THE VALUE OF A GOOD CRITIQUE

Pecos Ruins as Critiqued at RCC

This image has been in my portfolio for six years. I showed this version at Redwood Camera Club this past Saturday. What I took from the critique was that it could stand some cropping of the foreground. Below are several variations.

Pecos Ruins Variation 01

In this version the subject is now off center, and nearly in the lower third quadrant. Perhaps I took it too far.

Pecos Ruins Variation 02

In this variation, I backed off of the crop to include more of the foreground foliage.

Pecos Ruins Variation 03

I suppose that I could go on and on. I do think the crop needs to place the subject into the corner. I would love some feedback.

THE WEB OF INTRIGUE

A Gossamer Porcelain Crown

I am really involved with pushing my limits in my artistic pursuits, and that involves my pushing my vision, and my craft to places that I have not ventured. More than ever, I realize that I do not have much time to squander, and that I must produce work while I am capable. I realize that this rule could apply to anyone and at any age, but more than ever before, I get it.

This image is mostly an exercise in processing. I am attempting to  create a composition that offers a statement, but I do not feel that I am there. Perhaps I will find it out of my ability to make a purse out of this sow's ear.

MORE ON THE SETTING SUN

The Setting Sun Over Manila, July 2013

I know that what I am about to assert is contrary to what many folks (photographers) think are proper photographic practices. My vision includes elements of interpretation. I believe that I as an artist have the right and obligation to interpret any image as I see fit.

Take the above image: It is a variant on what the camera recorded. It is close, but the intensity and color saturation is somewhat altered. Overall, this image depicts what was, to human eyes, a realistic version of Wednesday's sunset.

The Setting Sun Over Manila, July 2013

This image is close to being what the camera saw. It differs from what my eyes saw because of the intensity of the sunlight. I could not look directly at the sun and see much of anything else.

The Setting Sun Over Manila, July 2013

This image is created from the preceding photo. It was actually an attempt at a three-image HDR composite. Somehow Photoshop had problems tone mapping the three, and spat out this (albeit in a milder form). At first I was disappointed, but I soon started playing with it, and came up with this. I can claim that I used my newly created "how a fish out of water sees color filter".

So, am I as an artist entitled to create either by serendipity or design, a variant that depicts a possible foray into the unknown? I think the answer is obviously yes. But, am I as a photographer entitled to do so?

I think the conventional thought is that photography is not true art. It is a sub field of the general category of art. I think that photographers created this thinking. It is my observation that some serious photographers dwell on the journalistic values of the medium. The thinking is that a good photograph is a realistic rendering of the subject. This creates a generalization that photography is of value in recording events accurately, but that it is not useful as a creative outlet.

I think that because photography is everywhere all the time, and that practicably everyone considers themselves to be photographers, that the medium is not taken seriously. I think that this is especially true and applied to those artists that utilize post-production techniques such as Photoshop. I am concerned that occasionally some really innovative and cutting edge imagery will go unappreciated because of the stigma of the medium.

That said, I know that there is a lot of crap out there, but who am I to judge?

NUBRA VALLEY FROM DISKIT MONSTARY

The Nubra Valley and Diskit

Sometimes when I am reviewing older photographs like this one, I am reminded of how fortunate I am to have experienced other  cultures and places. Nowadays, I am focused on localized places near home, but I know that I am much richer as a result from my journeys.

ASPECTS OF THE UNIVERSE

A Peek Inside the Universe's Scrap Pile

Every once in a while, I do ponder the "big" questions. These questions inspire me to look a little deeper into my subject matter. I must ask myself "what is there about any particular composition that causes me to wonder".

When I was growing up, I was handed the answers to all the questions about the creation and function of the universe. I realized that there is and can be, much more than meets the eye, and that there is much room for discovery.

LAMY SUNSET

Lamy Sunset

It is likely that I posted this image three years ago while I was in Santa Fe. I reworked it just now, although it does not make any profound statements. I just like it.

I HAVE NOT POSTED FOR A WEEK

Out in the Wilds of Ladakh, 2008

A CANIDATE FOR THE HUMBOLDT PHOTOGRAPHY EXHIBIT

Marsh Reflections

I am going through my images looking for "the one". This is part of a series of old pilings that I took, and which I think may show well.

WORDS ARE NOT NECESSARY

The Sky Over Humboldt Bay

I am going through my images in an effort to find the images that I will print and frame for an upcoming judged show. If I did sunsets, this would be a candidate.

EARLY MORINING IN EUREKA

A Funhouse View in Eureka

I woke up around five-thirty today, and I decided that since is was clear here that there was a chance it would be so in Eureka. When I got to town around six, it was overcast. However, the streets were clear of parked cars, and I was able to photograph some or the buildings that I missed on earlier ventures. I think that this was the first time ever that I used only the 17mm TS lens for an entire shoot.

"WILL HE KNOW WHEN TO STOP?"

Circular Skies Variation Five

I never said that it was easy being me. However, it is fun. I am really enjoying taking this image to new places. I will eventually exhaust all my potential for working this, and I will move on. Meanwhile, I am having lots of fun with the possibilities.

Thanks to you that have provided feedback.

POST ARTS ARCATA

The First Variation

My image Circular Skies created some interesting input. I decided it would be adventurous to play with some of the suggestions.

Circular Skies

 This is the image as I showed it tonight.

Circular Skies Variation Number Three, Cropped to 11x14 format

This was another suggestion for cropping. I did brighten up the foreground, otherwise, I mostly left it alone.

Circular Skies Variation Number Four in 11x14 format

 This is the last of these for tonight, but it was a suggestion. All of these will look different as prints, but you should get the general idea. I would love to hear any suggestions or comments on which you like and why.

ARTS ARCATA

Morning Magic at the Marsh

I will be at the offices of Stokes, Rowe, Hamer, and Kaufman at 381 Bayside Road in Arcata this evening from six until eight-thirty for Arts Arcata. I am showing along side Vaughn Hutchins.

MORE OF A FOGGY MORNING

Go Right

These sort of images attract my attention. In this case I think it is about shape, form, color, and negative space. Perhaps I need to bring out a little bit more detail of the pier in the background.

OVERCAST MORNING ON HUMBOLDT BAY

Pilings in the Mist

Pam and I talked ourselves into getting up early to go photographing. We decided to hike down the new trail south of the mall. The tide was out and the fog was in. Our visibility was not much over a hundred feet. We heard a boat or two go by on the main channel, but we could not see that far.

SCENIC SHORES

Another View at Moonstone

A NEW INTERPRETATION OF AN OLDER IMAGE

RSVD, Eureka, 2010

I am working images from years past. I am finding that I can do a lot of things with some of them that I did not know how to do before. I think my vision is developing along with my technical skills. I hope each aspect of my artistry is keeping up with the other.

I is kind of cool to realize that as my vision expands that my need for a stronger technical tool box follows along. Sometimes the technical improvements that I incorporate offer new prospects for my vision. That seems to happen more and more.

AN EARLIER EPOCH

A World Forming?