by tmoffett | Dec 15, 2010 | Color, Ramblings
Tide Pool, Yachats, Oregon
Sunrise and low tide. What a great combination! Walking along the coast in Yachats, Oregon at sunrise on a stormy day in October was incredible. For just a few minutes before the tide began rising again, lots of sea life was visible. It really was an incredible sight. With the soft morning light, the colors of the sea came to life as I was able to get right down to the edge of the pools. I don’t get to the ocean often enough, and when I do I never know just what I might find. It is always different, but never disappointing. This particular morning was no different.
While photographing this particular tide pool, I lost track of time and my path back to shore was nearly submersed. Yes, I got a little wet that morning, but it was so worth it. As the tide began rising again, the wave became quite ferocious and began pounding into the rocky shoreline, creating quite a scene and completely submersing the tide pools and the life that filled them. I was back to photographing the power of the sea for the next couple of hours.
by tmoffett | Dec 13, 2010 | Architecture, Color, Photographic Philosophy
House By The Sea
Photography is more than just creating Fine Art images. It can be used for many purposes. A camera is a great documentary tool. Snapshots definitely have their purpose. I have and use a point and shoot camera for this purpose. Photographing life as it happens is a great thing to do. I forget too easily what my kids were like just a few months ago, and photographs of them in their activities helps keep those memories alive. I have not posted any of these documentary images in the past, but have been considering doing so in the future. It is part of who I am and what influences my art.
I am not an architectural photographer by any means, however as I was returning to my car after an evening at the ocean I noticed this interesting house, so I took a moment to photograph it. The sun had long since descended below the horizon and the last light was fast departing, so I had to hurry and get what I could get. Maybe someday I will return when the light is perfect and try this again. I can visualize the color of a nice sunset reflecting off the windows. As is, this is a nice documentary image that reminds me of a great evening that I had on the coast this past October.
by tmoffett | Dec 11, 2010 | Architecture, Color, Family, Ramblings
Whitetail Resort
The Christmas Spirit is supposed to be cheerful and happy, however around my house the stress and tension levels seem to escalate! I am not a shopper, but shopping needs to be done. I want to be involved in the Christmastime decisions, but I only last about a half hour at the store before I get edgy and am done. I like to go with a list, get what is on the list and get out. Others in my family love to browse. It drives me crazy! It is my challenge that I must overcome. In an effort to promote the Christmas Spirit I attempt to control my emotions so everyone can be happy! When I succeed in this effort, I notice that our home is a much happier place.
This image reminds me of one of the best Christmastime experiences in my life. I post it as a reminder to myself that Christmas is about being selfless and making others happy. By putting others first I find the strength to persevere the commercialism of the season and find the peace that can enter our lives at this time of year if we allow it.
I wish all of my readers a very Merry Christmas and the happiest of holiday seasons. Now it’s time to start the shopping!
by tmoffett | Dec 10, 2010 | Color, Composition, Landscape
Little Redfish Lake
In landscape photography, creating a sense of depth in an image is important. While the image is rendered on a two dimensional piece of paper, it is the illusion of three dimensionality that draws a viewer in. It can help you to feel as though you are there, standing in the midst of the image. One way to help create this sense of place is to effectively use foreground, middleground and background within the frame. A dominant foreground can be created by using a wide angle lens. Once captivated by a strong foreground, middleground and background are needed to create movement and interest in the photograph. This compositional technique can be seen in the image above of Little Redfish Lake. The rocks in the foreground are luring you into the image, and then the eye moves throughout the scene to the trees on the left and the mountains peeking through the clouds further back. then back to the rocks. Creating this type of visual movement is critical to the success of a photograph.
by tmoffett | Dec 9, 2010 | Landscape, Photographic Technique, Photoshop tips
John Day Fossil Beds, Painted Hills
On our way back to Idaho from the Oregon Coast last summer, we stopped at the John Day Fossil Beds Painted Hills Unit. We had never been there before, and thought it might be a good rest stop. We arrived about an hour and a half before sunset, just as the light was starting to get good. We were not disappointed in what we saw. It was the perfect place to shoot panoramics. Up to this point, I really had not done much as far as shooting multiple images and stitching them together into a panoramic view. I decided to try that technique here. The image above is created from nine individual images stitched together in Photoshop. While I don’t use this technique very often, it is useful in some situations and is fun to try occasionally.
While Photoshop makes it quite easy to stitch images together, there are a few things to keep in mind to in order to get better results. First, anything in motion will make it more of a challenge. This applies to clouds, water or even foliage that is blowing in the wind. Second, the foreground is easily distorted, so be careful what you place there. Third, While Photoshop does a fairly good job of stitching the images together, carefully check and double check the seams! Some cleanup with the clone stamp or healing brush is nearly always necessary. Paying attention to these three point will greatly improve your results.
by tmoffett | Dec 8, 2010 | Color, Composition, Photographic Technique
Sunset At The Docks
Color. When I was a developing young photographer (I’m still developing, just not so young anymore!), color was not an option. I carried only black and white film with me. I saw things in black and white. I thought that color only complicated matters. I was a simple photographer, therefore I simply shot black and white. Don’t get me wrong, I still love to work in black and white, but I have started to really enjoy working in color as well lately.
Color adds a whole new dimension to photographs. If not careful, it can destroy the impact of a photograph by getting in the way of the composition. It can complicate matters significantly if not used simply. On the other hand, if used correctly color can add power to an image. Photographs where color is the subject excite me! They are powerful.
I think that learning to see in black and white early on in my career has helped my color photography in the latter years. By seeing and photographing tones as opposed to hues, the image already has a strong visual foundation and adding in color then oftentimes will strengthen an already strong image. Working the other way around, seeing hue first, sometimes the image will lack in strength of tonality. At least that is how it is for me.
A great self assignment that can help in color vision is to make photographs where color is the subject. Take out the color and the image loses all impact and meaning. This can be difficult, but is a good exercise to do occasionally. I have given this assignment to one of my photo classes and am excited to see their resulting photographs in the coming days. I am hoping to be inspired to push my vision of color even farther!
by tmoffett | Dec 7, 2010 | Color, Landscape, Ramblings, Uncategorized
Winter Morning, Payette Lake
Photographing in the winter can be a wonderful experience. It can also be miserable if not prepared. I learned this fact many years ago. The cold of a frozen tripod goes right through the wrong type of glove. Viewfinders fog up if your breath is not directed away from them. Focusing and changing camera settings is nearly impossible with bulky gloves or mittens. However, with clothing that is warm and allows for easy finger movement, photographing in the coldest of temperatures can be quite rewarding.
One cold December morning found us at Shore Lodge in McCall, Idaho. It was a beautiful, but cold morning. It had snowed the night before and all was quiet and calm. We were the first to stamp our footprints in the newly fallen snow as we walked the shoreline behind the resort at sunrise. The light fog lifting from the surface of the lake revealed snow capped rocks rising from the frigid waters. We captured image after image in this winter wonderland for about an hour following sunrise, then headed off to find a hot breakfast and enjoy a relaxing day around town. This was the perfect beginning to a wonderful holiday season!
by tmoffett | Dec 6, 2010 | Color, Landscape, Photographic Philosophy
Snowed In
The other day I was spending some time out at the lake after a snowstorm had passed. It was a beautiful sight. The lake was starting to freeze over and the terrain was covered in a blanket of snow. It was quiet and calm. A perfect day to spend thinking and pondering… and photographing.
While many times I go photographing with others, this day I was alone. Just me and my camera, and the lake. Normally I work quite slow. I see something, I think about it and then photograph it, after I have determined what it is that has drawn me to the subject. When I am alone I work even slower. I really like to soak up the environment and feel my surroundings. Then I attempt to photograph my feelings. On this day, in the bitter cold there was still a warmth in the environment. I love the fresh fallen snow and could feel the warmth exuding from its depths. As I walked the shore of the lake I was drawn to individual, isolated brush and leaves protruding from the depths of the snow along my path. It was this that I chose to photograph. The warm, yellow brush extending beyond the surface of the cool blue of the snow showed a clear visual of exactly what I was feeling. Even though the color in this image is very subtle, it is necessary.
by tmoffett | Dec 4, 2010 | Color, Landscape, Ramblings
McGowan Peak
When I don’t have a lot of time and need to get away, Stanley Lake is my favorite place to go. This small mountain lake nestled at the base of the rugged Sawtooth Mountains is the perfect, quiet getaway, and a great place to make photographs! I don’t think I will ever tire of visiting this mountain retreat.
On a recent stop at the lake, Christeena and I photographed until dark and then decided to cast our fishing lines for a few minutes. Before long we had a couple of fish on. We headed back to camp, fried up dinner and watched the stars until we fell asleep. It really doesn’t get much better than that. Before sunup the next morning we were up and headed toward Stanley. We stopped and photographed Valley Creek then on to Little Redfish Lake. There is so much in this area that a person could spend a lifetime exploring and never see it all.
by tmoffett | Dec 3, 2010 | Landscape
Stumps, Lake Cascade
I’m at a loss for words today (doesn’t happen very often!), so I thought I would just post an image and hope you enjoy.
Have a great weekend!
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