I have for you today five superb photographer artists. Some you are
likely familiar with, and some may be new to you.

Joseph Rossbach is probably one of the most sought after workshop
teachers in existence. He seems more than able to teach anyone,
regardless of their desires, but most of all (I believe) he is in
demand because of his own artful work. He has a distinctive style
which is very powerful

It is impossible to not fall in love with this Kevin Allen Pepper
image of a penguin sliding down a frozen hillside in a snowstorm. I
mean, there are moments and then there are MOMENTS!

Charles Glatzer is a preeminent wildlife photographer, by anybody’s
account.  He captures moment after moment after moment. That’s really
what photography, especially wildlife photography is all about. A
compilation of moments.

Charles makes other would be wildlife photographers better, not only by
his workshop teaching, but by his example.

I love this “dreamscape” of Galveston Island, Texas created by Mike
Argo.  Don’t you wish you were there?  If you do, it’s not just
because of the location and timing, it is because of the artistic mood
created from the imagery of the photographer.

I noticed a similarity in the slow shutter speed style of Noel Casaje
(below) and that of Rossbach. Yet, as is true with all great artists,
they are both unique and individual. It can be hard to place what
separates one photographer from another but they are all one of a
kind.

This was made in Glacier N.P., Montana.

My intent today was to not publish any of my tired old pictures with
the fresh art I have shown you above, but part of the joy on making
images, even when they were created well over 20 years ago (the first
one is only from 2006) as were the images below, is sharing and
talking about them.  So here I go.

The natural land arches of eastern Utah, western Colorado, are
amazing.  Land arches which are formed by the erosion caused from wind
and water, can actually be found in many locations in North America.
Kentucky has several. Even Wisconsin has one called Natural Bridge.
The difference in eastern land arches and western is that in the west,
they are formed from rock instead of rock and earth or better said
dirt. It takes a long time to make them, and then they are there a
long time for the world to see, in an uncluttered environment. Also,
most of the western species are carved from sandstone, with all its
color, texture and eye popping beauty.

The first image below is from an arch that rests alongside a state
highway in Utah. It may be the most viewed (and photographed) arch in
America. The arch doesn’t stand apart as much as many others, but it has
its own charm.

These final two are from the aptly named Arches N.P. in Utah. I’ve
forgotten their names but I remember the sight of them at first light,
which is what I share with you below.

The color contrast of warm, golden sandstone and cool blue sky
captured my attention even more than the striking shape of this
natural arch. Playing soft but cool sky, and rigid, but chiseled rock,
was a treat fro my artistic senses even way back then. The slightly
off center and low angle from which I created this photo improved this
otherwise “straight up” “hole in the rock” concept with which I
initially grappled.

The image below was actually made before the previous image.  It
harbors the very first rays of light to strike an arch in the area
that I had hiked to in order to capture these pictures.  I would
understand that many who will view these photos I present to you
today, would hate this image. All those shadows. It is in fact the
color, the contrasts, and above all the shadows, that drew me so
powerfully to the scene.

It is easy to artfully interpret a scene, when it presents itself to
you already artistically prepared for your camera.

I hope you enjoyed today’s romp through the fine imagery of five
superb photographers, and me.

God Bless,
Wayne
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Some of you might be wondering (or hoping) if I am finally finished
with my writings about non-photography subjects such as religion, and
especially politics. No!

Both subjects are always on my mind, but I did feel that a respite
that would take me back to my favorite (as advertised) subject of
photography was needed for a while.