by tmoffett | Dec 17, 2010 | Color, Ramblings
Clouds #14
What is it about clouds that is so interesting? I am not sure, but I always find myself looking at them and never seem to tire of them. When I am shooting a landscape, I am always scrutinizing the sky because it can make or break an image. Other times I will photograph just the clouds. They have so much variety in color and texture. I think I could shoot clouds daily and find fresh photographs every time I shoot. Maybe that should be my next creative self assignment. Photograph the sky daily for one month. It could be interesting!
by tmoffett | Dec 15, 2010 | Color, Ramblings
Tide Pool, Yachats, Oregon
Sunrise and low tide. What a great combination! Walking along the coast in Yachats, Oregon at sunrise on a stormy day in October was incredible. For just a few minutes before the tide began rising again, lots of sea life was visible. It really was an incredible sight. With the soft morning light, the colors of the sea came to life as I was able to get right down to the edge of the pools. I don’t get to the ocean often enough, and when I do I never know just what I might find. It is always different, but never disappointing. This particular morning was no different.
While photographing this particular tide pool, I lost track of time and my path back to shore was nearly submersed. Yes, I got a little wet that morning, but it was so worth it. As the tide began rising again, the wave became quite ferocious and began pounding into the rocky shoreline, creating quite a scene and completely submersing the tide pools and the life that filled them. I was back to photographing the power of the sea for the next couple of hours.
by tmoffett | Dec 11, 2010 | Architecture, Color, Family, Ramblings
Whitetail Resort
The Christmas Spirit is supposed to be cheerful and happy, however around my house the stress and tension levels seem to escalate! I am not a shopper, but shopping needs to be done. I want to be involved in the Christmastime decisions, but I only last about a half hour at the store before I get edgy and am done. I like to go with a list, get what is on the list and get out. Others in my family love to browse. It drives me crazy! It is my challenge that I must overcome. In an effort to promote the Christmas Spirit I attempt to control my emotions so everyone can be happy! When I succeed in this effort, I notice that our home is a much happier place.
This image reminds me of one of the best Christmastime experiences in my life. I post it as a reminder to myself that Christmas is about being selfless and making others happy. By putting others first I find the strength to persevere the commercialism of the season and find the peace that can enter our lives at this time of year if we allow it.
I wish all of my readers a very Merry Christmas and the happiest of holiday seasons. Now it’s time to start the shopping!
by tmoffett | Dec 7, 2010 | Color, Landscape, Ramblings, Uncategorized
Winter Morning, Payette Lake
Photographing in the winter can be a wonderful experience. It can also be miserable if not prepared. I learned this fact many years ago. The cold of a frozen tripod goes right through the wrong type of glove. Viewfinders fog up if your breath is not directed away from them. Focusing and changing camera settings is nearly impossible with bulky gloves or mittens. However, with clothing that is warm and allows for easy finger movement, photographing in the coldest of temperatures can be quite rewarding.
One cold December morning found us at Shore Lodge in McCall, Idaho. It was a beautiful, but cold morning. It had snowed the night before and all was quiet and calm. We were the first to stamp our footprints in the newly fallen snow as we walked the shoreline behind the resort at sunrise. The light fog lifting from the surface of the lake revealed snow capped rocks rising from the frigid waters. We captured image after image in this winter wonderland for about an hour following sunrise, then headed off to find a hot breakfast and enjoy a relaxing day around town. This was the perfect beginning to a wonderful holiday season!
by tmoffett | Dec 4, 2010 | Color, Landscape, Ramblings
McGowan Peak
When I don’t have a lot of time and need to get away, Stanley Lake is my favorite place to go. This small mountain lake nestled at the base of the rugged Sawtooth Mountains is the perfect, quiet getaway, and a great place to make photographs! I don’t think I will ever tire of visiting this mountain retreat.
On a recent stop at the lake, Christeena and I photographed until dark and then decided to cast our fishing lines for a few minutes. Before long we had a couple of fish on. We headed back to camp, fried up dinner and watched the stars until we fell asleep. It really doesn’t get much better than that. Before sunup the next morning we were up and headed toward Stanley. We stopped and photographed Valley Creek then on to Little Redfish Lake. There is so much in this area that a person could spend a lifetime exploring and never see it all.
by tmoffett | Dec 2, 2010 | Color, Landscape, Ramblings
Solitude
Yesterday was a snow day at school. We had the one of the top ten snowstorms on record here. It was wonderful! I realized how much I miss the snow… real snow. I grew up on the Wasatch Front where lots of snow was the norm in the winter. I lived in Upstate New York where snow and ice was expected. Then I moved to Nampa where the norm is to snow in the morning and rain in the afternoon. The snow doesn’t last long here, so when given the chance to photograph fresh fallen snow yesterday I did not hesitate! It was great to get out in the cold and tromp through the snow with camera and tripod in hand. It was quiet and peaceful and cold, but so worth it.
I have a very simple style, but even more so in the winter. When everything seems to be quiet, I think it really rubs off on me while I am photographing. I see things in a very simple way. This image is a great example of that. While I was walking along the shoreline of the lake I noticed several leaves partially buried in the snow, and then I came across this one. It must have just fallen as it was completely on the surface. The soft light allows the intricate detail in the leaf to be recorded, as well as the texture of the fresh snow. It seemed as though it was just waiting for me to come by and photograph it, and I did. The warm hues of the leaf against the coolness of the snow just seems to speak to me. I hope it does for you, too.
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