B&W and COLORIZED
Read More
I recently attended an amazing photography conference in Pincher Creek Alberta, where there were a number of speakers that covered a variety of photographic topics; I was in my element! Although I was primarily there to hear Viktoria Haack and Adam Gibbs speak (two renowned BC photographers who’s style and genres I admire), I actually enjoyed all the speakers and presenters. Their work, combined with their shared wisdom, was inspiring; so much so that it inspired me (personally) to dive into some new (to me) genres. That said, I was particularly interested in the discussions that pertained to astrophotography (including aurora borealis), wildlife photography and Black & White photography; just to mention a few. When I left the conference I decided to concentrate on black and white for a while, so imagine my delight when I came across this old farmhouse (not far from Pincher Creek). At first, I was merely fixated on the old abandoned homestead but as I walked around I noticed all the amazing leading lines which added to the overall composition. Considering the subject, I knew this photograph would look amazing in black and white; by naturally adding a sense of mood, mystery and age.
“Desert Dust Storm” While visiting the Palm Springs area recently, the frequent high winds meant my camera had to stay in my bag, and Arlo and I were sequestered to the RV; it was quite the site to see, and experience. The wind howled as the blowing sand and dust pelted the RV. At times it looked like fog, and it blanketed entire valleys and neighborhoods. Drifts of sand accumulated as the sand blew and swirled across the roadways. At times the wind was almost violent, and yet it was “only” 70 mph winds (I can’t imagine winds over 100mph!). This photo was taken from inside my RV :-) ....where I was sheltered from the wind and (most) of the blowing sand and dust. The wind shook the RV so I waited for a moment of calm before capturing this image. I love how the dust helps to define the depth of field in this image; something I didn’t expect to ever capture in a desert scene. I'm thrilled!
We arrived at Monument Valley with plans to tour and photograph the valley; we were so excited! We didn’t however do our homework prior to our arrival, and were disappointed to find out the park was closed because of Covid. So, we made the most of our time here and decided to explore the area around Monument Valley instead. We chose to explore a side road that was paved to begin with, then it turned to gravel and then it turned into a forestry service road. We were alone and it felt freeing to be alone; the only car in the middle of nowhere and away from civilization. Suddenly I saw something move across the rocky desert scape, “Wild donkeys!” I said with excitement (I had never seen them before). They were a far distance away so with my camera and long lens in hand I slowly walked towards them; not knowing anything about wild donkeys, I wondered if they’d be curious about me. Then with some trepidation I wondered what would I do if they did! Quit quickly however, they ran off and I didn’t even get a single shot. We continued on and as we turned a corner, these four wild donkeys stood right in front of us! Now, knowing how skittish they are, I quietly (and quickly) got out of the truck to take aim. Initially, they were huddled together but as I approached them (ever so carefully) they backed off and stood as you see them here; just as curious about me as I was about them. I knew how very, very blessed I was for this once in a lifetime opportunity, so with that in mind, I made sure all my settings were I wanted them and held my camera steady. What I love about this photo is how perfectly lined up they are!
I stayed in my RV near this desert view many times. I always kept one eye to the sky. As a photographer, I'd watch for some unique lighting conditions, cloud formations, the sun rise, and sunsets. When I saw this storm brewing, I headed out onto the desert floor. The sun was setting, that's why you see the brightly lit clouds on the mountain tops. The sun was hitting the mountains (notice the shadows) and there was enough light to create some shadows in the foreground. That said, I love the combination and contrast in this black and white photograph.
When I approached this scene, I experienced an amazing sense of awe! The majestic wonder of the blowing snow in such a harsh environment gave me goosebumps (in astonishment, not cold!). I had never seen such a magnificent and inhospitable scene; it was an “awe” moment I’ll never forget. I was in my happy place! Although I wished I could have share this view with the world, it's my sincere pleasure to share it with you here! I hope it leaves you in “awe” too! I named this image “Mountain Dreams” because if I’m not in the mountains, I dream of being in the mountains! 4 images were used to create this panoramic composition (they were later stitched together in Photoshop).
This photo is part of the Desert View Watchtower, at the East Entrance to the Grand Canyon. With the semi opaque canyon in the back ground, the main focus hear is most certainly the structure itself. That said, notice the many lines that lead your eyes to the door; don't you just want to know what's behind that closed door(?)! Considering the physical location of the door, I rightfully name it, “The Grand Door". Perhaps a door that leads to a vast number of opportunities and change. :-)
"Brown's Ranch Desert View" BW
Finding and planning photographic locations takes time and physical effort but the rewards often yield the best photographs. It never does however seem like a chore when I’m engulfed in my passions (early morning starts, cycling, hiking and photography), it’s then that I’m in my “happy place”! What could possibly be more fun than searching for spectacular locations and then later have a prize photograph. That said however, weather does play a big roll, and even with all the efforts I’ve made, sometimes sudden weather changes have worked against my plans or rewarded me well. This photograph has such a story. I found this location on a previous morning bike ride, and I made a mental note to return. What I loved about this particular location was the combination of darks and lights (the shadows and highlights), often referred to as the darkest darks and the brightest whites, which are complimentary in any photograph or painting. We planned the night before to be on the bike path before sunrise and then cycle out to this location. Our goal was to be there for golden hour, when the early morning rays of sun make the desert cacti come alive. That said however, the weather didn’t cooperate and even though it was an overcast day the sun did poke through occasionally; just enough to get this shot.
While on our way to visit Wickenburg, we decided look for some photographic opportunities and potential boondocking (dry-camping) sites in the Lake Pleasant area, north-west of Phoenix. Just a short distant from the Phoenix/Scottsdale area, the world changes; as we noticed as we drove down a dusty gravel road, through small mountainous valleys and rocky gorges. The area was (quite notably), densely covered with saguaro trees. When this lake (Lake Pleasant) came into view, I noted how intriguing it was to see both saguaro trees and a lake in one “frame”. Driving further north I noticed the sun’s reflection in the lake and stopped to take a photo. I carefully placed my feet as I made my way down the prickly pear embankment and framed this shot when suddenly a truck barreled past. Seeing the dust, my first instinct was to run back into truck however I knew I wouldn’t make it there in time so I ate the dust, lol! To my surprise however the dust lofted down into my frame! Although my camera (and myself) got sugar coated with dust, I was elated to get this shot! I absolutely love the softness and muted colors of this photo and how the dust (which looks like fog) adds to the interesting combination of sun, lake reflections and sky.
In Scottsdale, Arizona Finding and planning photographic locations takes time and physical effort but the reward can often yield some fantastic memories and photographs. That said, scoping out a location is never a chore, it’s a sincere joy! This photograph was taken on the Granite Mountain Loop Trail (north-east Scottsdale, on the Senoran Preserve). As we approached the park's entry gate we heard a beeping noise and discovered that the gate's automatic opener was malfunctioning. As we waited (along with other guests) for the gait to correct itself my partner graciously volunteered to wait and stay with his vehicle so I could cycle off. I had noticed this hillside scene on a previous ride but now (with the early morning sun and the passing storm clouds), it was even more stunning! The color version of this photograph is also a winner however I love how the de-saturated colors created a more powerful and demanding scene. When I’m engulfed in my passions (early morning starts, cycling, hiking and photography), it is truly my “happy place”. That said, what could possibly be more enjoyable then traveling and discovering such spectacular places like this!
This photo was captured west of Carefree (Scottsdale, Arizona), near Bartlett Lake. The tall peaks in the distance are the Mazatzal Mountains, which are part of Tonto's National Forest. I was intrigued by the unique mix of saguaro trees and the soaring mountains, “How unique” (I had never seen that before). I began searching for a good composition, and after some scrambling over borders and dodging of the cholla cactus's (ouch!), I found this shot. Notice how the many lines in this photo, all point at the tallest saguaro tree; the focal point. Desert scenes always remind me of an old black and white movie, so I chose to show it this way.
Abstract photography, in the natural world, draws away from its natural appearance and can turn the recognizable into an unrecognizable form. Abstract photography can be defined by its use of shapes, forms, colors, and textures; often departing from the true existence of reality. In this photograph, I chose to crop and edit it for its textures and form and then converted it to black and white to add to the drama. That said, by converting it to black and white the contrast alone (not color), is part of the overall essence of abstract. Some people would say this abstract departs from its reality but it’s with my creative artistic license, that I feel this image now draws the interest that I desired. In conclusion, abstract photography represents how the photographer sees the world and chooses to share it.
"The Mighty Grand Canyon" BW 1x1
The Grand Canyon is most definitely "Mighty" and it's likely one of the most photographed (and sought after) locations in the world. This photo was taken at the "Desert View Watchtower" (located at the eastern entrance to the canyon) were we spent 4 hours (taking photos) as we waited for the golden hour (sunset). We knew that the warm casting light from the sunset would make the canyon colors come alive, and it did! I love the photographic elements in this photograph. That said, I must give thanks to the many professional artists whom have all openly shared their artistic principles with me; including flow, composition and contrast. All of which, I applied to this photograph.
We arrived at Monument Valley with plans to tour and photograph the valley; we were so excited! We didn’t however do our homework prior to our arrival, and were disappointed to find out the park was closed because of Covid. So, we made the most of our time here and decided to explore the area around Monument Valley instead. We chose to explore a side road that was paved to begin with, then it turned to gravel and then it turned into a forestry service road. We were alone and it felt freeing to be alone; the only car in the middle of nowhere and away from civilization. Suddenly I saw something move across the rocky desert scape, “Wild donkeys!” I said with excitement (I had never seen them before). They were a far distance away so with my camera and long lens in hand I slowly walked towards them; not knowing anything about wild donkeys, I wondered if they’d be curious about me. Then with some trepidation I wondered what would I do if they did! Quit quickly however, they ran off and I didn’t even get a single shot. We continued on and as we turned a corner, these four wild donkeys stood right in front of us! Now, knowing how skittish they are, I quietly (and quickly) got out of the truck to take aim. Initially, they were huddled together but as I approached them (ever so carefully) they backed off and stood as you see them here; just as curious about me as I was about them. I knew how very, very blessed I was for this once in a lifetime opportunity, so with that in mind, I made sure all my settings were I wanted them and held my camera steady. What I love about this photo is how perfectly lined up they are!
Just west of Carefree, Arizona is Bartlett Lake, a reservoir lake formed by the damming of the Verde River. We had heard that the Arizona Desert poppies where bountiful here, so we just had to check it out! On our arrival, we noted these yellow-orange poppies covered the landscape and they were indeed beautiful! That said however I was most taken by the unique mix of saguaro trees and the soaring mountains in the background. Some of the key elements that I like in this photo include: -The darkest dark shadows (group mass), demands the viewer's attention, creating a strong focal point. -The strong vertical lines (the saguaro trees), adding contrast. -The color variety, that makes the depth of field stand out.
"Brown's Ranch Desert View" BW 1x1
Finding and planning photographic locations takes time and physical effort but the rewards often yield the best photographs. It never does however seem like a chore when I’m engulfed in my passions (early morning starts, cycling, hiking and photography), it’s then that I’m in my “happy place”! What could possibly be more fun than searching for spectacular locations and then later have a prize photograph. That said however, weather does play a big roll, and even with all the efforts I’ve made, sometimes sudden weather changes have worked against my plans or rewarded me well. This photograph has such a story. I found this location on a previous morning bike ride, and I made a mental note to return. What I loved about this particular location was the combination of darks and lights (the shadows and highlights), often referred to as the darkest darks and the brightest whites, which are complimentary in any photograph or painting. We planned the night before to be on the bike path before sunrise and then cycle out to this location. Our goal was to be there for golden hour, when the early morning rays of sun make the desert cacti come alive. That said however, the weather didn’t cooperate and even though it was an overcast day the sun did poke through occasionally; just enough to get this shot.
"The Griz" I wouldn't want to run into this guy eye to eye!
Lately, I’ve been taking a lot more notice of some interesting cloud formations and unique lighting conditions. I’ve also taken more note of why and how they (can) add to an overall photograph. Take the clouds in this photo as an example. While camping in the desert I looked outside every morning in hopes that the rising sun would be casting on some unique cloud formations, and on this particular morning my hopes came to fruition. Knowing that these conditions are generally short lived, I quickly gathered up my camera gear and headed out. I chose to walk down this meandering country road when at a turn in the road, I noticed a cloud appeared to be resting on the top of this mountain. A short distance later I came across this composition and thought, “perfect”. What I love about this photo is it’s strong sense of flow; how the lane leads your eye into the scene, down the lane and then up into mountains and clouds. The flow makes me want wander and explore. I also like the overall contrast in this photo, particularly the darkness on either side of the lane. *notice a bird sitting on the top of the distant saguaro tree on the right.
Finding and planning photographic locations takes time, patience and physical effort but the reward can often yield more than some fantastic photographs but some absolutely amazing memories too! That said, finding a desert scene isn’t easy because it's cluttered but when you enjoy hiking, the sunshine and desert life, scoping out a location isn't a chore! This photograph was taken not far from where I stayed in my RV in North Scottsdale. I had parked here many times and I always felt so very privileged by the many meandering desert trails that were right at my doorstep; they were perfect for cycling and hiking and I used them a lot. I noticed this scene (not far from my RV) many times but I waited patiently for not only the right lighting conditions, but for the right cloud formations too. Notice how the clouds have a powerful and dramatic impact on this image. Notice how the clouds have a powerful and dramatic impact on this image. Then, to add to that sense of drama, I also converted it to a sepia tone. It took patience for everything to come together, but I got the shot I wanted, and I now have many lifelong and heartfelt memories of this location too.
The poppy is a very delicate flower. In editing, I switched the original to black and white and then added some softness and texture... which together, depicts the poppy's fragility.
"The Floral Edition" was created by blending three photos. Flowers (from a visit to Butchart Gardens), a newspaper and a cloudy sky. In keeping with the black and white newspaper, I chose to convert the flowers to black and white, then added a hint of color and texture. Look for others that match this style.
"Granite Mountain" Scottsdale, AZ Finding and planning photographic locations takes time and physical effort but the reward can often yield some fantastic memories and photographs. That said, scoping out a location is never a chore, it’s a sincere joy! This photograph was taken on the Granite Mountain Loop Trail (north-east Scottsdale, on the Senoran Preserve). As we approached the park's entry gate we heard a beeping noise and discovered that the gate's automatic opener was malfunctioning. As we waited (along with other guests) for the gait to correct itself my partner graciously volunteered to wait and stay with his vehicle so I could cycle off. I had noticed this hillside scene on a previous ride but now (with the early morning sun and the passing storm clouds), it was even more stunning! The color version of this photograph is also a winner however I love how the de-saturated colors created a more powerful and demanding scene. When I’m engulfed in my passions (early morning starts, cycling, hiking and photography), it is truly my “happy place”. That said, what could possibly be more enjoyable then traveling and discovering such spectacular places like this!
