Light Through the Moss: Government Ditch, Caddo Lake
Navigating the Labyrinth of Caddo Lake
Yesterday I wrapped up another incredible autumn run out at Caddo Lake, returning home with over 500 frames captured across two full days on the water. Sorting through that volume of work is no small task, but just like eating an elephant, we are going to tackle it one bite at a time. Over the next few days, I will be dropping in new images from this trip into my Photo of the Day series as I finish processing them.
I should mention that not every frame going up is a guaranteed favorite of mine Some of these are experimental in nature—shots where I had a distinct vision during capturing and/or processing that pushes slightly outside my normal style. As artists, we are often a little too close to our own work to judge objectively, which is why your feedback means so much. Let me know in the comments what you think, what you might have done differently, or how the image hits you emotionally. It is all too easy to fall into the trap of comparing my work to what I see online, but my true goal as an artist is to stay true to my own vision while still creating imagery that resonates with fellow nature lovers. like you
Floating Down Government Ditch
I shot this particular frame while out on the water with Captain Steve, cruising down what I believe is the historic Government Ditch. For those unfamiliar with the area, Government Ditch is a man-made navigation channel originally dredged in the late 19th century to help clear logjams and improve steamboat passage through the bewildering maze of the Caddo Lake basin. Today, it serves as a stunning aquatic highway flanked by ancient, gnarled bald cypress trees and heavy drapes of Spanish moss. As we moved down the channel, the morning sun lined up perfectly behind the canopy, backlighting the Spanish moss and turning the entire overhead corridor into a glowing, iridescent tunnel of gold and shadow.
Capturing the Iridescent Tunnel
Translating that kind of raw, enveloping atmosphere into a still photograph is always a fascinating technical and creative puzzle. The extreme dynamic range between the bright, sun-lit openings in the distance and the deep, tannin-stained waters reflecting the dark tree trunks requires careful handling in Lightroom to balance the highlights without losing the moody contrast of the swamp. While Spanish moss looks like a delicate moss or lichen, it is actually a plant belonging to the bromeliad family that absorbs its nutrients and moisture straight from the air and rain rather than parasitizing the host tree. Seeing it glow like spun glass in the crisp autumn air made the early morning boat ride entirely worthwhile. Take a look, drop a comment below with your thoughts, and stay tuned as we share more pieces from this Caddo Lake collection in the coming days!
Sharing My Experiences Shooting Caddo Lake in the Fall
Read my field notes to gain a sense of what it’s like shooting here, both from the pier at Mill Pond as well as out on the lake in early morning. If you’re planning to visit here, I offer some tips and equipment choices from my experience shooting here the past three years in my post; A Practical Guide to Caddo Lake Fall Colors Photography.
