U.S.S. Arizona

These are detail shots I took while we visited Pearl Harbor and the U.S.S. Arizona monument. I do find the monument quite beautiful and tranquil. If only it could be appreciated alone and without the obnoxious distraction of tourists. (I am aware I qualify as being part of the tourist demographic here, don't focus on that pesky little detail)

St Mary Abbots

Interior picture of the St Mary Abbots Anglican church on High Street Kensington in London. Neo-Gothic Early English style construction if you were wondering. (Don't worry, I had to look that fact up) This church also has the tallest spire in London. Tallest spire in England is the Salisbury Cathedral. Pictures from there to come shortly.

Geology in Abstract

My previous visit to Death Valley occurred over Presidents Day weekend. Since the sun went down long before we were tired we decided to go and listen to the Rangers Talks at the visitors center. I had never done that before and never really had interest but I was pleasantly surprised. My favorite by far was a discussion about the geology of the park and the forces in nature that helped form it. My eyes were opened and I was given new eyes to see. I wanted to know the story behind everything I saw. For one of our day trips we decided to drive Titus Canyon. There was one spot in particular that I found particularly fascinating. Sadly I did not pull out the camera. This time we made the trip through Titus again and this time I decided to study it more photographically. I am undecided on the results but I thought I would share anyways. On first glance you may see nothing but an abstract interplay of black and what values but imagine all the stories that could be told if you really listened to this wall talk.

In the Shadow

Zabriskie Point in Death Valley National Park is one of those Mecca type places for landscape photographers. For me thats a problem. You show up with a camera at sunrise and it feels like you should grab a number and step into a queue. Nothing worse to me than a whole crowd sitting there taking the same picture. I still like going there don't get me wrong. It really is remarkably beautiful. What I usually end up doing though is looking everywhere but where everyone else is pointing their cameras. I find this to be a good exercise anyways. I don't like the superficial landscape photo. I call them trophy shots. They say as little to me as cliché pictures of barns and kittens. I like to explore and spend time to find out what else makes a place wonderful, interesting, exotic, mysterious, etc. besides just the surface appearance. I love the texture and forms that can be found at Zabriskie. That is what I find beautiful there. So in case you are wondering this picture was taken at Zabriskie point, not of Zabriskie point. My camera is pointed about 180 degrees away from most of the other cameras and down as well.

Last Light

Topsy Turvy

Looking Up

Bottom Falls Out

Dust to Dust

Only a Matter of Time

Lost in Erosion

Calf Creek Abstract

Just Another Break in the Wall

Capitol Reef Abstract

Simply Desert

Black vs White

I took these a few years ago just outside of Capitol Reef National Park. I meant to use them in my Zone System class to discuss the differences between 'accurate' and 'interpretive' exposure. If we really understand exposure (this is different then letting our digital cameras do all the thinking for us) we can be more free to be creative in how we interpret our subjects. These two pictures were created by using different exposures, development times and printing modifications (dodging and burning). I find all of these tools to be integral parts of the expressive photographic processes. Bragging about an image being straight out of the camera without manipulation has always been amusing to me...the process of taking a picture itself is a manipulation. Is it just admitting that you had nothing more to say?

Van Gogh Wood

Sunset Point

Wall of Tears

Weeping Rock Detail