by tmoffett | Jul 16, 2010 | Color, Ramblings, Random images
Roaming Buffalo
On on of our trips to Jackson Hole, Christeena and I were out exploring and photographing the beautiful landscape when we happened upon a herd of buffalo. We had to stop and wait for them as they were occupying not only the land but the road as well. I had never been so close to such huge animals in the wild. It was amazing and a bit scary at the same time. I definitely would not want to get in the way of one of these creatures when it got mad.
While waiting for the road to clear, I got out my camera and began shooting. I don’t know why, but I feel safer when I’m hiding behind the lens. I know, it makes no sense, but I find myself going place and doing things to get the shot that without the security of my camera I would not even think of doing, like getting as close as I can to a buffalo just so I can fill the frame and not have to crop later.
by tmoffett | Jul 12, 2010 | Color, Composition, Critique, Landscape
Warm River
A few days ago I posted Tunnel Vision. This is a view the other direction. A beautiful view overlooking Warm River. This is another image that seems to have grown on me. Originally I was not real fond of the image, but over time it has become a favorite. The low-resolution internet version does not do it justice. You really need to see the print in person.
The fog began moving in the canyon as the light diminished and became quite a remarkable sight. The blue from the sky became the light source and created an interesting, almost surreal palette to the scene. The long exposure (20 seconds) created a soft, smooth flow of the river wandering through the image from left to right. The blue of the sky reflected off the water and nicely contrasts with the reds and yellows of the fall foliage along its banks. Everything seemed to work out just right, and I happen to be in a place at the right time to create the photograph. Timing is everything in landscape photography.
by tmoffett | Jul 11, 2010 | Color, Family, Random images
Bayhorse, Idaho
Just up the road from the kilns that I posted yesterday is the city of Bayhorse. In its day it was a booming mining town. The first miners moved in hoping to find gold, but it was silver that was in abundance here. Now there is nothing left here, but just upstream there is a little lake that has some terrific fishing. That is where we were headed when I stopped to photograph for a while. I love to fish, but if I have to choose between fishing and photographing, the camera nearly always wins out. Just ask my kids! They often get tired waiting for me to get the shot. Instead of hearing “Are we there yet?” on a family trip, it is “Hurry up dad, we’ll never get there at this pace!” This day was no exception.
We still got to the lake in time to catch some fish.
by tmoffett | Jul 10, 2010 | Color, Landscape, Photographic Philosophy
Abandoned Kilns
As a landscape photographer, I don’t find myself drawn to structures very often, however on a trip to the old ghost town of Bayhorse, Idaho, we passed these old abandoned kilns and I had to stop. I have since thought about why I needed to stop. What is it about ghost towns that we are drawn to?
Bayhorse was a booming mining town in the 1880’s and 1890’s. these kilns, along with 3 others are where charcoal was made to fuel the smelters. I can imagine these in full operation. It was a very busy place. And now, nothing. Empty. Only a figment of our imaginations.
It is amazing to me how a place can be so full of life one day, and totally deserted the next. The emptiness is what I felt as I pondered what I was photographing. That is what I wanted to portray. I think it shows. I know I feel it again when I view the image. The soft light coming from an overcast sky helps create the feeling, as well as the darker, moodier interpretation of the final print. The rocks in the foreground also enhance the feeling of abandonment and decay. I hope you can feel it as I do.
by tmoffett | Jul 9, 2010 | Architecture, Color, Critique, Photographic Philosophy
Yaquina Head Lighthouse
I don’t know what it is about this image. I initially didn’t think too much of it, but every time I have reviewed the set of images from my Oregon Coast 2009 trip, this one stands out more and more. It is kind of growing on me, I guess.
I have found over the years that certain images will really appeal to me initially, and over time kind of fade away, and others will take time to grow on me, but I seem to never tire of them. For this reason, I always do an initial edit of my work, but review it several time over the course of several months or even years. Often I find little gems that I missed at first. This is one of those.
When I was at Yaquina Head, the fog was rolling in from the sea and you could barely see the top half of the lighthouse. We hiked down to Cobble Beach and occasionally the fog would grow thin and you could see the top, however it left a unique softness to the image. I think that is what is drawing me in. The subtle color and softness create a very passive feeling, very relaxing to look at. It is very different from the stark, crisp and sharp architectural images that we are used to seeing. I kind of like it for a change.
by tmoffett | Jul 7, 2010 | Color, Photo tips, Random images
Tunnel Vision
This image brings back great memories! I was with a couple of friends out photographing in Eastern Idaho and we hiked down to this tunnel. It was light when we arrived and the scenery in the area was great. We shot until dark, and then some more. We then realized that none of us had flashlights and it was pitch black. No moon out and away from the lights of the city. We stumbled our way out and finally made it back to the truck. It would have been quite funny to watch us. It was all worth it, though. I also learned to keep a light with me at all times, because you never know when you might need it.
Back to the image. As it was getting dark, the tunnel became quite interesting. I could see a faint light at the other end and the wood trusses created an interesting pattern. The only light available was my Canon 580EX camera flash. I decided to send one of my friends into the tunnel and pop the flash. I ran a test and determined where and with what power to use the flash, then I locked the shutter open and we went to work. We used 8 flashes inside the tunnel and when my friend returned we popped the landscape twice, skimming the light across the surface instead of blasting the light directly into it. In all, the exposure was about 3.5 minutes.
Learning to use and control the light that is available to you is very important as a photographer. It will allow you to make creative images in places and at times that others cannot because they lack the necessary knowledge and skill. It will open new doors for you to explore, and if you are at all like me, you like exploring new ideas.
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