Rising Moon, Gates of the Valley
Not every photo has an interesting story behind it, but the approaching full moon reminded me of the eventful day I had before making this image from Gates of the Valley in Yosemite.
I had been skiing at Badger Pass, and while gliding to the top of the Red Fox run I saw a snowboarder out of the corner of my eye. He was facing left, making a right turn into my path, and moving fast. He clearly didn’t see me and I didn’t have time to turn, so I yelled, “Look out!” and braced for impact.
I found myself sprawled in the snow assessing the damage. I didn’t feel any major pain, but was dazed and had the wind knocked out of me. The snowboarder said, “Geez I’m sorry!” and then, “Are you all right?”
My ribs hurt, my left knee too, but eventually I decided that I could make it down the mountain under my own power. I wanted to continue skiing, but eventually decided that returning to the slopes was foolish, and drove down to the medical clinic in Yosemite Valley to get an assessment. I hoped that I could get in and out fast enough to photograph what looked like a promising sunset.
X-rays were negative. The verdict was bruised ribs and a probable strained lateral collateral ligament in my left knee. They handed me Tylenol with Codeine and sent me home.
But all this had taken a long time, and leaving the clinic I saw it was too late to catch the sunset. I took my time driving out of the valley in the dusk, but as I approached Gates of the Valley I noticed lots of cars, and photographers with tripods. What were they still doing out there in the dark? I stopped and immediately saw the reason: the moon was rising between El Capitan and Cathedral Rocks. Damn! I’d forgotten about the moon during my eventful day. It would be full at 11 a.m. the next day.
I quickly got out my camera and tripod, found a perfect spot next to the water that was inexplicably not occupied by another photographer, and bracketed a series of exposures as the moon rose through the mist. Eventually the shutter speeds reached two minutes and it was too dark to continue.
If I hadn’t been hit by the snowboarder I wouldn’t have gone to the clinic, left late, and been at Gates of the Valley just when the moon was rising. In the end I guess this is just another story about being in the right place at the right time.
(By the way, my knee and ribs are fine now.)
Nice story and excellent capture, Michael! It’s funny about ‘What are all of those photographers looking at this time of night’…LOL It’s similar to slowing down after an accident.
When somebody mentions ‘knees’ a always reply, “Knees are so overrated, I don’t have any (true)”.
Fun to read about an “Oops!” moment. We photographers have many of them, truth be told. And I think it is important to share our “less than perfect” moments. This is how we, and others, learn.
Glad to hear you are undamaged physically, and ready for your next big adventure!
Michael, so sorry to hear about your bruised ribs & knee.. I can imagine how *#upset!! you were by being broadsided! It is funny how things work out, but your photo is incredible! Filled with emotion and beauty. There are many sunset photos, not to many moon rise photos like this. Gorgeous.
Michael ~ wonderful light, shadow, and reflections. Beautiful scene because of perfect timing. Glad you’re recovering your knees and ribs; bruises can be painful in the healing process. GOD Bless you, Amy-Lynne
Glad you’re ok! And what a sublime image. It is pretty interesting how things going wrong can turn out to be good – especially photographically. 🙂
Thanks for sharing this story. This is such a great capture in spite of your injury. For me, it reinforces the fact that so much of good photography is a matter of opportunity. Behind the opportunity must be a good technical skill; but, by and large, you have to be there to get the frame. Thanks for sharing your inspirations, and get well quickly.
Thanks for your comments everyone!
Mike, I hope you lack of knees isn’t slowing you down. Personally I’d like to hang on to mine for awhile… 🙂
Thanks Don – it certainly could have been worse. And good luck is always good.
Joann, thanks very much – I’m glad you like the photo. I’m happy with it because it has a dusky, moony feeling that’s hard to capture.
Thanks Amy-Lynne for your good wishes, and I’m glad you like the image!
Joolz, thanks – I was lucky not to be hurt more, and certainly lucky with the timing for this photograph.
Michael, you’re welcome. Yes, timing is everything in photography, but, as you say, you also have to have the skill to take advantage of your opportunities.
Yowza!! To both the injuries and the photo. Glad to hear it wasn’t more serious.
I’m a firm believer that everything happens for a reason. Hopefully the young man realizes he needs to be more aware of his surroundings, and cautious, while on the board; and you got an awesome photo!! Don’t believe me? Just look at the face in the clouds smiling down upon you.
I was broadsided skiing once too! Knocked the wind out of me, no knee damage, but felt like I got hit by a truck for a few days after that …. AND…. I didn’t get a good picture of anything! So you were lucky your day ended well and your picture is beautiful!
wow. that’s magnificent. and thanks for the reminder about the benefits of serendipity!
Inspiring story reminding us that all is well, no matter what happens and why, perhaps you were always in a hurry and needed to be reminded to slow down, stop and seize the moment. Capre diem!!!
What an Enchanting and Mysterious image!!!! It is your face reflected on the fool moon’s glowing face – fascinating!!! Thank you for sharing Michael! Are you ready for Saturday’s full moon 🙂 ?
Thanks Patti, and… nice! I didn’t notice that face. Somebody was smiling at me that day.
Kim, I’m sorry that your accident didn’t lead to getting a good photo! Just for the record, getting run over by a snowboarder is not a photo technique I’d recommend 🙂
Andrea, thanks very much – and you’re right serendipity can be a photographer’s best friend!
Thanks Silvia! Glad you like the story and the photo. And did you notice that face before or after you read Patti’s comment? Yes, BTW, I am ready for the full moon – I’m leading a night photography workshop Friday and Saturday. Should be fun!
Love your work, Michael. Beautiful, serene picture after a terrible day. Where are you leading that photo workshop?
Thanks very much Helen – I appreciate those kind words. The workshop is based in Lee Vining, and we’ll be going to Mono Lake and Yosemite near Olmsted Point.
Well, it’s too bad you got slammed into and that you missed the sunset. I think this more than makes up for missing the sunset! That low cloud really creates such a magical mood.
Thanks Vivienne – nothing like mist.
With so many excellent photographs being the result of influences beyond our control, it’s a wonder we bother to plan our outings. We can’t control unforeseen events, the weather, and so many other situations. We do, however, have control over our desires and intentions, which often trump outside influences. You were able to shake off the unforeseen and acclimate to a random predicament and find a way!
Mark, indeed, why bother to plan? 🙂 Seriously, sometimes planning works out, but many times we have to adapt.
My wife doesn’t get my planning concept. I don’t plan on shooting Saturday morn, I plan to jump out there when I see good clouds, which is any day they show up. Family stability and photography planning are definitely incongruous!
I just don’t know why non-photographers don’t get this stuff. 🙂
Glad to know you are o.k. Thank you for a wonderful photo.
oh dear sounds painful but delighted to hear you are ok!
For me that is one of the nicest photos I have seen lately anywhere – wonderfully atmospheric and magical. sorry you had to endure so much pain to get it though!
Graça, Claire, thanks! The pain wasn’t that bad, and it’s just one of those things…
Wow! Great landscape shot and story! Congrats!
Thanks Adam!