After the sun sets in Sedona, the glowing westerly sky produces a warm and radiant hue on the red rock mountains that surround the area but only for a few minutes, and then it's gone. I arrived prepared and early to wait for that warm glow to appear on Cathedral Rock. There wasn’t a lot of light so I knew I’d have to use my tripod to accommodate a slow shutter speed. I framed the shot and then as darkness drew I checked my exposure settings and adjust them accordingly until finally, the glow appeared! ....and then just like that, it was gone. My patience, perseverance (it was cold!) and determination paid off, I got the prized shot I was hoping for. That said, I equate my sense of joy in photography to an Easter egg hunt and this shot was finding a huge cream filled Easter Egg (minus the calories, lol)! To my naked eye, the sky was black and the shadows in the foreground were black but because of my 5 second exposure (with my Sony a7r iv camera) I able to capture that which I couldn’t see; the result of which you see here. Things I like about this photograph include; the STRONG composition, the subtle colors (or lack thereof), the contrast, the (visible) details in the cliffs (which are almost impossible to see during the bright daylight hours) and how the darkness on the bottom Cathedral rock and the bright of the sky frame this iconic Sedona mountain. This is definitely one of my favorite!
In order to grow, as a person, in our careers and in our passions we often have to force ourselves into challenging situations; our mindsets are key. That said, my “choices” guide me and why I took this photograph. Woodland photography is very popular, especially in the UK where open woodlands are (more) easy to find. Here in the northwestern US and Canada however, they’re harder to find so when I saw this tree I was excited by the potential I saw. I was on a narrow two lane road when I drove by this scene, so I had to make a quick decision, “Should I turn around?”. I was driving my RV so turning around meant a few 3-point turns to turns to do so, and although that was a bit of a challenge, I knew the real challenge would be to create the photo I envisioned from a raw file… which would force me to learn something new. The tree was as you see it here (it remains the same) however the background in the original was lit up with defused mid-day white lighting; perfect for the image I had envisioned. As mentioned in previous posts, my raw images all require post editing and it was here that the challenge lie; how to bring “mood” into the scene. I think I accomplished that. Challenges can be difficult but by choosing how we face them, we grow. A rewarding passion (and life), is in the accumulation of our choices.
I arrived at Elk Island National Park, in central Alberta, just as darkness took over the landscape. I was hoping to hone in on some Milky Way photography, knowing that the lake and islands would provide some valued interest to the photo. With great anticipation and in the darkness of night, I set out with a my camera gear on my back, bear spray in hand and my puppy Arlo by my side. With the assistance of a headlamp, I walked to Astotin Lake and hiked along the northern lakeside trail. As I walked I noticed some strange noises that seemed to be following me and I could hear some bugling elk and howling coyotes in the distance (admittedly, it was a bit unnerving!). I told myself, “It’s just rabbits and birds, scouring about and the animals are so far away”..... I didn’t linger (lol). Unfortunately though, by the time I got to the spot where I knew the islands, lake and with the Milky Way would align, it had clouded over. All was not lost however because I did get this spectacular photo. In this photo, both the city lights of Edmonton and the blue of evening falling, were very faint but there was just enough light for a 30 second exposure. The addition of these two lovely young ladies (who just happened to be there) added a much needed focal point. I asked if they wouldn’t mind standing still for 30 seconds, and they enthusiastically agreed (I was thrilled, and thankful!). Back in my RV, I enjoyed a hot cup of tea and I reflected on my day. Happiness is truly in the accumulation of micro-moments and with that thought, I enthusiastically planned my next day!
I recently went on a photo shoot to Vancouver Island, with plans to explore the northern section of the island. Mother Nature however had a different agenda; snow and ice (in November!). Vancouver Island is well known as the warmest place in Canada. The province’s capital city Victoria for example, enjoys an average temperature of 10°C, of 50°F. So, to have below freezing temperatures made traveling more challenging; ultimately, I had to change my plans. Not only did my RV need new tires (which I got during my travels) but I also had to consider that my RV wasn’t winterized. Who would have thought I’d have to worry about that in November! That said, I had to winterize my RV before I headed inland, and home. I captured this, my last photo of my trip, on my way home (an hour before I winterized the RV) outside of Abbotsford, BC. I had captured another photo here once before (see "Morning Ballet), so I purposely stopped to see if I could find another composition. The fog was starting to lift so time was of an essence. It was a bit of a scramble (yikes!) but fortunately, I came across this view immediately. I was however tempted to keep exploring but in the end I decided to stay, set up my gear and wait for the sun to (hopefully) illuminate the scene. My wait was worth it! Notice how the sun's rays are merely kissing the scene; it was exactly what I was waiting for. I love this photo; it’s mood, the subtle colors and it’s composition too.
As darkness filled the floor of canyon, the chilly breeze chased most of the tourists away; it was time to call it a day. It was really quite dark and I should have headed back to my RV but the temptation to stay for this “one last shot” was too great. These colors are somewhat unique for the Grand Canyon but as the sun slowly sets the canyon’s colors change (and surprisingly quickly!). First, the vibrant hues are replaced with a warm glow, then a cool blue and then there’s complete darkness. You can see these varying colors in this photo. There was very little light so I had to use my tripod. I set my ISO/ASA to 640 and my shutter speed at 1/4 of a second. I could tell from the viewfinder that this was going to be a great shot, and a uniquely different one too. That said, I absolutley love how soft this photo is and how very painterly it looks too. I sat in the canyon’s beauty for a while; with my heartfelt thoughts and in appreciation of the many dreams I have yet to live. I named this photo “Grandview Nightfall” because it was taken at Grandview Point at nightfall.
A female Rufous Hummingbird.
"Wapiti Portrait" “The Wapiti” is the Native American name for an Elk. It’s the second largest member of the deer family( after the Moose). An adult male elk can grow up to 5 feet tall at its shoulders, and can be over 1000 pounds. In a protected area, such as Jasper, they can often live for over 20 years. Only the bulls have antlers, which are grown and are shed yearly. Although I’m not a "wildlife photographer" (per se), I do enjoy the opportunities I do get to hone in on that skill. What I love about this photo it's warm morning glow and defused lighting which fills in the (normally), harsh shadows. That said, I was fortunate to capture this Elk in such magnificent lighting conditions. In my earlier years I was known as a studio photographer but today, I consider myself as a “generalist”, which means I'm not defined by any one type of photography (which gives me the freedom to explore).
It may surprise you, but my least favorite weather to shoot in are the clear days, when there isn’t a cloud in the sky. I prefer turbulent skies, overcast skies, fog or even rain because they all add drama, mood and interest to an image. Honestly though, there really aren’t any bad weather days for photography but the lighting conditions do dictate what type of photography I’m looking for. I love shooting in foggy conditions; that’s my favorite. Fog not only helps to define the subject by separating the foreground from the background but it (importantly), fog adds a peaceful and a serene stillness to it too; like this photo. I’m touring my way towards southern US in my RV now and after only three days, I’ve had to changed my travels twice …oh well :-) . The weather hasn’t exactly cooperated but I am getting a few great shots and making some valued memories along the way. Not one to get frazzled by (most) last minute changes, I embrace what I can’t change. That said, choosing which way to go, when you don’t know where to go, is sometimes just a matter of flipping a coin! I once met a lady who was traveling solo, around the world and I asked her, “How do you decide where to go?”. She answered with, “There’s no right or wrong, left or right”. Gosh, isn’t that the truth! Whether they are travel plans or life plans; life is in the memories we create, and those we leave behind. If you see the negative, you’re going to feel the negative, if you see the beauty, you’re going to feel the beauty. Believe in possibilities. Photo captured near Yakima, Washington.
We often walk through life without paying much attention to the obvious, however with an intent to “see” (beyond a glance) we will discover a world that we never noticed. If I asked you what color shade is, you would likely say it’s black (or grey) however if you pay attention you’ll discover that’s not the case, and this photograph is a prime example. No doubt you’ve noticed how snow looks blue (or pink, or purple); that’s because the snow picks up the colors of the sky. Just like the snow, in this photograph the pale (almost white) colored cliffs behind the saguaro picked up the incredibly vibrancy of the blue sky. When I walked towards this saguaro tree the very first thing I noticed was the color of the shade. Wow!... it made me stop in my tracks! In that moment of wonderment, I noticed three things; the blue colored shade, all the back-lighting, and the vivid greens. When I combined these three things with my composition, I knew that I had a “keeper” and I could hardly wait to get it into post processing! As a matter of fact, I was so excited by the scene that I immediately sent an iPhone shot to daughter before taking this shot with my Sony a7r IV. This photo was taken near Dutchman State Park (just east of Mesa, AZ), at the base of Superstition Mountain; just after a week of rain, which made the sky SO vibrant! *Notice how "fat" the saguaro is? Interestingly, saguaro's retain water, which is key for it's survival.
To produce a well crafted photo that has meaning and conveys a feeling, can be a challenge; yet that is what I strive for. That said, many elements have to be in alignment for that to happen, and it's a lucky day when they do. When it comes to “moody” photographs, soft light and fog are definitely my friends. I love how the soft, diffused morning light reduces the highlights, softens the darks, opens up the shadows and yet make the colors pop. The fog not only adds depth to the scene but it definitely creates a sense of mood or mystery. This photograph was taken while I hiked a trail that started at the Stamp River Provincial Park (14Km’s/8.5 miles north of Port Alberni, on Vancouver Island). The park features moss covered rain forests, rapids, a waterfall and a substantial fish ladder (which allows half a million Coho, Sockeye and Chinook salmon to pass the falls). I parked my RV there for the night and was on the trail well before sunrise; I wanted to get out there before the fog would burn off. Their was a cool and misty breeze that followed the river, and the smell of decaying salmon was noticeably strong. This was bear country, and I knew they’d fattening up for their long winter’s nap so my bear spray was close at hand. What I love about this photograph is it’s sense of mystery and how the cool and warm colors are in harmony throughout the scene. I too love the focal point; the tree and how it’s leaning over the cliff’s edge.
As mentioned previously, I’ve started to hone in on some more intimate scenes, like this one. Being so very visual, I tend to notice smaller scenes and with more practice of late, I’m starting to feel much more confident in pulling it all together. Although this photo may not resonate with everyone, I'm drawn to it's mystical qualities. I’ve often pondered, what takes an image from being a “snapshot”, to a piece majestic piece of “art”? It’s starts with the photographer observing the elements. That said, before composing this photograph, I considered these five things: 1. Geometry (the placement of the tree in the frame) 2. The color or colors (I loved the monochromatic look). 3. Luminosity (I loved the addition of the fog). 4. Contrast (soft light results in low contrast). 5. Mood (what was the general mood I wanted to capture). This photograph was taken in an ancient forest on Vancouver Island, BC. The cascading hairs are often referred to as “Old Man’s Beard” or “Grandfather’s Beard” but I’ve known it as “Witch’s beard” (hmmm......). They’re in the lichen family and are known as “Bearded Lichen (Usnea Longissima). They can grow up to 20 feet in length and with this tree hanging over a ridge, these beards were darn close!
"Joshua Tree Nightscape" It’s long been known that our cognitive brain health declines as we age and that diet, exercise, sleep, social interaction and mental stimulation can prevent it. As I’ve aged, I’ve noticed the normal changes in my own cognitive function but I hope that as I sharpen photography skills (including night sky photography), will help; I have my fingers crossed! I pre-planned this location earlier in the day (I even marked the spot where I’d stand). With the help of an app, I knew exactly where and what time the milky way would line up with this scene. What I didn’t realize however (until after the shoot) was that the milky way was rather “blah” from that angle; hmmm, so what to do? I decided to learn something new by blending a previous Milky Way photograph with the foreground; the results of which you see here. This now known as a “composite" image; which is an image comprised of two or more images to create one. Joshua Tree National Park is a vast protected area, not far Palm Springs, California. The high elevation of the park is characterized by it's rugged rock formations, Joshua Trees, “dark sky” landscapes and sunsets. The Joshua "tree" is not really a tree because it belongs to the yucca plant family. They typically grow only in higher elevations (1,300 to 6,000 feet) and grow quite slowly (up to 3 inches per year). They have an average lifespan of 150-200 years but some live much longer.... hmmm, maybe I will too, lol!
"Death Valley View" - CLICK TO SEE ENTIRE IMAGE. Hmmm, really…. seriously! The wet and windy weather seems to be following me! I’m now in Death Valley and although the weather has been challenging, I did manage to dodge the rain. and get some awesome shots. Honestly though, I love the varied weather because it adds unique lighting, clouds and contrast to my images, like this one. The weather was clinging to the mountains all around me and although it was 17 degrees where I stood, it was snowing along the mountain tops. It was SO windy though, that when I dropped my lens-cap it (in seconds), blew over a ledge. A fine young man from Vancouver Island however was kind enough to retrieve it for me (in flipflops!)…. sheesh! I had visited this location before and although it was only in passing I did manage to get a really unique shot here (visit: ). I decided to camp nearby and planned to be back there for sunrise but (you guessed it), by morning it was raining… yet again! Suddenly though, the sun appeared so I hurriedly got dressed, packed up the RV and drove the the 5 minutes to get there.... AND, Yup, you guessed it (again) the sunlight was gone, oh darn! Okay, so now what to do? I decided to stay in the parking lot, have breakfast and do some editing while I hoped the sun would peak through again. Low and behold, the sun came out just long enough to get a shot! This image is a 4 image panoramic stack; meaning that I’ve stitched 4 images together (in photoshop). As a result, the file is huge and worthy of a monstrous (lol) enlargement. Patience and perseverance paid off.
This location is often used for weddings and as luck should have it, a small wedding was taking place as I was shooting this photo. They stood slightly left of this photo but close enough for me to hear them share their loving and touching vows....as I stood in the red mud with tears in my eyes :-) Years ago I owned and operated a photo lab and when the snowbirds came back with their rolls of film, their photos were often red; red foregrounds, red roads, and red mountains too. Well, my assistants Donna, Sharon and I thought that this just couldn't be, so we tried to fix them but then we'd ruin the other colors! At the time, this was quite the dilemma (lol). Fast forward to 2013, when I visited Sedona for the first time, and to my surprise, everything was red! So, you may be wondering what that story has to do with this photo? Well, there's actually another puddle directly behind this one and in order to get this shot, I had to stand in the puddle AND the red/clay mud. I should have taken a photo of my hiking boots! LOL
As a beginner, I use to give composition very little thought, and most of my photos were grand scenes but now, I find myself finding great pleasure in finding and composing more intimate scenes, like this one. Although this type of photography isn't for everyone my photographic journey is for "me"; my soul and my healing. I'm in my element when I'm out exploring, and all my worries disappear. There, I'm at one with Mother Nature and I know she means me no harm. That said, I'm also there to represent her through my photography for all to see, experience and (hopefully) inspire in some way. I often think of those of you whom (because of your physical limitations), can't experience her, and for that I am sorry but I hope that just for a moment, you're there with me. Yes, it's (tearfully) lonely at times but I don't feel nearly as lonely when I'm out on the open road, and exploring Mother Nature. I named this photography "A Graceful Descent" because it represents my journey. We fall, we get up and we grow again! :-)
"Canyon Tree" It’s been said that, “To write well, you have to write what you know”, and although this is true, we (thankfully) will never know “everything”. We can share what we do know, and be open and willing to learn more.... and there lies growth. That said, I hope that my artistic journey speaks to you in an inspiringly curious way. With this in mind, I am always looking for the next photographic image. I like to challenge myself to look beyond a first glance; this image was an example of that. I stood in this gorge with another wall of rock directly behind me. There wasn’t a lot vegetation, which made this tree really stand out. You’ll notice that I didn’t include the sky because If I had, your eyes would have been drawn up to it (the brightness) and out of the frame; now your eyes remain drawn to the tree. I am thankful for my passion for photography, it has opened so many creative avenues and in so doing it gives me great joy. That said, I encourage you to grasp your creative passions and explore the opportunities. Hmmm, someone once said to me, “Romi, opportunities don’t come knocking at your door”, you have to look for them”. So true. Life is very individual, however it’s created through the choices we make. Humbling.... yes! Scary…. yes! Exciting…. yes. Life though, is in the memories we create, those we leave behind and those with whom we have so lovingly touched. Look, with an intent to see possibilities ....in life, and in creativity too! :-)
When I edit my photographs, I’m a purist (true colors, no manipulation) but this photograph is different, I feel it's "art" (a combination of both photography and art). That said, I thoroughly enjoyed adding my artistic and creative self to this image. Although the color version of this photograph is quite striking but I intentionally edited it out. “Why?”, because I wanted to add a gentleness to this otherwise high contrast flower. At the same time however I left the high contrast in the eye of the flower, which is this photo's focal point. My goal is to capture the viewer's interest first, and then their curiosity. Black-eyed Susans are considered a symbol of encouragement and motivation, which can be attributed to the plant's adaptability, thus popularity. It's also Maryland's official state flower. The name of this photograph came about by combining the "eye" in Black-eyed Susan and the fact that it was created by me, the "artist".
I spent Christmas in Desert Hot Springs (with some dear friends) and although I wanted to travel home to my family I had to considered the implications; my tightening time frame (to the set up of the Arizona Fine Art Expo) and then of course, the threat of covid exposure. One of the most visually interesting things in Palm Springs are the 100's of wind turbines that cover the valley floor and hillsides; my objective here (besides Christmas!) was to get some "signature" shots of the Coachella Valley. It was late day when I noticed a sudden weather change so off I went, to my pre-planned photographic destination. With my tripod firmly anchored in the desert sand and my camera focused on a grouping of wind turbines, I suddenly noticed a change in overall color, and then I noticed why.... and you might say I changed my "focus"! The first thing I noticed was the complimentary colors of the hillsides and then I noticed the matching colors of the sky! "Really!" I exclaimed to myself! I was SO excited! It was (truly) so thrilling to witness this! I'm sure though, that most people wouldn't have noticed the colors of the hillsides but I'm so color intuitive that they "screamed" (lol) at me! With little time to spare, I removed my camera from my tripod, switched lenses and hand held this shot. I wanted a high quality panoramic shot of this scene so this photograph is actually comprised of three shots (that I later stitched together in post production). Sure, I didn't get the shots of the wind turbines I wanted but I got this shot instead; which made my day!
“Art, is in the eye of the beholder”. The "art" in photography is much more than capturing what I see, it's truly in the art of observing. The way in which light interacts with the scene can make a mundane scene, absolutely exquisite. That said, I’m always searching beyond my first glance for the unique and prized image, such as this one. I love abstract art but not necessarily just the typical obscure type. It’s the photographic pieces created by Mother Nature that I love and when it comes to composing, I don't just consider placement but light, form, colors and textures too.
“Did you see that?!” Yes, you likely saw most everything but did you see, or notice, the less obvious?! When I’m out in the field, and I feel there’s nothing to shoot, I enjoy the visual hunt for the less obvious. Not only does the hunt for it keep me engaged moment, but knowing that my next epic shot could be (literally), right under my feet is exhilarating! As I walked along a jetty (on the Oregon coast), I noticed these birds sitting in a row in the distance, on the opposite and parallel jetty. They stood out so clearly and silhouetted against the bright ocean mist. What I didn’t notice (until I hand my camera up to my eye), were the layers behind the mist (the sand dunes, then the mountains and finally, the stormy sky). *I love the layers! The birds were quite far away so I used my Sony 100-400 zoom lens (at full zoom) to capture this image and then in post processing I cropped the top and the bottom to turn it into a panoramic image. Whether you think there’s a shot, or not… you’re right! Some of my favorite all time images are those I didn’t expect to find.
This is one of my all-time favorite photos, in all regards. Forest scenes are generally busy, in that there are so many trees and distractions. That said, Mother Nature made this composition, I just had to see it. Trampling through the forest looking for compositions is not easy but I don't have any complaints because I finding one is truly like being on an Easter egg hunt! I particularly LOVE this photo because it has so many of the compositional elements that I look for, and the light perfect (soft, not harsh). I particularly love the lead in line and how your eye goes around (and around) the tree and not out the frame. I also love this photograph's balance in that it's weighted equally with the central tree being the anchor. There's also a great sense of perception; notice how the background drops off. I named this photograph "Embraced" because the tree appeared to be embraced by the forest and because of the embracing circular path around it. I too noticed that it was flourishing, more so than the other trees, so Mother Nature must be embracing it too. May we all feel, (like this tree) "Embraced".
Tofino, and Pacific Rim National Park Reserve of British Columbia, are characterized by the wild natural scenery; ancient rain-forest, vast sandy beaches (which offer year-round surfing), many hiking trails, a paved 43 km. (26 mile) paved biking trail and many fine shops, hotels and restaurants. I spent 5 days in Tofino, in hopes of shooting some stormy sea and sky photos. Although the storms never developed, on this day there was a high surf advisory, so off I went in search of some waves. Not being very familiar with the ocean, I was somewhat intimidated by its mighty strength and roar. I spotted these ocean birds (called Brandt's Cormorants) silhouetted on this rock from quite a distance, noting their sleek necks and rounded bellies as I walked towards them. I climbed the boulders to get to this view (with one eye on the ocean!). Once I found my composition, I was waited for the "big" wave; I keeping one eye on the ocean so I wouldn't be swept in. Using my 100 to 400 Sony zoom lens I was able to capture this photograph. As I waited, I remembering comparing my fear of the ocean to theirs and envied their agility. That said, fear got the best of me and once I got this shot, I was out of there! Quick Brandt's Cormorants facts: They are expert divers and can swim more than 200 feet in pursuit of fish and shellfish. They're an aggressive bird. They migrate each year from Alaska to Mexico and are very common and widespread. Brandt's sports a vivid cobalt-blue throat patch and eyes during breeding season. They have wispy white feathers on the head, which you can't see in this photo.
Death Valley (California) is known for its extremes; it is America's driest and hottest terrain (with a record of of 134°F, or 56°C). With fewer than 2 inches (5 centimeters) of rainfall annually, I happened to be there when over 1 inch of rain fell (some of the roads were washed out). It too is home to the lowest point in the US (at Badwater Basin), at 282 feet below sea level, yet 75 miles away, Mt. Whitney is the highest point in the lower 48 states, at 14,505 feet. I intentionally composed this photo to make you ( the viewer) question, "What is that?”. It's a barren mountainside, as seen from Zabriskie Point. From here the point offers a stunning and impressive panoramic views of the badlands; it’s various metals have oxidized the clay creating eye-popping reds, yellows, greens, blues, and even purples. I LOVED the patterns in the Death Valley landscape, they were almost moon like! Abstract compositions were everywhere but I chose this on because of the hiking trail (it leads your eye through the image). This is only one, of many photographs that I took in Death Valley. That said, the unique photographic views and scenes everywhere! What a sight to see, and experience too!
