The design elements in a photograph are crucial to creating a visually appealing and emotionally impactful image. A well-designed composition can draw the viewer in and convey the intended message with ease. There are several design elements that are important in creating a great composition in a photograph, including line, shape, form, space, texture, and color.
Read Moreliveyourpassion
Aperture, shutter speed and ISO-Oh My! /
Shutter speed, aperture, and ISO are the three key elements that photographers must consider when taking photographs.
Read MoreWitness to the footsteps of humanity. /
Witness, Bristlecone Pine ©Billy Sauerland
“Witness” ©Billy Sauerland, Bristlecone Pine, Schulman Grove in the Inyo National Forest, White Mountains, Southeast California.
Bristlecone pines grow in isolated groves just below the tree line, between 5,600 and 11,200 ft (1,700 and 3,400 m) elevation on dolomitic soils. The trees grow in soils that are shallow lithosols, usually derived from dolomite and sometimes limestone, and occasionally sandstone or quartzite soils. Dolomitic soils are alkaline, high in calcium and magnesium, and low in phosphorus. Those factors tend to exclude other plant species, allowing bristlecones to thrive. Because of cold temperatures, dry soils, high winds, and short growing seasons, the trees grow very slowly. Even the tree's needles, which grow in bunches of five, can remain on the tree for forty years, which gives the tree's terminal branches the unique appearance of a long bottle brush.
The slow growth, and ability to withstand the elements, have led these trees to be around long enough to bare-witness to the progression of humanity's existence in what is now known as the western United States. The experience of one tree goes from watching the footsteps of the first people, the rise of civilization, and the expansion of trade routes reaching as far south as the Andes of South America for thousands of years before colonization. Then through the systematic extermination and genocide of the indigenous people of North America at the hands of the European Colonizers. Then the exploitation and extraction of minerals from the soils, the damning and diversion of the rivers. The testing and development of nuclear weapons and the rise and the expansion of human cancer known as cities, particularly the city of Las Vegas and the city of Angels Lost. Where the residents of these cities use on average 400+ gallons per day, for comparison the average tree in the Schulman grove uses 100 gallons or less per year. To witness the evolution of not only the environment but that of humanity as well as the tail these trees have to share.
I can only hope that the story these trees will share after another 5000 years, is a story of redemption and kindness. Not only for kindness being shown to each other but towards the natural world as well. And that we have to the best of our ability restored all that we have molested and destroyed.
Connections /
Tall Grass Prairie. The connection between land and sky is dynamic, with a constant give and take. The morning air was cool the sunlight was warm. The breeze carried the smell of grass and bison. The stillness was quiet with the noise of being alive.
Read More365* Project...182.5 Re-Boot! /
2 IMAGES A DAY TO THE END
The 365project started strong in the beginning, I did have fears that it would not last and then ultimately it would fade and stop. That of course is exactly what happened, unfortunately I was unable to maintain the effort and I became distracted by other things going on in me life. The last month or so I’ve been thinking of a way to reintroduce and complete the project in a meaningful way. This came about through efforts I am making to restart my photo book as well. Evaluating what has lead me to this point, not having completed the projects I have started the last year. I began to refer to the last year, really the last two years as “year of the asterisks,” more on that later.
So that the numbers add up to what the original project would have contained, there must be an accounting of the missing images. So the idea of two images a day, beginning at the half way mark on day 182 or near the beginning of day 183. There are already 15 images posted for the project, one with an asterisks, there will be some forgiveness near the end of the year. As of right now I do not know what that forgiveness will be however for now I want to re-establish a regular regiment without too many variables to try to make it easier for the new routine to become established.
Exit Glacier, Kenai Fjords National Park, Seward, AK
As I am working on this blog post I am watching “National Parks Adventure” on Netflix. It is a McGullivery Freeman IMAX film, if you haven’t seen it I highly recommend it. Seeing images of National Parks featured in the program makes me want to take a big road trip so badly. One of my dreams has always been to travel the country and photograph all the parks. The tag line on my website, “Where I Go, What I See.” This is something that I have always held close, wanting to share what I see, what I bear witness to. From Exit Glacier in Kenai Fjords National Park to Bison in the Tallgrass Prairie Preserve north of Pawhuska, OK.
Bison, Tallgrass Prairie Preserve, Pawhuska, OK
This, in a lesser way, is what I want to try and achieve with the 365* project, to share “Where I Go, What I See” on a daily basis. The images may not be grand or awe inspiring but they will be true and honest, to share the truth of the day and place.
With that, I move forward with true and honest intent to be open to what may come everyday until the end of the year and after. To not be re-active but pro-active in my efforts and outlook.
13 days 12...11...10...9... to the Re-Boot! /
13 days until it starts, until I begin again to capture “Where I Go, What I See” everyday. Stay tuned for more information on what in the world that actually means.
Cottonwood, Little Sahara State Park, Waynoka, OK
Downtown over 6th. /
Shooting the image that you have long wanted to shoot. I spent sometime finding a location where a composition I was looking for was possible. Sometimes it takes time a lot of time. The image of Downtown over 6th street, is not perfect, but is very close to what I was looking for. The power lines that bisect the buildings of downtown was not in my original concept but I am not completely displeased with the resulting image. I had contemplated removing them from the image but then I thought it would be dishonest, I have also come to the thought that the power lines actually add to the image, giving it some weight of reality, of what truly is there.
Downtown over 6th street.
I haven’t been producing images, content as I thought I would be when the year began, example i began writing this post on 3/14 and just now posted it, but I posted it. I started a 365 project at the beginning of the year as do many photographers. Unfortunately I allowed myself to become distracted from it, and just shooting in general. Struggling with some close and personal issues since the end of last year, they caught up with me, and I was unable to push them to the side. However I do intend to resume the 365 project and complete it this year. With an * of course, but completed nonetheless.
365 1/52 Update /
As mentioned in a previous post I began a 365 Project, one photo each day, no real criteria other than take, edit and post one image every day. Thats it, simple and to the point.
Every Saturday, probably evening, I will be posting a weekly update for that week’s 365 images. The first week of 2019 was a short week therefore there are only five images in the first update. These images are not meant to be great works of art by any means, but rather the product of a creative exercise. I hope the images I create and post, will not only show my world in a creative and interesting way, but also help me improve my craft as a photographer. No matter how good you get, not that I am all that good, you can always improve.
#1 1/1/2019
Gathering Place, I found these mirrored slats in an area with some other interactive elements. It was a cold first day of the year, staying in the twenties with a good breeze. #dothework#goanddo #liveyourpassion #365#365project #gatheringplace #tulsaok#travelok #oklahoma
#2 1/2/2019
Christmas Tree lights on riverside. I had been busy and occupied at work and family stuff for most of the day. Before leaving my mom’s place I had started to think about what I might find to photograph and where I might be able to go. I had made my way over and headed down Riverside Dr. and remembered these Christmas trees at the 41st St. parking area. After working on different compositions I finally settled on the this motion blur of the light on one of the trees. Cold and wet, winter weather advisory tonight. #dothework #goanddo#liveyourpassion #365 #365project#gatheringplace #tulsaok #travelok#oklahoma
#3 1/3/2019
Sparks, I kept the thought of needing to find an image for today in the back of my head as I went through my day. After lunch I was working on a project in the shop at work when I saw something different. I was using a grinder on a project and there you have it, grinder sparks. Perfect! The best camera is the one on you, that is true. Stay open for an image, you never know when you are going to stumble upon one. #dothework #goanddo #liveyourpassion
#4 1/4/2019
Tulsa night lights, getting the shot, well kinda. I needed a wider angle lens but I think it works anyhow. I’ve been thinking of this for a while. Inspired by another local photographer. And yes it was cold, a bit breezy and my knees took a beating crouching down. #dothework #goanddo #liveyourpassion #365 #365project #nikon
#5 1/5/2019
The Phil Tower is one of my favorite buildings in downtown Tulsa, #365 #365project #tulsaok #oklahoma #travelok #architecture #artdeco #bluesky