by tmoffett | Jun 15, 2010 | Color, Composition, Family, Landscape, Photographic Philosophy
Wailua Falls, Kauai
The weather in Kauai is incredible! I was there in January with Christeena. We woke up one morning to rain and cool temperatures, so we drove 10 miles and were in sunshine and 80 degrees. The day we went to Wailua Falls was one of those rainy/sunny days. It was sunny when we left the hotel, then began raining as we drove up to the falls, stopped for a few minutes then the rain came down fairly hard, then the sun broke through for a while… any way, you get the picture. We decided to go down to the bottom of the falls, which was an adventure. It is very steep and due to the wet weather, quite slippery. I thank whoever is responsible for the ropes, which made the hike fairly safe.
Once at the bottom, the fun began. Shooting between cloudbursts and trying to get balanced light between the sky above and the falls and the river at the bottom was a challenge. “Hurry up and wait” is my motto. I will often set up and then wait for the light. Once everything falls into place, then I shoot.
The spray was heavy at the bottom of the waterfall, so I had to keep cleaning the lens. I set up on some rocks in the middle of the river in order to get the blue reflection of the sky in the water, as well as to capture some ripples to add some interesting movement to the photograph. After slipping on the rocks and nearly going in the river a couple of times, I was able to capture this image that I am quite pleased with.
by tmoffett | Jun 13, 2010 | Color, Composition, Landscape
Haceta Head Lighthouse
The “postcard shot.” If I don’t shoot it, everyone thinks I am not for real. If I do shoot it, it looks pretty much the same as thousands of others shots. So I shoot them, show them and move on.
Haceta Head Lighthouse is one of the most photographed lighthouses on the Oregon Coast. The only way to view it and photograph it is from one of the several pullouts on the narrow, winding road. We stopped and shot. I was fortunate enough to have good waves to provide some interest to the foreground, one of the critical elements of a fine image. The sky is very simple, as it was a stormy day, or should I say stormy week! In a way, this helps the image, as a dramatic sky might just distract you from seeing what I want you to see… the lighthouse. The color in this image is also important, as it directs your eye to the main subject. The strong greens compliment the red very well. Technically, this is a very good image. It is, however very similar to many other images of this same lighthouse. I am always looking for something different and unique. I have my vision, but it is very difficult to show my unique vision in a “postcard” shot.
Click here to see the gallery.
by tmoffett | Jun 12, 2010 | Color, Family, Landscape, Photo tips, Photographic Philosophy
Mountain Stream
As great as it is to be away, it is always good to get back home. I haven’t had a chance to even look at what I shot yesterday on our way home, as we got in about 2:00AM and I was too tired to even look at them, so I am posting an earlier image from my archives today. I will be posting more images from this trip in the future, so come back often!
I mentioned that we got home at about 2:00AM, and we almost didn’t even get home at all last night. We came back on Hwy 26 through central Oregon, stopping along the way to photograph. It is a beautiful drive, and I would highly recommend it. We gassed up in Eugene, thinking it would be no problem getting gas along the way. I had no idea how hard it is to find gas in Oregon after 8:00. When the stations are closed, the pumps are disabled so you can’t even purchase gas with a credit card. Anyway, the low fuel warning came on in Vail, and we made it to Ontario on fumes and found a station open there, so thankfully, we didn’t have to spend the night in the truck on the side of the road.
This image, Mountain Stream, is an Idaho photograph, shot some time ago. I have been intrigued with the motion of water for a long time. Water is powerful, however it also has a very delicate side to it. The soft flow as it winds itself down the mountainside in the evening light creates a calm and peaceful feeling. I love black and white, however in this image, I feel that using the green foliage to frame the rocks and stream were really powerful. The color has a purpose here. If there is no purpose for the color, in other words, if it does not add to the image, then I keep it black and white. I am a strong believer that every element in the image should add to the effectiveness of the final piece of art. If it does not, then it should be somehow removed.
To see more of Terrell”s photographs, see MoffettGallery.com.
by tmoffett | Jun 9, 2010 | Color, Landscape
Sunset, Seaside, Oregon
After 2 days of heavy clouds, we finally saw the sun, albeit only for about 8 minutes as it hit the horizon at sunset. This image was taken just after the sun descended below the horizon and left a nice glow in the western sky. This time of the evening is becoming my favorite time of the day to create images. The soft and colorful light is amazing. The photographs take on somewhat of an ethereal quality or feeling. Motion is very evident in these images and adds to the overall feeling. This one evening has made the trip all worthwhile.
by tmoffett | Jun 8, 2010 | Color, Landscape, Photographic Philosophy, Random images
Shoreline, Seaside, Oregon
The first couple of days here on the Oregon coast we did not see the sun. It was cloudy and rainy, but that has not stopped me from making photographs. It has been great to get away with Christeena and recharge our batteries. We both love photographing, so this has been a perfect vacation so far.
This image is one that will be a part of a series of images that I have been working on for quite some time now dealing with water in motion. It is evolving into a set of work that has a bit of an abstractness to it. That abstractness generates a feeling of mystery or wonder. It adds a dimension to the work that straight photography sometimes lacks. All of the motion in these images are created in camera, none of it is photoshopped in, as some tend to believe. I have been working on getting more feeling into all of my work, and this set of images has helped me to do that.
by tmoffett | Jun 7, 2010 | Color, Composition, Landscape, Photo tips
Through the Mist
I remember distinctly when I shot this image I knew I had a keeper. The sun was just coming over the horizon and the mist was rising off of the water. Just at the right moment this rowboat showed up in just the right spot. Everything was working for me that morning. This is one of my favorite images of all time, and I really didn’t have to work very hard to get it. I just had to be there and recognize that the image was right before my eyes. That, oftentimes is the hardest part of photography… recognize. We must train our eyes to see. If we can’t see a good image, we will never be able to photograph one.
How do we train ourselves to see? Study. We must look at images. Lots of images. Not just photographers, either. Search out other artists that do the kind of work that interests you. Analyze their work. How is it lit? What elements of composition are used? What is it that draws you into their images? After looking at lots of work, then go out and shoot your own images, then analyze them. Look at more images, shoot more, analyze more. As you do this, you will find yourself improving. As you improve, it becomes even more enjoyable.
More images at MoffettGallery.com
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