Interesting to read about your method of photography, and your experience of Niagara Falls as a non-tourist…

You get such intriguing viewpoints and angles in your photos.

Regards

Merry Christmas (just waiting for the kids to wake up and get moving and really enjoyed this relaxing read).

I have been to the falls a couple of times and remember at my first visit being appalled at the “carnival” nature of the place (I was only 17, but I clearly remember the acrid residue that lingered with me for some time afterward).

Great shots (as always)! I like each for various reasons, but I think the middle one is my favorite, reminding me most of the sumi-e landscapes I have in my mind’s eye. Your explanation of your approach to the day of photographing was refreshing. I approach some of my favorite fishing spots in the same way.

I often think of it as a reverence for the subject/location that, at least for me, causes me to pause and think before taking the first cast. It comes from time spent knowing the place. Hmmm… I think you have given me a great idea for my next post–thank you for a wonderful morning of contemplation.

I visited your blog – you’re killing me with those great photos of sunny Disney – the temp is 16F here right now!

MDW

If you have time, check out http://artblart.wordpress.com/2009/12/15/exhibition-ray-k-metzker-automagic-at-the-laurence-miller-gallery-new-york/ … different subject matter, but reminds me of your work… be interested to know what you think of it.

Regards

I asked Santa for some Sumi-e supplies and books. I’ve never been very good with drawing and painting so I’m not expecting masterpieces, but I think the attempt will teach me principles that I can use in my photography.

MDW

I think critiques are very helpful if participants feel safe enough with one another to be honest. Sometimes we’re just too close to our work and need that other eye to improve our vision.

So many of Escher’s drawings and tessellations inspire us to look at negative space in a new way. As in life, what we consider positive or negative is indeed just a matter of where we choose to put our focus.

Back when I was an art student, I recall a number of us being in awe of the awareness and care given to each brush stroke in a Sumi-e painting, and how that contrasted with our thoughtless method of covering one stroke of acrylic paint with several others until somewhat satisfied with the result.

Your post reminded me of these lines from Anne Morrow Lindbergh’s Gift from the Sea:

“One cannot collect all the beautiful shells on the beach. One can collect only a few, and they are more beautiful if they are few. Gradually, one discards and keeps just the perfect specimen. One sets it apart by itself, ringed around by space… like the island.

For it is only framed in space that beauty blooms. Only in space are events and objects and people unique and significant – and therefore beautiful. Even small and casual things take on significance if they are washed in space, like a few autumn grasses in one corner of an Oriental painting, the rest of the page bare.”