by tmoffett | Oct 4, 2010 | Color, Landscape, Ramblings
Bayhorse Creek
The soft flowing water in contrast to the sharp, stable rocks and the dark, moody lighting found in the thick brush of Bayhorse Creek caught my eye after a good day fishing at Bayhorse Lake, just a few miles upstream. I love the sight and sound of running creek water in the wilderness. It is refreshing to the soul. This image is a constant reminder to me of what an evening in the woods is like. I can almost smell the fresh air. When I can’t get out, I look at images to cleanse my mind.
by tmoffett | Oct 2, 2010 | Color, Landscape, Ramblings
Sunset Reflection
Oftentimes I will find myself shooting east when the sun drops low in the sky. I like the warm light that the setting sun provides. Last night, while out at the lake, photographing the eastern sky, I turned around and saw the ducks swimming through the reflection of the setting sun. I quickly swung the camera around, just in time to capture this image.
I don’t often photograph wildlife, not because I don’t like it, but just because my energy right now is so focused on landscape photography. When I get in a groove, I get tunnel vision of sorts and tend not to see what else is out there. Because of this, I see my landscape work improving and really beginning to “say” something, however I know that I do miss some other photographs that could be very compelling. I am alright with that. I know that finding a niche will breed success. Doing one thing well is much more important to me than being just alright in many areas. My heart is in the landscape. My one desire is to create meaningful images of the landscape. I explore my innermost feelings and express them in photographs created in the world around me. Photography is my outlet. It has become a need. Without it, for me, life would become very difficult.
by tmoffett | Sep 21, 2010 | Color, Landscape, Ramblings
McGowan Peak
This view of McGowan Peak is taken from one of my favorite places on earth, Stanley Lake. It is a beautiful, quiet lake nestled in the Sawtooth Mountains. The cool, crisp mornings in the summertime are refreshing. When it heats up in the valley, Stanley is the place to go! The fishing is good and the photography opportunities are endless.
Some of my other favorite place that I have been, and not necessarily in this order are:
1. Kauai
2. Yachats, Oregon
3. Calf Creek Falls near Escalante, Utah
4. Cannon Beach, Oregon
5. Jackson Hole, Wyoming
Some of the places I hope to visit and photograph someday:
1. Alaska
2. China
3. Maine
4. Australia
5. Italy
I enjoy photographing my local area. I feel that I get to know it and can put more feeling and passion into it, but if the opportunity comes up to go to one of the above mentioned places, I am there!
by tmoffett | Sep 16, 2010 | Color, Landscape, Photographic Philosophy, Ramblings, Uncategorized
Rocky Shoreline, Seaside, Oregon
Have you ever had one of those days that got off to a rocky start and went downhill from there? I know I have. We all do. How we handle those days can make all the difference.
I asked my students the other day to write about what motivates them to do the things that need to be done but they don’t like doing. We all have things that are motivators. Recognizing what they are is the first step in being able to really utilize them for our benefit. I know for me, if something just isn’t going right, if I read personal testimonial statements from my clients. To see how happy they are with their investment always seems to pick me up and get me going again.
I think that it is all about attitude, our attitude, that can help get us through the tough times. As Dewitt Jones says, “Celebrate what’s right with the world instead of wallowing in what’s wrong.” By looking on the bright side, we can overcome most anything and end up better off because of it. This relates to both life and photography. Many times I have been out photographing and I just wasn’t seeing anything. I made excuses, “The light’s not right, The scene is boring, If there was only a tree right there, etc.” When I find myself in that situation, if I catch myself making excuses, then I try to sit down, take a deep breath and change my attitude. When I do, I often go back out and find something wonderful to photograph.
I remember a trip to Oregon just over a year ago. We arrived on the coast and were met with fog. Dense fog. the light was flat. Everything was gray. It wasn’t what I was expecting. I was disappointed. After the first day, I realized, “I am going to be here for a week. Don’t waste it. Find the beauty in the fog!” So I did. We had a wonderful time and I came home with some amazing images. Not what I had expected to shoot, but great images nonetheless.
Success is all in your attitude!
by tmoffett | Sep 7, 2010 | Color, Landscape, Photographic Philosophy, Ramblings
Morning Calm, Lake Lowell
I had not been out to photograph just for me in a couple of weeks. I had a need to get out and make some exposures. Anywhere. It didn’t even matter if the photographs were very good. I get that way sometimes. I feel that I need to do something, so I do it. Saturday morning was that day. I arose at 6:00 and grabbed my gear and went. I ended up at the lake just before sunrise. It was beautiful. When I arrived, I could only see one boat on the water, and it sat motionless. Must have been fishermen. There was not a wave on the water. The only disturbances were a few fish jumping just off shore. The water and sky were filled with subtle pastel colors. I soaked in the feeling. It was refreshing to the soul. I walked and thought and meditated. I photographed. Life is good.
Not long after shooting this image, more boats arrived and the water got choppy from all of the action. The noise level increased dramatically as people arrived for the holiday weekend. The sun rose and the light quality diminished, but I had my fix. I beat the rush. I made photographs. I cleared my head. I am now ready to tackle whatever life throws at me, and if it gets tough, I’ll go photographing again. It is my therapy. I love life.
by tmoffett | Sep 5, 2010 | Color, Landscape, Ramblings
Rising Mist, Stanley Lake
The cool summer mornings at Stanley Lake are quite refreshing. There is nothing better for cleansing the mind and getting a fresh start. It seems that when I get out like this I can put the stresses of life behind me and just enjoy the beauty that this world has to offer. When returning home I am then ready to tackle the challenges thrown my way.
When out in the wilderness, I like to arise long before sunrise to get ready for the day. I will then photograph the sunrise, return to camp to cook breakfast for the family and then spend the day hiking and fishing, making sure to be back about an hour before sunset to photograph again. It makes for a perfect day! I only wish every day could be as good. This particular morning I didn’t even have to leave camp to make this image. The sun had just come over the horizon as this fisherman headed out from the dock. Beautiful morning light and a little mist rising from the water. I couldn’t have asked for much more. Because I stayed around camp, the kids got an earlier than usual breakfast. Everyone were happy campers that morning!
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