Tree along Lahaina Coast
Text and Photography Copyright Anil Rao - All rights reserved.
The first day of our vacation in Maui was a day of exploration. After a quick stop
at Iao Valley, we hopped onto Honoapi'ilani Highway and headed for the western section
of the island. As we passed Ma'alaea I could not help but marvel at the beautiful
scenery. Tall mountains rose steeply to our right, their mysterious peaks engulfed
in clouds, while on the left were a string of gorgeous beaches where the warm blue
waters of the Pacific gently washed ashore. I struggled to size up the countless
photo-opportunities that were being revealed. Soon, however, everything would change.
We were nearing the town of Lahaina and as we turned the next corner I caught a
glimpse of a little tree. Poised on the edge of a cliff and leaning at a rather
awkward angle it seemed to reach out to the water below with a defiant attitude.
All the other exciting sights suddenly receded into the background. I had found
my perfect subject!
We passed by that particular section of Hwy 30 several times and with each sighting
my fascination for the tree continued to grow. However, it wasn't until the afternoon
of the third day that I actually stopped to make photographs. Based on a visualization
of the completed picture I decided to let an unbroken stretch of water occupy the
bottom of the frame. The horizon was deliberately kept low so that the deep blue
sky, with a spattering of white clouds, could fill up most of the background. I
felt this combination would retain the charm of a tropical paradise without being
overbearing. The actual placement of the foreground tree was paramount to the success
of the composition and after much deliberation I liked the idea of having it enter
the frame from the lower left corner.
On the eve of our departure, as we drove again along the Lahaina coast, I found
myself seeking out the little leaning wonder one last time. It was silhouetted against
the setting sun, standing proudly albeit at a precarious angle. For a moment I wondered
if I was successful in my efforts at creating a photograph of the tree - one that
captured its delicate beauty along with the essence of a lonesome existence.
Today, as I stare at an 8x12 print of this photograph I am instantly transferred
back to Maui. I find myself standing on a cliff right in front of the tree. It is
hot and humid under the afternoon sun. A gentle sea breeze is ruffling the nearby
palm trees, while below me I can hear the distant sound of waves crashing against
rocks. My camera is mounted on a tripod and I realize that all final adjustments
have been completed. I press the plunger and with a loud click the shutter on my
Pentax MX is released.
- Camera : Pentax MX
- Lens : SMC Pentax 35-80mm
- Support : Slik U8000 tripod
- Film : Fujichrome Velvia 50 ISO
- Exposure : 1/4th sec, f/22
- Filters : UV, Circular Polarizer
About the Author
More of Anil Rao's work can be seen on his website.
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