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Sunlight in Shadow (22)
jmcl Gold Star Critiquer/Gold Note Writer [C: 261 W: 4 N: 204] (656)
Sunlight in Shadows

Mill Creek Basin Trail
Rocky Mountain National Park

“Bless... the two painting masters who first pointed out to me (raw young pupil that I was) that there was coming and going among trees, that there was sunlight in shadows.” ~ Emily Carr


I took this image as we were hiking the Mill Creek Basin trail in Rocky Mountain National Park today. It was a hot and sunny morning and Andrew was taking a break under the aspen as I was standing precariously on the rocks in the creek. As I finished up my creek images and was putting the tripod away Andrew started tossing stones into the creek and laughing hysterically at each sploosh. At least he waited until I was done with my pictures .. but I was getting quite wet from the splashing. It was I who taught him to toss stones (on the advice of a friend) as a thing for him to do to have fun near water without going in. I used to be on ultra high alert whenever we were along a river or lake. I could have never let Andrew out of my grasp .. let alone set up a tripod and take some shots. Now he has developed an obsessive joy about the sploosh of rocks hitting the water and engages in the activity without fail (often to the chagrin of those nearby attempting to fish).

Mill Creek is my favorite place in the Park for bumbling forest creek images. It is a quiet trail to nowhere that serves to connect some of the Park’s more popular trail systems. Andrew generally hates hiking up mountainsides but for some reason this quiet place has always been one of his favorites even though the trail climbs up the mountain next to the cascading creek. This area is filled with aspen and one of my favorite spots for autumn images.

To give more a sense of place here are some of my last set of images from the place where I was standing when I took this:
Mill Creek II
Mill Creek

When I talk about Andrew I always feel the need to discover a hard to pinpoint balance between on one hand advocating for Andrew and presenting the seriousness of his challenges and on the other presenting his loves and joys. I don’t wish to trivialize his challenges with his joys nor present his life as pure horror.

Andrew has transformed my own concept of what is important about life. In many ways he has been my greatest teacher. It his his joy that gives me more satisfaction and purpose than anything else in my experience.

Which brings me to a strange series of connected events that have evolved into each other. I have always loved hiking. As Andrew grew I began to share this experience with him. The peace of hiking has become one of his joys. It is our time to share together. His love of hiking led me to photography. Music (my profession) is something I have to carve out time for away from my children .. It is impossible for me to write and practice while caring for Andrew .. one of the true challenges of my life. Photography has become a passion of mine that I can partake in while being with and caring for my children. Without Andrew I doubt I would have ever found it. A smaller way he has transformed me.
Altered Image #1

jmcl Gold Star Critiquer/Gold Note Writer [C: 261 W: 4 N: 204] (656)
Black and white, shadow/highlight
Edited by:rychousmama Gold Star Critiquer/Gold Star Workshop Editor [C: 1168 W: 156 N: 58] (228)
Well, in order to emphasize the play of light and shadow, which I think is what you wanted to do here, I converted first to black and white since color has a tendency to distract from plays of light and shadow. Then I applied the highlight/shadow function and adjusted the midtone contrasts a little, to increase them. Then adjusted levels to make the darkest tones and midtones a little richer and darker. Then I used the "sharpen" tool in the vertical skinny toolbar to sharpen the face, hands, and arms just a little bit (strength at about 27%). Hope you like it!
-Lara