Calm Photos

Gearing-up for spring. Now that I’ve discussed why it’s so important for photographers not to make equipment and gear a priority, at the expense of developing a unique, artistic vision, I’m going to talk about gear. However, not the glamorous, souped-up digital SLR camera body with the highest megapixels, or that big piece of lens glass that will be the envy of the camera club. No, the one piece of gear that I have found to be the most beneficial – serving the photographer’s creative vision and not replacing it – is perhaps the least expensive. The simple tripod can do wonders in opening an entire new world of creative shooting, particularly as it applies to nature and landscape photography.

Spring on the Ohio landscape is full of flowing streams, woodland waterfalls, scenic sunrises and sunsets and beautiful macro subjects close to the ground. Almost all of these subjects require longer exposures, that is if the photographer truly desires to capture intricate details and tonal ranges. That wonderful “cotton candy” effect of flowing water can only be captured with shutter speeds that are well below the minimum for hand-holding most cameras with a normal length lens, 1/30th of second.

Nature photographers are also increasingly extending their creative capture techniques to include multi-exposure, High Dynamic Range photography. The most popular post-processing program for HDR work requires two or more exposures that match details, as well as include an exposure or two that’s underexposed (once again, slow shutter speeds).

There’s also the capture of sequential frames for digital stitch, panoramas, which when done properly should all be captured and overlapped using a platform that is carefully leveled and stable.

Perhaps the biggest benefit derived from the consistent use of a tripod for nature and landscape photography is the one not so obvious. Shooting with the tripod requires that the photographer artist to slow down, take his or her time and properly set-up for creating the photograph which best conveys his or her creative vision and artistic interpretation of subject and light. (more…)

Before we say our goodbyes to Winter 2010 (which I’m sure we are all looking forward to doing), I wanted to share my favorite images captured during the season of cold and quiet and subdued light. Locations photographed and shown within this online gallery include Dayton and Hocking Hills, Ohio and Zion National Park, Utah.  Gallery – The Best of Winter 2010.

Also, I’ve created a short “Pictures You Can Hear”slideshow presentation to accompany the Winter 2010 web gallery.

America’s Best Idea – Outdoor Photographer | OutdoorPhotographer.com.

My favorite line within the linked article above, from Ken Burns: “As a child, one of my first memories is of my dad building a darkroom in a corner of the basement in Newark, Delaware. My next memory is of watching the images come up in the developer.”

Never underestimate the importance of providing a positive influence on the young mind and imagination, perhaps most powerful when you don’t even realize that’s what you’re doing. I am always thankful to the adults in my life who provided just such an influence when I was just starting to explore nature and photography. These are the people who open the doors to self-discovery. Even if it takes a number of years of following false paths, those doors always remain open to finally return to, and move with adult steps within.

This lesson is always forefront in my mind when I’m teaching workshops or presenting to groups, especially at schools. Playing it forward and bringing it full circle. I think this is what it means to be truly thankful and blessed.

I’m happy to announce the addition of a second, full-day photography workshop for spring 2010, to be held on Saturday, May 29 at Cox Arboretum. Class is limited to the first 25 people who call (937-432-6711) or email me to register. As is the case with all of my past workshops, the cost is $89 per person which does include a box lunch.

Summer Garden Photography will be an entry-level workshop program for those who are just starting out in digital photography and wish to take their picture taking capabilities to the next level by capturing the natural beauty of gardens and nearby parks. The emphasis of the workshop will be upon basic photography of flowers, insects and wildlife, particularly birds. Jim will discuss the importance of understanding both the craft and the art of fine art nature photography, including choosing the right lens for particular subjects, use of filters, lighting for creative effects, aperture, shutter speed, film speed, time exposures and more. There will also be an overview of basic digital editing and enhancements on the computer using both Apple Aperture and Adobe Photoshop.

Part of the workshop instruction will be held within the MeadWestvaco Theater room in the main building facility at Cox Arboretum. This facility allows for comfortable seating with optimal viewing of speakers and presentations. Jim will be using a laptop computer with LCD projector throughout the workshop to clearly demonstrate the photography techniques discussed as well as slideshows of various nature and landscape images from his award-winning and often published stock library of his most popular photographs.

During the day Jim will also guide the group out to the gardens and outside areas of Cox Arboretum to demonstrate the photography techniques discussed within the classroom. More information . . .

Hands-down, the “Shoot the Hills” Photography Competition Weekend is the best event in Ohio for anyone with a passion for nature photography. I’ve had the good fortune of being somewhat involved with Shoot the Hills – which helps support all the great programs and conservation efforts of Friends of Hocking Hills – for …the last several years.

Contestants come from all over Ohio, and beyond, and have 24 hours to photograph in the Hocking Hills region. Images are then submitted for judging in several categories including flora, wildlife and people in nature, with awards presented on Sunday afternoon. It’s amazing to see the visual discoveries and photographic talent on display, and all around it is just a ton of fun. Mid-April is often an ideal time to be shooting nature and landscapes in Hocking Hills. Some of the wildflowers are at their peak, including fields of Trillium and Virginia Bluebells, and the streams and waterfalls are almost always flush with spring rain. A couple years back there was a beautiful, evening mist that filled the gorges and hollows.

My friends and founding members of Friends of Hocking Hills – Barb and Jerry Jividen of Jividen Photography and Jennifer Mitchell of Getaway Cabins, along with a team of other dedicated volunteers, willingly and enthusiastically donate a tremendous amount of hard work to make each Shoot the Hills event even more successful than that of the previous year.

This one photography event that I wholeheartedly recommend and endorse. It’s a blast and a great way to support Friends of Hocking Hills and Hocking Hills State Park.

I had been on that same trail so many other times that I’ve lost count. The trail at Old Man’s Cave in Hocking Hills State Park, Ohio. However, there was something about the quality of the light on that Saturday following what would become the first of several major snow “events” of February 2010. Rather than having to make the two + hour drive from my home in Dayton, this time I was actually already in Hocking Hills for the big snowstorm on Friday evening, February 5th. For the previous two days I was completing an assignment photographing the interiors and details of all the rooms, cabins and cottages at The Inn and Spa at Cedar Falls, for their soon-to-be updated and redesigned web site. On Saturday morning I awoke to a foot of newly fallen – and still falling – snow. The perfect opportunity for capturing scenes of the forest and gorges covered in a blanket of white.

But what would eventually catch my eye were the abstract patterns in the cliffs and open caves along the trail, away from the show of snow on the branches of the Hemlocks and along the stream and waterfalls. All that white covering just on the other side of the trail illuminated the colors and patterns in the sandstone in way that was different than a typical day in spring, summer or autumn. Details often overlooked now were easier to take in with the eye of the artist. There was also the added benefit of very few people on this, the most popular trail in Hocking Hills. I could take my time, in allowing the scenes to come to me and in positioning tripod and camera. The beauty of nature in the abstract on a snow-covered day, deep in a winter’s hush.

Spring Details will be a mid-level workshop program for those who are experienced in digital photography but wish to take their picture taking capabilities to the next level. The emphasis of the workshop will be upon macro (close-up) nature photography, particularly as it applies to small details discovered in the early spring landscape of Ohio. Jim will discuss the importance of understanding both the craft and the art of fine art nature photography, including choosing the right lens for particular subjects, use of filters, lighting for creative effects, aperture, shutter speed, film speed, time exposures and more. There will also be an overview of basic digital editing and enhancements on the computer using both Apple Aperture and Adobe Photoshop. More . . .