Welcome to my blog.  I will be posting recent photos, links to articles on photography, and perhaps life in general, that inspire me or move me as interest arises and time permits.  I hope you will share articles or photos in which you find meaning or just plainly enjoy. I welcome any constructive feedback or comments you may have.

Blocking out the Noise

November 23, 2022  •  1 Comment

River FlowRiver Flow Long exposure photography is about blocking out or eliminated those parts of a scene not important to what is the essential message.  All of the distractions and noise around you is blocked out reducing the scene to what is important, what is essential to understand your environment.  By using this technique, you are forced to focus the mind on what is the essential element for the story, and then how to record it.  A fast-flowing river has much noise, turbulence, and distractions from everything taking place.  You must still your mind and really look at the river to see what is there before your eyes.  It is only then that the story is revealed.

It is much like life.  There is so much going on all around you every second of every day.  You are bombarded by the unimportant, the "noise of life" that you cannot concentrate on the important stuff.  Somehow you must close your mind to the noise all around you and focus on what is essential.  If you can do that, then you may find a state of bliss, of happiness, or at the very least a sense of calm.  For me, photography is a great help in training my mind to focus each day on what really matters.  For you, it might be building fine furniture in your spare time. Whatever it is, I hope you can block out the noise.


After the storm

April 08, 2022  •  Leave a Comment

Just after a storm is a time of duality. On the one hand, there is still the drama and tension caused by the storm, especially near the coast with the clouds still looming over the water (or land) threatening to deluge all below.  But there is also the calm and peace, and the clean smell of the soil, that is pushing the storm back away from us.  You hold your breath wondering which will win out.  

Many times I find myself in the same place wondering if there is a storm ahead or calm and peace.  Everything seems heightened, the senses more alert.  

For a brief moment, you are not sure which is better: the drama or the calm

 

After the StormAfter the Storm


Connections and memories

January 14, 2022  •  Leave a Comment

ContemplationContemplationContemplation and memories Recent readings made me realize how much we are connected to a location: where we come from, where we made memories good or bad, and how we depend on the location for so much. 

This photo was taken as a gift for a friend: this is where the individual spent their summers and vacations with family and friends.  Special events happened at this location.  

I think it is helpful to stop and think of where we are and what we are doing.  This pandemic certainly has made us ponder these questions - some of us have found answers and others are still searching.  As  photographer, I am drawn to locations that create an emotional impact for me and hopefully those who see my images.

I try to sit quietly to get a sense of what is special or emotive about a location, and then try to capture the feeling.

This particular lake (well known to people here locally) is a place where you can let yourself be immersed in the quiet feeling of the water, let you thoughts go deep into your sub-conscious, recall special moments from your like, or just zone out.  

I find the exercise brings peace, and let's me regain a sense of balance.

I hope you will enjoy it.


Exploring Locally

May 27, 2021  •  Leave a Comment

Hidden FallsHidden FallsSmall waterfall on way to Ammonite Falls. Hidden Falls study 2Hidden Falls study 2Another view of small waterfall on way to Ammonite Falls.

 

I recently read two articles on photography about the benefits of staying local, and learning to look to find depth and meaning in your surroundings.  I think the point was that without searching out distant and exotic locations, you can still find something unique and meaningful in your back yard.  I am also working my way through "Looking at the Overlooked" an excellent treatise on still life painting.  All this has encouraged me to go back to sites I have photographed before and spend more time exploring and looking.  It is amazing the world that open up if you take the time to be patient, and see what is there.  Here are two images from a second visit to a local wonder.  It is only a 10 minute drive from the house; the hike down into the area is unfortunately a trying 45 minutes.  Then the climb back up!!  As I told my photo buddy Brad, it was definitely a two beer day.


The ongoing search

March 27, 2021  •  11 Comments

Log on OceanLog on OceanLog on Ocean

I have been searching for this image for some time now. Along the coast there are many logs strewn across the beach, especially after a winter storm or if a barge has broken up in the strong waves we get in the strait.  I happened by chance on this one day not far from our house.  I was happy with the image but it took some time to figure out why I was looking for this image.

In processing the image, I really wanted to keep the distant beacon in the image, and I especially wanted the far off mountains as part of the image.  I just knew they had to be part of the final image.

This particular image appealed to a lot of people when I put it up on social media and shared with friends.  Actually I was surprised how many people responded to this image; more than I expected because I thought I was making one of my quaint/oddball images that appealed to me and did not really expect it to resonate with others.  I was not trying to create a "popular" image which can be a good safe image if you want "likes"" on that website we all hate but can't wait to check.

It is like the log is looking for something, it is searching for something elusive far off on the horizon.  It occurred to me that many of us, regardless of what stage of life we are at, spend our time searching for something to give meaning to things.  We strive to find something just beyond our reach to explain or make sense of our life.  This feeling is especially strong this past year.  We have had to re-assess what is important, what we can let go without affecting our life, and we are gaining a new appreciation of what little we need to be happy.  All those things we thought were important just don't seem to matter.  (That definitely does not apply to any new camera equipment!! Let's be real.)

I hope you will enjoy this image.

I would love to hear your thoughts if you care to post a comment.

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