Mont Saint-Michel has always captivated my heart with its beauty. Surrounded by sea, a chateau from the world of a fairy-tale.
The island is located about one kilometer off the country’s northwestern coast, at the mouth of the Couesnon River near Avranches. There are actual people living there, 50 as of 2015. But trend shows the gradual decrease in the number of people living there. My guess is, they get a lot of tourist like me trying to take pictures in every possible way. Who can blame them?
I first saw Mont Saint Michel in 2009, I was still learning to use my DSLR. But none of the pictures I took there were what I had in mind. Plus the weather did not help. I have since been there at least 10 times.
Last Sunday, the 3rd of February 2019, I looked at the weather, wind speed, humidity, even the water levels. Because the shot I had in mind involved a reflection of the chateau, in addition to beautiful sunset colors. The tides had to be just right. With the shot being planned for sunset, I had barely 10 mins to choose the right spot, try to get the picture I wanted.
I had thought of all the above, but forgot to take my boots. Ended up going into the lake bed with my BLACK sneakers (pictures below).
My feet were sinking into the lake bed, the more I went into the lake, the more I sank. But it did not stop me. I had to get this picture, the picture that has eluded me for ten years. I was standing as close to the middle of the lake as possible, my feet and tripod were sinking as I was framing the shot. I felt like I could hear crocodiles, but this isn’t a tropical climate so I ignored the scary sounds.
And then it happened, my tripod was steady, I was steady, I set the shot for a 20sec long exposure, F22 with an ND filter and my ISO at 64. Those 20 secs felt like forever, as my legs were freezing with temperatures of -1. Once the shot had been completed, I saw the preview and I was in joy. I got it, I got the shot I wanted, 10 years was worth the wait. Beautiful shades of colors in the sky, water, reflection of the chateau in the water. The chateau itself in its glorious form at the golden hour of sunlight. I was happy! but…
I had to get out of the water quickly, the tide was rising, and my legs were stuck in the lake bed. I couldn’t move. Suddenly, a joyous occasion became a moment of fright. As the more I moved, the more I sank in. I had to think quickly, I used my tripod as leverage and pulled out one of my legs as hard as I could. Once one leg was out, I was starting to slip. I did not want to drop my Nikon D850 into the water. So I used my hands and pulled my left leg out slowly. Finally, it was out and I could walk out of the water relieved, within seconds the water level had risen. If I had stayed there, the water would have been above my head. All I can say was, it was an adventure. I was there at the right place and at the right time.
I highly recommend you visit this place when you visit France, but please do not go into the water 🙂
In addition to the picture, I’ve compiled a small video. I hope you all like it.
Akram
