by tmoffett | Oct 5, 2010 | Color, Landscape, Ramblings
Rocks and Water
Detail photographs can be a great addition to a portfolio to add some variety. I often look for the one great shot and forget to look at the details. You may find that the best image lies within the frame that you have already shot. I like to start with the wide, establishing shot and then work down to the details. Such was the case here. I went from using a 20mm wide angle lens to my 200mm telephoto lens, and it was then that this small stream seemed to come to life for me. The water flowing around the moss covered rocks were inviting me to come closer. And when I did, I was not disappointed. The water seemed to make what color I found in the rocks to come to life. Almost animated. It was a wonderful experience to photograph.
by tmoffett | Oct 4, 2010 | Color, Landscape, Ramblings
Bayhorse Creek
The soft flowing water in contrast to the sharp, stable rocks and the dark, moody lighting found in the thick brush of Bayhorse Creek caught my eye after a good day fishing at Bayhorse Lake, just a few miles upstream. I love the sight and sound of running creek water in the wilderness. It is refreshing to the soul. This image is a constant reminder to me of what an evening in the woods is like. I can almost smell the fresh air. When I can’t get out, I look at images to cleanse my mind.
by tmoffett | Oct 2, 2010 | Color, Landscape, Ramblings
Sunset Reflection
Oftentimes I will find myself shooting east when the sun drops low in the sky. I like the warm light that the setting sun provides. Last night, while out at the lake, photographing the eastern sky, I turned around and saw the ducks swimming through the reflection of the setting sun. I quickly swung the camera around, just in time to capture this image.
I don’t often photograph wildlife, not because I don’t like it, but just because my energy right now is so focused on landscape photography. When I get in a groove, I get tunnel vision of sorts and tend not to see what else is out there. Because of this, I see my landscape work improving and really beginning to “say” something, however I know that I do miss some other photographs that could be very compelling. I am alright with that. I know that finding a niche will breed success. Doing one thing well is much more important to me than being just alright in many areas. My heart is in the landscape. My one desire is to create meaningful images of the landscape. I explore my innermost feelings and express them in photographs created in the world around me. Photography is my outlet. It has become a need. Without it, for me, life would become very difficult.
by tmoffett | Oct 1, 2010 | Color, Landscape, Photo tips
Blowing Brush
I just gave my Photo 2 class an assignment to capture motion in a photograph. We discussed how to show movement and motion and how to stop the motion. We talked about shutter speeds and equivalent exposure. I hope they understood. I will find out over the next few days how well I taught the concept. Most of what we discussed revolved around sports photography, as the need to stop the action is great. As I thought about it, though, I realized that in landscape photography I make decisions relating to motion on a daily basis.
Wind is a very big part of nature. There are many times that I want to show the power of the wind. As the leaves blow, I see the power and beauty of the wind. Properly photographed a scene can come alive. With the wrong settings, a scene can be killed. Understanding your camera and its settings can make or break you in the wind. A slow shutter speed allows the motion to be seen in an image. Set it too slow, though, and it turns to mush. Practice is the only way I know to learn how to capture the wind.
by tmoffett | Sep 30, 2010 | Color, Landscape
Reflections, Lake Cleveland
Reflections. I love them. The ripples in the water distort them. It’s a beautiful thing. I really like it when I can find warm and cool colors coexisting in a single reflection. At Lake Cleveland the other day I found just that. The rocks provide that little bit of stability to the image while at the same time they cause the ripples, coming in in straight lines, to be broken up and add some circular motion in the water in the foreground. They also add interest and a place for the eye to rest for a moment. Every reflection photograph is different due to the changing motion of the water, kind of like life. Each moment is different and cannot be re-lived. Live to make every moment count.
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