by tmoffett | Sep 3, 2010 | Color, Composition, Landscape, Photographic Philosophy
Shoshone Falls
I like using different formats for my photographs. I know some photographers believe that one should always shoot “full frame,” but not me. Why should I let a camera manufacturer dictate the aspect ratio that my photographs should be? I feel that the photographer should be in control of the entire process, including final cropping. When a particular image would be best as a square, then make it square, if rectangle is best, then do that, and sometimes a panoramic format work best. I have shot with a 4×5 view camera quite a bit, but I really don’t like that format full frame. I often will crop the top and bottom 3/4 inch off to make it closer to 3×5. I find that a much more appealing format. I have been photographing that way off and on now for 25 years and I still like it.
One thing that I do believe in is to determine the crop before making the exposure. Previsualization is key. A great photographer will know at the time of exposure what he/she wants the finished piece to look like and knows how to get it. This applies not only to the cropping, but to the final look and feel of the image as well.
Digital photography has changed how I capture images, but it has not changed my vision much. I have had to learn new techniques, but only to the extent of enhancing my vision. The concept of previsualization is a hard one for many of my student to catch on to. With digital cameras offering instant feedback, the new philosophy is to shoot a thousand images and when then when editing, we are sure to find a good one. This thought process destroys the ability to make truly thoughtful art. It is not about creating meaningful images anymore, just pretty pictures. This way of thinking and creating is definitely not for me.
by tmoffett | Sep 2, 2010 | Color, Landscape, Photographic Philosophy
Horizon, Seaside, Oregon
Here is a sneak peek into a new portfolio that I am currently working on. Entitled Horizons, the images are all seascapes made in an abstract sort of way. The power, beauty and motion of the sea are somewhat overshadowed by the horizon line, the only truly sharp area of the photographs.
This series started as a fun diversion from my more traditional landscape photography work. As I photographed more and more, I developed a love for the feeling portrayed in these images. Now, every chance I get to be at the ocean I am there, camera in hand. I have always loved capturing motion with still images, but that love has developed into a real passion while working on this portfolio. There is something very captivating about the ocean. Watching the movement and power of the waves is mesmerizing. I could sit and watch this motion for hours and never tire of it.
The effects of motion in this series is all captured in camera. none of the effects are made in post production. Slight tonal adjustments are the only things accomplished after capture. I am a firm believer in using the camera to make photographs, not Photoshop. To accomplish this task successfully, one must master the technical aspects of the camera, an art that is becoming lost in today’s world.
by tmoffett | Sep 1, 2010 | Color, Landscape, Photo tips
Rock and Water
I love the ocean, and one of my favorite places to visit the ocean is along the Oregon coast. The opportunities for incredible photographs are endless. It makes no difference what the weather is like, imaging opportunities are abundant. The variety of coastline scenery is unreal. You can walk from the sandy beach to tidepools to rocky outcroppings to a rain forest in just a matter of minutes. I don’t think I could ever get bored.
One evening while watching the sun set in the western sky, I began watching the waves wash in over the rocks near the beach. The water would come in and wash over the rocks and then flow back out to the sea. It was quite mesmerizing. As I sat and watched, I turned my lens away from the sunset and began photographing the water. Capturing the motion of the water made the rocks appear soft and pliable. The water became almost a mist, a cloud upon which the heavy rocks floated. Instead of the feeling of hard, heavy, black stones, a light and airy feeling prevailed. I liked that. It emulated my feelings at the time. I was in one of the most beautiful places on the planet, sharing time with my wonderful wife and creating photographs. What could be better?
Not much.
by tmoffett | Aug 31, 2010 | Color, Composition, Landscape
Sunset, Melba, Idaho
A sunset is not just about the sunset. While the color is what pulls us in, there must also be something to hold our attention. I am always searching for that “something.” It can be in the foreground, it could be the horizon line, maybe an interesting silhouette or maybe some birds. Just about anything of interest works.
In this image, there are a couple of things that are going for it. It starts with the faint vertical lines of plowed rows in the field, met by a band of mist rising from the moist soil. The horizon line, not just a straight, flat line, but one with character, rising and falling as you move across it, then met abruptly by a single bush to stop your eye for a brief moment. Without the bush, I think the image is kind of weak, but with it, well, it makes all the difference.
Another lesson on being ready for anything was taught me the evening this was made. Christeena and I were parked along Southside Blvd. waiting for the Melba fireworks display when this scene came to view just across the street. I had to walk just a bit to find the right perspective to shoot from, but I was ready. Instead of just focusing on where the fireworks would be coming from, I kept an open mind to anything that might present itself. I did miss the first few fireworks while working this scene, but I don’t regret that at all. I have learned that if I am ready, many possibilities will present themselves. All I must do is recognize them and be ready to interpret and capture them.
by tmoffett | Aug 29, 2010 | Color, Landscape, Photographic Philosophy
The Rock
There are photographs everywhere just waiting to be created. Many times we are too focused on the big picture that we fail to see the details, when the details can be just as interesting, or sometimes even more interesting than what we see. We must train ourselves to slow down and become observant of our surroundings.
One afternoon I went on a hike with a couple of my boys to Bridal Veil Falls. I had made this hike on several occasions previously and had walked over/through this particular stream and never thought anything of it. However, on this hike, I stopped to check out some wild berry bushes and while looking I happen to look down in the stream and noticed the interesting color of rocks beneath the surface of the crystal clear water. This one stone seemed to stand out from the rest, so I photographed it. It is a reminder to me that I must make a conscious effort to really explore my surroundings. Life is much more enjoyable this way, and I often find new subjects to photograph as a bonus!
by tmoffett | Aug 27, 2010 | Color, Composition, Landscape
Rock Bottom
I love subtlety in imagery. The soft and delicate tones and color in this image, for me anyway, is what makes it work. This is an image that really needs to be fairly large, as the soft texture in the water begins to really become evident in the enlargement. The ripples on the surface cause a bit of distortion in the rocky bottom of the shallow waters of Lake Lowell. The contrast of the rocks under the water to the crisp and smooth rocks on the shoreline add visual interest as well. Also, the bush that is growing along the shore tends to frame the image, creating a stopping point or resting place for the viewers eye.
While different from the images of power that many of my water images have, this still catches my eye and is very pleasing to look at.
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