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Canvas Prints for Christmas

Saint Peter and Paul Basilica silouhetted against sunrise cloudsIf you are looking for a special gift for that special someone on your Christmas list… that someone that is hard to buy for, why not consider a gallery wrap photo canvas print. A gallery wrap print makes a very unique gift. It’s not something you can just buy “off the shelf”. So it’s not likely that anyone else will have it. I have hundreds of images to choose from. Whether your special person has a love of nature and all the beautiful scenery that can be found, or has an affinity for our beautiful city, you’ll surely be able to find something that will make them happy.

apple tree silouhetted against rising sunAny photo on my site can be made into a gallery wrap, and for a limited time, I am making them available at a very special price:

8×10 – $39.00
12×18 – $49.00
16×24 – $79.00
20×30 – $99.00
24×36 – $150.00

Order by December to be sure to have your photo canvas in time for Christmas.

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The Early Springtime Itch

Water rushing over rocks in stream
It’s been a long, hard, cold winter. So cold in fact, that it tends to prevent one from going out to photograph the beauty of all the snow that we have put up with. But now winter is over (sort of), and spring is on the way… or at least the calendar says it is. And so Sunday’s warm temps made me want to go outside on a photo excursion, even though I was pretty sure there wouldn’t yet be much of what I like to photograph. So let’s call it a reconnaissance mission and leave it at that. I would go see how the natural world was progressing into spring, and just in case, I would bring my camera.

A pair of Ring-necked ducks

A mated pair of Ring-necked ducks

My first stop was more of a birdwatching exercise than photographic. There was an uncommon duck being seen on the Androscoggin River along the Riverwalk in Auburn, so that’s where I headed; in search of the female Long-tailed Duck. The Long-tail is common in Maine in the winter, but only on the coast, not on inland rivers. So I had hoped to get some closer photos of it than I usually have the chance to. Long story short I didn’t find it. However, I was lucky enough to find a pair of Ring-necked Ducks; perhaps more photogenic than the Long-tail. The Ring-neck is common on Maine lakes and ponds, but only during spring and fall migration, so it was nice to find this pair basically in my own back yard.
This is not meant to be a lesson in birding, but I thought it would be nice to let you know that when it comes to ducks, we do have more than the ubiquitous Mallard here in L/A.

My next stop was to one of my favorite local sites for photos; Bobbin Mill Brook on North River Road. I wanted to see how the snow was receding to open up the stream. The walk into the woods, along an obvious deer trail, was not very easy. The snow was still a foot or so deep, and soft, so my feet kept sinking in under the weight of my fully loaded gear bag. The stream was partially open and running in the middle. But most of the rocks that create the interesting cascades were still under a good cover of ice and snow. I had to search hard to find any interesting compositions. The deep snow also made it difficult to set a tripod, which is necessary to make interesting moving water images.  I shot what I could, but I didn’t go far; it just wasn’t worth it.
rock and pine cone on snowHowever, the snow in the woods was littered with pine cones that had fallen during the winter. These had some photographic potential. After a little searching, I found this cone next to a partially exposed rock. It was partly in the sun, which made the composition a little more interesting; although the exposure was tricky, trying to get the snow a clean white without blowing the highlights. This made for a good exercise to brush up on my photography skill.

 

After I left the stream, I headed up the road to some farm fields. I was looking more for birds here than for photo subjects. I thought there was a good possibility that there might be some migrating geese looking for left-over kernels  in the corn fields. I didn’t really expect to find anything photogenic. But that’s where I was wrong. Sometimes the most captivating images happen when I least expect them, and that often happens to me with the moon. Sometimes I go out seeking moon scenes, and sometimes they just happen. And that’s how it was with this last image. It was a matter of being at the right place at the right time. The moon was out early, and still fairly low in the sky. By itself it wouldn’t hold much photographic interest. But when I looked up at this one specific tree (looking for birds), the moon was hanging just off to the side of the branches. I had to work fast before it got much higher in the sky, changing to my 500mm lens to get the most magnification. After finding just the right position and taking a couple of test shots (God bless digital), I made this image.
So although I didn’t have the most rewarding photo outing, it felt good to get out  with my camera again, knowing I’ll be ready when Mother Nature is.

Moon rising above tree in blue afternoon sky

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A Clash of Seasons

A newly fallen Japanese Maple leaf rests on top of an early snowfall

A newly fallen Japanese Maple leaf rests on top of an early snowfall

Generally we can’t tell when one season ends and the next season starts. Certainly there is an overlap, but for the most part it’s not very obvious. But there are two instances during the year when two seasons collide head-on, and it becomes apparent to even the casual observer. These two times are in the early spring, and again in the late fall. Snow is the common denominator in these instances and it makes us very aware that there is no straight line in the change of seasons… and for the nature photographer it can be a boon.

Snow rests on top of the leaves of a still viable shrub

Snow rests on top of the leaves of a still viable shrub

When an early snowfall hits the landscape in late autumn we have a very visual indication of two seasons colliding; Colorful leaves of autumn still clinging to the trees and shrubs that gave them live, and the winter snow that is trying to take that life away, as it inevitably will. This juxtaposition of life and death in the natural world can lend itself to some compelling photos. If you’ve read my earlier blogs you know that colors and shapes catch my eye. And often the colors and shapes present contrasts with each other. And contrast is what these particular images are all about. Some of them are contrasts in colors, some in shapes. But they are all contrasts between one season and the next; between what was and what is to come; between life and death.

Early snow on maple leaves still clinging to the tree

Early snow on maple leaves still clinging to the tree

Contrast in an image creates a visual tension, and it is precisely this visual tension that makes an image interesting, or even compelling, to look at.

Usually when we have these instances of an early spring- or late autumn- snowfall the effect is very fleeting, because the day is usually warm enough to melt the snow away quickly. So we have to move quickly to capture images that define the phenomenon. Indeed, while I was taking these photos I had snow falling on my head as it was melting from the leaves above me. And I won’t get another chance to shoot such images again this year, as most of the leaves from the trees in these photos were gone the next day…. But there is always next spring, when a late winter/early spring snow will cover some early blooming flowers. I can’t wait.

Early snow on top of Purple Coneflower

Early snow on top of Purple Coneflower

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A Night on the Town

Car lights at the corner of Lisbon & Ash Streets at night

A night on the town; That term conjures up images of drinks and laughter with friends. And while my evening both started and finished that way, this story is about the hour or so in between that was spent in the company of a camera.

I tend to think of myself as a nature photographer. Indeed, that’s how I cut my photographic teeth. However, I sort of accidentally found that there was a good following images of the city in which I live. And beyond that, I also found that I personally enjoyed showing off what this city has to offer. And without a doubt, the best time to highlight a city’s beauty is at night; or more specifically, at dusk. Dusk is that time that lasts for about a half hour after the sun goes down. It’s starting to get dark, so the city’s various lights are coming on. And this is what makes dusk photos so intriguing. All the different color temperatures of lights lend different colors to the image. Long exposures create light trails from passing cars. And you can begin to see colors and reflections in windows that just weren’t there during the daylight.

Lewiston City Hall at dusk as seen from Kennedy Park

Lewiston City Hall at dusk as seen from Kennedy Park

The other reason to photograph the city at dusk rather than when it becomes totally dark is that the deep cobalt blue of the shy records beautifully, and creates exquisite backdrops for the buildings. The sky becomes a deeper blue as it gets later, naturally. Also, the blue will be deeper if you are shooting away from the direction of the sun, since the western sky has more lightening effect from the sun that has already dipped below the horizon.

In addition to the aesthetic aspect, a deep blue sky as opposed to a black one creates less of a contrast between the deep sky and the any lights in the image. This makes it much easier to get a correct exposure in the camera.

Another aspect of photographing in the city after sundown is an unintended side effect. It seems walking around the downtown at night with a camera and tripod makes people want to talk to you. I met several people in the shot time I was out; some on the street, some in the park. One couple saw me shooting on the sidewalk and engaged me in a discussion about a “new” film camera they had just bought. They asked for advice and help with their new equipment. Unfortunately, being a film camera, I wasn’t much help, but I encouraged them to persue the hobby, even if it meant buying an inexpensive digital model.

SS. Peter and Paul Basilica at dusk as seen from Kennedy Park

SS. Peter and Paul Basilica at dusk as seen from Kennedy Park

Several people stopped to ask what I was photographing, and when I pointed to the lit up city hall, or the lighted spires of the Basilica, they always agreed that it was a beautiful sight. I was asked if I was shooting for the newspaper more than once, and a young Solmali boy asked if I was the paparrazzi, taking pictures for Hollywood. The camera just seems to bring out friendliness in people.

When I’m shooting in the downtown, especially at night, I find it important to not just look for and shoot the obvious subjects. Of course the beautiful City Hall simply beckons to have its photo taken. Heck, I could probably do a whole book on the beauty of its architecture. But right across the street are the windows of the library. Looking up at them reveals some interesting reflections of the lighted City Hall. Window reflections always make interesting photos, and  the colors these windows were reflecting were simply a photo waiting to happen. If I hadn’t looked up I wouldn’t have seen them. Now the task was to find the best spot to get the best image. After crossing the intersection a couple of times, all the while keeping an eye out for traffic, it turned out the best spot was right where I was when I first saw the image. It’s important not to just take the first shot you see, but sometimes it’s the best one.

City Hall reflected in Library window

City Hall reflected in Library window

So, after about an hour or so, I eventually made my way back to Fuel Restaurant and Lyceum Gallery where my wife and friends were carrying on with our usual Friday night frivolities and lively discussions. I’m not sure if they even knew I was gone. It’s a fun and inspiring place, filled with art and artists; a place I’m happy to call my “Cheers”; and a place I am happy and honored to share my work. Stop in some Friday evening and have a drink and a laugh and some great conversation… we might even talk about photography.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

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Dawn Breaks Over Lewiston

dawn breaks over Lewiston, Maine, with City Hall, Saints Peter and Paul Basilica and Franco Center

Dawn breaks over Lewiston, Maine, with City Hall, Saints Peter and Paul Basilica and Franco Center

On Sunday morning I headed out early in hopes of catching a good sunrise. I beat the alarm, getting out of bed just before 4:00am. Dawn was to arrive at 4:30, with sunrise following at 5:00. Dawn can sometime be even better than actual sunrise. That was certainly the case this morning.

I headed off without knowing where I was actually going to go. My plan was to go somewhere in New Gloucester, simply because I wanted to hit the flower garden at Pineland Center after the sun came up. But as I headed south on the turnpike, I could already see a bit of color on the horizon in my rear-view mirror. So, since I didn’t really know where I wanted to be for sunrise in New Gloucester, I got off the pike in Auburn and headed back towards Lewiston along Washington Street. Still, I didn’t know where I would end up, but at least I could see the progression of the dawn.

dawn breaks over Lewiston, Maine, with City Hall, Saints Peter and Paul Basilica and Franco Center

I turned off Washington onto Hackett Road, and then onto Broad Street, heading towards New Auburn. This would take me along the Little Androscoggin River. I was hoping I could find a spot at the river’s edge where I could capture the sky and it’s reflection in the water. Unfortunately this was not to be. So now I knew where I had to go; the top of the hill on Broad Street, overlooking New Auburn. I had taken photos here before, so I knew the view was a good one, and as I got to my destination I could see that the view I wanted lined up perfectly with the dawn sky that was beginning to take on some good color. Now the stage was set.

I parked the truck and got my equipment out and set up. Then I left the camera on the tripod and walked around a bit to find the best angle. Fortunately, there wasn’t any traffic here at 4:45, because for the most part I was standing in the middle of the street. But not a single car came by the entire time I was there. As the minutes passed the sky just kept getting better. As usual, I worked many different compositions of the same scene, because you never know which one will work best, or which one serves a different purpose.

As it got closer to the scheduled 5:00 sunrise I couldn’t help but think the scene before me would be even more spectacular once the sun hit the horizon… I could hardly wait. So I kept trying different angles; even moving to get an image of St. Patrick’s church against the paisely sky. But as 5:00 arrived, the color in the sky simply faded away. It got so cloudy that the sun never even made an appearance. Once the dawn color disappeared the show was over. But what a show! So I packed up my gear and drove around looking for another interesting subject, in the hope that the sun would make a dramatic break through the clouds. But alas it was not to be. The sun never made an appearance until around 7:30. But that’s alright; I got what I was after.

By the way, I never did get down to the Pineland flower gardens.

These images are available for the following special prices:
8 x 12  for  $35.00
12 x 18 for $40.00
16 x 20 for $75.00

 

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