Curve Appeal by ErinBabnik

Monty Python appreciators will recognize this line from the Holy Grail… Woman: “Dennis! There’s some lovely filth down ‘ere!” And so it was on this brisk December day that we set out to find ourselves some lovely filth. With Paul Rojas at the wheel, David Thompson, Michelle Rojas, and I all remained glued to the car windows as we trundled down one of the countless dirt roads of remote Utah. Our goal was to find a coveted desert treasure: cracked mud. Yep…mud. Let me assure you that this was serious business, as there was more at stake than just our photography. You see, we had an ulterior agenda. We were at the tail end of a trip that was supposed to include two other friends who had to decline at the eleventh hour. As it turned out, we got some of the most unique weather that anyone could hope to experience in the southwest. So of course we did what any mature adults would do after getting great conditions for photography: we rubbed it in. Oh yes, we gleefully dispatched phone snaps of our good fortune to each of them and delighted in their agonizing replies. One of them even threatened to kill us all and leave our bodies in the desert: the best response that gloating can buy. Thereafter, we couldn’t bear the thought of reporting back with anything that would indicate a downturn in our luck; so when the weather stopped providing us with bragging rights, we had to find something else to flaunt. We therefore ventured out into obscure, almost completely un-photographed territory in search of that special something. About ten miles in, the conversation was running something like this: David: “Did you see that, EB?” Me: “What?” David: “There, in the wash. I saw a few little tiles.” Me: “What wash?” David: “It was small. Keep looking.” And so we kept looking, passing one tiny trench after another that barely qualified as a wash. Fifty miles of dirt road and a lot of time later, we finally got out of the car and started searching on foot in the area of a prominent pyramidal butte. And there it was: a marvelous, wide wash, full of glorious mud tiles meandering in an elegant S-curve towards the “pyramid”. Nature had even done us the favor of creating a distinct line at the bottom that contrasted with everything else (I didn’t have to lay a finger on it in post to bring it out). We took some reference shots in what was left of the day’s light and wasted no time that evening sending our friends a quick look at our latest windfall. Their cries of agony returned with renewed vigor, and we promptly resolved to shoot our new discovery on our final morning, despite knowing that ‘better’ skies were forecasted elsewhere. So while our friends were unable to join us in person, their presence was still very much felt. Their hilarious replies to our taunting provided us with the kind of encouragement, perspective, and confirmation that always leads to inspired results. I’m pretty sure that we worked harder, drove further, and planned more thoughtfully knowing that our missing buddies were there with us in spirit, motivating us to break new ground—in this case, some lovely, filthy ground. So thanks, Ted and Miles; if ever you need someone to torment while basking in the glory of good luck, I think I can say for all of us that we’re there for you. ——————— While I have your attention, I would like to take this opportunity to alert anyone who may be interested in photographing the Dolomites that I have a workshop announcement coming soon. Stay tuned for exact dates and details on a July Dolomites workshop with me and co-leader Enrico Fossati. via 500px http://ift.tt/1znnZeU