Long exposures of fast-moving water at night. These photographs were made during a paddling/camping trip and although there were lots of stars in the inky sky there was no glowing moon, so in order to light the first and last images I ‘painted’ the slipping-by water with my headlamp and set the camera to make 30 second exposures. In the middle image you can see my paddling friends are lighting the rapids (and the fluttery bugs) with their own headlamps.
(Unfortunately, I didn’t have the camera set to raw mode when I made these photographs – poorly planned on my part – so the image quality is not that great…)
© Karen McRae, 2014
draw and shoot 
The first image here is particularly alluring!
Thank you, Tom. I liked the idea of making abstract images within the rapids. It’s tricky to do in the dark, though – trying to focus and whatnot – I’ll try it again soon!
they are wonderfully atmospheric though. Are you planning to make more like this? I love the tones and shifting forms, and the sense of mystery they evoke.
Hi Emily, I’m glad you like them, thank you. I will definitely try making some more, I think I’ve a lot to learn here! The trickiest part might be safely transporting a good camera on a whitewater canoe trip… Such a fun process, though!
So unique which is what draws me to your work. The 1st one is somewhat spiritual, I really like it.
Thanks so much, Mark, that’s very kind of you. I’m happy you find them interesting.
The second pis is similar to the cinema! Wow!
Thank you! I think night shots really bring out a cinematic feeling somehow. They were fun to make!
The softness gives them a sumptuous and otherworldly look. Before reading your text I thought I was looking at film stills from an underground SF movie. They’re really intriguing and full of whispered narratives. Tom’s “alluring” is dead right.
I simply follow my co-bloggers, here … 😀 And also like the first one best, so atavistic.
ghostly and wonderful, Karen.
Wow, these are stunning Karen. A shame not to have the RAW files. These are so creative. I think I’m going to have to take myself down to the beach with a large lamp after dark. Of course at this time of year that means very late or very early! 🙂
Very cinematic ! Love the atmospheric, ethereal quality. It would be fun to try it with a pinhole camera but the exposure would probably be ridiculously long !
these are so neat!
Beautiful Karen. Light can creates endless fancy images. Once I saw a picture of a man running all over with his head-lamp and self-illuminating flash light. = the same faces appeared everywhere. 🙂
Wonderful. I really like the middle one.
I appreciate your generously describing all this. I especially like the quizzical people shot!
Magic!
blown away and so inspired
Truly gorgeous Karen!
Enchanting images, Karen. 🙂
New adventures from you. Love the mystery feeling, Karen. Great photos.
Very otherworldly!!
I like the one with your paddling friends! I wonder which one is your darling (husband)? But that is because I am a bit unpoetic at times, just plain nosey … 🙂 love to you and your wee family 🙂 xox
Nice shots. (using twitter because using my regular e-mail and WordPress account does not work unless I turn on third party cookies).
Magic. Pure magic.
Lovely work, Karen! Do you edit your photos much, or rely mainly on natural light?
OH, excitingly otherworldly. Or, perhaps your camera caught sight of another plane that out naked eyes can’t discern…
Great pictures, Karen! You have such a creative eye. I love how you can take us to another world – another dimension – with your pictures.
superb!
If you did not explain what is that I would think on the first and third pictures you shot a polar or northern light. Very interesting effect and idea. I like it.
Beautiful and mysterious photos. Love the movements caught by an open shutter.
Karen, such chillingly beautiful images – puts a whole new spin on the concept of ‘midnight blue’. I’m really taken w/ the second image that has the two figures – as that line that’s delineating possibly a fir tree or evergreen of some sort looks like a strike of electricity or lightning! I wish I had your knack for capturing exciting moments such as these, by being in/near water as you shoot simultaneously! Just so amazing. Love your work!
Fantastic images! The second one makes me think of E.T. for some reason..! You could start a whole new exploration of your river through this..can really imagine some of your shots illuminated by the night..
Very atmospheric! Clever stuff….
Breathtaking.
A wonderful sense of atmosphere. I particularly like the silhouettes. I applaud the experimentation too.
The middle image is magical!
So beautiful ! I really love the second image !
Wow, these are just mesmerizing shots…really shows the magic of the night. The middle image captures it so well.
brilliant pictures, love that series..!!
Even though it should be heavy, I feel it light…completely dreamlike visionary spectacles. Great work, Karen.