12 May
Springtime Oaks
Posted in California, Landscape, Locations, Nature, Photography, Stock Photo by JimSunrise or sunset? I suppose that will depend if the glass is half full or half empty for you on this Monday. Either way I hope that everyones Monday starts off well.
Photographed below are California Oak trees in a grassy meadow. If you’ve been to California you’ll know that much of the landscape inland from the coast resembles this scene. Several years ago I would often travel from Santa Barbara, in the central coast region of California, to north of San Francisco in Marin county. Much of the view along the way was this very type of landscape. Driving by this landscape it’s easy to take for granted the forms and textures present in this environment. Only recently have I started to explore this common view by foot and each time I’ve learned something new and/or gained a new perspective. It’s amazing how a sense of discovery can be found in your own backyard, so to speak, versus half way around the world.

Technorati Tags: California, photography, landscape, nature, stock photo, oak, tree






alfie mallari
on May 12 2008
“It’s amazing how a sense of discovery can be found in your own backyard” — i strongly agree with you on this one. oftentimes, we look hard but failed to see those wonderful things just about a step away from us.
p.s. thanks for putting this blog up buddy. cheers!
respect
alfie.mallari
bluntsight
Dan Mitchell
on May 12 2008
Jim:
Thanks for that post. Over the years I’ve found that a “sense of discover” can often BEST be found in your own backyard. For me, it is by returning to a well-known place over and over in all seasons and at all times of day that I finally begin to discover what defines the place.
In terms of photography, while I often am able to create something that is very attention-getting when I shoot something completely new, the stuff that seems to have more lasting value often comes later.
Dan
Richard Wong
on May 12 2008
nice view Jim. yeah I agree, this is a hard place to do justice. The East Bay has a lot of this type of landscape from the couple hikes I have done there.
Jim
on May 12 2008
@Alfie Funny how the things we take for granted most can take the most effort to notice.
@Dan Thanks for the comment. I agree repeat visits always help me take in the essence of a location helping me hone in on the characteristics that define the area.
@Richard I’m not so sure its that difficult as much as its often overlooked by the locals. Sometimes its easier to see unique landscapes when you’re visiting the area. Perhaps that explains the grass is greener mentality of photographers. Seldom do we see whats under our own noses.
Ken
on May 13 2008
After seeing your post at Kelby’s blog I thought you might enjou my yarn about “rays ringflash”
http://kblawson.wordpress.com/
affectionately OnSite
Ken
Landscape Shooter
on May 14 2008
That is an interesting photo with the star effect on the sun and the slight wide angle .Very nice.
I have started a small photo blog that you might like to comment on.
View my photography blog :
Framed Feelings
Springtime Oaks II | JMG-Galleries - Jim M. Goldstein Photography: travel, landscape, and nature pictures - stock photos and fine art prints
on June 11 2008
[...] perspective in my Springtime Oak series. This is a little different than my last “Springtime Oak” in that I wanted the tree to be the sole subject. California Oak trees take on such complex [...]