Running on Empty

Photo: copyright and courtesy Mike McBride

Yale Environment 360 online journal page

Among the leading stories published in Yale Environment 360's online journal this week particularly caught my attention. It showed an aerial photo image looking down at a tightly meandering 's-curve' of the Colorado River. When thinking of the Colorado, that image is perhaps as much a likeness as any -- similar to a Jerry Schurr serigraph that shows a river cutting through the southwest landscape as it carves between the red-oxides rock plateaus lining either side.

"Shadow Lake" by Jerry Schurr, courtesy of http://www.artoftheprint.com/artistpages/schurr_jerry_shadow_lake.htm

Yet it was the detail in the aerial photo that showed its relevancy to the story's title, Colorado River: Running Near Empty, where the current miniscule water level is juxtaposed against the colored layers of rock alongside that clearly demarcate water levels of the past. It was a shock.

This particular "cover" photograph, however, was more than just a singular capture of the river's condition. It linked to a video news report by Colorado-based photojournalist Pete McBride that traced a journey of him following the river from its Rockies headwater in central Colorado all the way south to the delta at the Sea of Cortez, exploring to discovery where that water ends up. Not one shot, but many captures. The photography was stunning, and, undoubtedly, a centerpiece to the report.  This was a "think outside the box" example that illustrates the connection of image to narrative, but a risk worthwhile.

In Utah, the Colorado River is a continuously fresh topic of environmental concern. Water rights, water usage, diminishing levels, proposed nuclear power plants, desertification, and matters of pollution name just a few concerns.  This story has local relevance. Pete McBride, as a photojournalist of reputation and talent, understands the importance of telling the story in a visual frame. His also demonstrated his understanding and talent in twelve minutes of 30 frames per second.  This video piece used still photography throughout, intermingled with video footage, often shot at dramatic times of day where the sun cast stronger hues of color in the landscapes when showing beauty, or in high-sun times when showing scenes of the stark and barren desert. The opening scene, shot with a somewhat desolate cast, was narrated in a cadence remindful to me of the opening scene to Never Cry Wolf, a movie with a completely different topic and climate region but with similarity in the notion of Man belittled by the forces of Mother Nature. 

Author's Note: Never Cry Wolf is highly recommended viewing for cinematographics, story, emotion, humor, plot, message...all outstanding. Though you may follow the link above and watch in segments, it is far better and well worth finding a rental or purchasing outright through your favorite online source. This was Disney's entry film into non-animated full features and stars among others Charles Martin Smith and Brian Dennehy, and a few four-legged friends.

Movie Poster for "Never Cry Wolf"

With today's increased pressure to attract an audience in the media, the photograph is an important strategic tool for a news editor, or storyteller. Clearly it can capture an audience. Much is gained when used thoughtfully. Much is lost if not used at all, or randomly. If used appropriately, a photograph can be vital to the embellishment of the narrative, a connective mental construct frozen in the reader's mind all the while as a backdrop to the words. In a sense, the photograph is a guide marker -- a beacon -- to center the story and keep it centered. Using additional photographs equally can do the same. In Pete McBride's video report, the photographs become part of the story, as well offer the balance of still imagery to motion imagery. Perhaps in McBride's case, the video was an opportunity to showcase his talent in a single piece, or possibly it was far more. Irrespective of the intent, the production result in Colorado River: Running Near Empty was first-rate all the way.

You are most welcome to view here below, but my recommendation is to watch on an expanded view by following either this link or this one and set your display to view full screen.

  "Chasing Water" by Pete McBride