into the wild

The sea's only gifts are harsh blows, and occasionally the chance to feel strong. Now I don't know much about the sea, but I do know that that's the way it is here. And I also know how important it is in life not necessarily to be strong but to feel strong. To measure yourself at least once. To find yourself at least once in the most ancient of human conditions. Facing the blind death stone alone, with nothing to help you but your hands and your own head.
- Alexander Supertramp, Into The Wild

this morning and last night i was just simply racked with self doubt. i was so happy with last summer's series of outdoor work, so pleased that i actually made a book of the photographs. and i had scheduled a shoot this morning with a wonderful model named susie b and was planning to explore shooting in the falls at Glen Onoko up near Jim Thorpe, PA. but to be honest, i was looking for a lot of excuses to just shoot some safe studio work with Susie and not make the trip. the reason, i think, that i didn't want to do this was simply because i had gotten it in my mind that i wouldn't be able to find the killer locations and bring that level of emotion back again.

in a way, i pushed myself through and decided that it wasn't raining hard enough to justify another safe studio shoot. i kept hearing the voices of my friends Olaf and Rick encouraging, practically begging me to go up there. i think they knew with that location, i could create some real magic! i got lost on the way to the location, re-established my bearings, and we arrived to find some of the most beautiful waterfalls in PA. hiking in with susie was a treat. she's an avid hiker and was so thrilled after coming in from NYC to be out in the natural elements. the miles of hiking snapped my mind back to where it needed to be and we worked effortlessly to create some truly beautiful pieces. i felt like i was back in my element, back where i want to belong.

i think the key is that you need to trust in yourself. its always easy to say, i'll never be able to do that again. but you have to trust that you already know how. i couldn't have been more happy with the shots we came up with and i'm glad to share one of them here with you. leave a comment, let me know what you think. enjoy for now, but there will be more to come in the weeks ahead!

scott