by tmoffett | Aug 30, 2010 | Black and White, Photographic Philosophy, Ramblings
Clouds #16
In landscape photography, clouds can be a very big asset. Clouds affect the background area of the image, they affect light quality, and sometimes they can be the entire subject of the image. I love chasing storms in search of the perfect clouds. I have learned to create images with or without them, but my preference is always to have them.
One particular summer afternoon I didn’t even have to go in search of them, they came to me! I notice from inside the house that the light was changing, and so I went outside to check it out and as I looked up I saw some of the most incredible cloud formations I had ever seen. The clouds became my subject that afternoon. I put on my 200mm lens and began photographing smaller sections of the cloud formations instead of using the usual wide angle lens to capture the whole sky. Everything in the viewfinder became abstract. Some images, like the one above appeared to be inverted as well as having the appearance of having been shot from above. I had a great time exploring nature in my front yard that afternoon. It is a wonderful experience to create images while right at home.
by tmoffett | Aug 28, 2010 | Landscape, Ramblings
Yankee Fork
On one of our trips to Stanley, Idaho, we went up to the Yankee Fork Gold Dredge. On the way back down we stopped here to do some fishing in the rain. The fishing was really slow, so I began looking for photography opportunities. When the clouds broke just a bit, this view opened up. The low lying clouds hovering over the mountains is what first caught my attention. I had been struggling all day to find something to photograph, as the destruction of the landscape caused by the dredging operation was everywhere in view. From this view, most of the destruction is hid from view, and the tailings on the right side are beginning to be covered in new growth, somewhat concealing them. It amazes me what damage was done during this mining operation and the years it has taken for recovery to start happening. I hope man has learned to preserve the beauty that exists in the world around us.
by tmoffett | Aug 21, 2010 | Color, Family, Ramblings
The Dock
I have spent many hours on this dock fishing with my kids. This particular night, however, just after sunset the dock emptied and was a perfect subject for a photograph. After shooting, though, I did get out my fishing pole and Christeena and I caught some fish. We had a great time watching the light dim on McGowan Peak as the reflections in the water changed minute by minute and then watch the stars as they began appearing.
I think this image has more meaning to me because it brings back the great memories of vacations with my family to this very location. It is one of my very favorite lakes to spend a summer day. My goal is always to create a feeling in my images, this time a feeling of the peace and calm that I feel when spending a lazy summer evening watching the sun set and the stars come out. Nothing compares to that wonderful relaxed feeling at the end of a long day when you get a few minutes in nature with the one you care about most. I could do this every day!
by tmoffett | Aug 20, 2010 | Color, Family, Landscape, Ramblings
Thunderstorm, Bear Lake
A couple of weeks ago I was at a family reunion at Bear Lake in Southeast Idaho. It started out a great day, warm and sunny. A perfect day for the lake. It didn’t take long to change. This thunderstorm rolled over the mountain and within just a few minutes everything turned dark. We could see lightning in the distance, but that did not stop the playing in the water. After a few minutes, though, hair started standing up on end. It was scary. When that happened, the entire beach cleared out. It was interesting to watch as everyone moved to the shore and packed it in. The feeling was very eerie. you could feel the electricity. Car antennas buzzed with static. People sat in cars just watching, then seeing that it wasn’t going to change for the better anytime soon, they left. I got out my camera and began shooting, trying to recreate the feeling. Just as the rain hit, with no one else left on the beach, I packed it in as well and we headed out.
Feeling in landscape photography, it makes all the difference.
by tmoffett | Aug 16, 2010 | Landscape, Photographic Philosophy, Ramblings
Foggy Morning, Redfish Lake
When in Stanley, I struggle over whether to photograph in the morning or go fishing. Last week Photography won out! I still got in plenty of fishing, but the early mornings were perfect for making photographs.
On Friday morning as Christeena and I left our campground at about 6:00 the sky was clear and temperature cool. It was normal August weather for the area. However, just a mile down the road we saw the fog in the valley. It looked incredible. We stopped at several places to photograph (images to come later), then as we neared Stanley the fog got so thick we could hardly see. As we turned toward Redfish Lake, it thinned out a little. We stopped at Little Redfish Lake for a while, and after I was happy with what I had captured there we decided to drive on to Redfish and see what was there. I was totally happy with what I had to that point and was ready to go fishing. I am so glad that I didn’t, though. What we found was amazing! The fog and mist on the lake created the most unusual, surreal backdrop for the boats at the marina. I had never seen anything like it, especially in August! It looked more like a winter snow scene. I shot for about 30-45 minutes, and then the fog burned off and all was normal again. The morning was the most incredible 3 hour photo session that I can remember in a long time. I hope you enjoy the images as much I enjoyed creating them.
Timing is everything. If you want great images you must put in the effort. Getting up early is one of those things that must be done if you want to have great light for landscape photography. If I had nor got up at 5:30 and gone out in the cold I would have missed this phenomenon. However, I put in the effort and was able to not only enjoy the photographs, but was able to experience being there and creating the images. Just being there was worth it. Having the images to relive the experience is even better.
by tmoffett | Aug 13, 2010 | Ramblings
Summer Evening, Jackson Hole, WY
We all need a break once in a while, and my time has come! I will have students returning to my Photography Classroom next week, and so this is my last chance to get away for a couple of days. I am going fishing… yes, I will have my camera as well, but my number one priority this weekend is to relax and enjoy, recharge my batteries. I will be away from computer and even cell phone service, so will probably miss a day of posting. I will return next week, so don’t go away! I hope to come back refreshed and ready for another exciting round of photography.
I have also been working on a redesigned gallery website, so stay tuned. I will be launching it next week as well.
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