Happy New Year!

On this New Year's Eve, I am thinking of all that happened in 2011, with photography, friends, family, and travel (not in that order).  Health scares, reunions, exploring new travel destinations, meeting new people, reading new books--2011 was filled with highs and lows and in-betweens.  As the new year approaches tonight, I have numerous resolutions and ideas in mind.  All others aside, I truly hope to make 2012 a year to remember with regard to photography.  Ideas and resolutions abound in my mind, but my number one goal is to shoot with more purpose.  I have written about this topic recently and will not repeat my thoughts here.  But I will promise to share my photographic exploration of purpose with you.  Hopefully, it will prove an interesting and constructive exercise for all of us.  As always, I welcome your comments on this and any other topic.


Wishing each of you a productive and blessed 2012!!

Book Review - Exploring North American Landscapes

I recently purchased "Exploring North American Landscapes" by Marc Muench.  This is one terrific book that any landscape photographer should have.  It includes a wonderful collection of Marc's images, from places as diverse as Monument Valley in Arizona and Shenandoah National Park in Virginia.  There are shots taken from Rocky Mountain peaks and from the feet of giant Sequoias.  Images of action-packed snow skiers and placid lakes abound.  One of my favorite shots in the book is of a silhouetted horseback rider set against a North Dakota sunset.  The diversity of subjects is amazing--the quality of the work is typical Marc Muench!


In addition to being a collection of beautiful images, this book is full of shooting and workflow

Moments of Purpose

Lately, I have been stumped by both constant rain (which we desperately need in Texas) and a need for a sense of purpose in my photography.  I can handle the rain, since I know it can provide photographic opportunities.  But it's the sense of purpose that I have struggled with for some time now.   I go out with a plan for the types of subjects I want to shoot and, usually, a commitment to looking at the subject and letting the creative juices flow before I push the button.  I don't think I go out with enough of a purpose for shooting those subjects I have chosen.  This lack of purpose, coupled with my tendency to become easily distracted by what I am seeing (instead of how I am seeing it) generally leads to creative frustration.   


So, my goal for 2012 is to work very, very hard at composing first by stopping for a breath, moving my feet, changing my perspective--all with a purpose.  I am hopeful that this will in turn enable me to better exercise my creativity.  To me, making a photograph is capturing the moment before my eyes--but I believe it should be the best moment (and thus the best and most creative image) I experience in that series of moments at that location.  Otherwise, I will be unable to achieve my dual objectives--giving myself a reminder of the moments I enjoyed and sharing my work with others so they may enjoy those moments and places through my vision.


I recently reread an article in Outdoor Photographer on this very subject, called "Photographing With Purpose."  It was written by Justin Black and can be found on the OP web site in the Oct 2011 edition.  I recommend it to any of you struggling like me with your sense of purpose.

The Small Things

It pays to look around with an open eye, in order not to pass up the small landscapes like this one.  In the vast Maine woods, I found these mushrooms enjoying their wilderness home.  Nature has much to offer, if we just look.  


"In all things of nature there is something of the marvelous."    Aristotle