Returning to the Earth

Gallery: Man & NaturePosted July 14, 2011406 views8 comments

Returning to the Earth

I recently spent 8 days exploring some of the more remote regions of Gwaii Haanas National Park on Haida Gwaii (formerly the Queen Charlotte Islands) - an island archipelago off the west coast of British Columbia. Near the end of the trip we decided to explore a creek on one of the larger islands and as soon as we entered the forest we bumped into what appeared to be a deserted settlement of some form. We first encountered a cemetery that had been reclaimed by nature - the headstones were leaning at various angles and covered by vines and moss. All 15 or so headstones were dated in the 1880's and 1890's. With a little more exploring in the forest we started finding very old logging equipment in various states of decay. I have no clue what this moss-covered vehicle was used for - it was made completely of cast iron (except the hard rubber wheels).

We had only a few minutes to explore and capture images and were in very low light conditions (dark forest, overcast skies) so I was happy I had grabbed my best high ISO camera and that the lens I was shooting was image stabilized and could stop down and still hand-hold the lens for quick shots. I hope to return to this site in 2012 and do the site better justice with my camera!

It was an amazing sight - full of history and, in a way, a tad spooky. Looking at decaying leather work boots being swallowed by moss made me think both about the person who wore them AND that in one way or another, nature WILL outlast the temporary intrusion of the anomalous species known as Homo sapiens!

Subject: Moss-covered logging machinery
Location: Gwaii Haanas National Park, Haida Gwaii, British Columbia, Canada
Camera: Nikon D3s
Lens: Nikkor 16-35mm VR lens @ 30mm - handheld.
Exposure: 1/30s at f8. ISO 4000. -0.33 stop compensation from matrix metered exposure.
Crop: Minor - this is about 85% of full-frame image

Comments and critiques welcomed - probably best to view the larger version prior to doing so!

Cheers...thanks for looking...

Brad

Comments

8 comments

Comment posted by Luke Ormand on July 14, 2011 at 9:43 PM

Unreal quality for ISO 4000, HH at just 1/30s. Technology has come a long, long way. I think this image depicts your message wonderfully and it benefits from a strong composition.

Registered on February 4, 2009, 1093 Posts, 7035 Comments

Comment posted by Nancy Lea Sandy on July 14, 2011 at 11:40 PM

Fascinating image. The contrast between cast iron and moss is makes a beautiful statement.

Registered on January 24, 2011, 576 Posts, 6942 Comments

Comment posted by Charlie Baugh on July 15, 2011 at 12:19 AM

Love your narrative of this venture and the solid tires and nature in charge look of this vehicle. Hope there are more coming from this day exploring.

Registered on April 18, 2011, 329 Posts, 1985 Comments

Comment posted by Mohammad Hosseini on July 15, 2011 at 11:24 AM

Good story, wonderful image with 4000 ISO. And small image of vast BEAUTIFUL BC.

Registered on May 16, 2011, 15 Posts, 301 Comments

Comment posted by Daniel & Loana on July 15, 2011 at 4:40 PM

Very nice shot and nice story. I like the colours combination.

D&L

Registered on October 7, 2008, 166 Posts, 3044 Comments

Comment posted by Mark Seaver on July 16, 2011 at 3:26 PM

Nature sure has the upper hand here. The variety of greens and browns is great. I also like how the natural parts are jumbled and random while the human engineering is hard edged and linear. Nice seeing.

Registered on January 23, 2011, 1103 Posts, 17270 Comments

Comment posted by Eva McDermott on July 18, 2011 at 9:03 PM

I like your processing here Brad which portrays a somber mood of decay. Beautiful detail in the large view. I like your detailed commentary as well which gives insight to the image.

Registered on January 4, 2009, 1015 Posts, 13229 Comments

Comment posted by Nick Bristol on July 24, 2011 at 2:03 PM

Hi Brad, Yeah, this really tells the story. Just amazing how nature takes everything back. Wonderful shot Brad.

Nick Bristol
Lone Rock, WI

Registered on February 1, 2004, 752 Posts, 14140 Comments