by tmoffett | Nov 11, 2010 | Color, Landscape, Ramblings
Reflection, Washington Lake
Backpacking is a favorite summer activity of mine. I remember the first backpacking trip I ever experienced when I was just 8 years old. It was miserable. My feet hurt. My back hurt. I thought I would never make it to camp. I had a miserable night as we had a new spring break through the ground under my tent and soaked through the bottom of the tent. However, those memories faded fast as the next summer approached and we planned our next adventure. It was a tradition in our family and I actually began to enjoy the trips. It was time to get away from the stress and worries of everyday life and enjoy the creations of God. When I began backpacking we carried just food, shelter and fishing gear. Then I began photographing and in later years I carried in more camera gear than food. I had learned the art of fishing by then and relied on that for nourishment.
My first trip into the White Cloud Mountains took me into Washington Lake. The water was crystal clear… and cold! The landscape reflected off the surface as if it were a mirror. I photographed. I fished. I was successful with both. What more could I ask for? I soon found out! In the back country of central Idaho you never know what the weather may bring. In early August you would think summer like weather, but not this time! It turned winter like. Snow and sleet. It became miserable overnight. Instead of pushing on to Chamberlain Basin, we stayed put, and then, seeing that it was not going to let up , we turned back a day early. Snowed out in August, but not empty handed. I did have photographs. And I will go back for more.
by tmoffett | Nov 10, 2010 | Color, Landscape, Ramblings
Waterfall, Sweet Creek
Water. I love photographing water. I don’t know what it is, but I am really drawn to it. It really doesn’t matter if it is flowing or still, it is very captivating to me. I happened upon this waterfall one morning while hiking up Sweet Creek as we were on our way to Yachats, Oregon. It was a cool morning in October and the water was flowing just perfectly. I had visited this area earlier in the year and the flows were extreme, way too fast for the feel I like in my images, but this time it was perfect. The lighting was nice as well. However, just a few minutes after photographing these falls, the sun crested the mountain and the water was in the blazing sunlight and the mood was gone. The contrast was so great that it was impossible to photograph any longer. I really feel lucky to have arrived when I did and have the opportunity to create a few good images before losing the light.
This concept of light quality is everything in photography. Photo means light and graphy means to draw or write. We photographers draw with light. If we have a quality light source then we can create quality photographs. Without quality light, we create less than quality images. So many of my young students have a hard time grasping hold of this concept. When they do finally get it, though, everything seems to click. When that happens, I realize just how great it is to be a teacher. I have the best jobs in the world. Photographing and sharing. Life is good.
by tmoffett | Nov 9, 2010 | Color, Photo tips, Photographic Philosophy
Sand and Stone
Overcast skies create a wonderful quality of light for photographing details. This image was shot between rainstorms on a recent trip to the Oregon Coast. The shadows are full of detail and the colors are rendered rich and vibrant.
Many times getting out in conditions that would seem less than ideal end up being the best days for photographing. I have learned that the best time to create images is the present. It matters not what the weather is, if I have an open mind and feel my environment, I will be successful. The key is feeling. Feeling the light. Feeling the moment. Feeling your surroundings. Internalizing those feeling and then capturing them visually is the process that makes successful images. Without the feeling, I am only able to find snapshots.
by tmoffett | Nov 8, 2010 | Color, Landscape, Ramblings
Pacific Sunset
Life is full of twists, turns and complications. I frequently need to find a means of “decluttering” my mind, and I often turn to photography. My “Horizon” series of photographs are simple images that help me to refocus and eliminate the clutter. Just looking at them helps my state of mind.
Last week was one of those weeks that were more trying than most, and by the weekend I needed a release. Friday I was able to go out photographing with my wife, a wonderful experience. Just being able to search for images and enjoy great company is refreshing. I have the most wonderful wife! After the sun set and nightfall came upon us, we went out for a nice dinner and just relaxed. It was a great start to a wonderful weekend. I feel completely refreshed and ready to have a productive week. I look forward to being able to share a bit of my photographic knowledge and experiences to 150 young students, most of whom are eager to learn.
It’s amazing the difference a weekend makes!
by tmoffett | Nov 5, 2010 | Color, Ramblings
One Saturday morning a few weeks ago I was out with some friends photographing the sunrise when we came across this stand of trees, still full of leaves and even green! Everything around them were starting to change color, but for some reason these had not started the change. As the sun crept through the trees it warmed the cool Autumn air and called to be photographed. I found an angle that provided a bit of flare, but not too overpowering and set up my tripod. I watched and waited as the sun slowly rose and created a nice glow through the translucent leaves. I savored the warmth of the sun, knowing that soon winter would set in and the warmth would be replaced by icy cold temperatures and ice covered branches.
Most of the time, I photograph the landscape with front or side lighting, however on occasion I do find that subjects lit from behind can be interesting. Leaves on the trees appear to glow while solid subjects fall into deep shadow. Flare and sunspots sometimes appear, adding interest or entirely destroying the image. Care must be taken in calculating the exposure, as the highlights from the direct sun in the lens will fool the cameras light meter, causing severe underexposure. While the in camera light meters are quite accurate, it is in situations like these that I use my handheld spotmeter. This was a necessary piece of equipment in my days of shooting large format cameras, and still I take it everywhere with me. Using it, bracketing is not necessary as I know exactly what is happening in the capture. without it, bracketing becomes a necessity.
by tmoffett | Nov 3, 2010 | Color, Landscape, Ramblings
Sweet Creek
Autumn. My favorite season for photography! The colors are changing and the air, clean and crisp. It is a great time to get out in the mountains for a hike. Sweet Creek was perfect. The falling leaves were beginning to fall and line the creek with their color. The water level was perfect for photographing the falls. This is just one of many images that I was able to make on a recent morning while strolling the banks with Christeena and my two youngest children.
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