I’ve just added a “Share” page to my blog (found at the top of every page) containing several themed slideshows of my photos. I invite you or others to embed these photo slideshows on other sites whether your own, forums, social media communities or other types of sites. Enjoy!
DISQUS is the new commenting system I’ve implemented on my blog. This enables the consolidation of conversation happening on my blog and other communities. If you’ve visited my blog in the past few weeks I’m curious to your experience using it. Please take part in the following poll to help me decide if I should continue to use it. Thanks.
Posted by Jim on 09.29.2009 at 11:00 am// Tagged: Photography , Poll
This week PBS is airing the Ken Burns: National Parks – America’s Best Idea
series and two days in I can’t say enough about it. The history and archival footage (inclusive of early photography) intermixed with modern video footage is spellbinding. The quality of this documentary is as good as it gets.
I have been visiting National Parks and inspired by them all my life. It is the beauty of the land & animals that inspired and attracted me to photography. Each story with in this documentary covering the philosophy of park evangelists, naturalists and protectors fuels my passion for these amazing places all the more. The magnificence of Ken Burns work is that it captures the timeless appreciation of our natural world by the great men and women who raised awareness and created the laws forming our National Parks… and aligns it to the philosophies & believes held by viewers like myself. This timeless philosophy of appreciation and protection of our natural world is both an inspiration to further document it and protect it.
National parks… It’s not the story of the place, but the people who devoted themselves to preserving them.
I cannot help but beam with pride as I watch these programs, seeing National Parks I’ve visited and photographed, feeling a deep connection with those that made each park possible. This sense of pride… valuing the struggle of those before me to protect these great lands is what lies beneath the surface of each of my photographs. As most photographers can relate seeing a viewer gasp in awe or become transfixed on a photo is the feedback telling us our moment of inspiration has been transferred to another who could not see it first hand. Ken Burns work elicits this very reaction in me with his documentary story telling and no doubt will impact my future work and the appreciation of those that view it.
The text of the Organic Act of 1872 could not have said it more eloquently, as quoted on Roosevelt Arch, commemorating the creation of our first National Park – Yellowstone National Park:
For The Benefit and Enjoyment of the People
Let us hope that our National Parks continue to to be a source of benefit and enjoyment for the years to come. I cannot wait to see the remaining episodes of National Parks: America’s Best Idea later this week.
One of my favorite photographic subjects is Mobius Arch in the Alabama Hills. Until now my favorite photo of this landscape icon, Mount Whitney Pre-Dawn Arch View, was taken early in the morning before first light. Listen hear on how it was taken – EXIF and Beyond: Mobius Arch. During my latest trip to this area I decided to explore photographic opportunities of Mobius Arch at a more extreme hour of the day… rather night.
Taken in a single exposure I was able to capture Mobius Arch with an arm of the Milky Way arcing above it. I was lucky to capture multiple perspectives of this scene and will be adding them to my gallery in the coming day. Stay tuned…
As part of this discussion I’m looking to compile data on how photographers are currently using and receiving benefit from social media web sites such as Twitter, Facebook and others. To accomplish this I’ve put together the following survey:
I invite you to take part in this survey and to spread word of it to other photo communities and photography trade organizations. Data compiled from this survey will be shared upon its completion to all who are interested.
Thanks for your interest, participation and word of mouth efforts.
The 29th episode of EXIF and Beyond has been released (duration 40 min.)
This episode of EXIF and Beyond features an interview with Canada based photographer and author Darwin Wiggett. One of the best kept secrets in landscape and nature photography, Darwin discusses his thoughts on creative nature & landscape photography, his photographic philosophies, what almost caused him to give up photography and tips for amateurs & pros alike. This is a must listen for photographers of all levels.
If you’re interested in trying out Borrowlenses.com, the sponsor of this podcast episode, they’ve extended a special introductory offer to my blog & podcast readers. When placing your order enter the discount code “JJJ5” sans quotation marks to obtain a 5% discount on your first rental.
Listen To The Podcast
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Death Valley National Park is both extremely hostile yet beautiful. Late last week and through much of the weekend I made my way to Death Valley in an effort to scout out some new locations for a workshop I’m holding there next month (details below) and to take advantage of the new moon for some night photography.
Death Valley Sand Dunes at Sunset
Temperatures peaked at 114 degrees during my time in Death Valley. The heat during late morning to mid-afternoon poses quite a physical challenge and is also photographically difficult due to the intensity of the light. In contrast early morning and late evening light in Death Valley can make the varied desert landscape a photographers paradise. Such was the case with sunset light painting the vast Mesquite Dunes landscape near Stovepipe Wells (see photo above). Pastel colors emerge and contrasty shadows can create attractive patterns as the sun rises or sets. I can’t wait to return and share some of my favorite spots with those who join me in October.
The dynamic moving nature of the world around us is something that I’ve always been fascinated to study, view and photograph. I’ve been putting together a collection of limited edition fine art photography in relation to this theme for sometime. It’s a constant work in progress, but I’ll be putting out a few images from my efforts in this area in the coming week. The first to be released is this (3) three photo triptych of crashing surf titled “Rocky Surf #3” (a larger file to view). All that are part of mmy Rocky Surf series will be limited to a print run of 40.
Rocky Surf #3
Enjoy and catch you back here in a few days. I’m off to photograph Eastern California and Death Valley for the next few days.
