Archive
The Art of the Sea from the Motion of the Ocean
When most people look at the ocean they see the waves as they ebb and flow. Although most find it enjoyable to the senses, something additional happens to me. I tend to follow the actions of the
Ebb and Flow, Deerfield Beach 2013
waves as they come ashore and then again as they retreat back out. I also gravitate to those sea shores that contain rocks, piers or any other solid structures around which the water must traverse. I visually slow the motion of the water down in my mind’s eye and foresee the beautiful form it takes as it surrounds the rocks or pylons in its way.
Time and Tide Wait For No Man, Deerfield Beach, FL 2013
Using a tripod during the dawn or dusk hours I can capture the slowed down motion of the water as it crests and eventually hits the beach and returns from whence it came. Seeing the scene in advance helps me create the final image and timing is everything.
I am sure that for all eternity, one of my favorite forms of art…will be that of the Sea.
Granite Flow on a Rainy Day
Another black and white image of water flowing downward over and around hard granite rock in the beautiful state of Colorado. Although I usually stay away from even the slightest political
Granite Flow, Boulder, Colorado 2008
reference in my photography, it’s becoming increasingly difficult to achieve considering the way things are going, which certainly wouldn’t be described as smooth.
Notwithstanding, in my work I always try to concentrate on the natural beauty that has (so far) survived all that has occurred around it. This image was created on a rainy day, just outside the classic Colorado city of Boulder. The muted sky allows for the tripod mounted camera’s shutter to remain open long enough to slow down the motion of the water and the rain emphasizes the sharp detail of the granite rock.
Here’s to hoping things around us flow more smoothly going forward… although as I hear myself write it, I recognize just how hard it will be to achieve.
Flowing Downward / Rocky Mountains
A classic black and white image of a mighty river flowing downward in Rocky Mountain National Park, Colorado.
Downward Flow, Colorado 2010
After a particularly snowy winter, the melting runoff created a powerful flow down river. Captured using a tripod from a bridge over the river, the slow shutter speed caught the motion of the rushing water as it made its way around boulders and fallen trees.
Happy New Year 2017
Happy New Year 2017
Torch Run, New Years Eve, Keystone, CO 2007
An image that has always represented the celebration of the New Year to me was capturing the “Torch Run” on the slopes of Keystone, Colorado on New Years Eve ten years ago this year. As the clock struck midnight, skiers, holding red flares, slowly came down the slope in a wide “S” formation. The resulting scene was spectacular to behold live.
Due to the darkness of night and the motion of the skiers, it took quick experimentation to capture just enough blur to show the movement, while maintaining enough detail to see some of the individual skiiers holding up their flares.
This was clearly an image I pictured in my mind before taking it, and had set up my tripod at the bottom of the mountain at the correct angle to capture the snaking skiers.
Here’s hoping the future year…is a bright one, I could certainly use one about now.
Duncan Miller Gallery, Los Angeles recognizes Barry Steven Greff’s image: Rush Hour, Grand Central Station in their Your Daily Photograph
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Rush Hour, Grand Central Station, NYC 2009
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Thunder Road / Diary of a Storm / Approaching Destruction
For those of you that do not live in South Florida, or on the southeast coast, you are most likely unaware of our “hurricane protocol.” As Hurricane Matthew approaches within the next 24 hours, I thought I would reflect on what we have become accustomed to with these storms.
Thunder Road, Weston, FL 2013
Unlike other major weather events around the country we have the advantage of “notice.” We know a hurricane is approaching within a few days. The actual path, intensity and final landfall are still speculation to the weather experts until almost the last-minute. Even though the news stations broadcast 24 hours a day about the storm, showing its “projected” track, it is not until just before it reaches us that we know who it will hit and how hard. A slight “wobble” east or west can make all the difference in the world but when the male weather forecasters remove their sports jackets and roll up their sleeves, you know we are in for a rough ride.
The Wind of Wilma, Weston, FL 2005
In Andrew I took a hit, while my friend’s homes a bit further south were obliterated. The aftermath looked like a bomb had detonated, even the street signs were gone and it was almost impossible to navigate. As time goes on, your luck runs out and for Wilma, I was ground zero. To see your pool screen being ripped and mangled out of the ground and your large trees being uprooted is a surreal experience. The wind sounds like a fright train, the exterior walls move in and out and your front door rattles as if it will burst open (if it does, you’re toast). Finally, when the heavy, attached cement barrel tiles start to rip off your roof, you know you are close to disaster. That’s when we grabbed a mattress and hunkered down underneath it as far away from any windows as possible. Luckily, Wilma stopped just short of total disaster, but still took several years to come back from.
Going, Going…Gone, Wilma, Weston FL 2005
Thankfully, we have lived through the storms we have faced so far and hopefully will do so with Matthew, which is bearing down on us right now. The anticpation of its arrival motivated me to get this post out while I still had power…and a roof.
The Power of Mother Nature, Wilma, Weston, FL 2005
Here’s hoping that we just experience some really bad weather without the potential destruction it can bring… until the next one.
Save the Tiger…and Many other Animals that Desperately Need Saving
I recently came across the story of an animal rights organization (Four Paws International) http://www.four-paws.us/ whose relentless efforts resulted in the closing of the “worst zoo in the world,” saving the last 15 of its 44 surviving inhabitants and rescuing them from their tiny cages
Amur Tiger, 2010
in the war-torn Gaza Strip for re-location to far better places to live out the remainder of their lives http://theatln.tc/2cigT6F
It has also been the long-time goal of the well-known (WWF) World Wildlife Fund http://bit.ly/2creLHa to protect these magnificent creatures. In a common sense pairing that utilizes the influence and (social media) power of celebrities, many organizations bring attention to the overall, and often specific cause(s) of protecting many rare or endangered species. For example, http://www.savetigersnow.org/ combines the power of the WWF and the celebrity of actor and environmentalist Leonardo Dicaprio @LeoDiCaprio. A list of many other celebrity fueled efforts can be found at http://bit.ly/1iucgGh and a few more animal rescue links can be found on this blog.
Of all of the animals I have seen and photographed over the years, I have been most drawn to the Tiger which has always struck me as being particularly regal and spectacularly beautiful. As with many things, it wasn’t until later in life, after I had lost my Dad to the test of time, that I realized his nickname for me growing up had always been…”Tiger.”
NATIONAL GEOGRAPHIC Recognizes BSG’s FLAMINGO PREENING
National Geographic Recognizes BSG’s FLAMINGO PREENING….[VOTE CLOSED]: Final Tally in their Daily Dozen Editor’s favorite images for September 12, 2016.. Thanks for your support.
FLAMINGO PREENING
Addendum: Final Tally: 10 behind second place image from Saudi Arabia and 24 more votes took top billing from Singapore. Considering the images and votes were from all around the world and chosen by National Geographic, I am honored to have been a part of the competition.
U. S. National Park Service Celebrates 100 Years Today
On August 25, 2016, the U. S. National Park Service turns 100 years old. By the Act of March 1, 1872, Congress established Yellowstone National Park in the Territories of Montana and Wyoming “as a public park or pleasuring-ground for the benefit and enjoyment of the people” and placed it
River of Fallen Trees, Yellowstone National Park, 2010
“under exclusive control of the Secretary of the Interior.” The founding of Yellowstone National Park began a worldwide national park movement. initially, these parks were run by various government agencies so No single agency provided unified management of the varied federal parklands. On August 25, 1916, President Woodrow Wilson signed the act creating the National Park Service http://www.nps.gov, a federal bureau in the Department of the Interior
Bison, King of the Mountain, Yellowstone National Park, WY 2010
responsible for protecting the 35 national parks and monuments then managed by the department and those yet to be established.
Over the years I have had the privilege of visiting several of these jewels. Yellowstone has so much diversity to offer. Its variety and abundance of wildlife; steaming, colorful, prismatic springs and gushing geysers to name a few. The Visitor Center at Old Faithful actually has a clock on the wall that notifies visitors of eruption times within a few minutes either way. Now… there’s an App for that….assuming you can get service in the Park, you can time your visits to make sure you capture an eruption.
So, Happy 100th to the National Park Service. Here’s wishing it many more centennials of protecting these magnificent, natural wonders. Here’s also hoping they are still around to be enjoyed by our children and our children’s children. For this folks… is Mother Nature at her absolute finest.
Meet me in St. Louis…at least my work.
St. Louis Fine Print Fair – May 6-8, 2016
CITYSCAPES
Touch the Sky, 30 Rock
Cab Ride in the Rain, NYC
This weekend, from May 6 through May 8, is the 10th annual St. Louis Fine Print Fair http://bit.ly/R5eI8K. Stop by the booth of photography addict/rep, Jeff Appel of Photography Past & Present, Missouri http://www.photographypastandpresent.com/ to see the work of some highly respected photographers as well as some terrific emerging artists.
Jeff works with many prestigious photographers such as Roger Ballen, Paul Caponigro, John Sexton, Jock Sturges, Roman Loranc and Alan Ross, who was Ansel Adam’s photographic assistant. Other artists such as Cole and Kim Weston, whose father was the famed 20th Century photographer Edward Weston, have created great work themselves. Finally, Jeff works with some talented emerging and/or mid-career artists such as Camille Seaman and…yes, Barry Steven Greff. The four images above will be available at the fair and many others can be viewed at http://www.barrystevengreff.com. So, “Meet me in St. Louis” (sort of) this weekend. Anyone interested in getting on the guest list can reach Jeff through his website or on FB at http://bit.ly/1WECQN7. Friday night is a Silent Auction and Preview Party from 6-9 pm.
So if you happen to be in Ole St. Lou, stop by and see Jeff…and tell him Barry sent you.
Pelican / Near and Far / White and Brown
Brown Pelican Closeup, 2012
White Pelicans, Ding Darling National Park, Sanibel, FL 2010
Utilizing the same lens (Canon L 100-400mm) to capture two different angles.
The top image is a close-up of a Brown Pelican which requires specific detail of the birds feature’s to make it work. The bottom image, of White Pelicans on a sand bar was taken from afar and stands on its soft focus, which creates a painterly effect.
Old Man’s Cave / More Falling Water
Cascade through Old Man’s Cave, Hocking Hills State Park, OH 2013
For more Black and White falling water, I go to this misty image of a hard flowing cascade through Old Man’s Cave in Hocking Hills State Park http://www.hockinghills.com. Standing just past the safety barrier (don’t try this at home) to get the best composition, I held the tripod still on the slippery rocks as the thunderous water rushed past me and the rain fell.
Lucky to not lose any equipment (or my life), when you have the rare opportunity to find yourself in a special place like this, you have to make the most of it.
Additional images of this, and of surrounding areas, can be found at http://www.barrystevengreff.com in the Portfolio entitled Magical Midwest.
Rebuilding in Boulder / Granite Flow
Granite Flow, Boulder, CO 2008
The image above was created at Boulder Falls, outside Boulder, CO during a light rain. The overcast weather created muted light to enable a tripod-assisted long exposure. The light rain accented the gray granite rocks through which the water cascaded.
After catastrophic flooding in and around the Boulder, CO area recently, the re-building efforts are taking place. The rising water destroyed homes, roads and communities in areas that serve as gateways to the beautiful Rocky Mountains. Anyone wishing to help can do so at: http://rdcrss.org/1993W8e .
Bright Eyes / From the Series: OF THE WILD / Chimpanzee
Chimpanzee, 2010
Chimpanzees (Pan troglodytes), from West and Central Africa are members of the Hominidae family, along with gorillas, humans and orangutans. This particular Chimp shows his age by the grey in his beard, but still has a bright fire in his eyes.
Males can grow to 5.5 feet and weigh up to 150 lbs. they live in large multiple-male and multiple-female social groups called communities. Social hierarchy’s exist within the community and are dictated by the position of an individual and their influence on others.
In 1960, Jane Goodall discovered that Chimpanzees used tools, and now it is believed that they have done so for some 4,000 years. Chimps communicate in a manner similar to human nonverbal communication, using vocalizations, hand gestures, and facial expressions. This one was clearly looking at me while I was looking at him.
BSG Joins Art Photo Index (API) Created by PhotoEye of Santa Fe, NM
Moonscape, Matlacha, Florida 2007
I am proud to have been selected as a member of the newly launched Art Photo Index (API) http://www.artphotoindex.com. I join some world renowned photographers such as Nick Brandt, Hiroshi Watanabe and Martin Parr, amongst many others.
This great new index of vetted art and editorial photographers was created by Rixon Reed, Director of PhotoEye photoeye.com of Santa Fe, New Mexico which is considered one of the leading resources for art photography. The press release can be found at http://bit.ly/RF8NXr and my specific page on the site is http://bit.ly/UOALvq.
Bears and Wolves, Oh My – Wild Scenes Repeated
Bear in Field of Flowers, British Columbia, 2004
Although my specialties are close-up intimate portraits of animals and iconic landscapes, when you are out shooting and a beautiful wild animal happens by, you can’t help capturing them (photographically speaking) in their natural environment.
On the trip to British Columbia mentioned a few posts ago, I had seen a brochure for a “bear tour” offered at the extreme sports desk in downtown Whistler. Run by a bear “expert,” a few of us adventurous (ie. crazy) souls hopped into this man’s SUV for a summer drive up the ski slopes and into the woods. There he brought us (on foot) to within a very short distance of some 300 to 400 pound Black Bears in the wild. Apparently (and gratefully) they were used to his presence, because they went about their business as we quietly stood by in awe. The darkness of the woods made it very difficult to get a good shot (I didn’t think using a flash was wise), so I was lucky to capture this one image as the bear left the woods and crossed a field of flowers.
This is one of several bucket-list items I have tried once, I cherish the memory of, but don’t plan on doing again…at least not for this species.
Wolf in Field, Yellowstone, WY 2010
Driving along the road seeking landscape images in Yellowstone, I came across this wolf making his way across a field. Reminded of the bear image I captured many years before, I shot this as he passed in front of me. The image tends to show my progression as a photographer and in this National Park the wildlife is accustomed to humans, which can be very dangerous when we get too close to them… Thank goodness for long lenses.
Sea Design – Oregon Coast / EQUIVALENTS Exhibition opens in Seattle
Sea Design, Bandon, Oregon 2009
Pinnacles in the Mist, Olympic Peninsula, WA 2006
My blog posts are often inspired by current world events or my own personal observations and experiences. Most recently, a phone call to one of my best college buddies, wherein he told me he was off to Oregon, inspired a post on…Oregon. His son was ending a cross-country bike trek there to benefit affordable housing in the U.S. A great effort for a great cause deserves our attention…and contribution. http://bikeandbuild.org/rider/5653
As for the first image, from a casual seaside hotel I captured this scenic Black and White image of the pinnacles at Bandon Beach, Oregon. Having walked amongst the rocks during low tide, once the sea came back in it created this beautiful design along the beach.
The second scene, which was previously posted, I came across unexpectedly as I climbed atop a large pile of petrified wood that had floated ashore over time. Catching the fog, just before it lifted, this image captures the sole of this beautiful location.
A magnificent part of the country, the scenery and the local seafood alone make this area a great place to visit. The fact that you can find sand dunes, granite cliffs, pinnacles and old growth forest, all within a few hours drive of each other on the coast, in my humble opinion, makes this the greatest road trip in America.
P.S. GALLERY OPENING: As indicated in this PDN Photoserve News item at: http://bit.ly/T7bmhi, the Equivalents exhibition at the PhotoCenter NW Gallery in Seattle, WA opened this weekend. From over 2,000 entries, my image “Niagara” was juried into the exhibition by the legendary Curator and Collector, W.M. Hunt (who will speak on opening night at the Seattle Art Museum). The show will run from August 3rd to September 18th, 2012. http://bit.ly/SFsHxI (see image 61 of 65 on the Gallery website).
Into the Clouds – Top of a Glacier in Black and White
Into the Clouds, British Columbia, 2004
While at the top of the Glacier mentioned in the last post, I would have been remiss not to have created some Fine Art work. Special places tend to result in special images, as I like to believe this one is. The granite mountaintop is lightly covered in snow and breaking through the clouds. Clearly, not something you see…or feel, everyday.
Christmas in July – To the Mountaintop for a Walk in the Clouds
Glacier, British Columbia, 2004
Blackcomb Helicopter, British Columbia, 2004
Having seen various marketing ads this week featuring the concept of Christmas in July, I was inspired to post a cold image during the sweltering heat we feel here in South Florida at this time of year, and now being felt by much of the country as well.
Several years ago, on a trip to British Columbia, Canada, we took a helicopter flight to the top of a glacier near the resort town of Whistler with a company that is now known as Blackcomb Aviation http://www.blackcombaviation.com/. Landing and then walking around at what seems like the top of the world, the peace one feels standing in the clouds is inexplicable. After this experience, I knew where they came up with the term “walking on cloud nine” to describe the feeling of blissful happiness…that about describes it.
Catching the Sunset … for Commerce and Fine Art
Catching the Sunset, Bradenton, FL 2012
Sunset and Rusted Pier, Bradenton, FL 2012
Previously I indicated that I don’t usually shoot the sun during sunsets. There is an exception to every rule and some sunsets are just made to be photographed. Such was the case on this recent summer evening. The color, shape and design of the setting sun begged to be shot. Using the old, rusted pier as a reference I captured this classic end of day image. The fisherman seemingly catching the sun as it set in the first, more commercial image, was an added bonus.
Water Down – Wild River Scenic
Wild River, Rocky Mountains, CO 2010
One more cascade image to go with the flow… of the last two posts. After an exceptionally harsh winter season in the Rocky Mountains, the runoff from the melting snow made for some powerful rivers and waterfalls. I captured this image from a bridge that was right in the path of the thunderous cascade, just before being ordered off by some Park Rangers (justifiably) concerned for my safety.
A tripod was necessary to capture the detail of the trees and rocks and to make a long exposure emphasizing the flow of the water. The key to an image like this is an overcast sky to avoid overexposure of the smooth water and carefully composing the scene while maintaining secure footing. The idea is to get the shot, without losing any equipment…or your life.
“Inverrary Falls” Included in Feature Shoot’s ‘Hometown’ Group Show
Inverray Falls, Lauderhill, FL 2011
For the second week in a row, one of my waterfall images has been chosen for exhibition, this time for the on-line group show on FEATURE SHOOT entitled ‘Hometown’ http://bit.ly/MY7VWC. In stark contrast to the epic grandeur of the previously posted image ‘Niagara’ (juried into Exhibition at the Photo Center NW, Seattle by legendary collector, W.H. Hunt), Inverrary Falls (which is re-posted here) is actually a man-made water feature located at the entrance to the Broward County, Florida residential community named Inverrary. Formerly known for the late comedian Jackie Gleason’s Inverrary Classic Golf Tournament (now the Honda Classic currently played in West Palm Beach), my wonderful parents also lived there for many years. If you look closely at the image, you can see the white PVC piping of the lighting system towards the top and in between the two waterfalls. I captured this natural looking scene using a tripod on a cloudy day, which allowed me to blur the water with a slow shutter speed, as cars zoomed by in all directions behind me.
Feature Shoot www.featureshoot.com is run by photo editor and curator Alison Zavos and showcases work from up-and-coming photographers alongside established photographers who have completed a project or whose work has taken on a new direction. The site covers commercial and fine art photography, and is a resource through which photo editors, art directors, art buyers, and people with an interest in photography can discover new talent. Established in 2008, Feature Shoot has an archive of over 1,000+ international photographers. In 2011, Feature Shoot was selected as a winner of LIFE.com’s 2011 Photo Blog Awards: ‘the Web’s 20 most compelling, most consistently insightful and surprising photography blogs.’
As an aside, recently I have been asked for advice from followers about how I have created a professional and well received photo blog. Although I will take credit for the imagery and the basics of the blog, a major factor behind the creation and social networking of Adventures From Behind the Glass has been Alison Zavos, who is available as a consultant in these areas and can be reached through the Feature Shoot website. In addition to running Feature Shoot, Alison is an active member of the broader photography community. She has reviewed portfolios for organizations such as ASMP, the Advertising Photographers of America and The Art Directors Club and has spoken on various panels discussing topics such as the impact of new media, marketing, press and photography blogs. In the summer of 2010, she curated Sea Change, a group show as part of the Wassaic Summer Festival, which featured work from 25 New York photographers. Zavos is also a regular contributor to PDN’s Emerging Photographer magazine. From my personal experience, she is extremely well versed in her areas of expertise, always seems to be ahead of the newest trends and is a pleasure to work with.
“Niagara” Juried into Exhibition by Legendary Collector W.M. Hunt
Niagara, 2006 © Barry Steven Greff 2012
Forgive me for posting my signature image Niagara again, but the fact that it has been juried into a gallery exhibition by the legendary collector, W.M. Hunt, is too important not to re-post. Niagara has previously been juried into exhibition by Joyce Tenneson, considered one of the most prolific photographic artists of our time and the image has been recognized by numerous luminaries of the photography world. This exhibition will be at the Photo Center NW http://pcnw.org/ in Seattle, Washington from August 3-September 18, 2012.
W.M. Hunt is a champion of photography, a renown collector, curator, consultant and dealer. He was a founding partner of the prominent photography gallery HASTED HUNT (which is now www.hastedkraeutler.com) in Chelsea, the heart of the photographic art world in New York City. He and his collecting have been featured in The New York Times, Photo District News and The Art Newspaper as well as on PBS. He is a professor at the School of Visual Arts and on the Board of Directors of the W.Eugene Smith Memorial Fund and The Center for Photography at Woodstock, N.Y., where he was the recipient of their Vision Award in 2009. He also served on the Board of Directors of AIPAD (Association of International Photography Art Dealers) and as chairman of Photographers + Friends United Against AIDS. His recent book The Unseen Eye is based on his forty years as a collector www.wmhunt.com. Hearing him speak at the Palm Beach Photographic Centre, he is also a captivating speaker, having been an instrumental player in the history and recognition of photography as an art form.
Having my work juried for exhibition by Joyce Tenneson, Chris Pichler of Nazraeli Press, Susan Spiritus, Aline Smithson, Karen Irvine and Hal Gould, amongst others, has been a great honor. Now being recognized by Bill Hunt is (to use a common metaphor), some serious icing on an already outstanding cake.
Animal Portrait Series OF THE WILD Featured on TrendHunters.com
Lioness, 2012
With 35,000,000 monthly views, TrendHunter.com is the world’s largest, most popular trend community and is fueled by a global network of 102,000 members. Trend Hunter, Trend Hunter TV and Trend Hunter PRO feature 151,000 micro-trends and cutting edge ideas.
Routinely sourced by the media, Trend Hunter is a source of inspiration for industry professionals, aspiring entrepreneurs and the insatiably curious. Trend Hunter has been featured or cited everywhere from MTV, The Economist, and CNN to the personal blog of Kanye West, tweets by Ashton Kutcher and Paris Hilton.
Each day, Trend Hunter features a daily dose of micro-trends, viral news and pop culture.
This week Trendhunter.com posted: http://bit.ly/KrAdfR
“The remarkable Barry Steven Greff ‘Of the Wild’ photography series is an amazing illustration of nature photography. Taken of cougars, lions, gorillas and more, the captures are one of the best ways to see beautiful animals close-up without fear of danger. The majestic animals are perfectly aimed, lit and captured.
Greff, an accomplished photographer in the fine art/commercial realm portrays the animal portraits in a straight-on, fierce and awe-inspiring manner. The very matter of fact photography is truly an incredible collection of the very best of nature and the animal kingdom.
The jaw dropping photography has earned Greff some prestigious awards and nominations throughout his career. Among some noted accomplishments include the Popular Photography Magazine 2010 award in the category of Great Wildlife Photographers and the International Photography Awards of 2008.”
20,000 Leagues Under the Sea… and Visitors to the Blog
Torch, Louisville, KY 2009
In 1870, the French writer Jules Verne depicted the undersea world he saw within his mind’s eye in the classic novel 20,000 Leagues Under the Sea. In my work I strive to depict the mysteries of the deep through my jellyfish portraits, and capture and exhibit that which I see in my own mind’s eye topside.
Since launching this blog I have enjoyed a very loyal, and steadily growing readership. Using the Verne analogy, I wanted to express my gratitude for the now 20,000 visits to the Blog, Adventures from Behind the Glass. Only in cyberspace can you have so many visitors to your home, and not have to worry about cleaning the carpets.
I appreciate the support of those that have been here from the start as well as the new followers that join the adventure after each post. I will strive to continually post new images, which I hope exhibit the wonderment described by the 20,000 Leagues narrator Professor Pierre Aronnax as he detailed the adventures of Captain Nemo and friends when he said: “A strange twilight world opened up before me, and I felt as the first man to set foot on another planet, an intruder in this mystic garden of the deep.” To describe the feeling I have when creating images, I couldn’t have said it better myself, not even 142 years later.
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.
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.
Deep in the Forest – Right Here at Home
Forest Path, Davie, FL 2012
This could be the Hoh Rainforest in Washington State, but it isn’t. Having traveled diagonally across the country to visit there in years past, who knew that we had old growth forest right here in Broward County, Florida? Specifically, Tree Tops Park in Davie http://bit.ly/HG9d6T.
Remaining close to home for a while, local parks have been my source for creative inspiration. So, when I happened on this spot, just miles from my home, I was amazed to see sections that contained lush, beautiful canopies. Albeit small patches, walking through them clearly gives you the feeling of the real thing… and you don’t have to leave a trail of bread crumbs to find your way out.
It’s Not the Camera, But Who is Behind it – Dusk on the Maine Coast
Days End, New England, 2004
As a follow-up to my last post, here is another example of a unique composition that works, this one was created just before sunset along the rocky Maine coast. On a rare occasion, as here, I will crop an image slightly to better balance it. Since this was some early work, and having honed my compositional skills since then, I don’t often need to crop any more.
This is also an example of how beautiful lighting, here at the end of the day, makes or breaks an image. I always monitor the times for sunset (if not the sunrise), there are actually many apps for that. When I am shooting, I always try to be somewhere interesting just prior to sunset and plan to stay thereafter, because that is clearly the photographic magic hour.
Finally, although having a good camera is important, it is more important whose hands the camera is in. This image was shot on my first digital camera, a Canon Rebel, which featured 6.3 mega pixels. At the time, this would have been the entry level, consumer camera which I used to determine whether I would make the switch to digital. I have many remarkable images from this camera. Although they can’t be printed as large as those from a 21 mega pixel Canon 5D Mark II, they are still beautiful and show that the shooter is more important than his or her equipment.
Another blog?
Niagara, Niagara Falls, NY 2006
Just what we need…another blog. The blogosphere has exploded over the last few years with blogs from everyone, about everything. Then, why another photography blog, and why now? Well, I have been thinking for a while that I can (a.) shoot and (b.) write, so therefore, I can (c.) blog.
Additionally, and more to the point, I really wanted to show my work to more people, to as many people as possible..to everyone on Earth (OK, to most people on Earth). Whether a curse or a blessing, I see images in my mind’s eye and follow my instincts to capture what I have envisioned in my head. Then, the next best thing to the journey to (and the process of) creating those images, is sharing them with others, hence this Blog..
SAs for the Blog’s theme, since much of my imagery results from an interesting, if not somewhat dangerous, quest for the perfect image, it is titled: Adventures from Behind the Glass (photography lingo for camera lenses). If you like ethereal sea and landscapes and/or intimate, close-up portraits of animals and jellyfish, this is your blog. No people portraits, no distress, no conflict. To the contrary, I take and exhibit images to counteract the prevalence of negative imagery we see on a daily basis. I shoot to display the natural beauty that still exists on Earth, and yes, if my images help in any way to preserve those places and/or creatures, I certainly wouldn’t mind doing my part. In the meantime, no politics here, no shock (maybe some awe), I seek to take the viewer away, to some distant, pristine location or to come eye to eye with one of the many beautiful animals we don’t usually see this close-up. So, enjoy the show. I hope this is the start of a great adventure, wherein I get to share my vision with as many people as possible.
To that end, the first image posted, Niagara, has become a signature landscape image of mine and has been included in a Gallery Exhibition. Although extremely powerful imagery, there was little risk involved, just some good old ingenuity to capture this unique angle. No, as I have been asked many times, this image was not created in Photoshop. It was shot from atop a building, two and a half miles away (I checked it on Mapquest). I used a long lens (Canon 100-400 L, for those that care) and a tripod to capture the power of the falls (in NY) and keep the people (in Canada) tack sharp.
Afterwards, I did go to the buffet in my hotel and risked getting trampled on, but no great adventure here, just a great shot, if I (and some of the biggest names in photography) do say so. BSG
Adventures from Behind the Glass 