by tmoffett | Nov 22, 2010 | Color, Photographic Philosophy
Shoreline, 804 Trail
There is something that I love about photographs made with long shutter speeds. In the evening, my favorite time to photograph, long shutter speeds are a necessity, but even during the day I will use a neutral density filter in order to slow down the shutter. There is a feeling that comes with long shutter speeds that just is not present in photographs made with fast speeds. Things in motion are rendered in motion, and that creates a fluidity that is just not possible any other way.
In the evening, or even after the sun has set, leaving the shutter open for extreme amounts of time, often will create a sense of mystery or eeriness, a definite mood. When viewing the image it creates a sense of actually being there. This is what much of my landscape photography is about. I really want a feeling, and emotion to be stirred. I hope the viewer can enjoy the work, and feel something close to the feeling I get when creating it.
by tmoffett | Nov 19, 2010 | Color, Landscape, Photo tips
Mushroom
On an overcast afternoon last month I was strolling the 804 trail with my camera and photographing the ocean waves and the shoreline. It was a wonderful experience, as the tide was coming in and the waves raging from the unsettled weather. After some time, the sun decided to show itself and I decided that I was through photographing, as the high sun was way too harsh for my liking. On the way back to the hotel, I decided to step into the woods and look around. I found several interesting mushrooms growing, so I decided to photograph them.
While the light on the ocean at noon is not good, when getting back in the shade of the trees the light became soft and rich. It reflected off of the mushroom so soft and nice, it almost looked like it was glowing. I felt like I was on a treasure hunt, searching for mushrooms! I learned that they come in lots of varieties, some very interesting. It was also reinforced in my mind that the subject of a photograph can be just about anything. If the light is right, anything can look good. I keep telling my students that if they can find the light, then the subject will appear, they just have to be observant. If I could just get them to believe in themselves and in this philosophy they would start making interesting photographs.
by tmoffett | Nov 17, 2010 | Color, Photographic Philosophy
Taming the Sea
Long exposures are amazing! I use them all the time in my landscape photography. I find that long exposures help create mood and feeling in images. Due to the fact that I shoot a lot of my photographs before sunrise or after sunset I am forced to use long exposures. The image shown here is a 15 second exposure. While the sea was rough and wild that morning, the long exposure smoothed out the scene and calmed the troubled waters. It created an almost mist-like looking photograph. Instead of a snapshot looking image where you see every drop of water and the rough waves, a long exposure seemed to calm the sea.
by tmoffett | Nov 16, 2010 | Color, Composition, Landscape
Framed
Hiking through Ecola State Park near Cannon Beach with Christeena and my camera was a great way to spend an evening. We had no timetable. No place to be. Just enjoy the company and the scenery. We all need a break now and then, and this one proved to be just what I needed to refresh my spirit. I love being with my family, but that is not always a vacation! However, when it is just the two of us it is very much that needed vacation.
This image I found while descending a trail in the park just before sunset. The back lit leaves made a perfect frame for the haze filled mountainside. The haze cut the contrast to just manageable and created the illusion of depth in the image.I don’t usually photograph with the subject dead center in the frame, but this time it worked. It is those situations that are different like this that I am always on the lookout for. Breaking the rules with a purpose. That is what makes photographing exciting for me.
by tmoffett | Nov 15, 2010 | Color, Photographic Philosophy
Reflections of Sunrise, Lake Lowell
Arising early to revel in the beauty at sunrise is a wonderful experience. To be able to capture that experience in a photograph is even more incredible. I love returning to my feelings often, and my photographs help me do that.
Lake Lowell has become a favorite place for me to spend the mornings. I have been photographing at the lake now for several years just when I think that there is nothing else to photograph I find something. The light changes. My attitude changes. The water level changes. The only thing constant is change, and that is what makes it possible to continue this project indefinitely. I will continue to photograph the lake probably for years to come. I will continue to enjoy my mornings of walking, pondering and photographing. I will continue to show new photographs of an old subject. It creates an excitement in me. I will continue until I lose that excitement.
by tmoffett | Nov 12, 2010 | Color, Landscape, Ramblings
Whitewater
Braving the elements with camera in hand is nearly always an awesome experience. While at times I must talk myself into venturing out in less than ideal conditions, I am never disappointed when I return. There is something unexplainable about the experience of creating images at times that others would rather stay safe inside. I have been out in rain and lightning storms trying to keep gear dry and make photographs at the same time. I have been battling rain and the rising ocean surf at the same time, running from an approaching wave and at other times being overtaken by a sleeper wave mid exposure. It can get exciting! That tension and excitement comes through in the photographs. It is something that until you experience it you will never understand.
The image above was made while battling wind, storm surge and rain at the same time. I broke the number one rule of the ocean just once and paid the price. I turned my back to the ocean to photograph the other way and just as I did I got hit with a wave. It was a shocker because no wave previously had come nearly as high as I was. I really thought I was safe. I did learn my lesson, though.
The turbulent wave crashing over the rock was a sight of beauty. The stability of the rock, unmoved by the powerful force of the ocean speaks volumes about life. If we don’t have that stability then the turbulence will carry us away or smash us into the rock. Much can be interpreted in the images. My goal is not to give the answers, but to open the questions and let you, the viewer answer them in ways that are meaningful to you.
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