Ballet of the canoe

This photo was possible because of a lucky coincidence of light and geography. A small bay was at the end of a sharp bend in this section of the Magnetawan River. The river valley had carved a long straight channel through the hills which happened to be oriented in such a way that the setting sun came down at the end of the valley. In the bay, the foreground trees cast shadows on the trees in the background, yet a band of light passed into the bay to light up the canoe in a splash of warm yellow light. A low camera angle ensured a dramatic reflection.

Low angle shots like this are often spoiled because it can be so hard to keep the horizon line straight. You have to be prepared to lie down in the dirt, pressing your eye into the viewfinder.

Leica R4, 180mm lens, Kodachrome.

This photo has appeared in several magazines.