My Dad often used metaphors to convey a point. A favorite I grew up with, “Good Fortune is at the intersection of Opportunity and being Prepared”. So, when an opportunity to meetup with classmates I went to high school some 50 years ago, I showed up. However, I was not prepared for the emotions of the reconnection. The reconnection quickly grew with these boys and girls, just kids is how I view them even today! Take DNA out of the equation and in every sense they are my brothers and sisters. Such formative years, we thought we knew everything in 1970, actually we knew very little, so the reconnection is one that continues to give back.

     During the summer of ’22 a 52nd reunion, (damn COVID) took place. Darlene, a classmate I had not seen since June 17th, 1970 is directly responsible for a terrific image I made one foggy morning back in August. That image has already had its own Story Behind, click the link to see and read the unusual back story. Less than 6 months later that high school reconnection would yet again take hold of my inspiration for large film photography as retold below.   

     This month’s image is Black Ledge Falls is in Hebron, CT. However, the backstory is more about how inspiration and motivation can come in many ways, in this case born from a high school classmate. Kathy Palmer is an avid hiker and aspiring photographer. She’s passionate about honing her visual skills and we often talk about composition and seeing rather than looking. So far the winter of ’23 has been disappointing for my winter time photo interests. When the weekend of February 3 & 4, 2023 was forecasting an Arctic blast of cold air descending almost overnight I was hopeful for some interesting ice formations. The arctic blast did happen, so much so an all-time record was set on Mt. Washington @ 46.9 degrees below zero about 4am, windhills @ minus 108.4 degrees ! That translated to about minus 8 degrees here in balmy southern New England, surely cold enough to create some ice overnight. I was out early Saturday morning in below zero temps but took only the Iphone because heavy winds were forecast. Back out in the afternoon with the big camera I found a location in East Haddam that would make for a great Sunday morning destination before the temps moved back up. That same afternoon I got a text and a photo from classmate Kathy about Black Ledge Falls. She sent the photo here, along with a hiking map, such a kind person, I was easily moved to change the next days’ destination.

    The sun was out most of the morning so I did not arrive at the Black Ledge trailhead till 1pm. The parking lot was near full which translated to younger families with small children. Nevertheless, I arrived at the falls, thankfully I was able to walk very close to the falls, getting closer to the falls would eliminate some of the overhanging branches, but not all. The panoramic view had a nice balance so I setup the 5×12 format. A family with two beautiful dogs showed up, the dogs freely romping around in my general area. My backpack was open and about 15 ft away, I had to stay close to the tripod and camera for fear of the dogs knocking the camera setup over. The backpack would come away with some muddy footprints from the playful dogs, but easily cleaned once home. I asked the owners if the dogs were Weimaraners as they had a wonderful silver-grey color. They answered, “No, they are Silver Labrador Retrievers”. I once had a beautiful Chocolate Lab and was not aware Labs came in this wonderful silver color. Hopefully a Silver Lab will become a hiking partner of mine in the future.

      By the time I finished focusing the camera and metering the scene another young family showed up. Two smaller kids, girl stayed close to Mom while young son “Eli” running all around the falls. I patiently waited for Eli take a breath, he was small enough to venture behind some hanging icicles on the lower right side of my composition. Not long inside the overhang Eli snaps off the largest hanging icicle and tosses it aside. With that, I turned to Dad and in a perfect combination of stern voice and look of frustration asked, “can I quickly get my photo and I’ll be gone” . Thankfully Dad commanded Eli to “get outta there”, surprisingly Eli bounded out of the enclosure, at least far enough out of the camera view and I was done !    

   I hiked in on the Blue / White trail as it was shorter, but almost all uphill. The 41 lb. backpack felt like over 50 lbs going uphill to the falls.  Heading out on the downhill Blue / White trail  the 41 lb. backpack…was still 41 lbs. As I approached the parking lot the little meandering remnants of the falls caught my eye. Without even taking the backpack off I snapped this cell phone image using the live option which can be converted to a long exposure and blurring the rushing water. A few modifications in “post processing” and I am getting comfortable making visual art in addition to the large film camera world I’ve been accustomed too for years!