No Name

Sometimes when I'm out shooting, I get overloaded with the opportunities of making images that I don't take the time to make a note of what it is I'm shooting. Here is a good example. I know this a is a prominent building downtown, but I don't know what the name of it is. If anyone can share with me what the name of this building is I would appreciate it.

Architect photography is highly technical in respect to the building and business of building them. I made this image hand held with my little Fuji X-T1 in the middle of a beautiful day.

I can appreciate great architect photography with the view cameras and heavy tripods. I think architect photographers represents some of the best photographers of our time.

Two Paths

I'm a firm believer in common denominators. That if something comes across your life two or thee times to the point where it's not a coincidence there might be a message there. One needs to be somewhat intuitively aware to see these signs when they arrive. When contemplating on something that I have no answer for, I'll hand it over and look for the Great Spirt to guide my way. This image represents a small sign. One path that leads to a brick wall and the other leads to a door. I did notice the door is closed, making me ask what is on the other side; I'll have to have faith. The chances of finding something like this if I were looking for it is slim to none. Yes, there are two paths, that's all I need to know for now.

Spring Forward

It's Spring! It's nice to see everything coming to life, and it's beauty. This image is from Lee County, Deep River. As I was standing on the Deep River Historical bridge looking down the river and what caught my eye was the lines, form and texture. The green, back-lits with the winter fall colors gave me contemplation of the contrasting moment with a message of better days ahead.

Aging Beauty

Photo by Delores Davis

There is something to wine becoming fine over time. It's true some things do get better with age. I hope to be one of them. 

With an abandoned subject entropy creates apparent beauty. This Nash County building is for ruin. It's disappointing when a work of art exist in an not supported environment.

Delores made this image in Rocky Mount a couple of years ago. The red, green and blue are all complementary colors giving the texture context to the human emotional factor.

Images like this are all over the country. As photographers, I feel we have a responsibility to document these old buildings as much as possible as to pass down to generations telling the story of whence we came.

Fallen Rebel

It's a concept that's difficult in this modern world to fully grasp, the idea of having war on our soil here in America.

I've been asked the last year or so to photograph national historical Civil War battlefields. Several of my images are published in the Hallowed Ground Magazine put out by the Civil War Trust. I am honored to provide an artistic view of how these places make me feel.  It's an eery feeling to be on a historical battlefield before the sun rises and experience the quietness of such places. I have a special place in my heart for everyone that was part of, or witnessed the Civil War.

Image of Henry Lawson Wyatt, an Edgecombe County teen, shot through the head on June 10, 1861. Later it was discovered he wasn't the first Rebel to fall. But Wyatt's backers pushed through and placed the statue, and he's received the credit ever since.

Check out the link to Hallowed Ground Magazine.
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Monument of Abundance

Exploring with Delores the other day, I made this image of one of my favorite landmarks in downtown Raleigh, the BB&T building. I have several friends that work in this giant.

The strong lines leading up to endless opportunity,post gives me the impression of a launching ramp for career rockets. For me, this is a Monument of Abundance.

Emerald Isle Pier

Image made on the beach of Emerald Isle. It was exciting because it was raining cats and dogs, and the wind was blowing hard. Delores had an umbrella over me and the camera. It wasn't a quick shot, after a few attempts at long exposure we caught this image. I love the way the water represents the location as the color is Emerald. Exactly what we were seeing when we were there.

Looking Back

Image of a country home somewhere in West Virgina. I can't remember exactly where I was when I captured this image. Again as, I'm partial to the landscape vistas in Black & White;  I can appreciate color when it becomes the subject. The greens and blues along with the fall tones make this image pop. I get a feeling of looking back in time with this image. I see no real roads, it's as if you have to ride a horse in order to get home. The colors and nostalgia are what makes this image.

New Horizon

Image made in western Missouri a couple of years ago. We got up before sunrise and hit the road to capture the broad Missouri Sky. There's nothing like having enough space to experience the essence of just how big the sky can be. When I'm out in the open, I get a sense of freedom.

I made this shot standing on a state road and didn't exactly have to worry about any traffic. It was nice taking in the peaceful sound of the wind and critters waking for the day as the sun came up.

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Set In Stone

Photo by Delores Davis

Stone Mountain State Park is located in Wilkes and Alleghany counties, six miles southwest of Roaring Gap NC. When you visit, you'll walk into a valley with a farm house and a barn. It's a beautiful homestead. Today it's a State Park. Folks enjoy hiking, climbing and nature's beauty.

It's one of those places as a photographer I felt I just couldn't take enough images. But I had help, Delores was running all over the landscape taking in the experience from different perspectives. I especially like this one as the composition works well for the big rock with the trees giving it scale.


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The Cathedral

History shows that man has shown great respect to the source of our universe, by building beautiful places to worship while honoring its purpose. The Cathedral of St. John the Baptist in Savannah Ga is no exception. As I was walking up towards the Cathedral, I caught a glimpse of the sun just above it. It gave me a feeling of a new day or a new start. A knowing that something much greater gives light to any darkness experienced.

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Passing By

Attracted to images of the grand landscape, I find many of my images are of the countryside. I can't help it; it's what I enjoy experiencing. I love images that give me the quiet, peaceful essence of freedom. Sometimes when looking at grand landscape images I can feel my mind literally expand with an emotional attachment to my childhood.

I can't remember the location of this image. I do know I was in the back of a van shooting out the window riding along about 70mph. It's not easy shooting from a moving vehicle and I can tell you spray and pray doesn't get you many usable images. I have to concentrate on what is ahead of me when riding and be prepared to capture the image just at the most opportune time. When I do, it's exciting to me because the window of success is very narrow as I enjoy the challenge.

The concentration needed to capture a usable frame is tremendous. After about 5 hours, fatigue sits in, and my performance drops. Then I have to contend with watching potentially great images "Passing By".

****Note to readers****
I'm making some changes. Starting today I'll be making my About Fine Art Photography blog simply a picture blog with short essays. The Fine Art Photography Experience blog will have more insight, informative and inspirational information.


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Reflectons of The Moment

Yates Mill evening light was offering a nice display on the pond. The ghostly fog lifting from the water gave presence to the light catching my attention. All was still at that very moment. The entire view was parallel,  two instances at the same moment.

Creatives have what I call three moments of thought. The Past, Present, the Future. A painter could create using what they've seen in the past or what the want to see in the future. The interesting thing about photographers is we crop the present. Allowing every element in the photo to tell the story.

Being able to see the moment is a practice of being in the moment. Some Fine Art Photographers  are masters of "taking chaos and creating order" as Ansel Adams would say. This artist will engulf the moment. They can't be thinking about the bills, kids, the future or the past.

As a Fine Art Landscape photographer, I know that if I"m not int he correct state of mind, I am unable to see. So I practice getting in the flow per se' before I feel I'm ready to go into the field.

If you ever get raddled or having anxiety when shooting, take three deep breaths and get focused with "Reflections of The Present".


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Off the Beaten Trail

When attempting to get to your destination you can stay on the paved road where the road is smooth but often crowded. When we decide to take a different road, we can experience, something fresh and rewarding.  Making the decision to take a different road can gain you new opportunities for growth. The Missouri dirt road in this image is straight but has hills to conquer.

I saw a video about the Magnum photographers the other day. Magnum, the world's most prestigious photographic agency was having their annual meeting discussing potential membership. There was concerned because the applicants were copying current members ideas thinking this type of content would potentially offer membership. The veteran members were pleading for something entirely fresh, never seen before perspectives.

Surrounding yourself with great photographers is a great idea. But only with regards to discovering things that work for you uniquely. Beyond having a community of friends, a photographer that can carve a niche of their own, from a fresh perspective when creating a body of work will have a greater impact.

I've written a lot lately about finding your personal vision. Today what I'm trying to drive home is, think of every project as an opportunity to uniquely make a statement.  Find ways to stir your creativity. Spend time with a community of other photographers. Read books that inspire you to try something entirely different.

Whatever you decide, for your personal inspiration you'll always see new things in different ways if you get "Off the Beaten Trail."

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Charred

It's interesting to see historical events remind us of who we are. Our resilience and our ability to rebuild while focusing on what we want. Savannah GA has buildings that represent the people's endurance with the ability to make beauty out of tragedy. This image speaks perseverance, and humanity.

Sometimes we feel like we're spending too much of our time putting out fires instead of being productive. Photographers being the artsy types often have difficulty keeping focused on what the they want.

If life keeps sparking fires, maybe it's time to investigate how they are getting started. I'll give you a hint, "never look outside of yourself". Pay attention to what your paying attention to. Then ask yourself the question "why is that thought so important to me." If what you're thinking has nothing to do with making you happy and your goals, don't think about it. You should focus on what you want, not what you don't want, and the universe will deliver.

Artistic professions are considered one of the most difficult ways to make a living. I believe the successful artist enjoys the process of creating art so much they don't even think about if it will ever sell or not. They are focusing on what makes them happy, and the universe delivers.

Remember a fire starts from a spark. Once you stop the sparks, the fires will stop and you won't get "Charred".


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