Dusk Alternative – Shooting Sunsets Without the Sun
Lone Tree at Sunset, Weston, FL 2004
I’ve been chasing sunsets for some time now. Case in point, one of the earlier sunset images shot with my first digital camera, the Canon Rebel. Eager to see what this new technology could do, I followed a hometown sunset until locating a suitable scene to test the camera’s abilities. Driving west towards the setting sun I found myself at the far end of a local community park. The raised elevation of land that acted as a border of the park and the surrounding open fields, proved to be a great spot to isolate this one tree as the sun set behind it.
Although sunset is my favorite time to shoot, I very rarely actually shoot the sun itself, too cliché for my tastes. I usually wait until just after it sets and then capture the radiating light that illuminates the clouds. In this case, I isolated the silhouette of the lone tree and framed the scene with the glowing clouds above. Simple image, striking concept.
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Some Additional Intimate Animal Portraits – Peacock Triptych
Display, Peacock Triptych, 2010
After recently being commissioned by collectors to produce Fine Art pieces outside my usual framed print genre, including sepia and acrylic mounted work, I have started thinking outside the box as it relates to presentation. Such is the case here with Display, Peacock Triptych wherein the beautiful quality of all three (different) images in the final printed piece, really show my true colors as a photographer.
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Images from OF THE WILD Featured in C4fap / Pichler Juried Book
Lowland Gorilla, 2010
A portfolio of images from my series: Of the Wild, featuring close-up, intimate portraits of animals, was just published alongside the work of 14 other Fine Art photographers in a beautiful book entitled: Portfolio Showcase No.5. Produced by the Center for Fine Art Photography in Fort Collins, CO www.c4fap.org. The portfolios chosen for the book were juried by Chris Pichler, founder and publisher of Nazraeli Press www.nazraeli.com. Nazraeli creates some of the most spectacular Fine Art photography books on the planet and features the work of Michael Kenna, Todd Hido and others. The book was edited by Hamidah Glasgow with a layout by Lauren Henkin and published by Montage Graphics www.montagedigital.com.
Information about the book can be obtained from the Center and additional images from the series can be viewed on my main website at www.barrystevengreff.com.
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Everything Coming Together – Classic Lighthouse Image
Battery Point Lighthouse, Crescent City, CA 2009
Many individual factors go into making a strong, classic image and I strive to make every part of the photograph count. Here, after composing the northern California scene, I paid specific attention to the details within the frame, the breaking waves, catching the revolving lighthouse beam, the background clouds emphasizing the building and even a good location for the bird flying by. Everything comes together to create a timeless sunset seascape.
My only regret with this scene, was leaving too early to catch a great local seafood dinner before the restaurant closed. I have long since envisioned what I could have created after the sun had set, smoothing out the water and utilizing the light beaming from the lighthouse. I guess I’ll have to go back…some day.
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Rock Island – Ethereal Seascape
Rock Island, Deerfield Beach, FL 2010
An outcropping of rocks is surrounded by water during a high tide at dusk. With few areas featuring natural rock formations to choose from on the South Florida coast, this beach in Deerfield is my go to spot to capture the interaction of land and sea. The rocks are utilized to minimize the natural beach erosion and are periodically replenished by the municipality as needed.
This ethereal seascape exhibits solidity, yet isolation and reminds me of the lyrics from the Simon and Garfunkel song…I am a rock, (I am an island.)
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Happy Earthday Mother Re-Posted for 2012
Mother Earth, 2011
(For best viewing, watch on You Tube at full screen, 720p resolution, depending on your system. If the video doesn’t play correctly, choose a lower resolution. All selections are bottom/right.)
If, for any reason you have trouble viewing, here is the direct link. http://bit.ly/i9u0pr
A year ago, when the blog was still new, I posted this three minute video to celebrate Earth Day. Now that I have a much larger viewership, I am re-posting the video (and the accompanying text) for Earth Day 2012…
By now, I hope it is clear that my landscape images seek to capture the spectacular natural beauty that still exists on Earth. To further that goal, and celebrate Earth Day, I am posting a 3 minute multimedia piece entitled: “Mother Earth.” This compilation of some of my sea and landscape images is accompanied by the hauntingly beautiful music track: “Willow and the Light” by gifted musician, Kevin Macleod. If possible, throw on some headphones and/or turn up the volume to fully appreciate the sounds of nature as well as the ethereal music… popcorn is optional.
In this presentation I emphasize the striking beauty that still exists on Mother Earth, the urgent need to conserve and protect her, and the dire consequences of failing to do so.
It is my hope that you enjoy the piece, and in some small way, it shines a light on the critical choices we need to make to protect and preserve the planet…and that we choose wisely.
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Mystic Cliffs – West Coast Cliffs Shrouded in Mist
Mystic Cliffs, Carlsbad, CA 2008
In my quest to create ethereal sea and landscapes, I found myself atop a seaside road one misty morning near Carlsbad, California. Looking south along the shore, the cliffs that jutted out to sea were shrouded in mist. Waiting for the right wave to complete the composition, this image further exemplifies the spectacular scenery on the west coast of the United States and why it is a good idea for photographers to get up early.
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