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

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.