The Story Behind The Picture: #1 – Scafell Selfie
I’m kicking off a new series, in which I’ll be taking a look at a range of pictures – both client work and behind-the-scenes – and elaborating, to give you the all-important full story.
As a starting point, Facebook Memories recently gave me the picture you see here.
On the surface it doesn’t really tell you much about the day in question… or the comedy of errors it represents!
So let me elaborate…
Roll back the clock ton 2011 and I was on location for a weekend of activities and kit testing with an outdoors manufacturer. Walking, canoeing, climbing… all had been on the agenda – but the climbing didn’t happen.
The night before I took on Scafell Pike (England’s highest mountain), I went to a press event… and promptly got food poisoning!
I’ll spare you the details, but let’s just say I got very little sleep – given that I was visiting the bathroom on the hour, every hour from about 11:30pm to 6:30am.
The next morning, my body understandably, said “Nope. I need to rest”.
My brain, understandably, said “Yeah, probably best not go up that mountain”.
So I did what every adventurous young man would do – I packed my rucksack and went up the mountain.
In the rain.
Hail.
Sleet.
And fog.
About half way to the top, we stopped for refreshments. I wasn’t very hungry, so ignored my sandwiches, but was very glad to have packed my flask of…
Ah.
Roll back to earlier that morning.
“I’ve done your flask for you,” said another member of the group.
Perfect. How kind!
Back to the present…
I undid the flask, poured and was met by…
Tea?
Coffee?
Nope.
Hot water.
Just. Hot. Water.
My heart sank as I made an improvised hot chocolate by taking small bites of chocolate and swilling water around in my mouth.
We pushed on.
After another stretch of arduous walking, the summit was finally reached.
And of course, you have to get that ‘summit selfie’, right?
After everything I’d put myself through, there was no way I was going to let the proof that ‘I was there’ get away from me.
Can you see the pain in my eyes?!
You’d actually never know this was Scafell, given the weather.
That evening, I arrived back at the lodge to a round of applause and comments along the lines of “I can’t believe you actually did it!”
But I did do it.
I also decided not to go climbing the next day.
Don’t you just love the outdoors?!
If you’re not sharing your story with your audience, you’re missing a trick!
I’ve put together a free guide that shares 5 key tips that will help you successfully use photography to get your message across.
It’s right here. Enjoy!
You Might Also Like...
Category: Location photography, Microadventure, Storytelling, Test/Review
