I ask for your indulgence with respect to my reflections upon this work. The following may seem somewhat overwrought, but I assure you there are no embellishments associated with such recollections of a most enjoyable and rather idyllic day.
No matter how many years elapse, there are some photographs which are indelibly linked to the incredibly vivid memories I possess of the inimitable and captivating environment in which these photographs were taken. “Hush” is perhaps foremost among these.
In other words, it is my great fortune to have an occupation which allows me to regularly surround myself with some of the earth’s most sublime and magnificent milieus.
When I reference the environment and its inherent connection to this particular fine art photograph, I’m speaking not only of the incredibly enchanting sights and sounds before me on this memorable day, I’m also speaking of the remarkably delicious smell and taste of the air as I breathe it in. Furthermore, I’m ascribing the feel of the earth underneath my feet as I traverse various aspects of terra firma including dirt paths, wet rocks, grassy meadows, and sandy creek beds.
Complimenting the intoxicating aura is the powerfully enveloping warmth of the bright and late afternoon sun streaming down from above.
The symphony of sound is composed primarily of an audio triptych of cascading water finding its home in the shadow of towering trees, the soft wafting of a summer breeze as it flows amidst the plethora of leaves and branches of the wooded hills, and the calls of various birds echoing everywhere overhead throughout the ravine.
“Disney, Kevin! You’re talking Disney here! Really?”
Pretty close.
“Any chance you saw specific and colorful characters from certain films with which we’re all familiar?”
Not quite.
Although I will not divulge its precise location, “Hush” was photographed in one of the many canyons of south-central Alaska. Such canyons represent one of my favorite places upon the earth. (They also epitomize a favorite spot for brown bears, so notwithstanding the stunning surroundings it is best to always be on one’s guard. And yes, Disney has also featured bears in its animations.)
The reason the work is entitled “Hush” is simply because the closer one gets to this enchanting stream, the more the soft resonance of the cascading waters muffle all other sounds. The atmosphere is at once one of hushed tones and almost reverenced ambience.
“Hush” is also a study in textures, as one of my foremost objectives as a landscape photographer is to visually represent (to visually evoke, if you will) the constituent nature of the terra firma before me. That is why the framing of this scene is perhaps a little more compressed than one might originally suppose from the description of the events of this photographic outing. My precise intent was to make the individual elements become much more tangible (the definition of the word being “capable of being touched; discernible by the touch; material or substantial”). By simply viewing this photograph I can still vividly recall such details as how surprisingly cold the water really was (having come quite recently and directly from the tops of the mountains), how smooth many of the rocks were to the touch, and conversely how rough was the feel of the bark on the fallen logs.
Surely I have given way to hyperbole in my descriptions? Not so. Else, why would I have returned to this exact same spot literally dozens of times in my photographic career. The Edenic qualities are, to me at least, addicting.
“Cross the meadow and the stream and listen as the peaceful water brings peace upon your soul.” — Maximillian Degenerez
As a direct result of the grandeur of a number of Alaska’s canyons, I’ve had the most fortunate opportunity to put such wisdom into practice. Indeed I consider myself auspicious in this regard.
Furthermore, I hope that this fine art photograph truly evokes the splendor of what, for me, is this little piece of heaven on earth.