Archive
BSG shows 3 Images at “Forgotten” Exhibition at A Smith Gallery, Texas
Road to Old House, Ohio 2013
River of Fallen Trees, Yellowstone N.P. 2010
Old Pilings, Naples, FL 2013
Esteemed juror, Blue Mitchell http://bluemitchell.com/ has chosen three images from three different series of my work to be shown at the “Forgotten” Exhibition at the A Smith Gallery http://asmithgallery.com/.
Established in May, 2010, A Smith Gallery is located in Johnson City, Texas in the Nugent Avenue Arts District. The gallery exhibits the work of both amateur and professional photographers through juried and invitational exhibitions. Amanda Smith is the Gallery Director assisted by Kevin Tully serving as Assistant Gallery Director.
Blue Mitchell is an independent publisher, curator, educator, and photographer. Based in Portland, Oregon, he has been involved with many facets of the photographic arts. Mitchell received his BFA from Oregon College of Art & Craft where he teaches studio school classes and workshops. Mitchell is the Founding Editor of Diffusion: Unconventional Photography, an independent, reader and contributor supported annual that highlights and celebrates unconventional photographic processes and photo related artwork. In addition to organizing and curating physical exhibitions around the country, Mitchell curates Plates to Pixels, an online photographic gallery that bridges the gap between antiquated photographic processes and new digital media.
Exhibition dates | September 19 to November 2, 2014
Reception | September 27 & October 25, 2014 both 4 to 7pm
My gratitude to Blue and Amanda for their support of my work.
Looking Back / The Importance of Editing
Moonlit Sailboats, Coconut Grove, FL 2010
Pelican Rest, Gulf of Mexico 2010
Due to circumstances beyond my control, I am not able to produce new work for a while. Notwithstanding this situation, I will continue to do my best to post images to keep my work out there in the public’s consciousness. In order to do that, I will be posting older images, including some that have never been exhibited before.
While reviewing much of the older work it made me remember the importance of editing, something that is much easier said then done. When you get serious about photography, it becomes very difficult to separate the better images from those that might not meet the test. In addition to paying attention to the overall composition, lighting, etc., it is often suggested that an outside set of eyes should give an unbiased opinion. Either way, the key is to be extremely critical and be sure that only the best make into the portfolio and/or are ultimately printed for exhibition/collection.
Finally, editing is also critical to the presentation of images in a portfolio, or when published in a book. Here, editing is used to present the images in a sequence that makes them flow. They should be placed in order by comparing color and/or lighting and/or composition and/or subject, so the images lead from one to the next naturally as the viewer sees them. This is more difficult than it seems and it is often necessary to use a professional Editor, even if it is just at the beginning to learn how it is done. I personally have worked with Paula Gillen http://bit.ly/1yMh3Gi, who has helped me along the way.
As a good example of successful editing, in the case of the two images above… they work well next to each other, whether in a portfolio, a book or… across from each other in an office lobby (see last Blog post).
From Virtual to Reality / See it Before you Hang it
Lakeside Executive Suites, Lobby – (PC generated) Virtual Layout, 2014
Lakeside Executive Suites – Lobby pieces installed, 2014 (I Phone photo of installation)
After capturing an iconic image, it is added to my portfolio and becomes available for residential, corporate and/or commercial display. While offering these options, I believed it would be very helpful for those considering which work to display, to see how a particular image, or images, would look…framed and on the wall, in the space available to be filled.
Clearly, if the art buyer, designer, or even collector, could see a framed version of a particular print in an available place, it would be very helpful to their decision-making process. Case in point, the project above, the lobby of Lakeside Executive Suites http://www.lesweston.com/. LES is a first class executive suite office space with all of the amenities of a modern-day contemporary office and virtual office facility.
After reviewing the available space, I photograph the areas with blank walls. I then create various virtual options (see top two images), ie. different images and cut and paste them into virtual frames and present them in the particular area.
In this case the designer and office manager chose the pair of images above for the lobby to compliment the new renovation they were working on. The finished project offers a first class option for anyone looking for office space in the Weston area. Stop in and visit LES for any of your office needs and/or to see the outstanding quality of work done by the design firm… for your next project. http://www.meredithmarlow.com/
Dedication
Never Forget, 911 Memorial, 2013
The 911 Museum was officially dedicated this week. Let us never forget.
Looking Up to Mom / Happy Mother’s Day
Lioness and Cub, 2014
Parental Guidance, 2010
For my Fine Art work, I don’t like to photograph anything that can talk back to me and I usually only use human subjects to show scale in an image.
So, to celebrate Mother’s Day I have posted the above images of animal subjects that exhibit the importance of looking up to your Mother…I know I always did.
Earth Day 2014
Mother Earth
In 2011, I decided to create a 3 minute montage of some of my images to commemorate Earth Day (April 22nd each year). My goal was to celebrate the planet’s natural beauty and put forth the message of conservation and preservation.
Initially, I planned on making a new video each year, but life got in the way. So, until such time as I can create a new one, I re-post the original around Earth Day each year.
I added natural sound to the finished piece and the haunting musical soundtrack is Willow and the Light by Kevin MacLeod. (A good pair of stereo headphones can enhance the experience).
If you haven’t seen it before, I hope you enjoy it and when it comes to Mother Earth…choose wisely.
BSG Exhibits Niagara at the PhotoPlace Gallery in Vermont
Niagara, 2006
One of my signature images, Niagara, 2006 is included in the Black and White Exhibition at the PhotoPlace Gallery in Middlebury, Vermont. http://www.vtphotoworkplace.com/index.html. PhotoPlace Gallery’s mission is to support contemporary fine art photography as a means of creative expression and cultural insight.
The Exhibition runs from March 28 through April 25th. The Exhibition Catalog is available at: http://bit.ly/1ls8XP5
Black and White was juried by Karen E. Haas, Lane Curator of Photographs, Museum of Fine Arts, Boston. https://www.mfa.org/
Niagara has also been juried into exhibitions around the U.S. by legendary collector and curator, W.M. Hunt http://www.wmhunt.com/ as well as iconic Fine Art Photographer Joyce Tenneson http://www.tenneson.com
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Presidents Day 2014
SERIES: The Roads Less Traveled / The Vanishing Point
Country Road, East, Florida 2013
For as long as I have been creating images, I have been intrigued by the concept of the “vanishing point.” Railroad tracks, roads, pathways, all leading to the unknown. Here are a couple of country roads exemplifying the concept, one in the eastern U.S. and one in the western U.S.
To me, the series I have entitled: The Road Less Traveled, speaks not to where I have been…but to where I am going.
Country Road, West, Colorado, 2009
Best of 2013 / 10 Favorites from the Past Year
Waterfall, Milton, OH 2013
Lower Falls, Hocking Hills, OH 2013
Ebb and Flow, Deerfield Beach FL 2013
Thunder Road, Ft. Lauderdale, FL 2013
Gray Cat, Green Eyes, 2013
Caracara, 2013
Flamingo Fire, 2013
July 4th Fireworks, 2013
Moon and Stars, 2013
Never Forget, 911 Memorial, 2013
Before it gets too much further into the new year, here are some of my favorites from 2013.
Looking forward to creating more in 2014.
Lightning Strikes Twice / Bringing the Heat
Strike Right, Hollywood, FL 2013
An uncommon late November lightning storm reminded me of how much I enjoy capturing lightning strikes. Unlike many other photographers that shoot lightning, rather than simply concentrating on the bolts themselves, I seek to make the strikes an integral part of the composition of the image. In order to do this it is essential to monitor the storm, its direction and the timing between flashes. Since Florida storms tend to move quickly, all of the above needs to be done quickly, and safely. The image above was captured from across the North Lake in Hollywood, Florida after the height of the regular summer lightning storms.
Lightning, Florida Everglades 2010
Following a storm approaching through the Florida Everglades, I captured this scene with bolts on both sides of the tree as the storm moved. At night, as in the Hollywood image, a tripod and remote cable release allow you to leave the shutter open in order to capture the strike. In the Everglades image, it was still daytime and without a Lightning Trigger (that captures lightning during the day), I had to improvise. Counting seconds between strikes I was able to capture three different bolts in separate images as the storm moved. The black vultures in the tree were unfazed by the strikes and were an added bonus in the final images.
Luckily for me, lightning strikes… more than twice.
Rare Bird / White Peacock
White Peacock, Davie, FL 2013
Peacocks are known for their brilliant colors, especially the males, who open and fan their long tail feathers to get the attention of females.
A much more rare example of this beautiful peafowl is the White Peacock. These are not albino but a color variation of the India Blue Peacock. They start off yellow as chicks and turn all white as they mature. This particular male lives at Flamingo Gardens in Davie, Florida. While all of the others are “Blue” or the colored birds more commonly seen, this bird stays away from the rest as if it were not welcome.
A sad commentary on the isolation of being different… yet no less beautiful.
The Big Apple / Manhattan in Monochrome
Waiting Driver, NYC, NY 2013
Lines, South Street Seaport, NYC, NY 2013
The Plaza, NYC, NY 2013
Walking 5th Avenue, NYC, NY 2013
It’s been a long time since my boys and I used to hang out in the city as kids. From Elmont we would walk to the Arnold Palmer’s Dry Cleaners and catch a bus to the train station. Change at Jamaica and next stop, the Big Apple. Now, some of them live in the City and I have visited many times over the years.
During those visits I always try to bring back images of New York City.. as I see it. Here are a few I created while in Manhattan for my Gallery Exhibition.
It’s Only Black and White…But I Like It / Three Horses in Snow
Three Horses in Snow, Colorado 2010
Three Horses grazing after an unexpected, brief summer snow in the Rocky Mountains of Colorado. A scene like this called for Black and White. The composition of the horses within the frame and their respective poses are what make the image. Watching for head, leg and tail movement all go into the final image. Including some grass on the bottom frames the scene.
Ok, so the original lyric was about Rock and Roll… and I like that too.
For the Birds /Sunset Silhouettes in Black and White
The Birds, Florida Everglades 2008
Birds in Tree, Dayton, OH 2013
Many sunsets are not very photogenic. On those days, I look for a subject to silhouette against the darkening sky. Birds in trees are a good candidate for these type of images. Shoot up into the trees as the sun is setting while concentrating on the composition and keeping the subject sharp.
Since the colors on these days leave alot to be desired, black and white can salvage the scene. So, rather than packing up and going home on these questionable sunset evenings, get creative and you might just go home with a keeper.
Shooting the Moon…from right here at home
Moon and Stars, 2013
With today’s modern technology, good cameras and lenses can shoot great distances. At first glance this image might seem as if it had been shot from an approaching space shuttle. To the contrary, I captured the Moon in a Waxing Gibbous phase, craters and all, from the driveway in front of my house…on Earth.
Utilizing a Canon 50D camera, a 100-400mm L lense and setting an ISO of 2,000, I was also able to expose the surrounding stars. No telescope, just a tripod, remote shutter release and some patience. Now, that’s over the Moon.
Happy Father’s Day 2013 / Parental Guidance
Islands in the Sun / Florida Keys in Color and Black and White
Island in the Sun, Florida Keys, FL 2012
Two Trees, Florida Keys, FL 2012
Heading south from Miami, the road eventually narrows into just two lanes, north and south. The Overseas Highway is a 127.5 mile highway that carries U.S. Route 1 from Homestead/Florida City south to Key West at the end. All along the way the road is surrounded by water, islands and wildlife.
Seen in countless movies (remember the limousine chase in Schwarzenegger’s True Lies) http://bit.ly/1bqdZ55 and the majority of television car commercials, the road through the keys is a unique and beautiful place to travel and photograph. And when you reach the end to Key West (AKA Margaritaville), you can enjoy, as Jimmy Buffet sang, a Cheeseburger in Paradise http://bit.ly/11rWT17 …or at least a slice of Key Lime Pie, which is as good as it gets and where it originated.
Six Months from Sandy / Seascapes from a Superstorm
Touch of Light, Jupiter, FL 2012
On the six month anniversary of Superstorm Sandy, a couple images of her effect on the South Florida coastline as she headed north. Wishing a solid recovery to all those affected by the storm.
Crest and Crash, Jupiter, FL 2012
Smoke on the Water and Fire in the Sky / Coeur d’Alene, Idaho
Fire in the Sky, Coeur d’Alene, ID 2010
Smoke on the Water, Coeur d’Alene, ID 2010
Heat Wave, Coeur d’Alene, ID 2010
Some mornings, in some locations, are simply magical. This particular morning on Coeur d’Alene Lake in Idaho was just such a morning. The light, the fog, the rising sun made for many great images as the conditions changed. In the first image, the key was catching the rising sun, the second was about the fishing boat on the lake, and the third required quickly moving to another location for a different view before the fog lifted.
The trick is moving camera direction quickly, sometimes only slightly, because often the scene changes so fast that if you are not paying attention to your surroundings, you miss something great. And as a photographer, when you miss a great shot, you never forget it…it remains in your mind’s eye, but you can’t show it to anyone else.
I Shoot Horses…Don’t I? / The Art of Equus
Equine Snow Scene, Winter Park, CO 2007
The majestic Horse has been represented in Art since the days of prehistoric cave paintings. I am no expert in breeds and could not tell whether the animal in the above image was, in fact a horse, maybe a Bay, or even a mule, combination of horse and Donkey (anyone with a better idea, don’t hesitate to chime in). All I know is a picturesque scene when I see one, and this clearly fit the bill. Driving up the road toward a ranch near Winter Park just after a light snow, the beautiful brown coat and white back and eyes caught my attention.
The beauty and character of many equine subjects work extremely well in a Fine Art photograph. For me, the right composition (location of the animal in the scene) is key as are the details of the animal’s pose. The placement of the head, legs and even the tail can make or break an image. Patience is a virtue with horses. They usually stay in one area for a while unless they become curious and approach you looking for food. In this case, the momentary lift of a seemingly painted head, with a body lightly covered with snow, created the perfect subject against the snow-covered trees.
Lone Horseman on Beach, Pacific Northwest 2006
Sometimes less is more. This is an example of using negative space to create an ethereal image of an isolated subject. The lone horseman on this Pacific Northwest beach looked out to Sea in the morning fog. The mountain range behind him can barely be seen, but became more evident as the fog lifted. Here, the horse and rider stand alone to signify peace and solitude. Again, timing is everything in that immediately after the image was created, the rider was gone and the fog soon lifted.
If a Tree Falls in the Forest…Tales of the Extraordinary
If a Tree Falls in the Forest, Ash Cave, Hocking Hills State Park, Logan, OH 2013
When you travel around natural wilderness enough, you are bound to see astonishing things every once in a while. When a baby Black Bear crossed in front of our car one night on a deserted North Carolina road it happened too quickly to photograph. Likewise with the thousand pound Moose I ran into at dusk in the woods of Colorado. That time I wasn’t even thinking about taking a picture, just how to get around him and get out of there in one piece.
So on those occasions that something wonderous occurs in nature and you do actually capture it photographically, that is something special. It’s not just a “Fisherman’s Tale,” there exists documented proof. Such was the case while shooting at Ash Cave in Hocking Hills State Park in Logan, Ohio. I was photographing the beautiful forest that surrounds the cave, alternating from Black and White to Color, in camera. Suddenly I heard a thunderous sound, as if a bolt of lightning had cracked to the ground right near me. First I ducked, a natural reaction, then, I lifted my camera in the direction of the sound and there, as it was happening, a huge tree, easily hundreds of years old, came crashing down…naturally. Now, it is unusual to be close enough to hear such a rare occurrence, let alone to see it. But to capture it as it happens, that is most likely a once in a lifetime event. I got off four shots as the tree came crashing down, the three consecutive images above were perfect, while the fourth, as it fell to the ground went out of focus. I created this Triptych to memorialize the wonderous moment.
Momentary Blizzard, Southeastern OH, 2013
Usually, I’m lucky if one memorable thing happens per shoot. During the same week in Ohio as the tree falling, we were driving down a rural road on a relatively clear, but cold winter day. Within minutes, the sky became dark and from nowhere came a Blizzard of snow so fierce that it caused a “whiteout” forcing me to pull over. We rolled down the window just enough to get off a few shots, and then, within less than a minute, it was over. The snow was gone and shortly thereafter the sky was clear again. That was the first time I had ever experienced a Momentary Blizzard.
The bottom line when it comes to Mother Nature, there is only one thing that is certain …she is absolutely unpredictable.
A good tip results in an unexpected…Paradise Found
Cascade through Old Man’s Cave, Hocking Hills State Park, OH 2013
When photographing in the Midwest you expect rural farmland, old barns, snow in winter, fall colors in autumn. What you don’t expect are rushing waterfalls cascading down granite cliffs, especially one after the other after the other. Thanks to a tip from a great friend of mine who grew up in Ohio, I took a chance and drove a couple of hours south of Columbus and west of Dayton. Well…alter your expectations. Having traveled to Hawaii, the Caribbean and the Pacific Northwest, who knew there was a combination of all of them in the Midwestern United States.
Hocking Hills State Park http://bit.ly/15mtjP4 in Logan, Ohio is 2,356 acres of towering cliffs, waterfalls and deep hemlock-shaded gorges. After stopping at the park’s Visitor’s Center for a map and some very helpful information, you drive down the road to the large, open parking lot. It isn’t until you descend down the trail at either end of the lot when the magic starts…immediately. I happened to be there in winter on a cold and rainy day and after melted snow had created a significant flow through Old Man’s Creek. The weather made it a bit challenging with a large camera bag and tripod, but ideal for shooting waterfalls, of which there were so many. Carefully protecting the camera from rain and mist and making sure the lens glass remained dry, it was a labor of love (including a rain poncho, plastic bags and an umbrella). Descending through the gorge trail I followed the cascading water over one cliff after the next. I literally felt as if I was in a movie, like Jurassic Park… without the Dinosaurs.
Devil’s Bathtub, Hocking Hills State Park, OH 2013
Halfway through the gorge trail is the Devil’s Bathtub. A whirlpool created from the rushing water of Old Man’s Creek seems to flow in all directions as it makes its way down the gorge.
Fog Around the Bend, Hocking Hills State Park, OH 2013
Road to Ash Cave, Hocking Hills State Park, OH 2013
Ash Cave, Hocking Hills State Park, OH 2013
At the southern end of the park is the horseshoe-shaped Ash Cave named after the huge pile of ashes found under the shelter by early settlers which was believed to have been left from Indian campfires built up over hundreds of years or used by them for smelting silver or lead from the rocks. Measuring 700 feet from end to end, 100 feet deep from the rear cave wall to its front edge with the rim rising 90 feet high, it is the largest, most impressive recess cave in the state of Ohio.
While in the area there are several great places to stay and eat including rustic lodges, cottages and cabins. Check out the Hocking Hills Resort http://www.hockinghillsresort.net/ and the Inn at Cedar Falls http://innatcedarfalls.com/, both of which had romantic accommodations and dining.
All in all, this tip from a friend became a very welcome and totally unexpected…Paradise Found.
Just a walk in the park…Central Park.
The Dakota, Black and White, NYC, NY 2013
Statue and Trees, Central Park, NYC, NY 2013
Bare Winter Tree, Central Park, NYC, NY 2013
Before leaving the Big Apple after my solo exhibition at 25CPW Gallery, I spent the last day shooting in Central Park. With a little help from our pedicab driver, we toured the park in his semi-motorized two-wheel rickshaw. Covered with a blanket to protect against the cold, we zipped through the park from Central Park South, north to Belvedere Castle. It was a cold winter’s day with totally gray skies, creating some photographic challenges and opportunities. I needed to cover the cloudless skies while capturing the muted light from the overcast day. Since I always try to bring natural elements into my images, even in the city, the tree branches became an intrical part of the shots.
First, The Dakota, where Beatle, John Lennon lived and was killed and where his wife, Yoko Ono still lives. Shot from atop Central Park’s Belvedere Castle, the bare winter trees created a perfect frame. Next, a statue and symmetric row of trees shows the elegance that is the design of Central Park. Third, many of the trees in the park are beautiful within themselves, sometimes you just have to look up. For this type of shot, composition is key, as is filling the frame with the subject.
Bottom line, beautiful images can be created in all types of light, as long as you adjust, and compensate, for the specifics of the situation. Once you do that…it’s just a walk in the park.
BSG Solo Exhibition at 25CPW Gallery on Central Park West in NYC
After participating in a group show at 25CPW Gallery in December, I am having a Solo Exhibition at the gallery. This coming Thursday, January 10, 2013 will be the Artist Reception from 6-9 pm. The Gallery is located on Central Park West at 62nd Street, one block north of Columbus Circle. Anyone that is in New York at the time is very welcome to come by. Additionally, there will be gallery hours from 12pm to 8pm that weekend. www.25cpw.org
A portion of the proceeds will go to Evan’s Team, a foundation created in memory of Evan Lieberman, an amazing young man we lost in a tragic car accident. www.evansteamny.com