DPChallenge: A Digital Photography Contest You are not logged in. (log in or register) 
 
Challenge Entries
This image is not a part of any challenge.
Portfolio Images
This image is not part of a public portfolio.
Day 12 of 50 - J. Percy Priest Dam
Day 12 of 50 - J. Percy Priest Dam
krafty1


Photograph Information Photographer's Comments
Camera: Nikon D80
Lens: Nikon AF-S DX NIKKOR 18-200mm f/3.5-5.6G ED VR II
Location: TN
Date: Jul 12, 2007
Aperture: F8
ISO: 100
Shutter: 1/50 sec.
Galleries: Landscape, Science and Technology
Date Uploaded: Jul 12, 2007

Viewed: 494
Comments: 15
Favorites: 0

 I drive by this dam almost every day and I've wanted to shoot it for months. The problem is that it is right next to an interstate and you've got to pull over about 100 yards/meters past it and walk back to get the shot. Mind you, the shoulder of the road is just wide enough to allow a car to pull over in an emergency so I'm about 5 feet off of the road with traffic flying past me at about 80 mph/129 kmh. I finally get to a spot where I can get a decent shot off (which is about 50 yards from where I really wanted to be to get the head on shot of the dam I was looking for), I pull out my camera, check the settings quickly and start snapping.

I get about 5 shots off before a car gives a few short bursts of his horn to the idiot on the side of the interstate (that would be me) as a friendly warning. I instinctively look around to see the offending honker and instantaneously realize as 5 cars go by in short order that I'm about 4 feet away from meeting my maker. Time to go.

I pack up my camera as my heart is pounding a mile a minute (or 1.60934 kilometers per minute if that is your persuasion) and walk as quickly as I can back toward my car, hoping the entire way that an 18 wheeler doesn't make me his new hood ornament.

I finally get back to my car, my heart pounding, sweat pouring out of me, in full adrenaline mode and utter the words "Boy....that was stupid." But WOW, what a rush.

Please log in or register to add your comments!

AuthorThread
 06/04/2008 07:07:15 PM
Great job! I don't know how many good photo's I passed up because I'm concerned about others. I think it is great that you took the time to take such a good shot!
  Photographer found comment helpful.
 06/04/2008 10:14:19 AM
I drive by that every day on my way to school, seen that thing probably 10,000 times since kindergarten.
  Photographer found comment helpful.
 06/04/2008 09:55:24 AM
Been by that dam a few times myself. I think I almost ran over you! Not.
Nice shot. As there's no spill, was this maybe late last summer or early fall before the lake got filled back up? Pretty odd to see it dry.

Duh. Just looked at the date. Yep.

Message edited by author 2008-06-04 13:56:52.
  Photographer found comment helpful.
 07/26/2007 09:43:04 AM
cool i like the shot very nice.
  Photographer found comment helpful.
 07/23/2007 03:50:50 PM
That sure was brave. I've missed so many shots because I'm scared to stop. When I was using a P&S, I used to get some of the stuff I wanted by keeping a camera on me while I was driving and taking shots through the window when stopped at a red light. With my dSLR, I'm missing out on those too. Sometimes I think I should carry my little Pentax around for use in the car, but I'm too lazy to carry two cameras and besides that thing really produces low quality images.

Great shot. But be more careful next time.
  Photographer found comment helpful.
 07/17/2007 09:40:35 AM
I love (and hate) that feeling. Being so close to danger is exhilaratingly stupid but sometimes it's worth a picture.
  Photographer found comment helpful.
 07/14/2007 03:30:36 AM
You are very very brave. There are many spots that I'd love to photograph, but will not take that chance. Kudos for getting the shots, and not killing yourself! (always a plus)

For such a quick shot of the camera, you captured so much detail and interst. Great job!
  Photographer found comment helpful.
 07/13/2007 03:35:12 PM
Great work You sure are brave I know what that traffic is likeas I visit there often
  Photographer found comment helpful.
 07/13/2007 03:27:55 PM
Great picture and I salute your death defying exploits to get it
  Photographer found comment helpful.
 07/13/2007 09:17:50 AM
Ah, the things we do for a photograph! There are some nice views from the freeway around here too, but I'm far too chicken to stop :-) Looks like it was worth it, this is a really nice shot!
  Photographer found comment helpful.
 07/13/2007 06:05:50 AM
Great story; glad you're not a hood ornament. It's a neat shot and I like the detail - it makes for an interesting picture.
  Photographer found comment helpful.
 07/12/2007 09:33:10 PM
how did those cars get into that parking lot? so glad to hear that you survived! looks like a pretty cool dam... it would be fun to get a picture of a dam witht he flood gates open (hmmm note to self!)
  Photographer found comment helpful.
 07/12/2007 08:46:10 PM
Great story, I wish I could say I've never pulled of an interstate to take a picture...but that would be a lie :)
  Photographer found comment helpful.
 07/12/2007 08:42:36 PM
As Karmat says, it is a cool shot, and a good story, too.
  Photographer found comment helpful.
 07/12/2007 06:17:43 PM
The perils we go through to get *the* shot. Glad you made it back safely and it is a cool shot.
  Photographer found comment helpful.


Home - Challenges - Community - League - Photos - Cameras - Lenses - Learn - Help - Terms of Use - Privacy - Top ^
DPChallenge, and website content and design, Copyright © 2001-2025 Challenging Technologies, LLC.
All digital photo copyrights belong to the photographers and may not be used without permission.
Current Server Time: 04/09/2025 12:32:05 PM EDT.