Photographic Expressions

Time for another Love list! 

A few weeks ago my friends Jen and Cody called up asking me to join them at the local state park to take a break for the day, and of course an impromptu photo lesson. Unvelcroing myself from my computer chair, I embraced the change of scenery. Though High Falls State Park is full of natural and manmade waterfalls, I focused my attention on the small details, oft overlooked. 

Thank you J&C for a mid day break, I enjoyed seeing you again and I’m excited about the new changes in your lives. 

~C

Sometimes prints were just meant to be….well, BIG! As an admirer of Ansel Adams for so many years I loved the large format cameras that landscape photographers use. Underneath the cover and looking at the glass the details would pop like you wouldn’t believe. The negatives were big, the camera was huge and the weight of the whole darn thing, well it’s heavy enough to make you second guess trekking across a mountain with it. (but that didn’t stop Ansel)

Years ago I attended a Nature Photography Convention, NANPA, and met some of my idols in the industry but stopped in my tracks when I spotted the master of large prints, Clyde Butcher. Claimed the ‘Ansel Adams of the swamps’ Butcher treks out in the thick of the swamps with his large format cameras (read: heavy) and captures the most beautiful and breathtaking images. What instantly impressed me was the size of his prints. We are talking 4×7 FEET and definitely bigger! Now that is how photographs should be printed  : )  

So I have always longed for the large images that command your attention when walking in a room. I have been putting off ordering large prints and canvases for some time so in preparation for a gallery showing I ordered three images to be enlarged, printed on canvas, and then stretched over the wooden frame. I love canvas in that it’s solely the image, no frames to match the household furniture, just the image printed on canvas that is smooth as ‘butta.’ I squealed with excitement, I think I scared the FedEx gal, when I got my box and promptly tore into into it. With a bit more care I slowly unwrapped each package and held my breath as I took it all in. You can not stand directly in front of a large, canvas print; there is too much beauty to take in at one. So I placed them all around the room and sat on the couch with my dogs and danced with giddy joy over the fantastic outcome. 

I highly recommend ordering canvas prints, the quality is amazing but I suggest if you are going to do it, go large. The impact is too jaw dropping to pass up. Plus it’s smooth as ‘butta.’

~C

My ever fun roomie Jessica, who sported the hair full of pink streaks, started ‘the love list’ while we all attended the McWorkshop. I don’t remember when it started but I specifically remember the random comment she made one day on one of our many drives past the lake and past the infamous southern-talking guy at McDonalds. “I love trees.”  Well the whole week long she kept adding to it; windows, trees, chocolate, and so many others that I have forgotten. 

So in keeping the tradition that she started last week, I have to start my own love list. First off, I must start with Corey and Amber, the ever fabulous instructors of the McWorkshop. I just love them as they are the most fun people to be around, shoot with, and their openness to hit them up for advice : )

Secondly, I have to add infrared imaging. I can’t quite recall when I stumbled upon it, perhaps it was while in college and I was still actively using my film Bronica. The tediousness of using infrared film instantly told me that it wasn’t something that I was going to be able to master, so in that sense it has always held a bit of mystique. 

So in honor of my new old love, infrared, I have to share with you this fantastic shot of me and my third love (mountainous landscape) that the master himself, Corey McNabb, captured on our adventure on the mountain. Please take a moment and check out his blog and enjoy the beautiful pictures that he was able to capture with his converted digital camera. 

Plus the signature Amberpose that Amber Holritz herself captured that afternoon. 

~C