Cover Photo: The Gorge

David Scherrer’s photograph titled The Gorge is featured on the cover of this edition of Bellingham Review.

David Scherrer:

I took this image late on a July afternoon on the Columbia Gorge near Stevenson, WA. My compositions rely primarily on graphic elements that stand out to me, in this case the form of the water which is captured next to the embankment, along with the movement of the train through the middle of the frame, taking our eye with it, all leading to the engine’s highlighted smoke in the distance.

I often think about the relationship between the Columbia’s past and present, how we have severely changed this amazing river. How abrupt and intrusive, like this train.  Standing by tracks we are shocked and stunned by the tremendous sound, but we adapt, grow accustomed; the sound is part of our world. This living river struggles to survive, adjusting as it can, and with time it will find its new equilibrium.

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DAVID SCHERRER arrived in the Northwest from the east coast in the early 1970’s. Drawn initially by Huxley College’s Environmental Studies program (at Western Washington University), he soon realized the potential for the integration of media production and environmental education, two areas of study he was passionate about. He completed his undergraduate education at WWU and continues to maintain connection with Western through his photography.