by tmoffett | Jun 16, 2010 | Color, Composition, Landscape, Photo tips
Aqua Wave
Not all of my images of water are motion blurred. Sometimes it is more effective to stop the action. While I was shooting on the ocean, I was drawn in to the color of the water. It was most apparent when a wave would break and there was a little light coming through the backside. The wave would become nearly transluscent and the aqua color very dominant. It was as though the color changed from blue to green for just that instant. Capturing that color was only possible by stopping the motion in the image. Timing had to be perfect as well or the whitewater overpowered the aqua color. I followed wave after wave until this one broke in just the right location to capture the color I was after.
Even thought the motion has been stopped here, the curl of the water and the strong diagonal composition still leave you with a sense of motion. Also the shallow depth of field help to isolate the wave against the background, something that with a longer depth would just not happen. The background would become a distraction instead of an enhancer that it is here. I like the feeling that the wave is right on top of you, like it is going to jump out of the frame and get you wet.
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 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
by tmoffett | Jun 6, 2010 | Color, Composition, Landscape
Golden Reflections, Lake Lowell
Golden Reflections is another image from my Lake Lowell series. Shot from Gotts Point on the Nampa side, The lowering sun skimmed across the lakes surface and fell beautifully upon this outcropping of trees. The golden yellow against the complimentary blues really make them pop. Good use of complimentary colors can really make an image work.
I know I said I would be posting this week from my trip to the Oregon coast, and I will. We spent all day yesterday driving and arrived too late to get anything ready to post this morning. The weather is not cooperating right now…rain. Hope it clears out some and gives us some good light, or at least some interesting skies to work with. Either way, I am sure we will come up with something interesting, maybe just not what I was planning on.
by tmoffett | Jun 5, 2010 | Color, Composition, Landscape, Photographic Philosophy
Foggy Morning on the Coast
We’re off to the Oregon coast! Yesterday was our last day of school and I finished up the grading, cleaned the computer lab and now we’re off to create more photographs. I am so looking forward to this next week. It has been a good year, however my batteries are nearly spent and need some recharging. When I need a fresh outlook on life, either of two things will do the trick, cycling or photographing. Anytime I can get some time away with just Christeena and our cameras, then that wins out over cycling, so this next week that is what we are doing.
The image that I posted today is one from my last trip to the Oregon coast. We had fog the entire week. I am not sure what it is about this image, but I like it. Shot in color, but due to the fog it is monochromatic. It has a very soft feel to it, very simple. the treeline has some interesting shape to it and draws me in. I want to see into the fog and find the detail, but I cannot. It is mysterious. It is a unique feel that is hard to describe in words, so I’ll quit trying.
I’m sure that this trip will be very different. Every trip always is. I will find new subjects and different light. I may choose to photograph the same subjects, but with different lighting conditions and vantage points. I am sure that my mood and feelings will be different, and that will affect my image making. How we feel affects our vision. I am excited to find out what I will see, how I will see and how I will interpret the world in photographs this week.
Stay tuned for a glimpse into the world of Terrell Moffett…
Technical info: Canon 5D, 24-70 2.8L@43mm, f20, 1/60 sec.
Go to MoffettGallery.com to view more of my photographs.
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