Capturing light at its magic moment is something I discuss frequently at my workshops and is one of the most important “ingredients” in landscape photography. These two images, both from the same morning, were a revelation for me in terms of how light can transform and create an atmosphere that is both rare and unique.
More images from my recent trip to the Adirondacks soon…I’m off to the New Paltz Art and Crafts Fair for the long Labor Day weekend. Enjoy yours!
{ 1 comment }
I’m off to the Adirondacks for a 5 day canoe camping trip with my family where I hope to capture some late summer images, catch up on some reading, and enjoy some of New Yorks nicest lakes.
I’m a big reader, and in the past, reading at camp has literally been a burden for me, since I have a habit of bringing more books than I can possible read (and carry). But thanks to my new Amazon Kindle, an electronic book reader weighing less than a pound, I can bring more books than I ever imagined. Able to hold several hundred e-books in its memory, I think I should be covered no matter what mood I’m in. Yes it’s expensive, but worth every penny just in terms of giving me more access to the best resource for knowledge I know of, books. Just have to make sure I stop reading before the best light disappears behind the horizon.
When I return, I’ll be starting a new series on the blog titled “Finding a Landscape Photograph”, which will cover how I go about finding an image- from selecting locations, scouting, and the actual process and techniques I use when I’m on an actual shoot. I’m sure it will be a leaning experience both for myself and for those reading. Any suggestions, please let me know…
{ 0 comments }
This month’s question comes from a potential workshop student who asks:
Basically I have never taken a photographic workshop before – other than the freebie one you gave for Scenic Hudson – and I am not at all certain if I have creative potential or a photographic eye. Nonetheless, believing that one can teach old dogs new tricks – I self-consciously would love to try. At this point I have a Canon 30D, a few decent lenses – as well as an old, seldom used Minolta 201 – SLR. I’ve been interested in photography since high school – and I’m now 61, but never had the time or money to get much involved in it until recently. I enjoy landscape photography and certainly want to improve in my skills.
If you believe the course would be helpful or useful for me – great. And if you think it will be way over my head, please just say so.
Great question and one I’m sure all serious photographers including myself have struggled with at one time or another. As for creative potential, if you’ve read this blog long enough, and know me personally, you will realize this is something I work at continuously, and believe everyone has a unique vision, it’s just a matter of finding and developing it.
We all have our own personal and distinct view of the world and how it affects us visually and emotionally. The challenge is to try and express that through the language of photography. The language is what we all must continue to learn, and that only happens through practice, learning new skills, and expanding out visual vocabulary. If you have the desire and motivation, then yes there is much to learn to help you along your photographic goals in one of my workshops.
I often tell others talent is a product of dedication, perseverance, and hard work, and firmly believe this to be true. What many fail to realize is that there is a talent for dedication and hard work, and that it will accelerate you towards your photographic goals as much as your skills and equipment. Staying focused is easier said than done, and often we lose focus when results don’t meet our expectations. But this is the most critical time to remain focused, and soon mistakes become triggers to new ways of seeing, and ultimately more personal images.
A workshop is one of the best ways to remain focused and accelerate your photographic vocabulary. Thanks to everyone for their questions, and don’t forget to send yours in for next month.
{ 3 comments }
