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Superstition Mountain is located east of Phoenix and Apache Junction. It was once volcanic but now this sleeping giant is a popular recreational area for bikers, ATV'rs, and horseback riders too. It's rugged and sheer sided peaks are well over 5000 feet and can be seen for miles. I camped at the Lost Dutchman State Park, which is conveniently located behind from where I took this photo. I left my campsite early; giving myself plenty time to find the perfect composition. It wasn't easy to get here; I climbed over boulders, around bushes and dodge the prickly cacti too (ouch!) and it seemed to never end (lol). As the mountain grew larger, I stopped to take a series of focus stacked shots until I eventually parked myself here. I stayed until it was dark and watched as the light changed, and took photos as it did. There is a trail at the bottom of the mountain that runs from left to right, and then into the shaded canyon on the right. Those that are agile climb to the top of the mountain on the far right. I did hiked into the canyon a few years back but I wasn't prepared to go that far on a hot day. Arizona is known for it's amazing sunsets which casts some amazing colors on the desert floor (just like this photo). I headed back after I got some blue hour shots but boy, was it dark and walking back in darkness wasn't fun! Oh well, I made a new memory and I chuckle at the new (more) scratches on my legs (which seems to go hand in hand to get the shots I want, lol).
"An Artful Composition" When I drove past this scene, I immediately thought of the world renowned group of Canadian Artists, “The Group Of Seven” and their compositional talents The “Group Of Seven” was founded in 1920 as an organization of self-proclaimed modern artists. It included such artists as Lawren S. Harris, J.E.H. MacDonald, Arthur Lismer, Frederick Varley, Frank Johnston, Franklin Carmichael and A.Y. Jackson. Explorers by heart they ventured out into the rugged Canadian wilderness to paint mountain, forest and lake scenes in which was soon referred to as a distinctly “Canadian” style for their unique artistic styles and compositions. My favorite in the group is Lawren Harris for his simplistic, abstract and spiritual style of painting; his work attracted me to this scene. That said, this photograph is typical of what he might have painted. Some of his paintings sell for well over 10 million dollars. I encourage you to google his work and “The Group Of Seven”, and you’ll see why I was drawn to this scene. The “Group Of Seven” influenced the world of art and continues to inspire artists of all mediums, including my photography.
"A Long Winter's Day" While traveling east through the Logan Canyon Utah, the morning’s lake effect fog (from Bear Lake) was on the rise and clinging to the aspen trees on the hillside as it did. Watching the movement of the fog through the intermittent rays of sunshine was mesmerizing, and it was so pretty. As I drove I saw this beautiful grouping of aspen trees and also noticed a great place to park right beside them so I drove on, in hopes of finding somewhere safe to turn around. Fortunately, within a mile there was a Nordic area with a large parking lot which gave me plenty of room to maneuver the 22 foot trailer I was pulling. The entrance however was on a corner and I wondered why there wasn’t a “No left turn” sign and why there weren’t double solid lines either. With alarm bells ringing in my head, I slowed to a stop and proceeded cautiously. Just as I was ready to turn, a snow plow truck came barreling around the corner! Oh my gosh, one more second and… well, yikes! We sat dumbfounded by what had just happened and counted our blessings! When I got back on the highway, I looked for a road sign again…. notta one. I was (am) sick to think what could have happened and worry for the next poor soul. Yes, every photo or piece of art work has a story; be sure to ask the artist. I love linear art and patterns (as seen in this photo), so I tend to notice and find that in nature. What I love most about this photo are the intersecting vertical and horizontal lines and colors (or lack of them). I feel this photograph’s simplicity is very calming, thus appealing. That said, not every photo needs a demanding focal point, some photos (like this one), you may merely want to wander in and get lost.
