by tmoffett | Oct 14, 2010 | Color, Composition, Landscape, Uncategorized
Foggy Morning, Redfish Lake
The Stanley are is one of my favorites! On one late summer morning I was treated to a heavy fog in the entire valley. As I drove toward Redfish Lake, the fog thinned out a bit so that the foreground was visible, but the trees across the lake were nearly gone. It was a beautiful sight. The fog was beginning to lift, so I didn’t have much time to photograph, but pausing for a moment first to take it all in and feel the surroundings (a necessity for me before photographing), I then proceeded to set up camera and tripod. I first made some images of the boats in the marina, then turned my attention toward the shoreline. I found this small peninsula with a large log, surrounded mostly by the morning fog, which provided the weight to balance with the trees at the left edge of the composition. The feeling of stillness, calm and peace prevailed with just enough detail to move the eye throughout the image to keep it interesting and hold attention. I love the trees just showing through the fog enough to create a bit of mystery. It was a great morning to be out enjoying God’s great creations.
by tmoffett | Sep 16, 2010 | Color, Landscape, Photographic Philosophy, Ramblings, Uncategorized
Rocky Shoreline, Seaside, Oregon
Have you ever had one of those days that got off to a rocky start and went downhill from there? I know I have. We all do. How we handle those days can make all the difference.
I asked my students the other day to write about what motivates them to do the things that need to be done but they don’t like doing. We all have things that are motivators. Recognizing what they are is the first step in being able to really utilize them for our benefit. I know for me, if something just isn’t going right, if I read personal testimonial statements from my clients. To see how happy they are with their investment always seems to pick me up and get me going again.
I think that it is all about attitude, our attitude, that can help get us through the tough times. As Dewitt Jones says, “Celebrate what’s right with the world instead of wallowing in what’s wrong.” By looking on the bright side, we can overcome most anything and end up better off because of it. This relates to both life and photography. Many times I have been out photographing and I just wasn’t seeing anything. I made excuses, “The light’s not right, The scene is boring, If there was only a tree right there, etc.” When I find myself in that situation, if I catch myself making excuses, then I try to sit down, take a deep breath and change my attitude. When I do, I often go back out and find something wonderful to photograph.
I remember a trip to Oregon just over a year ago. We arrived on the coast and were met with fog. Dense fog. the light was flat. Everything was gray. It wasn’t what I was expecting. I was disappointed. After the first day, I realized, “I am going to be here for a week. Don’t waste it. Find the beauty in the fog!” So I did. We had a wonderful time and I came home with some amazing images. Not what I had expected to shoot, but great images nonetheless.
Success is all in your attitude!
by tmoffett | Sep 15, 2010 | Photographic Philosophy, Uncategorized
Marina, Astoria, Oregon
I am right at home in the landscape. I love photographing the land, and water, in a delicate and simple way. The peace and quiet of a forest, the rich colors of a sunset over the sea or a majestic mountain peak at sunrise. That is where I feel at home.
We were at the marina in the late afternoon on a stormy day with camera in tow, so I forced myself to try to photograph. I struggled. The busyness I saw through the viewfinder was confusing me. I didn’t know what to look at. Simplifying the scene was a struggle. I had to work. I finally felt the image. I had isolated a bit of quiet in the bottom and right side of the image, the ships and clouds overhead on the left. I feel good about the image, but man, did I ever have to fight inside for it. I found it difficult, but rewarding.
By getting outside our “box” we force ourselves to grow, both as a person and creatively. It is important to do this to keep from getting stale. Even though we love what we do as artists, we must on occasion force ourselves to step out of our box and find something else. It will keep us fresh. We will find new work to do. It is just all around a healthy thing to do.
by tmoffett | Jul 31, 2010 | Color, Landscape, Photographic Philosophy, Uncategorized
Midnight Sky
I know I have mentioned this before, but so many times we put our cameras away too early in the evening. I am amazed at how interesting images can made long after the sun has set. I love the quality of light just after sunset, but will often continue to explore with my camera deep into the night.
This image was made late one night while on a camping trip with one of my sons boy scout troop. We had eaten a late dinner and the boys were playing some games and so I decided to wander off to photograph. The sun had long since descended below the horizon and the moon was hidden behind some thick clouds in the eastern sky. I focused my camera on the southern horizon and watched the clouds as they moved in. A long exposure (30 seconds) was needed to brighten the sky, yet the mountains still remained nearly silhouetted. There is just a touch of detail in the final print, although it doesn’t show up well in this low res file. The movement of the clouds, to me is very intriguing. The light enhances the feel, as it almost appears to be lit from within. There is a glow, or a luminescence within the image creating a magical feeling. Something very difficult to re-create during the daytime hours.
Being out in the wilderness in the crisp night air, listening to the coyotes howl and making photographs, what else could more refreshing? Shooting at night can be a creatively enhancing experience. It certainly was for me this night.
by tmoffett | Jul 8, 2010 | Landscape, Photographic Philosophy, Uncategorized
Solitude
I love shooting photographs of the local areas. I feel that I get to know them, yet never tire of them. It seems that I see something different every time I return to a familiar place, or maybe I just see the same things differently. The light is always changing, so the same things can look totally different from day to day. I challenge you to go back to a favorite location many times over the course of a year and see how many different images you can create.
Lake Lowell is my “fallback” location. If I am wondering where to go, I go to the lake. I originally planned to do a 15 print portfolio from the lake, however by the time I had 15, I felt like I was just starting, so I kept going back. This is an image just shot this week. I was at one of my favorite evening locations, but this time in the morning. There was a completely different look in the morning than at sunset. Just prior to sunrise there was a coolness to the light. Everything was blue except for the western horizon which had a touch of red. Not a cloud in the sky and the breeze was blowing creating some motion in the trees and the grasses. It was cool for this time of year, and the bluish color enhanced the coolness in the air. The lone tree, surrounded by water in the cool, crisp morning air creates a cold, lonely feeling, but reaching out, not far away is the warmth of the rising sun.
To me, photography is all about feelings. If an image causes you to feel something it is a success.
by tmoffett | Jun 22, 2010 | Color, Composition, Landscape, Uncategorized
Sunbathing Allowed
A crisp Saturday morning at sunrise brought calm and empty waters at Lake Lowell. Just an hour later and the lake would be bustling with watercraft and fishermen. And little later than that and this dock would be filled with swimmers and sunbathers of all ages. I just happen to catch the calm before the storm!
While walking along the shoreline near the boat ramp I found this view of the dock. The blue sky at dawn reflecting on the water seemed to give a cool feeling to the whole scene. What really makes the image for me, though are the string of orange buoys leading from the dock to the trees on the left. They provide just enough pattern and complimentary color to break up the smooth cool tones throughout the photograph. I love the feel, the texture and color. It all works together for the good of the image.
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