River Spirit

River Spirit – Capturing Night Magic on the Water

There’s something mesmerizing about rivers at night—the way the water swallows the lights of the world around it and returns them as shimmering, broken reflections. My latest photograph, “River Spirit,” was taken on a quiet evening, where the only movement was the soft flow of the current and the occasional flicker of a distant aviation warning light.

This scene features a wide stretch of river under the night sky, with a towering netting structure silhouetted against the darkness. Pinpricks of urban light danced across the water, while a single flashing red aviation beacon punctuated the horizon like a heartbeat in the night. The mood was both serene and cinematic, evoking a sense of stillness that’s alive with quiet energy.

River Spirit ©2025 Eric Wells Hatheway

Technical Details

• Camera: iPhone 16 Pro Max
• App: Leica Fotos
• Settings: f/2.8, 1/30 sec, ISO 2000
• Film Simulation: Leica Brass

I love how the Leica Brass film simulation warmed the tones without losing the depth of the shadows, adding a subtle vintage glow to the reflections. Shooting handheld at 1/30 second was surprisingly forgiving, and the high ISO still preserved a clean, moody texture perfect for night photography.

A Reflection on the Experience

Standing by the river, I felt as if I was photographing a living presence—something timeless and quietly powerful. That’s why I named the image “River Spirit.” It’s a reminder that nature and city life can coexist in moments of unexpected poetry, where even a utilitarian aviation light becomes part of the story.

This image captures not just a place, but a feeling—a fleeting intersection of technology, nature, and human perspective.

Would you stop and listen to the river’s whispers, too?

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