Chattahoochee Riverwalk

Are you ready?

For what?

To go for a walk along the river?

Now?

Yes!

Fine. If we must.

A little more enthusiasm would be appreciated.

I’m going, that should be enough.

You’re impossible.

I think you mean endearing.

No, I do not.

To be fully honest, I stole the game plan from my daughter. Thursday she told me about the adventure with her friends which involved walking the trail along the Chattahoochee river. It sounded like a good idea and Saturday was definitely the day to do my own version.

I started with Market Day on Broadway. I grabbed a coffee at Iron Bank Coffee Co. and a donut (I know!) at Veri Best Donut Co. to enjoy while I perused the vendors along the tree-lined street. I also have to visit Judy Bugs bookstore whenever I’m in Uptown. Slightly eclectic but the variety of used books is fantastic. Always a chance there is another photography book I need… 😉

Once the three block loop was traversed I returned to the car for my camera. I didn’t want to carry my normal array of stuff so I selected the trusty 24-70mm lens and headed out for the riverwalk. My goal was to explore as much as I could, see what possibilities exists for future images (sunrise/sunset) and get in a few steps.

The start of the trail heading north from the 14th street pedestrian bridge. Much to my chagrin, the trail has very few places to view the river. Challenging is the word that came to mind as I walked. No problem, the walk was the thing, and any images would be a bonus. Further up the trail I did find a few black-eyed susans…

I knew eventually I would get to one of the dams on the river but I still wanted to see what the trail offered heading south. I stopped at this point to capture a view of the river. Nothing exciting. Time to turn around.

I explained to my daughter and her friend the other day during our photography “lesson” that I don’t necessarily see the image first. I spot the light or the color. If I’m looking for an image, my expectations get in the way. When I’m not focusing, I spot the interesting light, or defining shadows as well as the eye catching color. Once spotted, I explore to see if there is something I wish to capture. The color of this “blanket flower” caught my eye…

Once I pass the 14th street bridge as I head South, the trail begins to feel more alive. I passed quite a few people on the first part of the walk but now I’m back to Uptown with plenty of apartment complexes lining the river. Definitely more people out enjoying the day. It wasn’t just people enjoying the river. I think this goose was contemplating the rapids when he was surprised by a fish (look close at the splash to the right of the goose).

I couldn’t walk the river and not show you the grand view. Next time I’m going to cross into Alabama to change my perspective. I’m thinking the view at sunrise will be one I want to capture… 🙂