by tmoffett | Nov 29, 2010 | Landscape, Ramblings
Winter Morning, Lake Lowell
I have never had a sale before, and am not sure it will happen again, but decided because it is Cyber Monday, I would try it out. For a limited time I am offering 10 inch open edition and 14 inch limited edition hand signed photographs for up to 50% off regular prices. These images are printed on the highest quality 100% cotton archival paper available. To take advantage of this offer, just select the images you would like from the blog, type it in the box to the right and select the size from the drop down menu.
by tmoffett | Nov 25, 2010 | Color, Family, Ramblings
My Pride and Joy!
Today is a great day to pause from everyday life and give thanks for everything and everyone that is important in our lives. My family puts up with a lot to allow me to pursue my dreams and aspirations. It is not easy being a photographers wife or a photographers child, so to those most important people in my life, I give thanks! To all of you who support me and give encouragement when needed by reading and commenting, or even purchased a print or two, I thank you. It is the people in my life, not the things, that make life rewarding. Without you, everything I do would be of no worth.
I have the most wonderful family. The kids keep us busy, that’s for sure. Football and basketball games, marching band and wrestling, dance and voice lessons, boy scouts and church activities, and the list goes on and on, but it is so worth it. This portrait was taken just 2 days before our oldest son left to serve a two year mission for the church. It will be a lasting reminder of who we are as a family while he is away. I couldn’t be more proud of all of my children and their accomplishments. My wife has raised them well! To her I give thanks. For her countless hours of shuttling kids around and making sure our schedules are kept, cooking meals and cleaning house, the never ending laundry, grocery shopping and on and on. I am forever indebted to her. I could not do what I do without her support. She is also my biggest fan.
Let us all remember on this Thanksgiving day what is truly important and remember to give thanks!
by tmoffett | Nov 23, 2010 | Color, Landscape, Ramblings
Reflections, Lake Cascade
This happens to be one of my favorite images from Lake Cascade. There are a lot of things I like about the image, but my mind is drawing a blank as to what to write today. It is my first real experience with writers block. I have experienced something like this photographically, however. On occasion I just don’t feel like making photographs. “Where should I go?” “What should I photograph?” “I really am not feeling it.” These and other comments and questions enter my mind. How do I get over them? I photograph. I force myself to get out my camera and I go looking for images. Sometimes days like this lead me to my best photographs. Laziness breeds mediocrity. Perseverance leads to success. Times when I don’t feel like working or creating are the times when I MUST create. If I do, I grow more as an artist and reap greater rewards, both artistically and personally.
I have heard many times others saying, “I wish I could photograph like you.” You can! However, it takes work. I read. I study hard. I look at photographs of those who inspire me. I am out at the crack of dawn on cold winter mornings packing my camera and tripod, even on mornings when I don’t think I feel like it. I work hard at what I do, learning to feel the image. Trying to create what I feel inside. And then it happens. I let go of my doubts and begin to see. The image on the ground glass or in the viewfinder matches the one in my heart and mind! Success. It makes the work all worth it.
by tmoffett | Nov 12, 2010 | Color, Landscape, Ramblings
Whitewater
Braving the elements with camera in hand is nearly always an awesome experience. While at times I must talk myself into venturing out in less than ideal conditions, I am never disappointed when I return. There is something unexplainable about the experience of creating images at times that others would rather stay safe inside. I have been out in rain and lightning storms trying to keep gear dry and make photographs at the same time. I have been battling rain and the rising ocean surf at the same time, running from an approaching wave and at other times being overtaken by a sleeper wave mid exposure. It can get exciting! That tension and excitement comes through in the photographs. It is something that until you experience it you will never understand.
The image above was made while battling wind, storm surge and rain at the same time. I broke the number one rule of the ocean just once and paid the price. I turned my back to the ocean to photograph the other way and just as I did I got hit with a wave. It was a shocker because no wave previously had come nearly as high as I was. I really thought I was safe. I did learn my lesson, though.
The turbulent wave crashing over the rock was a sight of beauty. The stability of the rock, unmoved by the powerful force of the ocean speaks volumes about life. If we don’t have that stability then the turbulence will carry us away or smash us into the rock. Much can be interpreted in the images. My goal is not to give the answers, but to open the questions and let you, the viewer answer them in ways that are meaningful to you.
by tmoffett | Nov 11, 2010 | Color, Landscape, Ramblings
Reflection, Washington Lake
Backpacking is a favorite summer activity of mine. I remember the first backpacking trip I ever experienced when I was just 8 years old. It was miserable. My feet hurt. My back hurt. I thought I would never make it to camp. I had a miserable night as we had a new spring break through the ground under my tent and soaked through the bottom of the tent. However, those memories faded fast as the next summer approached and we planned our next adventure. It was a tradition in our family and I actually began to enjoy the trips. It was time to get away from the stress and worries of everyday life and enjoy the creations of God. When I began backpacking we carried just food, shelter and fishing gear. Then I began photographing and in later years I carried in more camera gear than food. I had learned the art of fishing by then and relied on that for nourishment.
My first trip into the White Cloud Mountains took me into Washington Lake. The water was crystal clear… and cold! The landscape reflected off the surface as if it were a mirror. I photographed. I fished. I was successful with both. What more could I ask for? I soon found out! In the back country of central Idaho you never know what the weather may bring. In early August you would think summer like weather, but not this time! It turned winter like. Snow and sleet. It became miserable overnight. Instead of pushing on to Chamberlain Basin, we stayed put, and then, seeing that it was not going to let up , we turned back a day early. Snowed out in August, but not empty handed. I did have photographs. And I will go back for more.
by tmoffett | Nov 10, 2010 | Color, Landscape, Ramblings
Waterfall, Sweet Creek
Water. I love photographing water. I don’t know what it is, but I am really drawn to it. It really doesn’t matter if it is flowing or still, it is very captivating to me. I happened upon this waterfall one morning while hiking up Sweet Creek as we were on our way to Yachats, Oregon. It was a cool morning in October and the water was flowing just perfectly. I had visited this area earlier in the year and the flows were extreme, way too fast for the feel I like in my images, but this time it was perfect. The lighting was nice as well. However, just a few minutes after photographing these falls, the sun crested the mountain and the water was in the blazing sunlight and the mood was gone. The contrast was so great that it was impossible to photograph any longer. I really feel lucky to have arrived when I did and have the opportunity to create a few good images before losing the light.
This concept of light quality is everything in photography. Photo means light and graphy means to draw or write. We photographers draw with light. If we have a quality light source then we can create quality photographs. Without quality light, we create less than quality images. So many of my young students have a hard time grasping hold of this concept. When they do finally get it, though, everything seems to click. When that happens, I realize just how great it is to be a teacher. I have the best jobs in the world. Photographing and sharing. Life is good.
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