Lesson learned
Aug 30, 2015 13:36:30 #
Hi,
Since all photo activities are welcome at UHH , thought i will share a little story from my weekend where I was looking for some spectacular pictures.
I had high hopes folx, really high, planned a lot in advanced, but a couple of factors like weather, being a gentleman and a rescuer i could not exactly predict.
It started one week ago , when one really good girl friend of mine suggested we take a trip to a famous site here in Norway for a photo learning session. I teach her what i know. This place is a stone plateau of about 16m long and about 4m wide, 1100m above sea level and stretching outside in the air looking like a tongue. Therefore called "Trolltunga" (Troll tongue). Below you have a 700m drop and a stunning view ahead of you over a clean light blue lake, and beautiful steep mountain sides. Awesome photo-session site
To get there, from Oslo is a 6h drive, and from the parking lot, 11km mountain hike crossing several stages of stamina,endurance and strength (in normal situation, not that much, but I was set to a really challenge on this session).
We started out on Friday, left Oslo at 13h. At 20h we are camped at the camping to get a night rest and be ready for the next day climbing. At 10.45am on Saturday , we were at the start point of our climbing. First stage is a 1km straight up , at 70 degrees angle over big stones, slippery steps and big roots and portions with running water and mud. The weather was harsh this week, and rained a lot. And it was expected today as well but not much, so we had hopes of some light. Already on this first stage my friend was struggling up and had to make several stops. When finally up this stage and it flattened out for 1km. From this point it started out with another rocky slippery big rocks and muddy trails, and after the second kilometer another stage of climbing up. Almost as hard as the first stage. Half way on this stage my friend was almost again exhausted. I was carrying most of the weight from the begining I had food , drinks, clothes, my Nikon d7100 with my tokina 11-16mm , sigma 17-50mm and a standard Nikon 55-200mm. Of course tripod and some other gadget when going hiking. She had and pretty easy backpack, and her Pentax K-50, but like me , some back problems. So i decided to take her rucksack as well. One on the back one the front. For the record I am a small guy at 1,68 high and 68kg, with pretty good physic considering. From here on it started the hell climbing with ALL equipment. My condition is good, but I believe for this type of session, is best to be in 100% condition. Which I am not.
Normally the trip should take about 4 hours up. We made it in almost 6 hours. And from km 5 rain pored on us. I cant describe what my body went trough, but I have a strong mind and will and we made it up. Only to be present with with this really cold , storm like wind blowing, cold rain drops and like between snow and water. You could barely stand up. Visibility poor, I was soaking wet under, cause of transpiration. It was not looking good for this photo session. I decide to show the weather Gods they don't stop me. So i striped off the wet clothes and quickly got into some dry ones. And now the answers from the weather Gods, was a lot more stronger wind. It was impossible to look at the camera settings, changing lens and setting up. My friend was soaking wet, but she refused to change up here and started to get really cold. For her it started to be bad. So i decided to just start shooting a couple of quick shots. Looking at settings was no time. I just took my chance with the result on the camera screen. I wanted to record I was there, I made it. No matter what . So from here we started the descending. She wanted to help taking her pack back, but just from 1km I had to take it back. I was tired, my back was killing me along with my shoulders, sweating some more, and going one step at the time trying to make it back to the bad descending parts before the dark. It was muddy , slippery, and cold, and you would not want to get injured here. My friend was not doing good, So i found a little shelter under a rock and begged her to eat a little, and change a little on the upper body. After this I continued, one step in front of the other, with me in front, trying to keep the pace and do not stop. For me this was a critical situation. We could not afford staying the night out there. So i had to push her. Finally when we made back to the first stage of the climb, it was already 20.30h Just before the night was setting in. So i took out my head lamp and again in front making sure we don't brake our necks. We were looking at maybe 30min before back at the car. But luckly me , just 100m down , there were three women with problems. Barely some light with them, around 60's of age I believe, and one of the with with and bad leg. They were in trouble down this section. She stepped over really bad and they were having problems getting down. I could not leave. I knew there were others in front of me who passed by and not helped, it was my responsibility to help them down. I got help with one of my backpacks, but it took me two really hard hours to help this woman down this dangerous final stage.
Glad to be in the car we drove back to the cabin, and while i held her in my arms to gain the body temperature, we fell a sleep. My photo session was a lesson about being other rules then photography rules. Photography is challenging, and some endure grate pain to achieving their goals. And often, even the struggle and effort put into it, you may have to do it several times to get it.
I am back at my flat, licking my wounds like a cat, and going through the 10 shots that were taken One is a keeper with a little LR help, as a proof and a reason for why i should try again this photo, and it's worth it. Nothing wow factor in this picture. I dint know my Nikon was set to an ISO of 6400. Therefore both aperture with and with out flash were total failure, and this was the only thing I could save.
For all the struggle i put into this session, the satisfaction that I made it up and down, in the condition i was put through, is grater then the reward of a beautiful well done picture.
Since all photo activities are welcome at UHH , thought i will share a little story from my weekend where I was looking for some spectacular pictures.
I had high hopes folx, really high, planned a lot in advanced, but a couple of factors like weather, being a gentleman and a rescuer i could not exactly predict.
It started one week ago , when one really good girl friend of mine suggested we take a trip to a famous site here in Norway for a photo learning session. I teach her what i know. This place is a stone plateau of about 16m long and about 4m wide, 1100m above sea level and stretching outside in the air looking like a tongue. Therefore called "Trolltunga" (Troll tongue). Below you have a 700m drop and a stunning view ahead of you over a clean light blue lake, and beautiful steep mountain sides. Awesome photo-session site
To get there, from Oslo is a 6h drive, and from the parking lot, 11km mountain hike crossing several stages of stamina,endurance and strength (in normal situation, not that much, but I was set to a really challenge on this session).
We started out on Friday, left Oslo at 13h. At 20h we are camped at the camping to get a night rest and be ready for the next day climbing. At 10.45am on Saturday , we were at the start point of our climbing. First stage is a 1km straight up , at 70 degrees angle over big stones, slippery steps and big roots and portions with running water and mud. The weather was harsh this week, and rained a lot. And it was expected today as well but not much, so we had hopes of some light. Already on this first stage my friend was struggling up and had to make several stops. When finally up this stage and it flattened out for 1km. From this point it started out with another rocky slippery big rocks and muddy trails, and after the second kilometer another stage of climbing up. Almost as hard as the first stage. Half way on this stage my friend was almost again exhausted. I was carrying most of the weight from the begining I had food , drinks, clothes, my Nikon d7100 with my tokina 11-16mm , sigma 17-50mm and a standard Nikon 55-200mm. Of course tripod and some other gadget when going hiking. She had and pretty easy backpack, and her Pentax K-50, but like me , some back problems. So i decided to take her rucksack as well. One on the back one the front. For the record I am a small guy at 1,68 high and 68kg, with pretty good physic considering. From here on it started the hell climbing with ALL equipment. My condition is good, but I believe for this type of session, is best to be in 100% condition. Which I am not.
Normally the trip should take about 4 hours up. We made it in almost 6 hours. And from km 5 rain pored on us. I cant describe what my body went trough, but I have a strong mind and will and we made it up. Only to be present with with this really cold , storm like wind blowing, cold rain drops and like between snow and water. You could barely stand up. Visibility poor, I was soaking wet under, cause of transpiration. It was not looking good for this photo session. I decide to show the weather Gods they don't stop me. So i striped off the wet clothes and quickly got into some dry ones. And now the answers from the weather Gods, was a lot more stronger wind. It was impossible to look at the camera settings, changing lens and setting up. My friend was soaking wet, but she refused to change up here and started to get really cold. For her it started to be bad. So i decided to just start shooting a couple of quick shots. Looking at settings was no time. I just took my chance with the result on the camera screen. I wanted to record I was there, I made it. No matter what . So from here we started the descending. She wanted to help taking her pack back, but just from 1km I had to take it back. I was tired, my back was killing me along with my shoulders, sweating some more, and going one step at the time trying to make it back to the bad descending parts before the dark. It was muddy , slippery, and cold, and you would not want to get injured here. My friend was not doing good, So i found a little shelter under a rock and begged her to eat a little, and change a little on the upper body. After this I continued, one step in front of the other, with me in front, trying to keep the pace and do not stop. For me this was a critical situation. We could not afford staying the night out there. So i had to push her. Finally when we made back to the first stage of the climb, it was already 20.30h Just before the night was setting in. So i took out my head lamp and again in front making sure we don't brake our necks. We were looking at maybe 30min before back at the car. But luckly me , just 100m down , there were three women with problems. Barely some light with them, around 60's of age I believe, and one of the with with and bad leg. They were in trouble down this section. She stepped over really bad and they were having problems getting down. I could not leave. I knew there were others in front of me who passed by and not helped, it was my responsibility to help them down. I got help with one of my backpacks, but it took me two really hard hours to help this woman down this dangerous final stage.
Glad to be in the car we drove back to the cabin, and while i held her in my arms to gain the body temperature, we fell a sleep. My photo session was a lesson about being other rules then photography rules. Photography is challenging, and some endure grate pain to achieving their goals. And often, even the struggle and effort put into it, you may have to do it several times to get it.
I am back at my flat, licking my wounds like a cat, and going through the 10 shots that were taken One is a keeper with a little LR help, as a proof and a reason for why i should try again this photo, and it's worth it. Nothing wow factor in this picture. I dint know my Nikon was set to an ISO of 6400. Therefore both aperture with and with out flash were total failure, and this was the only thing I could save.
For all the struggle i put into this session, the satisfaction that I made it up and down, in the condition i was put through, is grater then the reward of a beautiful well done picture.
Aug 30, 2015 14:27:54 #
It's an amazing story and we're all glad you're safe. Sometimes we win and sometimes we loose, but that's part of the magic! S-
Aug 30, 2015 18:05:11 #
St3v3M wrote:
It's an amazing story and we're all glad you're safe. Sometimes we win and sometimes we loose, but that's part of the magic! S-
As far as I can see, that was a total win, because of the people who will never forget the kindness and generosity of a total stranger, in a very tight situation. Neither, I am sure, will your higher self. Your rewards for you service to others will be rewarded.
Bless.
Aug 31, 2015 03:15:15 #
Hi,
And thank you for taking the time to read.
"Loose some , win some". So absolutely true. And in a way I know I won a whole lot more then a good picture. Even one has goals and wants to achieve them no matter what, there are times when one should consider what's more important. In this situation my knowledge with mountain hiking, strength and stamina was needed in other areas then photography. And yes it was greatly appreciated.
As I mentioned in my story, this does not stop me for planing another trip there over the next year. in fact I am looking forward to it.
Have a grate day
And thank you for taking the time to read.
"Loose some , win some". So absolutely true. And in a way I know I won a whole lot more then a good picture. Even one has goals and wants to achieve them no matter what, there are times when one should consider what's more important. In this situation my knowledge with mountain hiking, strength and stamina was needed in other areas then photography. And yes it was greatly appreciated.
As I mentioned in my story, this does not stop me for planing another trip there over the next year. in fact I am looking forward to it.
Have a grate day
Aug 31, 2015 08:54:01 #
Reading your story-Wow
Seeing your picture-wow
The picture is totally great, but looks 1000 times better when you know the back story. You are a great representative
for Norway!
Seeing your picture-wow
The picture is totally great, but looks 1000 times better when you know the back story. You are a great representative
for Norway!
Aug 31, 2015 09:29:46 #
Thank you for sharing your story and your beautiful photo! Glad it had a happy ending.
Aug 31, 2015 09:30:22 #
Thank you Michael,
appreciate your kind word. And I see you also understood my feelings about the picture as well :)
appreciate your kind word. And I see you also understood my feelings about the picture as well :)
Aug 31, 2015 09:34:30 #
Pixelpixie88 wrote:
Thank you for sharing your story and your beautiful photo! Glad it had a happy ending.
You're welcome Pixelpixie88. And thanx so much for reading.
Aug 31, 2015 12:21:57 #
A phenomenal adventure. Your kind heart, and assistance, will be remembered by those you helped. The memories are more valuable than the photographs with a situation such as this.
--Bob
--Bob
Sep 1, 2015 02:01:31 #
Wonderful story and spectacular scenery. We all do what we must do. :thumbup: :thumbup: :thumbup:
Sep 6, 2015 13:59:47 #
Thanx all once again for taking time and reading this story.
The even more sad part is that today i Just read about a turist who fell down from from the tip of the tounge.:( Group of 30 where, and somehow , one manage to fall down. The group had to go back pretty far back before they could inform the authorities, because of the coverage.
Only today, this morning they started to go for the drop where the poor soul fell.
May she (just found out, 20 year old) rest in peace.
Condolences to family.
The even more sad part is that today i Just read about a turist who fell down from from the tip of the tounge.:( Group of 30 where, and somehow , one manage to fall down. The group had to go back pretty far back before they could inform the authorities, because of the coverage.
Only today, this morning they started to go for the drop where the poor soul fell.
May she (just found out, 20 year old) rest in peace.
Condolences to family.
Sep 7, 2015 22:46:27 #
Wow! Don't know if I would do all that just to get some photography shots, no matter how great a view there is.
Glad you and your friend made it back OK.
It was also good of you to help others that were in need of it. Karma will pay you back some day.
When you go again, I think you should go by your self.
Your picture is one that you will always treasure.
will
Glad you and your friend made it back OK.
It was also good of you to help others that were in need of it. Karma will pay you back some day.
When you go again, I think you should go by your self.
Your picture is one that you will always treasure.
will
If you want to reply, then register here. Registration is free and your account is created instantly, so you can post right away.