Rutland VT in Google Maps

The Print of the Month for October is “Autumn’s Play“, made last fall in Harriman State Park. The title came to me as I thought about how I found this image and what inspired me to try and capture the feel of the scene that particular autumn day.

I had been walking around a large lake for some time, surrounded by vibrant colors in every direction. As a photographer, it is so easy to get distracted by the color, and lose sight of other important elements so important to a successful photograph such as compositional interest, visual depth, texture, and mood. While I had already taken many photographs, I didn’t feel like I had captured anything really special.

Always looking in all directions, I often stop and turn around to see the same area from the opposite perspective. I turned one last time, and my eye was immediately drawn to a section of trees that had a simple dominant color backlit by soft overcast light. In addition, the branches created a strong graphic that I really enjoyed, and just beyond in the background were complimentary colors in a subtle hint of nature’s yearly performance.

It felt like autumn in the most perfect way, and I knew I had a chance to capture that feel in a print that I immediately saw in my mind’s eye. I know that when that happens, I have found something special, and the “craft” part of photography takes over. This is where I use the various tools available, whether a great lens or camera, my software of choice, and a great printer, to render the best possible interpretation of the image. But without the initial spark and inspiration, the rest is just an exercise in technique, all too common in landscape photography, including my own.

Yet I couldn’t stop thinking about what he had said, a sentiment I have heard so often from other photographers in general, and I found myself deep in thought about the whole issue. On a sudden impulse, I left my booth and started walking in the same direction he had taken because I wanted to share one more thought with him. I spotted him just ahead, quickly approached him, and when he recognized me, I said “You know, I just had to tell you, you were right, there are secrets in photography. Do you know what the secret is? “Humility.” He thought about it for a moment and then smiled, not expecting what I had just shared with him. We parted ways once again, and I returned to my booth, realizing I had learned something about myself and why I enjoy sharing both my photography and my “secrets”.

Catskill Sunset

What does humility have to do with photography you might ask? Landscape photography is an extremely demanding and competitive profession, fraught with both physical and mental challenges. Insecurity and self-doubt is always a constant distraction (I refuse to allow it to be more than that), and a healthy dose of blind ambition is necessary. It is getting more and more difficult as technology levels the playing field and makes the same amazing tools available to both amateurs and pros.

I also realize that what I do for a living is a tremendous privilege, a fortunate situation that I have worked very hard at achieving, and continue to work at each and every day. It is through dedication and perseverance that I am able to enjoy my passion, not through some secret or hidden knowledge. At the core of my “passion” is a reverence for nature, its boundless beauty, and its ability to make me feel both alive, present, and insignificant at the same time. Conveying that in a photograph is a humbling experience when you realize it is a) an immense challenge, and b) much more than just the sum of equipment, techniques, and guarded trade secrets.

The same scene can be interpreted a million different ways, so when someone reacts positively to my particular version, I know not to take that for granted. So I don’t conceal my locations, or camera settings, or processing “secrets”, because that would then become more important than the moment itself when the light is just perfect, and the feeling is worth remembering.

Perhaps this is why I enjoy teaching workshops as much as I do. Explaining a particular technique, pointing out my favorite views, answering questions, and seeing students lost in the moment is personally gratifying, and the easiest part of my job.

Mt Beacon Firetower

As I mentioned in a previous post, I am working on a new series of articles around the theme of “finding a landscape photograph” with the goal of providing some insights and tips for photographers and those curious about the process involved. With any luck (and lots of coffee), the first should be ready in a few days.

In the meantime, I thought I would share my opinion on a few recent noteworthy announcements in the industry which are quite intriguing.

Adobe has announced the release in October of Creative Suite CS4, which includes an all new version of Photoshop CS4. You can read the specific details on John Nack’s blog (John is the principle product manager for Photoshop). While the biggest feature in CS3 was support for the new Intel Macs, Adobe has really packed new and useful features into CS4, many of which I will start to take advantage of right away. Among the new features I’m looking forward to are major interface enhancements, adjustment panels and presets, and improved printing capabilities (including 16-bit output at last). All in all, a serious consideration for anyone who uses Photoshop on a professional or regular basis. While my current workflow is spent primarily in Lightroom 2, it’s nice to have access to the improvements in processing that CS4 provides.

The other news was that both Nikon and Canon have announced DSLR’s that can also record full HD ()high-definition) 1920×1080 resolution video. There has been lots of talk lately about the convergence of photography and video since both use similar technologies, and it was only a matter of time before a manufacturer combined the two.. While it will not replace a dedicated video camera in terms of quality and features, it certainly provides the photo journalist or wedding photographer some great opportunities in a convenient and familiar package. For any one who is interested, here is a full featured video made with the new Canon EOS 5D MK II by photographer Vincent Laforet.

As the old saying goes, “the more things change, the more they stay the same,” and in my opinion, never more so than in photography. While the technology continues to evolve and provide new and creative possibilities, emotion and feeling remain the goal for me, and these are just more tools to achieve those goals.

This is an image I recently made from the top of Mt Beacon looking south out across the Hudson Highlands. The VERY early morning light is everything in this photograph, bringing out painterly textures and colors that only lasted a few seconds as the fog lingered before moving off into the sky. I barely had enough time to set my tripod and make one exposure.

“The true journey of discovery consists not in seeking new landscapes, but in having fresh eyes”. -Marcel Proust

Low tide creates wonderful texture on the Hudson River, and a dramatic sunrise adds color and mood.

I have been invited to participate in a group exhibition at the Van Brant Gallery in Beacon titled “Sitelines Hudson Valley Invitational”. Opening reception is this Saturday Sep 13th from 6-9pm, and the exhibition will run until Sep 29th. Featuring 30 artists from the Hudson Valley, the show is an ambitious representation of the the current art and artists that live and work in the valley, and I’m really excited to be included in the show.

Two of my images have been selected , though only one will be on display: Storm Clouds Over Mohonk, and Winter’s Warmth. It should be a great experience, and as always please stop in if you are in the area.

I’m very happy to see that two of my images have been used in a full page ad placed by Con Edison in todays New York Daily News (page 43). I’ve seen and read this paper since early childhood having grown up in NYC, and I never imagined seeing my photographs in print. The color ad promotes the natural beauty of the Hudson Valley, as well as the work Scenic Hudson does to preserve and protect much of this area. It looks great, and I hope it gets the message out about how important preservation is for us and future generations.

It’s ironic that Scenic Hudson was founded to fight against plans by utility Con Edison to cut away part of Storm King Mountain near the river and build a pump storage power generator back in 1965. But at least all ended well and we can all agree on a common cause. I am humbled once again in being able to make a very small contribution, but equally motivated to continue to capture the landscapes around me in ways that bring appreciation to others.

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!