by tmoffett | Aug 24, 2010 | Color, Landscape, Photographic Philosophy
Waves, Lake Lowell
I have a new portfolio that will soon be released at MoffettGallery.com entitled “Shorelines.” I began working on this portfolio just over one year ago while on the Oregon Coast and continued building on it in Hawaii last January. This Spring, I started incorporating some of the techniques I was using into some new images at Lake Lowell here in Canyon County, Idaho. It was then that I decided to expand the work to include more than just ocean shorelines. I became intrigued with the interaction of water and land at many different levels. I noticed that even in small lakes water has great power as it laps against the shore. Rocks become smooth, sandy shorelines erode and movement is exhibited.
While the motion of the water creates very interesting patterns and lines, I think what I am most interested in is the translucency of the water rushing over the shore. It matters not if it is a rocky shoreline or covered in sand, whether vegetation is growing or it is barren. From within this transparent substance comes power and life. Rocks are moved, erosion takes place and life is renewed. Without water, all would die, with it, life is revived. Capturing its beauty is something that I will always enjoy.
The techniques used to create these images of shorelines will be covered in my Landscape Photography class that begins on September 16 in Nampa, Idaho and runs for 3 weeks. For more information call or email.
by tmoffett | Aug 23, 2010 | Color, Composition, Landscape
Foggy Morning, Lake Lowell
Combining the concept of simplicity and the design element of line in landscape photography is sometimes difficult for new photographers to grasp hold of. Often, I find students using line in predominantly “busy” images, which is just the opposite of simple. I love combining these two because when done successfully you end up with a very calm, peaceful image that has good flow or creates good eye movement throughout the photograph, as with the image above.
by tmoffett | Aug 22, 2010 | Color, Landscape, Photographic Philosophy
Country Road
The road to Gotts Point is a favorite location of mine for an early morning stroll with my camera and tripod. It is always quiet, allowing me to think deeply about whatever is on my mind. It is a great place to meditate and ponder, and as I do I feel invigorated and ready to move on to the next challenge.
The series of images that I have made over the past couple of years around Lake Lowell has evolved as I have spent time here. I think that the photographs have become more thoughtful and evocative over time. As I look at my earlier work I realize just how far I have come as an artist in just the past 2 years. I am having much more fun as well. Taking time to review and think about what we do is such a critical part of everything we do, yet so many neglect this area and it really does hinder their work.
I want my photographs to have meaning. I want them to evoke feeling and emotions. I want you to feel like you are at the scene and feel what I feel when I was there. This will only happen if I truly put myself in my work. I must know what I am about and then go out and shoot from the heart. When I am out with my camera, I forget myself and lose myself in the environment. If I get a feeling like I should stop and make an image, I do. Intuition seems to take over, and often, not until I return home and view the results do I realize the impact, power and meaning of an image. If shot from the heart, the image will speak to me, not the other way around.
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 19, 2010 | Black and White, Landscape, Photo tips, Photographic Philosophy
Early Morning in the Sawtooths
The Sawtooth Mountains are one of my favorite places to visit. The cool, fresh morning air makes waking up a pleasure. The scenery is incredible, especially first thing in the morning. Saturday I had the pleasure of being at Alturas Lake at sunrise. We had a light fog that created a mood and feeling that was calm and relaxing. It was wonderful just to be there and enjoy Gods creations. What made it even better was being able to photograph the experience.
What do I look for when I am out with my camera? How do I find the right subjects to photograph? I am asked these questions on occasion. I have thought about what I do and how I do it so that I can accurately answer. While out photographing I tend to not only look with my eyes, but also with my heart. I try to feel what is happening around me. What mood is surrounding me? When I feel something I get out the camera and try to produce the feeling in an image. Not always an easy task but always a worthwhile endeavor. By searching for feeling an image with deeper meaning is created. It is not just a pretty picture, it becomes a piece of art.
by tmoffett | Aug 17, 2010 | Color, Composition, Landscape
Summertime Fog, Redfish Lake
Had to post another image from last weeks trip to Stanley, Idaho. It was such an unusual look for this time of year. The simplicity of the scene created by the fog, as it minimizes the contrast and the background distractions was captivating. I am always looking for simplicity in my images as that is what I am. Just a simple photographer living a simple life. The concept of “less is more” really works here. It is a hard concept to teach, but when mastered is very effective.
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