A Photographer's Baptism... by anahata.c
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Description
Ok. I was standing on Lake Michigan 3 weeks ago, when this wave came by---it didn't call, didn't drop a note, it just roared in from god-knows-where, crashed against the pier---that's what you see here---arched twice as high & then crashed down on me like a freakin' ocean. It weighed 9 million tons, it was freezing, and when it left, I was flat on the pier. Then---you listening, photographers? I cried: "My camera!!!" I shot up, ripped off my scarf, and furiously wiped my camera!!! Several people yelled: "What in the world are you doing??? You're soaking wet & you're worried about your camera???" I couldn't answer. Even I thought I was crazy! But: I kept wiping! Because that freaking soaking drenched dripping coughing freezing camera was wet, and everyone said, "don't get your camera wet!" And here's the thing: I'd just gotten over a lung infection! I could hear my friends screaming, "you stood under a 20 foot wave when you just got over an infection???" But then behold: A Voice cried out from the Sky (true story now), and said: "You have been baptized!!!" "Really???" I said. "Yes! You, my son, are a
(Ok, that didn't happen. The whole 'voice' thing's a lie...) BUT! When my friends question me hereafter, I say: "On that day I became a Photographer!" (In the meantime, my camera sued me for everything...)
This wave, ladies & gentlemen, was captured on Lake Michigan on October 15th, 2010. I know, it looks like an explosion in a cotton factory, but it's not...
Comments (32)
Geophree
Marvelous image and story.
magnus073
Mark, this is such a cool photo and honestly the story is one for the ages. Loved the tale of your Baptism, and how this was the moment the realization came down from on high that you were at long last a Photographer. Thanks so much for this delightful story Mark, and giving me a smile on this cold morning :)
anaber
OHH!!! MARK!!! I see you are really happy!!!hahaaaaaaaaa:)))))))))OMG! AND, I AGREE TOTALLY with that VOICE...you have been baptized as a PHOTOGRAPHER:)))and your câmara too, as i know she is ok...so:)!! You really work in the borders i see...as a real and deep lover of all what you do,...and the most important, Mark, you have fun and you do WONDERS. My biggest congratulations.You, are UNIQUE!This photo, is excellent and one UNIQUE moment too!
MrsRatbag
Fantastic wave capture--even if you went to a bit of an extreme to get it! LOL, welcome to the ranks! I know just what you mean, bodily damage pales in comparison to camera damage (bodies heal. cameras don't!) I had a similar event a couple of weeks back, while photographing a spider web. I stepped backwards, missed the edge of the sidewalk and crashed to the concrete on my hands, elbows and knees, camera skittering away across the pavement. I had the breath knocked out of me and was in incredible pain, but all I could think was 'Oh my god, my camera!!!!' We probably need our collective heads examined!
KateBlack10
Mark, That is an awesome story! Love the picture and the baptism! I am still waiting for my voice from on high ha! But obviously you have been baptized as a photographer as this is a amazing picture - you have a wonderful eye!
helanker
ROFLMSO!!! You make it sound so funny Mark. You make me laugh to tears, as I know nothing happened to the camera, nor to you, only you got reeealllyy wet, both of you. :) Yea this was your babtism and in only ONE year, you can be proud and call yourself an excellent and an amazing photographer. This is an outstanding capture from the edge of Lake Michigan, from where I have seen the most adorable and breathtaking shots from your camera. I feel lucky. Congratulations, dear Mark. You could make an enormous goose down out of a wave :-D
rudiruth
oh :) I love this!
flavia49
stunning picture!
bmac62
I have just the camera for you...this is not meant to be an advertisement...but simply here to show you a camera to put on your wish list. Check this out. As for your follow-on story after viewing the zoomed-in crashing wave, Wow! Had such a grand time reading this! Could see you splattered backward a split second after the shutter clicked. I've been baptised but only by sprinkling...never in the more fundamental total immersion method you were treated to. Welcome aboard:-)))
marybelgium
FANTASTIQUE !!!
durleybeachbum
What an astonishing image, and you not even a surfer (YET!) You tell an hilarious story, but it could have ended so badly: PHEW! what a relief both you and your hand extension are ok. These sacrifices are surely not essential for our 'art' , but this certainly makes for a unique pic..WONDERFUL!!!! Wouldn't it have been awful if the moment had not been frozen for posterity? Doesn't bear thinking about..you'd have to have fallen on your finest paintbrush.
auntietk
I'm so glad you posted this, and told your story! This is a (hopefully) once-in-a-lifetime shot, so it's only fitting that it be in your gallery. You went to the brink for this one, my friend, and it paid off! I'm just glad your camera didn't need hospitalization afterward. And how are YOU recovering? :P (You see ... photographers and priorities ...) This absolutely ROCKS! Now I'm wondering about spontaneous baptism. What on earth is the lake trying to tell you? I'm not sure my heart could take a Jewish Hindu Baptist.
Campo-Diaz
You're a good photographer and best screenwriter. Superb!.
beachzz
I can see your halo from here!! For most people, a total immersion baptism does mean getting wet. However, it's often in a nice, heated tub made just for the purpose--or at least in shallow water. You have taken it to a whole new level--and because your first thought was your camera, well, my friend, YES you ARE a photographer!! I love this shot, and your story!!
mistressotdark
a cool shot great capture even though you got whomped by it... and i'd be standing there wiping my camera off too..lol although i'd probably move from the spot first.
sandra46
it looks that all your sins were washed away with tons of (fresh) water! The story of the baptism happened also to me with some different details, while I was whalewatching off the coast of Salem (Massachusetts), a huge whale jumped just near the boat and washed me and my camera with tons of salt water. I did the same as you: saved the camera first. But I succeeded in taking a shot of Moby Dick's evil eye! and this is a TRUE story!
rocserum
your story is great and hilarious, the picture is even more, outstanding! RS
jmb007
superbe image!!
dragonmuse
Awesome capture! So, coming from a person who has dived clothed in full leathers into a freezing lake after a camera and stopped traffic on a busy highway, once again to retrieve an errant camera.. I totally understand!
npauling
This is an incredible capture with the lovely fluffy look of the wave as it enveloped you. A great story to go with this image and you have definately been baptized, mind you I have always thought of you as a marvellous photographer, but this just confirms it. I'm glad the camera was OK but what about the lungs... I hope they are OK as well.
goodoleboy
My initial reaction after viewing the stunning photo and reading your narrative about being unexpectedly drenched with ice cold lake water was: Oh my God! I've heard of baptism by fire, but this is just the opposite. I'm glad you resuscitated the camera, which was extremely important, and hope you wrapped yourself up instantly in a heating blanket after that traumatic event.
whaleman
You really did 'catch the wave' in the finest sense!
Meglaurel
talk about life getting your attention...just after your lung infection...shaking my head and trying not to laugh. I imagine you standing there taking the shot while the wave hit you. (saying oh this is gonna be an excellent shot) Hope the invisible bubble that protected your camera also had some extra to cover any long term lingering colds. The Good Earth got your attention is a big way! Love the Story Mark. Now go, send this to National Geographic for their photo spots!
romanceworks
LOL! Your narrative is so funny it did make me laugh. You, and your camera, are now officially 'baptized' and amongst those who will do anything for 'the shot'. Glad you both survived, as this photo is awesome and well worth the soaking. CC
lyron
Just wow!!!!
Wolfmanw
Fantastic capture considering your were in the path.
amota99517
What an awesome shot! I agree with Lyron... this is just wow!
faroutsider
OK, I'm seeing this late and I've seen some of your more recent photographs, so your camera's obviously alright. But as to your state of mind...??? We're your friends, Mark. You don't have to lie about the voices from the sky being a lie... :o)) Great presence of mind to capture the wave as it engulfed you - but if you'd been a microsecond earlier, we could have seen the full scale of it. So next time, please be a little quicker on the draw. And A little quicker on your feet, getting the camera out of harm's way. Great shot, great story!
three_grrr
OMG!! I cried the day my little Nikon died! The camera is to be saved AT ALL COSTS, LOL! I think you were a photographer the first time you picked up a camera, I think you were BORN that way! The baptism (what a wild and wonderful story) was a mere formality, grins. What a wild and wonderful photo!
kasalin
A marvelous image and story, dear Mark !!!!!!!!!