Moments

When I look at the constant parade of old images that I display on this blog, the one thing I am happy and proud of, is that over all of those years of nature photography, I never let the “moment” escape me.  Every single moment is a special experience that deserves to be noticed while it is actually happening. I have always put a great premium on making pictures, but going out and shooting is a multi-layered experience filled with friendship, self discovery and the natural world. Some of you who read this blog were a part of that and I will be forever grateful to each of you.  A life steeped in mountains, deserts, forests, wild animals and wonderful friends is a life that is full and rich.

Tomorrow’s Photography

I addition to rehashing a lot of old facts (the way it used to be etc.) about photography and photographers, I have on many occasions commented on today’s newer photographers.  I have leveled some criticism but a lot of positive statements as well.  I have sung the praises of landscape artist Joseph Rossbach and macro photographer Mike Moats.  Recently I have been singing the praises of Cheyenne Rouse.  I know that there are people who read this blog and then seek these photographers out by either viewing their websites or ”friending” them on Facebook.  I would imagine that some of you think I am either hypocritical or crazy, in that these three seem to be the opposite of what I approve of in nature photography.  I write a lot about the need for photographers to show “the real” nature and not to over embellish it when working on the computer, or to rearrange it while in the field.  Mike Moats creates the compositions for many of his macros.  Rossbach uses HDR and other techniques to arrive at those colorful images.  Cheyenne not only uses HDR religiously and makes frequent HDR/b&w conversions, but she makes very few pure nature images.  Rusty old cars, Native American ruins and carvings, and much more fill her files.  Please remember that I have always said that I think it is important to “own up” to the enhancements that you make.  Each of these photographers do that.  I have also stated that my fear is that everyone with a camera will soon be doing this and there will be no more genuine nature imagery being done anymore.  I still have those fears but that does not mean I cannot enjoy the artistic skills that these photographers own.  In the case of Rossbach and Cheyenne I find them to be never tiring workers at the business of photography.  Yes that is something I also admire.  They do an incredible job of self promotion while remaining nice (real) people.  I wish those two were veterans when I came along so I could have picked their brains and learned more about the business of photography.  I surely could have been better at that.  Above all they both possess the Art Wolfe joy of photography.  They get genuinely excited when they are headed out.  They live for it.  They turn almost every experience in the field into a positive one.  Not all of today’s newer stars have that quality.

Because I can no longer pursue these things myself, there are no words to describe the sheer joy I get from watching these hungry photographers discover their path to the top. I imagine it might sound like these new stars are teenagers or something.  Actually they are anything but teeny boppers.  They have paid their dues and are now starting to reap the rewards.

I have written in the past about my opinion as to whether it is important to have a personal style or not.   That was never my personal approach and shooters like Art Wolfe, John Shaw and others have done quite well by using an infinite number of styles.  Still all of these three photographers have very definite personal styles.  There is an artistic interpretation that belongs to each of them and you know going in, what the style of the finished imagery will be.

Now some wildlife images….just for the heck of it.

A couple of posts ago I shared a (sheeez another one?) photo of a Thirteen-lined Ground Squirrel.  I mentioned that in Wisconsin we have a small population of Six-lined Ground Squirrels as well.  It got me to thinking about my photos and my days in stock photography.  I wondered if they really do have thirteen lines and if any of my photos show that.  I immediately came upon a photo of one from the rear, which is no shock, if you know my work.  I can count eleven stripes including the white lines.  There are no more (I believe) on the left side but I wonder if there are two more lines to the right.  Hmmmm.  Always approach nature like a curious child.

I have known some photographers who were new to bird photography that struggled with and ID between the male Redhead Duck drake, the male Canvasback Duck.  Unfortunately I would have to go back to my slide files to find a shot of a Canvasback that is not in molt but I think the image I included will show the difference in head and bill shape, as well as eye color.

Red Head Duck

Canvasback Duck

While we’re on ducks, below you find another example of how colors reflecting in the water can make a common image unusual.  I was photographing this female Common Goldeneye when she began to head to an area of the marina that was reflecting some buildings.  I obviously followed.  I prefer to find something natural reflecting in the water but am not above using man-made objects if they are colorful.

I have always been willing to photograph birds on feeders and other man-made objects. Note that I would never want all of my images to be on man’s things but you miss a lot of great and artistic shots when you ignore the pose and the composition because there are signs of man involved.

Male Cardinal

Female Cardinal

There’s nothing prettier than a Male Mallard in equally pretty light.

Ole Scruffy

As we slowly move into the insect season, all of nature’s “little critters” will soon get the attention of nature photographers.  Insects and other small animals are the biggest group of subjects still left in the world.  Go to it!

Thank you