Up the River without a Paddle Photo

Photographer’s Note

Several times, I've seen this fellow using a stand-up paddle to make his way up the river, however he had dropped to his knees here to clear the bridge. A bit later he resumed his upright stance. I have more frequently seen these boards used in the surf.

The Deschutes is viewed a very user-friendly river with people setting off in anything that floats. On a warm summer morning, paddlers pass our house far up the river with great frequency. However, between our house and Bend, at least 50-60 river miles downstream, there is one major obstacle, Benham Falls.

While most of the river runs flat and smooth, its upper flow controlled by release from Wickiup Dam, when signs warn the boater to exit the river, it's wise to do so. Last summer at least two people drowned on the river, one fellow tried to run Pringle Falls up stream. Just below Mirror Pond, a woman neglected to get out before the dam in Bend.

fayeulle, Emile, AiresSantos, cunejo200, fulvio52, gunbud, Dyerco, jlbrthnn, danos, ALIRIZA, marine-coeur, parbo, daddo, jaywalker, feather, josepmarin, stelli, patdeph, avene, yedirenk, Angshu has marked this note useful

Critiques | Translate

faubry (32521) 2008-10-31 14:12

hello PAT, Wonderful and colorful image, superb reflections.
thanks
francine

ALIRIZA (16197) 2008-10-31 14:23

Hi Pat,
Another wonderful autumn shot presented in fine composition, stunning autumn colors and reflections. Have a nice weekend my dear friend...
All the best...
Ali Rıza

jimkilgallon (0) 2008-10-31 14:25

Hi Pat
Your having a field day at the moment, send the Autumn over to NZ will you ;-).
Very clean and crisp capture, the yellows and blues really compliment each other. The reflections are very cool, I like the still water, only to have the slight break from the paddler which is very very good. Compliments Pat, really well presented.
Regards as ever
Jim

parbo (11054) 2008-10-31 14:45

Hello Pat,

The reflection of yellow colored autumn trees are really amazing and have better contrasts on water surface Pat. It must be great pleasure to sit like this in enviable environment. Fantastic one with its clarity, sharpness and tracks behind him. Congratulations. Have a nice weekend.

Friendly Regards,

Ertugrul
PS: We are on kind a same subjects today ;)

marine-coeur (576) 2008-10-31 14:48

Beauty of colours and nature all together in this amazing picture,the poster is just brilliant,dreamy frame well done PAT.

Ina (2681) 2008-10-31 14:59

Lovely clear picture with exelent colors and light... Superb reflections in the water too ...

TFS... Ina...

daddo (11659) 2008-10-31 15:09

Hi Pat. Beautiful light has infused the scene. The colours are vibrant and harmonious and the man has added some animation to the composition. Marvelous reflections and excellent clarity. a beautiful if at times cruel river- but then if one does not respect nature's potency, then things can happen. Regards. Klaudio.

devimeuxbe (56536) 2008-10-31 15:11

Hi Pat
Amazing light here
The colors of automn are very nice and the reflection is great
Well done
Bertrand

MarianneS (14706) 2008-10-31 15:18

Hello Pat,
You captured amazing reflections here, with beautiful automnal colours.
I like the movements in the water, created by the surfer.
As the category is concerned, I think you could also select decisive moment and nature.
Great composition.
Regards,
Marianne

jaywalker (12419) 2008-10-31 15:34

Hi Pat, What lovely autumn colours & fantastic sharp detail, the ripple distorts the reflection superbly & the man on his board is well positioned, great light & brilliantly composed, kind regards Wilson.

Hunkar (4998) 2008-10-31 15:36

A beautiful reflection in autumn with the boat..
Good light..
Good colors..

fisher (494) 2008-10-31 16:17

Great reflection and colours
dessy

gneufeld (15289) 2008-10-31 18:08

Hi pat,
A cool shot - great colors but also very interesting to have the paddler coming across the scene disturbing the still waters. Good idea well presented. TFS. Gerald

mesutilgim (37597) 2008-10-31 22:52

Hi Pat
Amazing autumnal scene with wonderfull colors and great reflections. Ths surfer at center gives the necessary dynamism to the scene. Very good usefull notes as well.
TFS and have a nice weekend
best regards
MESUT ILGIM

jurek1951 (26176) 2008-10-31 22:52

Hi Pat,
This is a wonderful picture with excellent reflection.Very beautiful perspective. Marvelous and wonderful composition.
Georg

pablominto (41700) 2008-11-01 2:40

Hello Pat,

An interesting scene, showing the kayak isn't the only vessel for the the river, hehehe!
...whatever, he is still able to enjoy the wonderful colours of autumn from the water!
A lovely place and a wonderful atmosphere this fine day of October...

Greetings,
Pablo -

npecanhuk (15212) 2008-11-01 2:42

Hello Pat!
What a good-looking picture! Colors are fantastic! The luminosity is great! The inclusion of the man on the board was a very good idea, because it added more interest to the already wonderful reflection! I really like it!
TFS - Congratulations!
Warmest regards,
Neyvan

feather (50588) 2008-11-01 3:39

It sounds wise to heed the signs. Another good shot enlivened by the man on his board. Apart from all the good features also present in the others in the series (colours, reflections etc) I love the wake from the board and the way it is distorting the reflections. Excellent series.
Kath

josepmarin (34295) 2008-11-01 7:12

Hi Pat,
This one is another fantastic capture with the light and the autumns colors on this calm place.
The water is like a mirror, and has a few magnificent reflections that only this boy breaks with the stela of his table.
Beautiful photo.
HLJ
Josep

stelli (2987) 2008-11-01 8:00

You have made miss the US with this last series of photos! They are great autumn pictures with amazing sharpness and vivid colors! This one is no exception! Thank you for sharing! Regards Stella

baba_flies (8191) 2008-11-01 11:30

Amazing what people find as a form of transportation or most probably just for fun or exercise, good for his balance :))) Yeah it looks like he had a pretty good speed when I see the little waves in the water ... Quite funny when I imagine him standing up moving over the water ... we have seen many foliage pictures meanwhile and this one is certainly pretty different :))) Good one, the colors are wonderful ... what a great season of the year ... Barbara.

vascao (192) 2008-11-01 15:33

Hi, Pat
Lovely autumnal colors once again. The composition is otiginal, with the surfer fellow and the track left behind him.
[]'s
Sergio

ahmetgedikli (22249) 2008-11-01 15:58

Hi Pat,
Wonderful autumn shot! Great light, reflections and lovely tones... Well done!
Have a good sunday.
Ahmet

danos (33766) 2008-11-02 7:49

Hello Pat,
all the series 'Community Spirit' plus this one,are superb samples of colors and brilliant light.Splendid this snapshot with the man to cross the calm water and to 'brake' the harmony of the reflections.The Autumn must be something marvellous in this region.Well done.

Regards,Danos

jlbrthnn (39533) 2008-11-02 15:19

Good evening Stalemate,
Colors and reflexion are superb. I appreciate the light and the glare of the colors. The image is of any beauty, really a pleasure of contemplating this work superbly carried out. Congratulations.
Good night
Cordially
Joël

Dyerco (9404) 2008-11-02 15:58

Hi Pat
This is a very eye catching shot with the blue skies and fall colours. Nicely done.
Phil

gunbud (28325) 2008-11-02 17:25

Hi Pat,
Love the brilliant yellow reflecting in the beautiful blue river with the quiet wake from the board giving it a nice riffling texture.
Would really enjoy a paddle down this tranquil stream.
Regards, Tom

fulvio52 (8314) 2008-11-03 5:01

Amazing colors and reflections, a real cool touch of dynamics provided by surfer & ripples, perfect framing.
A real pleasure to look at, Pat!
Have a wonderful day, see ya soon.
Fulvio.

cunejo200 (7243) 2008-11-03 5:04

Hello Pat,
A delightful fall scene with bursting colors. The water reflection and the break on it from the surfer is most attractive. I can't nitpick, it's a beauty. Regards...Danilo

mortijo (12532) 2008-11-05 0:28

Fabulous colors!!! The guy on the board makes this picture special. The wake and the disturbance it causes in the otherwise perfect reflection of the trees in the water is a special attraction in this shot.
Regards
John

AiresSantos (43298) 2008-11-05 0:31

Hi Pat
Beautiful autumn landscape. I like the contrast and the vivid colours. Excellent reflections and POV
TFS and greetings
Aires

Emile (20177) 2008-11-05 13:26

Hola Pat.
Beautiful autumn colors, wonderful composition this time with the man on the board creating action to your excellent shot. Very good colorful scene.
Well done.
Best wishes.

patdeph (18644) 2008-11-08 3:19

hello Pat
woooow!Splendid colours,splendid contrasts,wonderful reflections,and a white surf to give animation in the fantastic ladscape!Magnificent!
Regards
Pascale

avene (11252) 2008-11-09 16:23

hi Pat,
I've never seen the board in the river, but I guess the appeal of the river is too strong to resist :)
the colours are great, as in the previous posts, but something feels off in the details. did you reduce noise? or it might me the result of the compression, it often affects little details, like leaves on the trees here.

regards,
Kristine

jmcl (14197) 2008-11-11 13:53

Hi Pat,

Such beautiful tone .. the contrast of the yellow and blue .. always powerful and striking .. I love the textures on the water from the wake .. a gentle break from the stillness ... wonderful, wonderful!

take care, John

yedirenk (7571) 2008-11-16 7:09

Hi Pat,
extraordinary colours and light with superb sharpness and clarity.great reflections,very fantastic scene,like swiming in the colours.very well done.TFS
Greetings

Cevdet

Angshu (34253) 2008-11-20 21:16

Hi Pat
Somehow I missed this post. Apart from the gorgeous contrast between the autumn colours on the trees & reflection,with the blue sky, what's also attractive is the wake created by the paddle & the guy about to stand on it, which pierces the water like an arrow. Good work.
Best Regards
Angshu
Had been very hectic this week. Had gone to Mumbai on a conference Wednesday, returned yesterday midnight, now back to office!

jmdias (20213) 2009-03-14 16:00

pat

these colors in the sky and the trees are amazing and the man crossing the water adds lots of interest in this photo. very nice framing, timing to get the image, light and sharpness. well done

hugs

jorge