Just Thinking

We throw around the word legend with too much ease these days but I was just thinking about two of nature photography’s legends and just how much they deserve to be called that. John Shaw is the greatest teacher ever among the best known nature photographers. I recently went through a major listing of field workshops, travel workshops and seminars and John still reigns supreme. In addition he will now be doing a workshop series with Jack Dykinga one of the world’s top landscape photographers. I was first attracted to John’s work a long time ago. He amazed me at his versatility, and how he photographed absolutely everything in nature. Art Wolfe may well go down in history as the best known and best liked nature photographer ever. As far as I know Art’s Travels to The Edge television show is the only successful show to ever feature still photography. When you watch that show and the subject, composition and light come together for what Art clearly sees as an artistic interpretation, you will hear the excitement in his voice. As a 39 year veteran photographer let me tell you I know how it feels and it is absolutely authentic. After all of these years he retains that child like quality. That is why he is a legend.

The autumn colors are just beginning here in southern Wisconsin. Be ready as they will come and go in a heart beat. One of the things I love about viewing the fall images of others is the incredible variety of images I see. From macros to grand landscapes, and from classic compositions to the abstract. It is difficult to find a subject that is so very fluid. Maybe water? Not meant in jest!

Medium and large format film photography continue to have a stubborn group of photographers that make it worth the while for film companies to continue. Over the past seven years I have pretty much sold all of my medium and large format camera gear and most of it brought a fair price. Compare that to the 35mm camera bodies that I have sold. $900 cameras for $100. One $400 Nikon for $45. It was logical that 35mm was the first to go with its similarities to the digital SLR.

I arose before sunrise this morning and went outdoors and simply sat and watched the changing light. From pre-sunrise to about two hours after. The ebb and flow. The movement of earth shadows. The gentle caressing of the land. I am never in doubt as to why I became a photographer. It has always been a distinct privilege to observe and interpret that light on the vast and varied subjects of nature.

Anyway…..I was just thinking.

As is sometimes the case with me, today’s pictures have nothing to do with what I have written above.

Flying Solo….Tree Swallow