by tmoffett | Aug 25, 2010 | Color, Landscape, Photographic Philosophy
Multnomah Falls
When arriving at Multnomah Falls in early June on our way to the coast, we found it utterly chaotic. As if the swarms of people from all over the world weren’t bad enough, a wedding party had just arrived and were preparing for the arrival of the bride. We fought our way through the crowds to find the base of the falls. As we arrived at the viewing area we found more people as well as a terrific spray from the falls. I had never seen this much water coming over the falls. It was a pretty awe inspiring sight.
Fighting the crowds and the water were draining. I sat back to get a feel for what the falls said to me. As I relaxed for a small moment I saw this bush on the side of the mountain protruding toward the falling water. It seemed as the sun peeked through the clouds and vapor just enough to highlight it and the cascading water behind it made for a perfect background. It was as though I was being told what do photograph. Nature was speaking loud and clear to my mind. While the world is full of chaos, if we slow down, sometimes just for a moment, we can find the simplicity that allows us to relax and enjoy life.
by tmoffett | Aug 24, 2010 | Color, Landscape, Photographic Philosophy
Waves, Lake Lowell
I have a new portfolio that will soon be released at MoffettGallery.com entitled “Shorelines.” I began working on this portfolio just over one year ago while on the Oregon Coast and continued building on it in Hawaii last January. This Spring, I started incorporating some of the techniques I was using into some new images at Lake Lowell here in Canyon County, Idaho. It was then that I decided to expand the work to include more than just ocean shorelines. I became intrigued with the interaction of water and land at many different levels. I noticed that even in small lakes water has great power as it laps against the shore. Rocks become smooth, sandy shorelines erode and movement is exhibited.
While the motion of the water creates very interesting patterns and lines, I think what I am most interested in is the translucency of the water rushing over the shore. It matters not if it is a rocky shoreline or covered in sand, whether vegetation is growing or it is barren. From within this transparent substance comes power and life. Rocks are moved, erosion takes place and life is renewed. Without water, all would die, with it, life is revived. Capturing its beauty is something that I will always enjoy.
The techniques used to create these images of shorelines will be covered in my Landscape Photography class that begins on September 16 in Nampa, Idaho and runs for 3 weeks. For more information call or email.
by tmoffett | Aug 23, 2010 | Color, Composition, Landscape
Foggy Morning, Lake Lowell
Combining the concept of simplicity and the design element of line in landscape photography is sometimes difficult for new photographers to grasp hold of. Often, I find students using line in predominantly “busy” images, which is just the opposite of simple. I love combining these two because when done successfully you end up with a very calm, peaceful image that has good flow or creates good eye movement throughout the photograph, as with the image above.
by tmoffett | Aug 22, 2010 | Color, Landscape, Photographic Philosophy
Country Road
The road to Gotts Point is a favorite location of mine for an early morning stroll with my camera and tripod. It is always quiet, allowing me to think deeply about whatever is on my mind. It is a great place to meditate and ponder, and as I do I feel invigorated and ready to move on to the next challenge.
The series of images that I have made over the past couple of years around Lake Lowell has evolved as I have spent time here. I think that the photographs have become more thoughtful and evocative over time. As I look at my earlier work I realize just how far I have come as an artist in just the past 2 years. I am having much more fun as well. Taking time to review and think about what we do is such a critical part of everything we do, yet so many neglect this area and it really does hinder their work.
I want my photographs to have meaning. I want them to evoke feeling and emotions. I want you to feel like you are at the scene and feel what I feel when I was there. This will only happen if I truly put myself in my work. I must know what I am about and then go out and shoot from the heart. When I am out with my camera, I forget myself and lose myself in the environment. If I get a feeling like I should stop and make an image, I do. Intuition seems to take over, and often, not until I return home and view the results do I realize the impact, power and meaning of an image. If shot from the heart, the image will speak to me, not the other way around.
by tmoffett | Aug 21, 2010 | Color, Family, Ramblings
The Dock
I have spent many hours on this dock fishing with my kids. This particular night, however, just after sunset the dock emptied and was a perfect subject for a photograph. After shooting, though, I did get out my fishing pole and Christeena and I caught some fish. We had a great time watching the light dim on McGowan Peak as the reflections in the water changed minute by minute and then watch the stars as they began appearing.
I think this image has more meaning to me because it brings back the great memories of vacations with my family to this very location. It is one of my very favorite lakes to spend a summer day. My goal is always to create a feeling in my images, this time a feeling of the peace and calm that I feel when spending a lazy summer evening watching the sun set and the stars come out. Nothing compares to that wonderful relaxed feeling at the end of a long day when you get a few minutes in nature with the one you care about most. I could do this every day!
by tmoffett | Aug 20, 2010 | Color, Family, Landscape, Ramblings
Thunderstorm, Bear Lake
A couple of weeks ago I was at a family reunion at Bear Lake in Southeast Idaho. It started out a great day, warm and sunny. A perfect day for the lake. It didn’t take long to change. This thunderstorm rolled over the mountain and within just a few minutes everything turned dark. We could see lightning in the distance, but that did not stop the playing in the water. After a few minutes, though, hair started standing up on end. It was scary. When that happened, the entire beach cleared out. It was interesting to watch as everyone moved to the shore and packed it in. The feeling was very eerie. you could feel the electricity. Car antennas buzzed with static. People sat in cars just watching, then seeing that it wasn’t going to change for the better anytime soon, they left. I got out my camera and began shooting, trying to recreate the feeling. Just as the rain hit, with no one else left on the beach, I packed it in as well and we headed out.
Feeling in landscape photography, it makes all the difference.
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