In Praise and Fear of Water

Stony Brook

Cascade of Slid

“In the world there is nothing more submissive and weak than water. Yet for attacking that which is hard and strong nothing can surpass it.”
Lao-Tzu

This Post was written before Hurricane Sandy slammed into the coast on New Jersey with such devastating results. It puts the thoughts I’m expressing here into an even better perspective.

Water has always fascinated me. As a photographer it makes a great subject. The flow of water can vary from the stillness of a lake or slow moving river to the power of ocean waves and a roaring creek.

On the day these photos were taken, I was hiking in Harriman State Park in New York State. The water was running very strongly due to recent heavy rains. The first photo is Stony Brook made with the tripod low and in the water. The second photo is from the Pine Meadow Creek in a spot where the water cascades along a series of drops known as the Cascade of Slid.

Of all the ways to photograph water I love showing its power the most. This docile, life-sustaining liquid can show itself as a powerful force when it flows down mountainsides. I always think it is ironic when crossing one of these roaring creeks that I’m trying to avoid letting the water killing me while at the same time my pack is full of water that keeps me alive.