Mighty Chieftain
In February of 2015, a major winter storm had just passed through, leaving behind clear skies and rare snow on our local mountains and foothills. I headed off one morning, hopeful to get a shot of Ventura Harbor with the snowcapped mountains in the background. Unable to find the harbor shot I wanted among the docks and moored boats, I walked to the harbor entrance where thundering, 25 foot plus waves were imploding on the breakwater, sending geysers of spray and foam high into the sky. I wanted to document this power and beauty, but still something was missing. I needed something in the for perspective and scape. That’s when I saw the Hawaiian Chieftain looming on the horizon.
I waited. So did the Chieftain. She hovered off the entrance of the harbor, perhaps assessing the risk of attempting to enter the harbor. I waited for a half hour before those on board made the decision to give it a go.
The Chieftain approached from the west. For long moments all you could see were the tops of her mast as she fell into the giant troughs. The current and massive swells had no pushed her into a very dangerous position, turning her broadside to the incoming waves, rearing nauseatingly high. One wave broadside and she would go over. This was no mere photo opportunity but a very real moment of desperation. I looked up over my camera to confirm that the waves weren’t an illusion created through the compression of my telephoto lens. They weren’t. My stomach twisted. I was sure the Chieftain’s captain had made a life-altering mistake that would see his ship and are into the cold, unforgiving water.
As the Chieftain made her final run I stayed focused. Her speed was impressive. With 50 yards separating her from the safety of the protected waters behind the breakwater, a think ball of black diesel smoke bellowed from her stack (she was at full power and moving fast) as the waves exploded, whitewater reaching hundreds of feet into the air.
In the end, half a boat length was the difference between joyous celebration and tragedy.
-Steve Munch
0 comments
Previous
Next
Latest News
Book Signing Event: "Good D...
Join Us for a Book Signing for "Good Dogs of Service". Lynn Cobb, the photographer and author will be at the gallery along with one her subjects for the book...Fire Captain Eric Gray and his K9.
Inside "Good Dogs of Service", you’ll find a collection of portraits and stories of Working K9s, Service Dogs, and their handlers. It’s important for the world to know that these great dogs perform so many tasks such as guiding, search and rescue, diabetic alerting, and police, fire, and military service.
True Stories of Honor, Courage, and Devotion.
Design Tips
The 5 Cs to Refreshing Your...
When we get unhappy with our homes we often think we need something new. New will do the trick! But if we don't carefully curate our homes, we end up on overload. Not appreciating anything we have because there isn't the space to treasure it. To feel it's impact. To give something that is important to us, it's importance in our home.
What spaces need when you crave a reboot or when things get out of hand are the 5 Cs.
Photo Blog
Photography and Horses in t...
Have you ever done something that was a bit out of your comfort zone? I find that I feel most alive when I am pushing boundaries, learning something new and seeing new sights! This trip to the high sierras pushed me in every way.