Several more images for consideration

Hello Fellow Artists -


Well I am no closer to whittling my list down to a final top five for 2009, but I am posting a few more to talk about and comment on. Let me know what you think of them... and how they could be better.

I picked three horizontal shots this morning. Nothing thematically holds these three together other than I like the mood of the shots. For me they all speak of a peacefulness found in the quieter times of day or night.

Wildflowers - Dairy Farm - Vernon, NJ

There is a softness here in this shot that I like very much. It happened on my third visit to this location when I had let the noise in my mind quiet down and let the scene find me.

Moonset - Lake Askoti - Harriman State Park, NY

I was really thrilled with this shot. I had chased the moon that night and let the location unfold before me with just a vague idea of what I would end up with.

Sunrise - Nobska Light, Woods Hole, Ma

I have photographed and painted Nobska Light several times. It is a favorite subject of mine. In this shot I really found the beauty of the place that is quite different from how it looks in the daytime.

What are your thoughts?

Keep Makin' Art

Carl

Taking Stock

Pine Meadow Brook, October 2009

With excitement and a little trepidation I set out on a project this week. It was to go through my 2009 photos and pick my five favorites for you to critique. The excitement came from looking through the images and trying to narrow it down to five. I am somewhere around fifty now and really struggling with what makes a shot special enough to make the top five. This is trickier than I imagined. The trepidation comes from the critique itself. I was thrown back in time to college art and photo classes that had group critiques. They are a valuable learning tool, but they always made me anxious....

Indian Brook Falls - July 2009

After I had put a few hours into this project of taking stock of my images something else began to happen. I took stock of everything else. I had an embarrassment of riches before me with these beautiful photos I love and loved the process of taking them. The planning, the trips to the locations either solitary or with Wenderina or one of my photo buddies (like brother-in-Law Robbie or my friend Mike or Niece Jessica). On most days The hike alone would have been worth it even if I got no photos. This was proved to me the Saturday morning I got on location and realized the battery in my camera was shot. I of course got really mad at myself for a few minutes, but in the end rather enjoyed the quiet, foggy, two hour sunrise drive. It was somewhere in this process of editing photos that I started to ask a question which led to a revelation. The question was am I responsible for the photos... How much credit can I take? After all I preach on this blog all the time about how more than half of a great nature photo is understanding the location and and being there and setup when you know the light will be right. This led to this thought... I am a truly lucky person. I am lucky to live in apart of the world that is breathtakingly beautiful if you take the time to get off the main roads and go looking for it. I am lucky to have been raised by two people who helped me to grow and appreciate art and the world around me. I am lucky to have married my best friend who does not mind if I disappear for hours on Sunday morning and I am perpetually behind on my chores list around the house so that I can chase the waterfalls and sunsets that I love to photograph. I am lucky to have a life and career that can allow me this time and money spend on art and photography. I am lucky to have photography when I have turned my back on it several times in my life, only to have it come roaring back and remind that a photographer is who I am.

Moodna Viaduct - October 2009

It is amazing how much internal good has come from an external examination of my photos. It really turned into and existential project.

Minnewaska - September 2009

I am back to the photo editing. Will the images I added to this post make it to the top five. I am not sure for I have promises to keep and miles to go before I sleep.

St. Georges Bermuda - May 2009

Keep Makin' Art

Carl

Sprintime in NY

Hello Fellow Artists-

Enjoy this shot I took this spring while I figure out what to work on next. I'll be posting a few of my favorite shots from the last 12 months over the next few days.

Since the leaves have fallen, but the snow has not I am done shooting for a bit. This is just as well as I discovered an issue with my camera and have had to send it back to Canon for repair! Hopefully I won't be without it for too long.

Now my attention will shift to all the painting I did not get done while I have been going crazy with the camera for the last 6 months. I hope to hit the studio for a while on Sunday.

In the next few days I'll post some of my favorite images from this year. let me know if you agree or disagree with my choices. Maybe I'll even put up a few series and you can critique them. Tell me what works and what does not. I won't be looking for flattery here, but rather what you really think. I am always curious what folks think makes a successful photo and why.

Keep Makin' Art!

Carl

Offline

Hi Everyone

Wenderina and I will be visiting our Niece and her family in the DC area for a few days. I'll be off-line mostly and will start with new posts next week.

Stay well!

Carl

Spring?

In the midst of the fall and the unstoppable approach of winter... I decided to look ahead (or is it back) to the dogwood flowers of spring. There is a lot of beauty to enjoy in the coming winter and I will photograph a lot of it.... but today I was thinking of the dogwoods in my yard in spring...

Keep Makin' Art

Carl

Carriage House - Skylands Botanical Garden - Ringwood, NJ

I have always liked this carriage house at Skylands, but it has never looked better than when it was surrounded by fall colors yesterday. I half expected to see the fairytale characters emerge from it's doors. Just looking at it makes me want to sit by a fire with a nice cup of tea.

Keep Makin' Art.
Carl

More Sunday Morning Photos

Here are some more images from this morning. I am almost done editing. coming up next during the week. an image from the Skylands... I shot at two locations this morning and perhaps a poem with one of this morning's images. I have some ideas and need to get them on paper before they disappear like the memory of a dream. No promises on the poem... I am no writer and don't claim to be but the beauty of the morning planted some ideas I want to try to jot down.

What did you work on this weekend? I came away with 10 or 15 really strong images from several locations I am thrilled beyond measure.

Keep Makin' Art!

Carl

Sunday Morning Nature Photos

I fought the urge to sleep in this morning when my 6am alarm went off. I am glad I did. All the rain from the last two night had Pine Meadow Brook running stronger than usual for this time of year. There were still bunches of trees that had clung to their leaves in the wind and rain of the last few days that made for awesome reflections. Here are the first two images while I work on editing the rest. Enjoy your Sunday!

Keep Makin' Art

Carl

A Rainy Saturday Morning

Hello Fellow Artists -

You may have sensed from my last couple of posts with recycled fall shots from last year that I was on the verge of writing off shooting today because of the weather.... You were right. It was only at the last second this morning that I threw my camera bag and tripod into the car on my way out to a meeting. Wenderina will attest to how much I dislike being out in the rain. I don't like being cold and wet.... She says I scrunch my face all up and look miserable... Guilty as charged I guess, but when I woke this morning and realized we were at peak of the fall season and the gray skies and wet leaves only made the color richer I just could not help myself. I am glad I went out. I was able to get these wonderful wet and foggy shots in Salisbury Mills (isn't that a great name?) NY.

The weather tomorrow is supposed to be clear so I will head out again to see what I can capture before all the leaves are off the trees in preparation for the snows to come. Which will bring their own wonderful photo opportunities.

Keep Makin' Art

Carl

A Year at Indian Brook Falls

I hope to shoot some new and interesting stuff this weekend. While you wait enjoy the waterfalls and Indian Brook photographed in three seasons.

Keep Makin' Art

Carl

Frost on Leaf

Another favorite image from last year as this weekend looks to be cold and rainy. I may not get out to shoot. If it turns out I can't shoot. I'll head to the studio and start some painting projects. Watercolor has been on a back burner too long anyway.

Keep Makin' Art
Carl

Autumn Reflection

This shot was taken last fall in Harriman State Park. I hope I still have time to get out and get a few more fall shots this year! I am running out of time.

Keep Makin' Art
Carl

Greeblepix - Photo Contest October

After Months of Wenderina telling me about the monthly photo contest on Greeblemonkey site I decided to enter this month's contest with a photo of Coit Tower and North Beach in San Francisco reflected in the transom windows of the Trans America tower. I really enjoyed the geometric shapes as well as the play of old and new.

Keep Makin' Art

Carl

Finger Lakes - Wine Region Upstate NY

We travelled upstate to the Finger Lakes this weekend for a family wedding. In between wedding activities (which was a just great... I am sure wenderina will post all about it)and raindrops I was able to slip away for a little while this morning to get these shots. I have made a mental note that we have to spend more time in the Naples/Canandaigua/Bristol area. My list of places I want to photograph in New York state just keeps getting longer.

Keep Makin' Art

Carl

One More Cape Cod Image

This is my last cape image from Sunday. The weather and the sunrise were perfect. It was worth dragging myself out of the warm cozy bed at the inn to chase down this shot. It is one of my favorite spots at one of my favorite places. I think if I was not a photographer...I would still drive out to this light house at dawn and watch the sun come up behind it. Nobska is one of those truly peaceful places.

What places really inspire you?

Keep Makin' Art

Carl

It Was Twenty Years Ago Today....

It seems like only yesterday that we had our wedding... I don't know where the twenty years have gone, but I am so glad to have had you by my side every step of the way.

Wendy I love you even more today! Thank you for everything! You are my love, My best friend and my whole life!

I can't wait to see what the next twenty years together brings us.

Carl

Weekend on Cape Cod

Crook Jaw Inn

Sandwich Ma.

Nobska Light

Wenderina and I headed up to Cape Cod for the weekend to get away for the weekend to celebrate our twentieth Anniversary (holy cow!) and to get some fall photos of Cape Cod to add to my portfolio. We found that the fall colors are not yet at peak and the cranberry bogs are not yet flooded... but had a wonderful Weekend at the Crook Jaw Inn in Yarmouth Port Ma. The Inn was absolutely lovely and Brian (our gracious Innkeeper) served a mean breakfast! We'll back for more weekend trips while I shoot seasonal scenes on the cape.

While the fall colors are still aways from peak. I went to some areas I knew would make great shots and also had some great suggestions from Brian at the inn. Wenderina and I wandered the Cape for a day and half taking pictures and enjoying each other's company. We topped our weekend off with a great meal at the Ocean House in Dennisport MA.

These pictures are the first few I worked on after we got home tonight. There will be more to follow this week... but I need some rest to get ready for the week ahead.

Ancient English Beech Tree - Yarmouth Port Ma.

Quaint Garden - Yarmouth Port

Gray's Beach Sunset

Tobey Farm, Dennis Ma.

Nobska Light, Woods Hole Ma.

Weekend

The lovely Wenderina and I are off to Cape Cod for the weekend to celebrate our twentieth anniversary! and to take a few fall photos if the weather cooperates. I don't know where the time has gone, but I am thankful for our wonderful life together.

I'll be back next week.

Keep Makin' Art

Carl

Autumn in New York

Awosting Falls - Minnewaska Preserve

Sheldon Falls - Minnewaska Preserve

Another Sunday... another 5am alarm calling me out to the woods to photograph the amazing sites in my part of New York State. Today my trusty side-kick (my brother in law Robbie) roused himself from slumber to join me. Our journey took us to the Shawangunk Mountains (the Gunks). These mountains are known for great rock climbing and hiking. We took a short hike into the Minnewaska State preserve to photograph Awosting and Sheldon falls. We arrived just after sunrise and found that the while only an hour north of us... the fall colors were already well along and made the perfect backdrop for these two very pretty and accessible falls on the Peter's Kill Creek which runs near the entrance to the preserve. I feel quite fortunate to live in such a beautiful part of the world. I wonder at the vistas of the Hudson Valley and Catskills every time I find my self hiking their trails.

Keep Makin' Art!

Carl

Summer Morning - Shawangunk Mountains

I was going through some images I had taken in the Shawangunk Mountains near New Paltz, NY recently. I had uploaded the images and pretty much let them sit because I felt I mis-timed my hike and got to the spot I wanted to shoot too late in the morning with the sun too high in the sky. I found this shot and realized with a little cropping it was a pretty strong shot.

I will be heading back to the 'Gunks for some autumn shooting armed with a little more knowledge of when I would like to get there to get my shot... Our 'failures' are not failures at all if we learn something for next time.

I also re-learned the lesson that I am constantly forgetting to go back through my images once in a while with a fresh eye. There are bound to be some that call out to you that you passed over the first time.

Keep Makin' Art!

Carl

Big News!

I have big news I have been hoping to be able to share with you all for a little while now. I will provide all the details as the time gets closer, but wanted to let you know that starting in March 2010 a gallery on Cape Cod will be displaying and selling my Cape Cod photographs. I am very excited and feel like this is the next step in my creative journey.

Thank you to all who read, support and comment on my work. I could not have made this leap with your help and the unwavering support of my wonderful wife Wenderina.

Keep Makin' Art

Carl

White Birch - Harriman State Park

This is the white birch I was attempting to photograph on Sunday. It is not quite the shot I wanted. If the weather holds up this weekend I'll take another crack at it.

Keep Makin' Art

Carl

One more image from Saturday

I also found this lazy slow spot in the Queensboro Brook Saturday as it meandered through the swampy land near Silvermine.

Keep Makin' Art

Carl

Rain Pros and Cons

Canon EOS 50D /17-40 USM L / 100 ASA / F18 - 1.3 Seconds

Wenderina will tell you I don't like to be out in the rain. It's true. I scrunch up my face and run as fast as I can to get out of the rain. I don't like being damp and cold and my glasses get all foggy. It makes me unhappy.... So why shoot in the rain? The results. You can get more saturated, rich colors. The rocks get darker where normally they might glow and the highlight contrast gets knocked down. In short it makes for a much more interesting photo. You can also find pockets of fog and mist that make for really great results. The hard part is keeping your lens dry and to keep it from fogging up. I captured these wonderful images... but perhaps the shot of the day got away from me because I could not keep the camera and lens dry when I found a stand of white birches with autumn colors behind them. I'll go back tomorrow morning before work. If I wait too long the rich color behind the trees will fade and the shot will be blah.

Today's images are from an early morning hike I took (in a very light rain) along Pine Meadow Brook in Harriman State Park. It started raining lightly last night and still has not stopped. This really decided today's location for me. I had hoped the rain would stop early and I would drive the two hours to a couple of waterfalls I have not seen before in the Shawangunk Mountains. I did not not want four hours of driving and nothing to show for it. So I opted for a local spot I know well and could predict the brook would be active with the rain from overnight and the fall colors would look even better so long as it was not raining too hard.

I noticed today as I was uploading my images that this trip marks the 25th time I have photographed in Harriman State Park in the last few years. It has so much to offer the hiker and photographer. I could spend a lifetime photographing this park and never discover all of her secrets.

I got home cold and wet, but very happy. I had found some beautiful images in an area I knew would be just right and the 15 minute wet ride home was much better than two hours cold and wet and miserable had I gone to the Shawangunks. It is still early in the fall... maybe next week. Maybe I can drag my brother in law Robbie (a fine photographer in his own right) out with me for a few hours.

There are a couple of important lessons I have learned as a landscape photographer you can glean from today. These are more important than type of equipment or any technical advice.

1. Know you subject. Find a favorite spot and visit it often. Be able to just 'know' when it will be a good time to shoot. I spent a long time trying to force nature to be ready for me to photograph on my schedule. Such hubris does not work for a nature photographer.
2. Be flexible. If your first location does not work out have a back up plan. Even if a trip does not work out as planned you will have added to your mental database of locations/times/conditions to shoot.
3. Do your research... get a trail map. These help me a great deal with no locations to help me decide if early in the day or later in the day will be optimal. Know what time sunrise and sunset are... Is there a chance of fog... I love shooting in the fog.
4. Be prepared. Keep your battery charged and extra memory cards with you. The best shot of the season may present it self to you while you are driving to work or the grocery store... If you don't have your camera with you then you are out of luck.

What tricks do you have to keep you prepared?

Keep Makin' Art

Carl

Autumn Reflections

Autumn Reflections - Queensboro Brook Harriman State Park

Fall will be approaching quickly here in the north-east. some of the early color is here already... I love this time of year when the fall color is on its way in, but there is still plenty of green to play it off of. I can be found in the woods three or four times a week from now until the peak fall colors.

Keep Makin' Art

Carl