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Purity of Zen
Purity of Zen
DrAchoo


Photograph Information Photographer's Comments
Challenge: Pure... (Basic Editing)
Camera: Canon EOS-5D
Lens: Canon EF 24-105mm f/4.0L IS
Location: Punchbowl Falls, Eagle Creek, Oregon
Date: Jun 11, 2007
Aperture: f/16
ISO: 100
Shutter: 2.5
Galleries: Abstract, Landscape
Date Uploaded: Jun 11, 2007

 Hiked the two miles up to Punchbowl Falls in a light steady rain to shoot some pictures of the waterfall. I planned on using my dry suit to get past a bottleneck and fallen log (you can just see it in the background) so as to shoot the fall unobstructed. When arriving I saw a single rock stack and smiled at somebody's work. Then 20 feet further I saw two more. I still didn't make much of it. Finally, in a moment where your brain doesn't quite comprehend what it is seeing I realized I was standing in a small area of at least 50 of these stacks. It was a moment out of Blair Witch Project. I was quite alone and it was quite bizarre. It's certainly known that I am a Christian through and through, but if there ever was a moment where I could buy into eastern mysticism and the kami spirits of Japanese Shintoism, this was it. Some stacks were small, but others, like the one you see, were three feet tall. The stackings also show quite a bit of skill in their construction.

Well, I couldn't believe my luck at stumbling across this find. I shot more pictures of the rock stacks than the waterfall. (I couldn't actually get my equipment to the fall as the water was over my head and I had to swim it. I didn't trust myself to actually swim with my equipment. I'm planning on returning with a dry bag.)

What a moment of pure bliss to be at the edge of the creek all by myself shooting this find in the rain. I'll remember it for years to come.

Statistics
Place: 4 out of 394
Avg (all users): 6.6382
Avg (commenters): 7.1818
Avg (participants): 6.4028
Avg (non-participants): 6.8500
Views since voting: 4180
Views during voting: 235
Votes: 152
Comments: 30
Favorites: 24 (view)

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AuthorThread
 07/02/2009 04:38:06 PM
this is quite beautiful...very, very well done...
  Photographer found comment helpful.
 02/24/2009 07:57:23 PM
cool, I grew up in Eagle Creek, nice work!
  Photographer found comment helpful.
 12/06/2007 01:26:41 PM
Another Favorite................
  Photographer found comment helpful.
 06/24/2007 07:19:19 PM
Jason, this is such a visual pleaser! Congratulations on your 4th place!
  Photographer found comment helpful.
 06/24/2007 04:10:59 PM
What´s up with you and 4th place? Even when you originally place what, 9th, you still end up there? :P
  Photographer found comment helpful.
 06/22/2007 04:19:56 PM
I really liked the image as soon as I saw it but it has definitely been enhanced for me by the context provided by your notes. Thanks for sharing.
  Photographer found comment helpful.
 06/22/2007 05:10:28 AM
One of your best photos yet. Love the greens and the balanced rocks.
  Photographer found comment helpful.
 06/22/2007 02:29:06 AM
Exquisitely captured.
  Photographer found comment helpful.
 06/21/2007 08:26:35 AM
This is an absolutely magical place you discovered. You're right though, this captures the Japanese aesthetic very closely - many places in Japan are best viewed in light rain, and this find in Oregon would not feel out of place there. I love how the polished stones are all damp and the brilliant greens in the background add a splash of color that complements the subject wonderfully. Jealous that you found this place.
  Photographer found comment helpful.
 06/21/2007 04:59:22 AM
Thanks for sharing the story. It sounds (and looks) amazing.
  Photographer found comment helpful.
 06/20/2007 05:49:56 PM
This is an amazing shot... it's just so dreamy! Thank you for posting about it.
  Photographer found comment helpful.
 06/20/2007 02:51:16 PM
Beautiful photo, Jason! Quite a find. Love that rock stack. Congratulations on your high finish.
  Photographer found comment helpful.
 06/20/2007 02:12:53 PM
What an experience. Oh, and a beautiful photo, too!
  Photographer found comment helpful.
 06/20/2007 09:34:14 AM
Wow! Amazing story. and find!
  Photographer found comment helpful.
 06/20/2007 08:51:44 AM
What an excellent story...and definitely something stunning to come across. I wonder who was responsible for such a scene?
  Photographer found comment helpful.
 06/20/2007 01:42:30 AM
Great shot, as ever. You placed higher in my order of preference!
  Photographer found comment helpful.
 06/19/2007 11:23:08 PM
Great colours and a cool shot - All that damp just adds some great texture and form. Really great.
  Photographer found comment helpful.
 06/19/2007 11:18:15 PM
Very Andy Goldsworthy find. (look him up, ain't much on the web but he's pretty cool, his books rock (pun intended)
  Photographer found comment helpful.
 Comments Made During the Challenge
06/19/2007 06:58:24 PM
how much digital manipulation?
  Photographer found comment helpful.
 06/19/2007 12:01:25 PM
Love the textures!
  Photographer found comment helpful.
 06/19/2007 07:21:09 AM
I love the composition, the colours and just the way it evokes in me the feelings of peace and wonder..
  Photographer found comment helpful.
 06/18/2007 09:22:48 AM
I love the green foliage behind and the wet rocks are also very interesting. I think it might be better to focus more on one of these sets as opposed to the 50/50 slpit. My personal preference is more of the foliage.
  Photographer found comment helpful.
 06/17/2007 04:12:25 PM
I think I'm missing it...what is zen about wet rocks?
  Photographer found comment helpful.
 06/17/2007 08:41:00 AM
what!?!?! this is a crazy image - the textures are phenomenal! excellent job!
  Photographer found comment helpful.
 06/15/2007 06:55:48 AM
the greens seem slightly over cooked ... nice composition
  Photographer found comment helpful.
 06/15/2007 02:42:12 AM
Beautiful crisp colors. nice shot.
  Photographer found comment helpful.
 06/14/2007 07:32:50 AM
oh yeah! that's it...
  Photographer found comment helpful.
 06/14/2007 07:10:34 AM
very cool. where is this?
  Photographer found comment helpful.
 06/14/2007 07:06:28 AM
Lovely scene, beautiful colors and textures!
  Photographer found comment helpful.
 06/14/2007 06:46:36 AM
Very creative concept! The green might be a little over saturated.
  Photographer found comment helpful.


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