With all the rain that California received this winter, I decided to visit Borrego Springs in hopes to capture some flowering desert plants. I wasn’t disappointed! In some areas, the desert floor was blanketed with color; purples, pinks, yellow and white too. The desert is sometimes referred to as the flowering desert and I could see why; I have never seen the desert so vibrant with color! I walked around for quite some time before I found this composition; one that would lead your eyes to the distant mountains (which adds to its overall scale). With my camera on a tripod, and only a foot from the ground, and only a inches from the foreground flowers, I used my wide angle lens. Then, I had to take multiple images and stack them (in post production) to get the depth of field I desired. The purple flowered plant are called, “Desert Sand Verbena’s”. They’re creepers that grow wild (and well after rains), in the sands of Mexico, California and Arizona and can cover vast areas (as I saw!). The sweet scented “Dune Evening Primrose” (the white flowers) grow to 18 inches tall and grow in clusters of up to 40 inches in diameter. They can be found in all of the southern states, especially around sandy dunes. They also go by other names, including; Desert Primrose, Birdcage Evening Primrose, Devil’s Lantern, Lion-in-a-cage and Basket Evening Primrose.
I get asked a lot about RVing; most of which are out of curiosity, or stem from their own aspirations. The first thing I mention is that a RVing lifestyle is not for everyone; although there are so many rewards, you also give up (or compromise) a lot too. I suppose, it’s what you choose to focus on :-) I usually don’t know where I’m going to park for the night because my curiosity leads my way. Yes, I’ve been caught from time to time (whoops!); searching in the dark for a place to park. Once I’ve parked however and the blinds are down, "I’m home”. Admittedly, sometimes I wake up and wonder, “Where am I?”. That said, it’s so amazingly freeing but I have to face my fears and the challenges too (as there are anywhere). I usually park were I think there could be a late evening or early morning shot. So, when I parked on this open plain, I parked facing some shapely mountains in the east. My thought was that the setting sun would cast some beautiful light on them but that was a bust. When I stepped outside the RV however and looked west, I was surprised by the amazing colors and cloud formations. The sun was setting fast, so I rushed to grab my camera! Fortunately this tree wasn't too far away (and the only one around, lucky me!). I didn’t want too much of the foreground in this photo and I wanted the sky to look REALLY grand so I laid down on the ground, with my head in the sand, and shot up at the tree. I then placed the setting sun directly behind it so it would glow from behind. The tree looks massive here but it was only 8 feet tall! LOL :-) A RV lifestyle does have its challenges but for me, it’s such a small price to pay when I get these kinds of shots.
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!
Night time photography is a grand time to practice patience and enjoy the undisturbed sounds of nature; when most other photographers have gone home. Yes, focusing, camera settings, and even walking in the dark of night can be tricky but the rewards can be astonishing. It’s almost impossible to find a composition in the desert (let alone in the dark!), so I found this composition earlier in the day and headed out before the sun had set. Once my tripod and camera gear were positioned and at the ready, I put on my head lamp and bundled up to wait for darkness to fall. I continually checked and adjusted my exposure settings as the lighting conditions changed. Finally, when I couldn’t see in front of me anymore, and only a faint glow of the sunset remained, I was satisfied with the lighting conditions and a 30 second exposure time. That said, with the such a long shutter speed my camera was able to capture what I could not see! The magical aura that night time photography creates, certainly takes center stage in this shot. As a photographer it’s thrilling to see something as beautiful as this created from the darkness! :-)
Swans, such a beautiful and majestic bird. I named this beautiful image “Free To Fly” in memory of my Father and my late husband’s Mother(93) for how they’ve inspired me. My Dad displayed strength and taught me to stand proud, while my Mother-In-Law showed me compassion and taught me grace. Together (like these swans), they taught me how to courageously take flight…. gracefully on my own. The swan is a symbol of love, devotion and partnership (likely because they mate for life), and have also come to symbolize the ability to overcome challenges, and represents transformations. The swan is the traditional symbol of beauty, elegance and grace. It’s considered unlucky to bring them harm to a swan; in some cultures they’re considered sacred. The swan is the largest and heaviest bird in North America yet they can fly at a rate of 50 MPH (on average) but have been known to fly up to 70MPH, which is surprising considering they weigh up to 30 pounds (and eat as much as 8 pounds of food each day)! They’re fiercely protective of their young and are very intelligent (they will come to recognize you).
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.
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.
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).
"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.
As a photographer, living in my RV for months at a time, does provide some great photographic opportunities and advantages and although I am always in search of locations and subjects, sometimes the shot is right outside my door (how blessed!). I was cooking breakfast in the desert when I was alerted by the beautiful song of this Curve Billed Thrasher. I quickly grabbed my camera and darted out the door; in my slippers and housecoat.... not daring to take the time to change! The soft Arizona light was absolutely gorgeous for the shot, and so too was the scene and the bird's stance. I crossed my fingers as I walked towards it, that it wouldn't fly away! After I took my first shot, I took a step closer and then took a second shot, and then another, and another until it eventually took flight. This was the my last shot; at the full extension of my 400mm lens. Of the various thrashers in the southwestern deserts, the Curve-Billed Thrasher is one of the most prevalent. It’s a medium-sized that’s about the size of a Robin (but slightly longer). It’s a non-migratory bird that’s native to the southwestern US states and Mexico; I often saw them. Their eye color varies from yellow to orange and they lurk around cactus, desert shrubs and even in some urban areas where desert vegetation has been planted. I love the balance and composition of this photograph; the curvature of the tree, the flowers on either side and how the depth of field separates the subject.
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!
This image, of a Bighorn Sheep, is a good example of cropping with an intent, or purpose. After sitting back and critiquing a variety of cropped versions, I decided on this one; with the top of its horns “clipped” off (if you will) on purpose. Cropping, is one of many important elements in fine art photography (or any fine art for that matter), but it’s in the different cropping styles that defines a photographer's individual, unique talents and skill sets. That said, my style is uniquely “Romi’s” and is an expression of my artistic passion, and visual creativity and awareness; not to be duplicated by anyone else. That said, the art of photography then is in an individual’s eye. Regardless of whether you like or dislike this cropped version; there is no right or wrong way of cropping; I do however have a full frame version of many of my images (including this one). This photo was taken near Jasper, Alberta. The green you see behind the Bighorn Sheep is a body of water filled with rock-flour. What is Rock flour? As a glacier melts, silt (rock flour) is produced from by grinding of the movement of the glacier. The rock flour eventually finds its way into lakes where the sunlight reflects off of the particles; giving it that spectacular turquoise blue or green color that we all love.
Iconic landmarks such as Horseshoe Bend Arizona, are not always my favorite images to shoot but they’re a “must have” in any photographer’s portfolio or travel blog. The challenge then is to make my shot unique in some way. For example, I included the right and left ledge that I was standing on; this gives the image a sense of depth and distance. Horseshoe Bend is located on the north-eastern tip of Arizona; very near to the fast growing community of Page. The Colorado River was dammed in Page in 1966 and since then boating and house-boating have become a huge attraction. That said, due to its proximity to The Grand Canyon, Monument Valley, Horseshoe Bend and Antelope Canyon it has become a huge tourist hub. The first time I visited Horseshoe Bend (in 2014) there was just a small gravel parking lot with only a couple parked cars but now there’s a visitors center and a huge paved (and packed!!) parking lot. Gone are the days when I had the joy of being there virtually by myself. That said, when I took this photo I was so scared that someone would come up behind me and push me over the edge; a 1000 foot (300M) drop.... YIKES! If you decide to visit Page, you’ll likely need more than one day and I would suggest you book your tour for Antelope Canyon asap. The next time I visit the area, I’d like to kayaking through the boulders of Lake Powell :-) *Many of the houseboats on Lake Powell were manufactured in my old hometown of Sicamous BC, Canada.
Sometimes, I just have to get down and get dirty to get the shot I want, as I literally did here. Years ago, I drove through the Sierra Nevada Mountains in very similar conditions, and the remarkable scenery never left my mind. So, imagine my delight when I visited the area a second time when the conditions were exactly the same; I was thrilled! I saw this view in my rear view mirror, so I pulled over to take a closer look. I stepped out into the middle of the road I took a deep breath to soak it all in. I felt so very blessed to be here; traveling in my RV, following my passions on such a stellar winter day and of this unbelievable view. I wanted to do this scene justice by creating an image that was much more than, “just another mountain scene”. Given that, I noted how the four horizontal elements (the foreground, middle ground, background and the sky). They were so well well balanced and defined by their colors and textures. I noticed the vertical and diagonal lines of the road right and with that I saw my composition and laid down on my tummy in the middle of the road with my camera lens mere inches from the pavement. To be safe however, I had to capture this image quickly because traffic was coming. To create this image, I took two images (one of the left side, and one of the right side), and then blended them together to create one very large file. That said, this is a very large file; perfect for filling any wall.
I tend to notice trees that stand alone and wonder, “Are they lonely?”. So, when it came time to name this photograph the first thing I notice was how they stand so proudly together. Rooted together, they are supporting each other and relying on each other to thrive. Mother nature depends on “togetherness” to survive and thrive; just as all living things do. That said, we as humans have a lot to learn from Mother Nature. Life is meant to be shared, so reach out to your friends, family, seniors, neighbors and communities so that we can thrive.... together.
"Winter's Beauty Rest" In -38F (-39C) weather, I ventured out in the comfort of my Jeep, on some snow drift covered prairie back roads in search of “cold” images. Not only was it cold but the wind was incredibly piercing too! I was enjoying the sun filled day when this scene caught my eye. I loved how the highlight of the snow defined the branches; thankfully there weren't any leaves blocking the tree trunk and branches. Both my camera and my hands don’t work very well in those frigged temperatures, so I didn’t doddle! I love how abstract photography makes you look more intriguingly and inquisitively at it an image. The "art" in abstract photography however is much more than capturing what I see; it's first in observing beyond a first glance and then composing it in an artistic manner. Mother Nature produces some of the best abstract art!
The Nuthatch I've recently discovered an interest in birding and bird photography, so when I saw a road sign in Patagonia Arizona for a bird sanctuary I had to check it out. Patagonia is known for its hummingbirds but perhaps I was there a bit too early to see these migratory birds because I didn’t see any during the two days that I was there. I did however see many other birds, including this White Breasted Nuthatch White Breasted Nuthatches can typically be found in the woodlands across North America; from Canada to Mexico and Florida. Although these birds are small they are certainly one of the noisiest birds in the woodland. Interestingly, you’ll often see them walking upside down, down a tree; they do that to find food that the other birds might have missed as they climb up the tree. They get their name from their habit of jamming nuts and acorns into the bark of a tree and then pecking it with their sharp bill to “hatch” out the seed. They typically live from 2 to 3.5 years but have been known to live for up to 10 years, and like many birds they mate for life.
Imagine my surprise when at daybreak, I opened the blinds in the RV, and saw this! Oh WOW! I was giddy! Knowing I had only minutes before the sun would brake through the clouds and melt the snow I quickly got dressed and headed out into the serene calm of the white desert. It was so beautiful however it didn’t take long for my hiking boots to become wet and my fingers to freeze however I was SO excited it was easy to ignore. There wasn’t a lot of light so I placed my camera on a tripod and took a number of exposures at different focus points and then combined them in Photoshop. Fortunately there wasn’t any wind or else that would be impossible; nothing can move when you place multiple images on top of each other. What I love about this image is that most of the desert cacti are represented in the photograph and the small shrubbery disappeared beneath the snow. I also love the mountain is in the background because it adds a sense of depth to the overall image. Another keeper!
This, is MY FAVORITE photo to date.... but admittedly my favorite photo is always my latest one; or the one that’s still in my camera :-) I love panoramic images; especially those with repeating patterns, like this image. As I drove around the Coachella Valley (south-west California) I marveled at the date farms, and how the trees were in such perfect lines That said however, I didn’t find a date farm planting that I thought was “perfect”, so I left the valley "empty handed". I hadn’t driven but an hour when I notice this planting and how the slope of the land made all the tree trunks (from front to back) visible. “Perfect!”, I said to my dog Arlo! Yes, I talk to him as he listens with a tilted head… lol. You may ask, “What makes this image work?”, and why did I choose this one, out of all the images I took. With my camera in hand, I carefully I placed the widest and brightest separation of trees off to one side. I chose to include a separation (so that your eyes would be drawn into the image) but I had to consider balance and the weight of the image too; the heaviness of the fronds, the size of the date trees and how much foreground too. Together, these elements make this image outstanding ….in my humble opinion… :-) NOTE: This is a 3-image stack; meaning 3 horizontal images have been stitched together in post processing to create this format. That said, this image is HUGE and will easily cover the length of any wall.
Copper Island is an island on Shuswap Lake, located in south central British Columbia, Canada. Known for its world famous house-boating industry it's also admired by sun worshipers, outdoor enthusiasts, fishermen and boaters alike; with summer temperatures up to 40C+ (104F). I drive past Copper Island quite frequently, and admittedly it usually doesn’t catch my eye but on this recent early morning commute, the scene demanded my attention. My timing, the weather conditions and the lighting were all in alignment; I was thrilled! Thankfully I had my camera with me because moments and captures like these just can’t be planned. Thank you David and Lila and for letting me park in your driveway so I could capture this image. It was very nice to meet you!
Shot captured near Gold Canyon, Arizona
Oh my gosh! Split second decisions can be the best; this photo was the result of 2 last minute decisions! As I drove a long a busy freeway, I noticed some nasty weather in a secluded desert valley to my east. From a photographer’s standpoint, the “weather” was absolutely amazing! Big and puffy storm clouds draped over snow capped mountains, while the sunlight made its way, here and there, to the valley floor. It was so beautiful, I decided to head into the storm. As I drove, I couldn’t help but notice the many remarkable scenes; so much so that when I exited the valley I considered turning around and driving back through it! Upon further consideration however, I decided to go to Sedona (only an hour away); knowing the inclement weather on the red rocks of Sedona would be spectacular, and it was! I arrived in Sedona with only minutes to spare before sundown(!). Fortunately however I knew exactly where to go to get this epic shot of Sedona’s most iconic mountain, “Cathedral Rock”. Although I already have a few photographs of Cathedral Rock, none are this dramatic. Cathedral Rock is just one of the many sandstone buttes that surround the city of Sedona, Arizona. The towering Red Rock Mountains of Sedona are world famous and attracts over 3 million visitors every year. Cathedral Rock is one of the most-photographed landmarks in Sedona, and of Arizona too. Typically, those who fly into Phoenix, with plans to visit The Grand Canyon, will take the short detour into Sedona. The south rim of the Grand Canyon is 2 hours north of Sedona.
The desert can be beautiful, dangerous and downright eerie sometimes too. The desert wildfires I’ve seen in the past, have always been on hillsides, and never on a sandy plain like this here. That said, I was quite surprised because very little tends grow on the plains... yet here was a stand of sparsely spaced and blackened trees. I stopped to take a look around and as I did, I noted a dust cloud across the way; little did I know that I’d soon be engulfed by it... but I got this shot! ;-) From time to time, the desert can feel eerie; I can walk for miles in the desert, and never see a single soul. It's tranquility is lovely; but I know snakes are lurking. I’m at awe by its night skies; but the howling coyotes remind me that I’m not alone. Yes, the desert can be eerie but I’ve never thought of the desert as "ghostly", until I came across this scene. Note the smaller tree in the background. I chose to include it in this composition to give it an overall sense of scale; without it, one could think that the subject tree was simply a shrub.
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! :-)