The Uncompromising Clyfford Still
February 25, 2024
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At moments, I found myself smiling, almost laughing out loud at the genius of Clyfford Stills' paintings. Standing in front of some of the greatest works of the Abstract Expressionist movement was simply wondrous. These were a tutorial in non-verbal communication. He could, with a single dab of color in precisely the right place, make an entire can...
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Lower Antelope Canyon - A New Approach
August 10, 2023
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Make no mistake, the canyon is still beautiful and well worth seeing.
When I last photographed Lower Antelope nine years ago, I arrived early, was second in line behind a fellow photographer from France, and we were taken by ATV to the canyon entrance. We had the canyon to ourselves for the first 30 minutes and with full use of tripods. I have two...
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Being At One
December 08, 2022
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Often when we are asking "why", we should be asking "how". Our deductive reasoning nature drives the who, what, when, where, how, why in us all. Science asks "how", whereas religions ask, seek, and configure "why", when a reason neither exists nor is necessary.
At its best, photographing in nature is being in a place and time while understanding t...
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Aspect Ratio and Perception
November 02, 2021
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Two of my most admired photographers, Michael Kenna and Bruce Percy, photograph in 1x1 aspect ratio, exclusively (no "L" bracket required). They are masterful image makers and the square format is only a small part of their signature styles, but it is their vantage point in seeing the world.
Until recently, I had always felt that if I shot in full...
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Moving Mountains
May 19, 2021
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You can move mountains.....with your feet. Trees, buildings, sea stacks, sun and moon, with ease.
I mostly think of my images as arrangements. At first, I thought I had finally coined an original phrase, but soon learned some very admired photographers hold the same concept. Arranging the elements in your image requires movement, sometimes necessi...
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Housebound Abstracts
January 16, 2021
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As we all navigate the pandemic as best we can, staying positive is one of the greater challenges. To break the insidiously lurking "everyday is Blursday" feeling, I needed a new photographic outlet not involving an international flight. Full disclosure, I stole this idea from the Dutch photographer, Maarten Rots, at maartenrots.nl, and set about t...
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Epic Obsession and Our Personal Guidelines
October 22, 2020
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My favorite composer, Igor Stravinsky, wrote in his Poetics of Music, that before he could begin a new composition, he first had to establish the parameters for the composition. Otherwise, the possibilities were infinite and he could not proceed.
In this digital age of photography, now, anything is possible. Yesterday, when I downloaded the latest...
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Abstracts Informing Landscapes
January 13, 2019
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Since taking an abstract workshop three years ago, my approach to landscape photography has not been the same. Inherently impatient, I have learned to be far more deliberate while striving to concentrate on line, form, space, and color relations. Shooting abstracts as often as possible forces one into increased awareness of composition, simplicity...
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Just Shi-Shi of Perfection
August 10, 2018
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One of the most beautiful beaches in Washington (and therefore the world, my opinion) is Shi-Shi Beach out of Neah Bay. Broad, sandy beaches nearly 3.5 miles long, with the glorious Point of Arches and numerous beachside camping sites create a spectacular place for photography and peaceful contemplation.
Located in Olympic NP, Shi-Shi is accessed...
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Winter Photography: Japan
March 21, 2018
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After 9+ hours on the excellent All Nippon Airways, I was kneeling on the floor of Narita Airport sorting my gear and heard a woman's voice saying "Could we interview you?". I turned around and a camera and microphone were in my face and I was instantly chatting with the crew from the reality show "Why Did You?" Thus began a wonderful two-week phot...
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Alaska: The Big Browns & Decoding Denali
August 11, 2017
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After the four of us had convened at the airport in Anchorage (2 from Seattle, 2 from Portland) we hailed a cab for the drive to Iliamna Air Taxi which would fly us to, you guessed it, Iliamna on the Alaska Peninsula. Before I could ask our driver, Achmed, how he had arrived in Anchorage from Somalia, he had popped on his shades and turned 80's roc...
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Photographing at America's Car Museum
June 09, 2017
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America's Car Museum, in Tacoma, is a car lover's paradise and a treasure trove for photography. Alas, no vintage Italian roadsters, but, once inside, you will find that is of little consequence. Make no mistake, this is a tough place to shoot. No tripods allowed, the logic being they are not concerned about photographers, but rather of other patro...
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Cape Cod: A Left-Coaster Goes East
December 07, 2016
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In October, while standing on the second beach we visited on Cape Cod, I asked myself, "What's missing here?"
The Washington coast is known for its drama, sea stacks, tide pools, arches and volcanic outcroppings, while the Oregon coast has a diversity second to none with sandstone cliffs, monoliths and extensive sand dunes added to the above list.
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Jack Made Me Do It
August 02, 2016
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After listening to him debate for some time whether to gamble on a sunset materializing or not, Jack's wife finally said, "You don't know if you don't go!" Which has become a mantra for the Jack Graham Photography Workshops. They are always educational, highly productive, and frequently entertaining. The other mantra that you eventually hear in you...
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Staying Loose in the Palouse
June 24, 2016
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Patience and flexibility are absolutely essential in landscape photography, so every time I pick up my camera, I have to remind myself to put my innate impatience and Germanic sense of order on pause. This was never more true than while in the Palouse region. Ever-changing weather and fast moving clouds create wonderful light, if you are willing to...
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