Somewhere, somehow I have found the inspiration to pay more attention to the details around me, like mossy rocks in a stream, glistening hemlock needles, frosty icicles, and the harbingers of spring that are beginning to appear. Landscape photographs are crowd pleasers, and nearly every print I have sold falls into what I'd call the landscape category. Landscapes, however, don't show the whole scene but rather the scope. To really fill yourself in on all the details, I think you have to get down on your proverbial (sometimes literal) hands and knees to have a closer look.
So, this midwinter I have been taking the time to look down and to look close while I'm out on the trail. Many thanks to my hiking companions for their patience with me! These are just a few of the details that have caught my eye over the course of the past month. They are elements of nature that would not show up in the same way were they just another part of a landscape photo.
Landscapes are still my bread, butter, and my passion, but I've found that much of the enjoyment in making art is the possession of freedom to explore and imagine.
A Night on the Peninsula
Sometimes forecasted rain isn't such a big deal. We saw nothing but rain in the forecast, but found some absolutely gorgeous sunshine on both Tuesday afternoon and Wednesday morning. I was completely prepared to leave my camera in my pack to keep it out of the rain, but what I saw was dramatic clouds and beautiful sunbreaks.
That said, I recommend not watching old X-Files episodes the night before you go camping. My friend Katharine and I spent the night at the empty Mora Campground, and the sound of the rain pattering on our dining fly sounded like footsteps. Something sneaked amongst the bushes. Our imaginations were both running wild. We carried our hatchets with us to the bathroom. Of course, come daylight, we were just fine. We made coffee and chai on our campstove, packed up, and headed toward home with a stop at Marymere Falls.
Rialto Beach in Black and White
My friend Katharine and I (friends since we were six years old) had a camping trip to the Washington coast planned well before we knew what the weather was going to do. We knew the tides would be ideal midday on Tuesday, so that's when we opted to hike Rialto Beach. There were log crossings on the way out, and then Katharine crossed the log on the way back as I forded the stream. I decided to ford it mostly because I know my balance isn't great, I wasn't wearing pants suited for scooting across a log, and I didn't want to fall off the log into the creek with my camera equipment. It was just beautiful to walk alongside the power of the ocean.
I processed my images in black and white as the high contrast of the sunlight lent itself well to it. I love how the lack of color calls attention to the textures of the beach. I don't consider myself a skilled black and white photographer, but I find part of the fun in art is the freedom found in trying new things.
Lake Crescent
Originally Darin and I had planned on spending the weekend camping on the peninsula, but we knew it was going to be a rainy weekend, and I woke up Friday morning with a cold. Thus we decided to make it a day trip. Rain was in the forecast, but we were so happy to catch a sunbreak while hiking along Lake Crescent before the clouds moved in and it started to pour. As they lifted, the lake was left in moody, mysterious light.
Fun with some water abstracts
Eagle soaring above the lake
Afternoon after a snowfall
Winter on the Mountain Loop
We have determined that from our house in Lynnwood the Mountain Loop Highway is the fastest way for us to get to mountain snow. I've had the pleasure of making the trip up there several times this season with friends and with Darin, and these are some of the images from those trips.
Snow on the Stillaguamish
Through the bones of the trees
A misty portion of Big Four above contrasting trees
Big Four and the Stillaguamish River