The Long Road in the Distance

One of my most favorite photography subjects is a country road.  I have shot roads all over the Texas Hill Country, and I have a few that I revisit from time to time.  But I found a road in Maine that seemed to sum up all that I see, feel and think when I shoot roads.  Driving in one direction, I looked in my rear view mirror and saw the scene below.  I turned around, stopped and set up for the shot.  Although I had just come from that direction, I found myself wondering--as I always do when making road shots--"where does this road lead?"  I also find myself curious about who else has traveled the road I am on and, if they were alone, what did they think about and why were they at that spot?  If two people were traveling together, what did they talk about?  To me, a road represents the connections between people from past to present to future.  This road in Maine revealed all that and more!

A lot of photographers shoot roads of all kinds, for different reasons.  What do you feel and think about when you do?  Be sure to leave a comment in the comment box and let me know about your experiences with shooting back roads.  

Abstractions are Everywhere, Part II

I think one of the easiest ways to create an abstract photograph is by using water.  By looking for interesting patterns or by moving your camera, it is possible to come up with nice abstracct images.  A quick survey of abstract photographs on the Web will no doubt reveal the frequent use of water:  rivers, crashing ocean waves, water droplets captured with a macro lens, and whatever else the photographer's imagination might come up with.  (Although I do own a macro lens, I seldom use it and I don't have much luck at all with water droplets. For some incredible macro images of droplets, check out Brian Valentine's work on flickr:  Macros by LordV.)

Abstractions are Everywhere

One of my favorite books is Creative Nature and Outdoor Photographer by Brenda Tharp.  I have bought each of the latest versions and continue to find inspiration in them.  The first time I ever saw an abstract image that had been created by camera movement was in this book.  The more I looked into impressionism created by digital camera, the more intrigued and inspired I became.  As a result, I have adopted camera motion as one of my favorite methods of photography and I have begun to include a few abstracts in my portfolio.  I do not share a lot of my abstract work, but I hope you enjoy the few that I do make public.  There is no right or wrong to creating abstract art in this way--at least, I don't think so--but for me it is a challenge.  My thinking process is definitely realistic and linear, so looking for abstractions is both a test and a reward.  It allows me to let loose a

Stone Voices Magazine

For many artists, if not most of them, the creation of art is a spiritual experience.  There are probably as many ideas about the connection between art and spirituality as there are artists.  A new magazine, Stone Voices, explores that connection in depth.


Published by Christine Cote, owner of Still Point Art Gallery, a virtual gallery for artists of all media, Stone Voices is available through Shanti Arts, LLC, in Brunswick, Maine.  Printed quarterly, Stone Voices offers artist's portfolios, as well as articles, essays, and poetry about art and spiruality.  Please visit the web site and purchase your subscription today.  No matter your spiritual beliefs or your artistic experiences, Stone Voices will surely enlighten and inspire you!

Poetic Photography

One of my favorite sites on the web belongs to Diane Varner, a photographer in Northern California.  Her blog is called "Daily Walks," and she offers some of the most exquisite images and poetic text that I have found anywhere. Her subjects and digital processing make for great art! Take a look:  Daily Walks.