lookee here, another fabulous entry for the record books. Beautiful colors and composition.
Re: your answer somewhere up there about taking a picture of a mushroom, don’t get me started! Hope you are having a great weekend. Blessings to you in the golden-hued autumn (are you sure it’s not Indian Summer?) of your life…….
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Thanks, Diva. Yeah, I guess if you saw someone on his/her belly photographing a mushroom…well, there’s just no telling what you might do, hey?
I am not sure if we are in Indian Summer right now, but it is a bit warm for late October. The colors are going but there are still pockets to be found.
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Steve, this image is amazing. I think it also is a good example of what so many people miss. Unfortunately when it comes to great reflected light and pattern, it is only an artists’ eye that seems to take it in.
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Thanks, Mark. As they say, there are about as many ways of seeing as there are people…or at least photographers.
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Hi Steve, this really catches my eye. It’s gorgeous!
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Thanks, Karen.
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