Ferns at Nelder Grove

2.5 sec at f/22, focal length: 73mm, ISO 400 - October 13, 2008, 8:58am PDT
Photographed with Canon EOS 20D, EF 70-200mm f/4L, tripod mounted


Here are two more images from my recent Nelder Grove hike close to home. I've been meaning to post these for a while. This first one of the fern and fallen sequoia is one of my personal favorites in my library right now but I am still quite pleased with the detail image of the fronds.




2 sec at f/16, focal length: 200mm, ISO 100 - October 13, 2008, 8:50am PDT
Photographed with Canon EOS 20D, EF 70-200mm f/4L, tripod mounted


I've been going to black and white much more recently than I have in the past. This is mainly due in part to a book that Bill, my boss, recently received; "Voyage of the Eye" by Brett Weston. His work is simply amazing. Every photographer (as well as any one that appreciates any medium of art) should be very aware of his work. Here is a link to his website.
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Dogwood, Early Fall, Nelder Grove, Sierra National Forest

2.5 sec at f/22, focal length: 200mm, ISO 200 - October 13, 2008, 8:34am PDT
Photographed with Canon EOS 20D, EF 70-200mm f/4L, tripod mounted


I find myself being drawn more and more to the quiet moments, the quiet compositions. You'll often hear of photographers that would rather pose a question than to answer it. I find that if I strive for this as well, then I become more engaged with the subject and can connect with what's there in front of me in a very real way. I begin to feel the pulse of nature harmonizing with my own and it no longer becomes about making the photograph. But at the same time, the photograph seems to become easier to make. It's almost as if nature is saying "OK, now that you can see, I will show you".

Even at this point I continue to ask questions, and continue to leave those questions unanswered in the final image so that the viewer may participate. This doesn't mean that I have to completely abstract the situation to the point that the only question left to be asked is "What is this?", but it does mean not being completely narrative or "scenic".

Now, I have abstracted a subject pretty much to that point, as can be seen on this blog. But even with those images, I still try to leave other questions to be asked without being stumped by the "what is this?" conundrum.

I encourage everyone that hasn't taken this approach to try it out. It's a very refreshing way to interact with your subject and I think you may just like the results.




3.2 sec at f/22, focal length: 91mm, ISO 200 - October 13, 2008, 9:01am PDT
Photographed with Canon EOS 20D, EF 70-200mm f/4L, tripod mounted


Sam Abell, famed National Geographic photographer, discusses his gravitation towards the quiet moment in a recent interview with PDN's Conor Risch. You can read it here. I had the pleasure of spending three days with Mr. Abell while attending Brooks Institute of Photography, studying photojournalism. The man is poetry; in his photography, his writing and his speech. He is a very gifted artist and if you aren't already, then you should become very familiar with his work. "The Photographic Life" is a great place to start. He also has a new book coming out (thus the interview with PDN) titled "The Life of a Photograph" which will be joining my collection once it is released.
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In the Shadow of the Giants

3.2 sec at f/22, focal length: 200mm, ISO 100 - October 13, 2008, 8:26am PDT
Photographed with Canon EOS 20D, EF 70-200mm f/4L, tripod mounted


I haven't been out to photograph, except for just around the house, since my trip to Montana de Oro and have been getting restless to say the least. After watching Andy Goldsworthy's Rivers and Tides I was feeling very inspired and decided that I'd finally just get up early the next morning and go. And I did.

Close by is the Nelder Grove of Giant Sequoias. It's a short, very easy hike with lots of Lodgepole, Dogwood, Cedar, and of Course Giant Sequoias. I spent two and a half hours out there getting re-acquainted with nature and rejuvenating my spirit. It was a visual candy store and I had to force myself to slow down and work a composition to its fullest before moving on.

I'll be posting images for the next few days (2 in each post) from this session so be sure to check back to see the results. I'm excited about these images and I hope that you are too!

Another image after the jump and some added inspiration.



5 sec at f/22, focal length: 98mm, ISO 200 - October 13, 2008, 7:44am PDT
Photographed with Canon EOS 20D, EF 70-200mm f/4L, tripod mounted

Andy Goldsworthy's "Rivers and Tides"

Andy Goldsworthy is an artist that works purely with what he finds in nature and it is truly mind blowing stuff. I encourage everyone to look into his work. I was able to rent "Rivers and Tides" from netflix. He also photographs his work and sells books. Enjoy!


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Dogwood, Yosemite National Park

1/50 sec at f/8, focal length: 200mm, ISO 100 - May 3, 2008, 2:43pm PDT
Photographed with Canon EOS 20D, Tamron AF 18-200mm f/3.5-6.3 XR Di II, tripod mounted


I know that it's quite the opposite of spring right now, but I came across this image and decided that I needed to post it before I forget about it again.

My dad and I were spending the afternoon hiking around the Mirror Lake Loop. Dogwood were just peaking but since it was the afternoon on a "beautiful", clear, sunny day; finding a photogenic tree was proving to be a challenge. We happened to spot this small tree early on in the hike, but didn't have much luck further on. Luckily for us, Yosemite is never dissapointing and there is a never bad time spent with my dad.

Enjoy!
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