Aug 28, 2011

Tiny spots of cheer



While on a family outing down the hill behind or home to see some Hurricane Irene flooding along our creek, I spotted these tiny, tiny mushrooms on the way back up the hill.

If not for the bright, eye catching color I would have easily missed these underfoot for their small size. Immediately getting down on my elbows and knees, I made a few exposures trying to maintain some sort of light and focus on this cloudy, wet day with such a small subject, all the while hand holding the camera and macro lens at 1/8 second, to get at least a small amount of depth of field. The excursion out was my wife's idea (I would have preferred to stay inside and dry), but in the end well worth the effort. In the second photo, you can see the scale with my finger tip in the frame.

They really did give me a sense of cheer and for the small, but beautiful things of our world.

Aug 11, 2011

Mountain Light



Today marks the ninth anniversary of the passing of a great friend and mentor. Galen and Barbara Rowell along with pilot Tom Reid, and Reid's friend Carol McAffee, were killed in a small plane crash just outside of Bishop, California. The Rowells were returning from a photography workshop in Alaska. During his life, he was a world class climber, innovator and the pioneer of adventure photography. His photographs are known the world over, as are his climbing and outdoor accomplishments. In short, he was truly an amazing individual.
You can read for about him here: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Galen_Rowell

I first met Galen at the Maine Photographic Workshop as a student in one of his classed and we quickly connected and became friends. His passion for photography and the process was infectious, his energy limitless and his generosity and care for our craft was deep. Over the next several years I met him at various places whenever I could, to photograph, climb and work together and I cherished every minute in his presence. His insight into my work was deeply valuable and the insight he gave to me in helping to form my eye, along with others, has largely developed the way I see, one that is still with me today.

This photograph, although not a great one, reminds me in a small way of him as for it's similarity in theme to the one shown on the cover of his most widely known book, Mountain light. It was taken at Oljato Monument Valley, Az.

He still is deeply missed when I am out photographing, but in a sense is still with me as well as I seek to reflect on his principals in looking through the viewfinder.

A self portrait of his:





Aug 8, 2011

Undirectional Viewing



Here is an image that I really enjoy. It is of some simple pond weeds ebbing with the flow of the incoming spring water as it breaks and slows into the pond after a trip down the mountain from it's source. Taken in Denver, Pa, it is one of my 'mini' favorite spots in that it always appeals to me with it's clarity and contrast. Ernst Haas, a mentor and friend, once said that a successful photograph will lead the eye in many directions, but never to an end point. He felt it's interest lay in always finding something new and fresh each time you viewed it, just like I do this water. I hope you feel the same.

Aug 2, 2011

Dot by Dot Dreams


This image today was one that I have always liked.
Traveling through Southern Spain by car alone many years ago, it was a wonderful trip of spontaneity and creativity as I had no timeline, no task ahead of me, just a general goal of direction and the finality of a return air ticket home ahead of me. Along the way, my route varied due to the landscape and traffic and I found many intriguing and surprising spots of interest..This sudden beautiful roadside view was one of them and I was compelled to stop and make a photograph of this olive grove grounded by a field of poppies.

Over the years I have liked it more and more and had once started to reproduce this as a painting (a skill I wished I possessed in a greater amount than I do) but as of this date, have never completed it. The style I wished to emulate in this work is of Georges Seurat, for the spots of color within the flowers are like dots on the canvas. Maybe this year, I will find the time for it, maybe not, but is still remains a dream for me to do so. If I ever do, I will be sure to post it for you as well. I hope you enjoy it.