Renewal

One of my favorites from my Patagonia images. These stark Antarctic Beech trees were just some of the casualties in the aftermath of 3 ferocious fires that have struck Chile's Torres del Paine National Park since 2005. The most recent fire occurred in Dec/Jan. 2011/2012 scorching more than 40,000 acres of park land. All three fires were the result of careless visitors traveling through the park. I wanted to create an image that showed the damage that the fires brought, as well as the regrowth and renewal I saw taking place in the shadow of the dead trees. The angle I chose looking up toward the magnificent Horns and the dramatic lighting created by passing rain storms helped give a hopeful tone to the fire disasters that have plagued the park. While some of the grasses have come back quickly, other trees will take hundreds of years to mature.

Hanging out in the wind and rain, knowing that the sun might blast through made it thoroughly enjoyable! A B&W Conversion came out pretty good, but lush greens gave a more hopeful feel to the image. Anyway your thoughts always appreciated.

5D II, CPF, ISO 320, 17-40L, 1/180 sec.