Just follow your lens...

I initially approached a group of flowers with the idea of creating an image of roses that would work for a greeting card. I had my 50mm lens mounted and began working on vertical compositions that would leave some room for text or other designs. A 50mm lens is considered a "normal" lens because on most cameras the image in the viewfinder will closely match the image you see with just your eyes. In a ,future post I'll discuss the "crop-factor" common in modern digital SLR cameras and how this changes what a "normal" lens is.

Anyway, as I was shooting various compositions of the flowers I began to notice the subtle lines, shadows, and textures among the petals. I just couldn't capture that detail with the 50mm lens so I switched to the 100mm macro lens. This lens allows for very close focusing which allows you to capture a great deal of detail. Most modern digital point and shoot cameras have a macro or close focusing feature and can produce some stunning results.

As I was shooting the close ups, I quickly became lost in the moment. Everywhere I turned the lens I saw more details, more compositions, and more things to explore. I soon forgot about the rest of the days tasks. Who cares about bills, schedules, telephones, and appointments? This is what I truly love about photography. I ended up spending the better part of two hours photographing various flowers and filled two Gig worth of flash cards.

I never did end up with the image for the note card. But by just following my lens I did have an experience with photography that I won't soon forget. After all, that is what photography is all about for me. Photography is a way to immerse yourself in an experience of the world around you.

Look for simplicity...

As Michael Reichmann says, "Nature is inherently messy. The job of the nature photographer is to clean it up with images." Sometimes you have to really look at the scene to find the images and compositions that work. You can always fall back on the basics (line, form, texture, color, light, and shadow) to help you see an image. As with yesterday's shoot, fresh snow provides a great opportunity to get out and test your skills at composition and exposure. This shot is deliberately underexposed to accentuate the texture and coolness of the snow. Don't be afraid to break the rules of exposure to get the look you want.

No need to travel...

Most photographers feel compelled to travel great distances to exotic locales in order to make compelling images. This may be true if the subject you seek only exists in Africa or Costa Rica. However, if you can't create worthwhile images in and around your own home, how can you expect to be successful at any other location. I love to wait for changing events around my home and then spend a few hours trying to make new and interesting images that I have never done before. With the change in the weather an ice storm came through last night. By midday today the sun began to melt the ice and some unique images were just there waiting.

Time for a little color...

My work schedule has been keeping me from making any new images in the last week or so. I leave when it is dark and get home well after the Sun has set for the day. While I do love night sky photography, I haven't found it in myself to get out and shoot in the sub-freezing temperatures. So, I dug through my archives and found an image with some Christmas colors. This Buddhist Temple is tucked away in a valley and sits against a fog shrouded mountain rainforest. The setting couldn't be anymore perfect. I promise some new images in the coming weeks.

Another day in paradise...

Another day closes in paradise. This image is of sunset over the Ko'olau mountains and Kane'ohe Bay, Hawaii. I often look for layering in landscapes. This is particularly effective when the layers are part of a boundry, such as the boundry between day and night, land and ocean, and sky and land seen here.

Paradise is a click away...

With snow on the ground more on the way for this weekend I found myself thinking of the great beaches of Hawaii. I love the way the Moku' Lua Islands are balanced by the rock and the people on the beach in this image.

Take what you can get...

This photo was a chance image that I saw while driving on US 60 toward New Mexico. The Very Large Array consists of 27 radio antennas in a Y-shaped configuration on the Plains of San Agustin fifty miles west of Socorro, New Mexico. These antennas were featured in Carl Sagan's movie Contact with Jodie Foster. I was headed toward Bosque del Apache National Wildlife Refuge. Of course, I was aware that the Moon would be full. I was timing the full Moon in conjunction with the wildlife at the refuge. However, I had no idea that the Moon would be positioned over the VLA like this. The exposure was very tricky as I needed to ensure the foreground was visible. Because I had very little time when I pulled over on the highway, I ended up blowing out the Moon in order to expose the rest of the image properly. Had I been better prepared the image would be even stronger, but I'll take what I can get.

Stick with a subject...

When you find a subject that interests you, stick with it for awhile. Some of the great photographers spent the better part of their entire lives photographing the same subject over and over. Often times we see and photograph something we like and then move on. Don't be afraid to revisit a location or subject. Changing light, changing seasons, and changing perspectives can create entirely new images. As can be seen here, I have concentrated on the Moon and landscape for some time. This is an image of the Moon and Venus setting over an Afghanistan mountain range.

I'm always looking up...

I love to watch the weather for photo opportunities. Even when images aren't there, the dynamics of the atmosphere always offer something new to look at. This scene grabbed my attention because of the repetitive pattern of the trees and clouds, the intensity of the rays, and the layered landscape. Two of these factors, repetition and layers, do wonders for strengthening the composition of an image. Always be on the lookout for a composition that includes foreground, middle ground, and background objects. If these objects have some pattern and repetition the composition will be strengthened even further. I generally try to have the foreground object lighter than the background, but this image seems to work anyway.

Unique perspectives...

One of the great things about flying is the unique perspective one gets of the world. My favorite times are at sunset and sunrise. The colors, compositions, and components are just not found from the ground. If you are on a trip, ALWAYS have your camera available as you just never know when the opportunity will present itself.

Don't forget to look behind you...

Even a place like Afghanistan is full of amazing photography opportunities. Everyday offered new and unique scenics, from this moonrise over the Hindu Kush, to the abstract pattern of the river bed below. I became particularly fond of the moon and mountain compositions with the warm colors from all of the dust in the air.

Watch for other perspectives...

After captuiring the below image. I began to look for other perspectives of the lighthouse. As we left Kauai and headed back to Oahu, a break in the clouds revealed this image of Lihue.

Always have your camera...

I liked this different perspective of a classic lighthouse photograph. I was on approach to Lihue, Kauai when I saw this seen. Of course I didn't have much time to set up. I just picked up my camera and squeezed the shutter. Once again, always have your camera and be looking for images. Don't let yourself get caught up in all of the technical issues of photography.

Low burst...

A great way to practice your understanding of manual camera controls (f/stops, shutter speeds, and focus) is to photograph fireworks. This image is of a low burst over Kaneohe Bay, Hawaii.

Stalking the light...

Well, actually I was stalking a Great Blue Heron. The Heron had often been sitting in this tree over the previous two weeks. I was hoping to capture a silhouette and the subtle contrast between the shape of the bird and the limbs of the tree. But of course, after a couple of hours the sun began to set and the GBH was nowhere to be seen. I was still very attracted to this silhouette and decided on a black and white capture.

Abstract patterns are everywhere...

This image reminds me of a quote -

"The more you look around at things, the more you see. The more you photograph, the more you realize what can be photographed and what can't be photographed. You just have to keep doing it." -Eliot Porter

If you don't continually look at the things around you the opportunities to photograph will never happen.

This image of a dry river bed was recently selected as the "Landscape Image of the Week" at www. NatureScapes.net.

Up and away...

I am now convinced that everywhere you go there is a photo opportunity. The great thing about photography is that when the act is deliberate, it forces you to slow down and look around. In all the years I have been at this location I have never noticed this building before. But on this day I stopped to look around for image possibilities. I spent twenty minutes or so exploring the things down on my level. I think we sometimes get trapped into a two dimensional world and forget to look up. What caught my attention was the colors on the side of the building. The clouds were breaking up slightly and allowing the warm evening sun to hit the structure. These warm colors contrasted with the deep blues of the sky and the whites of the clouds. The reflections of the sky in the window and the lines of the building added to the image. I ended up shooting about 10 different compositions and liked this one the best.

Capturing the feeling...

The sun was straight up in the sky, as can be seen by the shadows. The temperature outside was blazing hot. I glance up at the side of this building and saw an open window. I could almost "see" the cold air blowing out of the window as the curtain flapped back and forth. There was such contrast between the rough wall and the curtain, the cement and glass, the blue trim and the rusted overhang, and most importantly the temperature. The scene was screaming for a photograph. If only I could have someone standing in the window whipping the sweat off of their brow!

Practice, practice, practice...

Many jokes circulate the online photography community about pet photographs. Quite a few people think that all new camera purchases should come with a cat. While there may be half a billion pet photos or so out there, this sort of photography still remains a great way to practice technique. My wife, Denise, had a dog show this weekend. I shot some 500 or so frames while at the show on Sunday. Why you may ask did I shoot so much at a dog show? After all, how many unique photo opportunities could there be? Well, my intention was to master one particular function of my camera. As you Canon SLR users may be familiar with, I just started using CF4.2. What better place to practice than a dog show. So I walked in the building in the morning having never tried the new auto focus/metering technique and I left in the afternoon being very familiar with the versatility of CF4.2. The lesson here is that sometimes photography isn't about the availability of subjects. Never use the excuse that there is nothing to photograph. Simply photograph what is around you. If that happens to be your pet, so be it. Use the opportunity to practice, practice, practice. By the way, this image is of Sealy, an Australian Shepherd and new AKC Champion. To see more images of Australian Shepherds, take a look at my wife's web site: Dreamstreet Australian Shepherds. As Eliot Porter once said, "You learn to see by practice. It's just like playing tennis, you get better the more you play. The more you look around at things, the more you see. The more you photograph, the more you realize what can be photographed and what can't be photographed. You just have to keep doing it."

Street photography woes...

A vast majority of people become nervous when they think about doing street photography. Many misconceptions about the legality and ethics of photographing other people exist. The bottom line is that street photography is not about the other people, the scene, or the "right or wrong" of it. Street photography is about your relationship to the environment around you. A photographer on the street that feels like he is being voyeuristic will be perceived as a voyeur. A photographer on the street that feels like he is being sneaky or "stealing" something will be perceived as a sneaky thief. So the trick is to just relax and react to your surroundings. Let go of the "looking glass effect." Don't get caught up in what others are thinking. If somebody isn't comfortable with you taking there picture, don't. You will know when you shouldn't release the shutter. If you are uneasy and nervous, you will be projecting that feeling. Ask yourself why, let it go, and than simply enjoy the moment and begin shooting.

UPDATE: At the request of a viewer (my Mom) I will begin to discuss more of the particulars of what was going on in my thoughts during the capturing of these photographs. The day I took this picture I had been exploring two ideas. I had been looking for ways to use motion blurring technique without washing out the entire frame. I was also looking for strong graphic lines for my compositions. I walked passed this stairwell in the center of a campus building. At first glance I thought the shadows were too deep and the subject was unappealing. However, something about the graphic lines forced me to take a second look. I liked how the stairs receded into the frame and then took a hard right at the top of the frame. The empty space below the stairs could keep the eye from leaving the frame. The graphic lines of the stairs and rails, balanced by the empty space at the lower right created a nice balance. However, the overall subject was still boring and the stairwell was in deep shadow. Then I realized I could use a motion blur technique to capture somebody walking the stairs. The blur technique would also create a long enough exposure to open up the shadows some. So I tripod mounted my camera and 28mm lens about 10 feet in front of the stairs. An exposure of 1.6 seconds created a perfect blur as this gentleman came down the steps. The final compostion works well and the subject certainly becomes Contrast. There is the contrast of sharpness/blur, motion/stillness, line/space, and figure/ground. For the technical viewers, I didn't take a meter reading at all. I just kept the shutter open long enough to allow the man to walk a few steps. I used a small aperture of f/18 to ensure the stairs in the background would remain relatively sharp enough to contrast with the motion blur. By the way, the gentleman in the photo is Michael Long.

Showing your work...

One of the great things about a photoblog is that you can share your work with others in a relatively easy yet effective way. At the other extreme is showing your work in a gallery. I am pleased to announce that some of my recent work will be presented in a gallery exhibit at 39 Hotel in October. As the dates are solidified I will post more info.

The strangest places...

If you keep your eyes open to your surroundings you will find photo opportunities in the strangest of places. I was driving home when I passed the Veterans War Memorial. The weather was wet and rainy. With the overcast conditions and the ground so wet, the colors of the flowers were extremely saturated and bright. I would never have thought to take pictures in a cemetery. But in this case I had to explore some of the images, while being respectful of the grounds. Sometimes it's just about color.

Black and white in color...

With this image I wanted to stay somewhat abstract while still communicating the idea of the subject. What I particularly like is the slight anomaly in the upper right corner. The two zebras were very cooperative on this day. They stood right next to the fence and let myself and another photographer shoot for nearly 30 minutes. As I have written before, the zoo is a great place to practice ideas and techniques in a relatively controlled environment.

You just never know...

Sometimes all of the thought and planning in the world won't lead to successful images. However, I find that if I just remain present in the moment and aware of all things going on around me, images will work themselves out of the scene. In fact, I am discovering that this is what really attracts me to photography. When I am out shooting I tend to become very focused on the immediate moment. I was standing under this street lamp during a workshop with Michael Long and I heard an aircraft overhead. As always, I tend to glance up in the air when I hear aircraft. I realized that if I could be ready in about two seconds I might be able to grab this shot as the aircraft passed over the globe. And here it is.

Do what works...

Now this is my idea of an environmental portrait. While some might think that photographing captive animals is a cop-out, as long as you are not representing the image as otherwise, no harm no foul. I love to shoot at the zoo. The opportunities to practice technique, work on composition, and experiment with different design ideas are endless. The crowned cranes are a particular favorite of mine. The pair always seems curious and intrigued by what is taking place around them, sort of like me!

The perfect time for photography...

I was sitting under the shade of a tree. The Sun was straight up in the sky. The light and shadows were harsh and contrasty. This is a time of day when I would normally put my camera away. But I was feeling creative and wanted to do some shooting. Then I remembered a quote from Michael Gilbert, "The best light for shooting is the light you are in" (not sure if he is the original). So I realized that in harsh and contrasty light you should be looking for a subject that looks good when harsh and contrasty. Duh! I simply glanced above me at this tree, exposed for the highlights, and captured a workable image. The important thing is that this got my vision in motion for that afternoon. I continued shooting for another couple of hours and just had a great time. The lesson I learned that day is that anytime is the right time to be shooting. While the right light and the moment are critical for a given image to work, the trick is to find the right image for the light and moment you are experiencing.

Here is another image from that afternoon:

If you would like to see...

...some of Michael Long's work you can visit his website here: http://www.michaellongart.com/

Another exercise in creativity...

I learned this approcach to improving one's vision from Michael Long. Just as an athlete or musician "warms up" before a performance, it is important for the photographer to do the same. A great way to supercharge your vision and get the creativity flowing is to cover up your viewfinder, turn off the LCD display if shooting digital, and go take pictures for an hour without holding the camera to your eye. The idea is to not worry about the results! Who cares what the depth of field is or whether the exposure is correct? Let your eyes, not your viewfinder, connect you with the environment. You can certainly guess at a starting exposure and focus, but don't obsess over it. You may find this very difficult at first. Some people just can't do it. If this is you, then this exercise is critical. For the above image I simply set the aperature to f/22 and the mode to aperature priority. I let the camera pick the shutter speed and focus. I was crossing the street behind this girl and simply raised the camera to the level of my belly and squeezed the shutter. I think I took around five frames, and actually got this one that I think works. Thanks Michael Long!

Ask and you shall receive...

Here is the color version that Dreamstreet asked for!

In the beginning...

Macro photography is a great way to explore image possibilities. Sometimes when I suffer from "photographer's block" I will put on my macro lens and begin exploring. This forces me to look at possibilities I don't see during ordinary existence. Here is an image of a pond lily that I have converted to B&W using Adobe Lightroom. I photographed this using a Canon D60 with a 100mm f/2.8 macro lens.