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 19, 2010 | Color, Landscape, Photo tips
Mushroom
On an overcast afternoon last month I was strolling the 804 trail with my camera and photographing the ocean waves and the shoreline. It was a wonderful experience, as the tide was coming in and the waves raging from the unsettled weather. After some time, the sun decided to show itself and I decided that I was through photographing, as the high sun was way too harsh for my liking. On the way back to the hotel, I decided to step into the woods and look around. I found several interesting mushrooms growing, so I decided to photograph them.
While the light on the ocean at noon is not good, when getting back in the shade of the trees the light became soft and rich. It reflected off of the mushroom so soft and nice, it almost looked like it was glowing. I felt like I was on a treasure hunt, searching for mushrooms! I learned that they come in lots of varieties, some very interesting. It was also reinforced in my mind that the subject of a photograph can be just about anything. If the light is right, anything can look good. I keep telling my students that if they can find the light, then the subject will appear, they just have to be observant. If I could just get them to believe in themselves and in this philosophy they would start making interesting photographs.
by tmoffett | Nov 16, 2010 | Color, Composition, Landscape
Framed
Hiking through Ecola State Park near Cannon Beach with Christeena and my camera was a great way to spend an evening. We had no timetable. No place to be. Just enjoy the company and the scenery. We all need a break now and then, and this one proved to be just what I needed to refresh my spirit. I love being with my family, but that is not always a vacation! However, when it is just the two of us it is very much that needed vacation.
This image I found while descending a trail in the park just before sunset. The back lit leaves made a perfect frame for the haze filled mountainside. The haze cut the contrast to just manageable and created the illusion of depth in the image.I don’t usually photograph with the subject dead center in the frame, but this time it worked. It is those situations that are different like this that I am always on the lookout for. Breaking the rules with a purpose. That is what makes photographing exciting for me.
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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