Thursday, July 7, 2011

Artistic Expression ......







Four years ago I was juried into the Santa Fe Society of Artists. Ever since that time, it seems to have become more important what others think of my work, than what I think of my work. I've decided that I am no longer photographing for others. I am, again, photographing because that's what I love to do.

Tuesday, October 5, 2010

Composition


The next most important thing in photography is composition ..... what your photo is about. A tip: in your mind, divide your image in thirds both horizontally and vertically. At the point where the lines intersect, place your subject. This is called the Rule of Thirds. This creates the difference between a photograph and just another "pretty picture." The subject of this photograph is not Avery, or the horse, but the cross. Does this photograph accurately depict a Christian Cowboy?

Thursday, September 30, 2010

Most Important Thing about Photography .... Light



Light: what do we know about it? First, it is always changing. Second, it can make things appear different than they really are. But, does it affect our emotions when we view a photograph? I believe it can. The way the light is captured sets the tone or the "mood" if you will, for the photograph. The way we capture light can make images "feel" warm or "feel" cold. Here are a couple of examples. Each photograph contains a storm, but the way the light is captured affects the mood of the storm. In the picture taken at White Sands National Monument, the storm does not feel so severe. This shot was taken in the evening with very low light. The evening light is almost like a blanket in that it makes everything appear like it's in the same "layer" of light. But in the photo taken on the Eastern New Mexico plains, the light creates a completely different efect. This shot was taken late-afternoon just before the sun started down. Which storm can you "feel?"

Wednesday, March 10, 2010

Be Brave! Use your manual settings!






Ok, I have to admit something. I have refused for years to "go digital" because I was afraid I was not smarter than the cameras that are out there these days. But, I recently purchased a Canon EOS Rebel Xsi and I LOVE IT! It works just like my film camera ..... duh. Here are some recent pix taken at White Sands and Gran Quivira .... with manual settings!