by tmoffett | Jun 15, 2010 | Color, Composition, Family, Landscape, Photographic Philosophy
Wailua Falls, Kauai
The weather in Kauai is incredible! I was there in January with Christeena. We woke up one morning to rain and cool temperatures, so we drove 10 miles and were in sunshine and 80 degrees. The day we went to Wailua Falls was one of those rainy/sunny days. It was sunny when we left the hotel, then began raining as we drove up to the falls, stopped for a few minutes then the rain came down fairly hard, then the sun broke through for a while… any way, you get the picture. We decided to go down to the bottom of the falls, which was an adventure. It is very steep and due to the wet weather, quite slippery. I thank whoever is responsible for the ropes, which made the hike fairly safe.
Once at the bottom, the fun began. Shooting between cloudbursts and trying to get balanced light between the sky above and the falls and the river at the bottom was a challenge. “Hurry up and wait” is my motto. I will often set up and then wait for the light. Once everything falls into place, then I shoot.
The spray was heavy at the bottom of the waterfall, so I had to keep cleaning the lens. I set up on some rocks in the middle of the river in order to get the blue reflection of the sky in the water, as well as to capture some ripples to add some interesting movement to the photograph. After slipping on the rocks and nearly going in the river a couple of times, I was able to capture this image that I am quite pleased with.
by tmoffett | Jun 14, 2010 | Black and White, Landscape, Photographic Philosophy
Yachats Waves
While traveling down the coast we were nearly always in the midst of stormy weather. The wind was blowing and the waves pounding. It may not have been the perfect weather for vacationing, but as a working vacation for a photographer it was nearly ideal. Even in the storm, there is beauty to be found, we just have to look for it. This same concept applies to life as well.
In Yachats Waves, you can’t see the storm, only the beauty that it brings. These rocks are 10-12 feet above the ocean. The waves are pounding into the rock and washing over the tops, and then the water returns to the sea below. What looks like a stream is really the aftermath of that violent collision of an ocean wave with the rocky shoreline. Making this image was not easy. We climbed out onto the rocky shelf, dodging the water as it washed ashore. Christeena actually was holding an umbrella to protect our gear from the spray of sea water as the waves hit the rocks in front and beside us. We did take risks. We did get wet. We did get the shot. We must pay the price in order to reap the reward.
by tmoffett | Jun 13, 2010 | Color, Composition, Landscape
Haceta Head Lighthouse
The “postcard shot.” If I don’t shoot it, everyone thinks I am not for real. If I do shoot it, it looks pretty much the same as thousands of others shots. So I shoot them, show them and move on.
Haceta Head Lighthouse is one of the most photographed lighthouses on the Oregon Coast. The only way to view it and photograph it is from one of the several pullouts on the narrow, winding road. We stopped and shot. I was fortunate enough to have good waves to provide some interest to the foreground, one of the critical elements of a fine image. The sky is very simple, as it was a stormy day, or should I say stormy week! In a way, this helps the image, as a dramatic sky might just distract you from seeing what I want you to see… the lighthouse. The color in this image is also important, as it directs your eye to the main subject. The strong greens compliment the red very well. Technically, this is a very good image. It is, however very similar to many other images of this same lighthouse. I am always looking for something different and unique. I have my vision, but it is very difficult to show my unique vision in a “postcard” shot.
Click here to see the gallery.
by tmoffett | Jun 12, 2010 | Color, Family, Landscape, Photo tips, Photographic Philosophy
Mountain Stream
As great as it is to be away, it is always good to get back home. I haven’t had a chance to even look at what I shot yesterday on our way home, as we got in about 2:00AM and I was too tired to even look at them, so I am posting an earlier image from my archives today. I will be posting more images from this trip in the future, so come back often!
I mentioned that we got home at about 2:00AM, and we almost didn’t even get home at all last night. We came back on Hwy 26 through central Oregon, stopping along the way to photograph. It is a beautiful drive, and I would highly recommend it. We gassed up in Eugene, thinking it would be no problem getting gas along the way. I had no idea how hard it is to find gas in Oregon after 8:00. When the stations are closed, the pumps are disabled so you can’t even purchase gas with a credit card. Anyway, the low fuel warning came on in Vail, and we made it to Ontario on fumes and found a station open there, so thankfully, we didn’t have to spend the night in the truck on the side of the road.
This image, Mountain Stream, is an Idaho photograph, shot some time ago. I have been intrigued with the motion of water for a long time. Water is powerful, however it also has a very delicate side to it. The soft flow as it winds itself down the mountainside in the evening light creates a calm and peaceful feeling. I love black and white, however in this image, I feel that using the green foliage to frame the rocks and stream were really powerful. The color has a purpose here. If there is no purpose for the color, in other words, if it does not add to the image, then I keep it black and white. I am a strong believer that every element in the image should add to the effectiveness of the final piece of art. If it does not, then it should be somehow removed.
To see more of Terrell”s photographs, see MoffettGallery.com.
by tmoffett | Jun 11, 2010 | Black and White, Landscape
Ona Beach
Yesterday brought another day of rain on the Oregon coast. We did get a few breaks, just long enough to get a few images with clouds in the sky. While at Ona Beach, we photographed while watching the storm move in. We were about a 15 minute walk to the truck, and when we thought the storm to be about 15 minutes from land we headed back. We judged wrong. We got wet. Oh well, it was worth it.
This morning we are starting back towards home, not sure if we will go all the way today or not. Kind of depends on what we find along the way. We have had a great trip and photographically, quite productive. It has been a great jump start to my summer break.
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