This is a Test Blog

Fall is in the air, Well, at least it was a few days ago. Eastern TN was awash in cool temperatures and crisp, clean air. Very unusual for late July. It was a week of such nice weather you look for things to do just to remain outside, even if it means trimming the lawn. During this time I took a few short trips and one such trip lead me to a very nice find. I’m enamored by old things... Old barns, old lighthouses, and old trucks. The latter is difficult to find without being surrounded by junk. Composition is key to any great photograph and capturing an old rusting truck sitting in a junkyard just doesn’t have the same fine art appeal as one sitting next to a barn or tree. Character... That’s what gives a photograph that extra oomph it needs before one wants to hang it in their home or office.


Character comes in all shapes and sizes.

This image was taken just recently, however I discovered it several weeks ago while I was driving into the Smoky Mountains to research sunset images. I was driving along when I caught a glimpse of the old truck from the corner of my eye. I made note of its location and knew I would return once a nice overcast day presented itself to me. When I went to photograph the truck I had pre-written a note to the owner giving my phone number in case they wouldn't be at home. I was willing to come back another day as I won't knowingly tress pass on a persons private property as a home is their sanctuary from the world and I respect that barrier. Even if the object to be photographed is on the side of the road I try to ask permission. If nothing else it puts a good light on the next camera holding stranger.


Dogwoods in Spring... Is pink your color?

Now that Fall has taken a reprieve I’ve been doing administrative tasks and getting caught up on old photos from other short trips over the past six months. I’ve noticed that I need to be in the mood to review my images, if not I just skim through them quickly hitting the delete button more often than not. Maybe I should review images when ‘not in the mood’ so I can get rid of only the best images? Interesting thought.


A complimentary background makes all the difference.

When Fall season is over I’m going to explore the world of the small in more detail, pun intended. There’s something about seeing a very tiny object as a 24X36” print. Guess it’s like my panoramic images, you start to see the grander and vastness of what I was experiencing... But in this case you actually see detail that you would normally glance over. One evening many months ago I got the bug to photograph something small. It was 11 p.m. and my options were limited, but I had picked up a flower arrangement to give as a door prize at an event and had noticed the perfection of one of its flowers. So I carefully removed the flower from the arrangement and began shooting it with a colored piece of poster board for its background. I tried all sorts of compositions, many of which where of the back of the flower with a shallow depth of field. This angle looked pleasing, however the image below caught my eye for it’s simplicity...


Simple, Small and Perfect.

I only had the ambient light from the ceiling and a tripod to assist me. There are a myriad of special effects I could blend this image with in Photoshop, however I like the flower's plain, unaltered look. Actually I think it's the perfection I like. I'm not referring to my photographic ability (far from it), but of the perfection of the pedals. I had examined over a dozen flowers to see which I wanted to photograph, yet this one spoke to me for its amazing simplicity and perfection.

A few posts ago I'd asked for help in deciding a new logo for the website. I’ve always known the old logo was a little too "in-your-face", but given the current website limitations, I wanted a wide, yet thin looking logo as a header. The help everyone gave was much appreciated and the entries during the last two days made making a decision difficult. I really think that sometimes too many choices are worse than no choice at all however, if you ever need help designing a logo for your company or group check out logotournament.com. The designers are creative and give you many things to think about.



I like the look and feel of this logo, however after placing it on test pages I found it to be another in-you-face design given the website constraints, so I revisited an old image file I had been working with during my Fall 08 trip. It’s the little things that make a BIG difference. I’ve always said this about my photography, but it translates to most any subject or idea really. I started tinkering with my this file and after a few modifications, particularly fading out the bottom of the pictures to make the lettering more distinct, I was quite pleased. The new logo portrays the entire meaning of the website without having to tell you (at least I hope it does). With the old design I had the my camera lens looking at you. I figured a camera in the design would be a big hint as to its meaning. The design at logotournament was trying to convey the same thing (lens aperture replaces the “O” instead of a camera lens), however I thought the design still needed help and I added the “Fine Art Photography” tag line to emphasize its meaning. Funny thing is I placed a lot of effort into the logotrounament design and I still didn't like how it integrated into the website, yet the new logo was a concept that took only an hour of piddling to come up with and it meshes well. Go figure.



In less than two weeks I’ll begin my next trip out west... Fall 09 as I'm calling it (simple minds you know). As with most of my trips preparation is key, knowing basic targets and area to photograph helps get my creative juices flowing, but as I’ve said many times before I need to leave myself flexibility in my schedule so as to not miss a great photo opportunity. I’ve already changed my plans several times and I haven’t even left yet. Even though I will be in the Canadian Rockies there’s a neat event happening in my neck of the woods if you get a chance to visit. The Maryville Art Walk in association with the Maryville Arts Coalition is hosting a great end of summer event the whole family can enjoy. Music, street painting and food along with various visual arts will be the order of the day. Downtown Maryville is a great place to spend a Friday afternoon. For more information contact the Maryville Arts Coalition or Fine Arts Blount by clicking on the links or buttons located to the right.

I'll be heading out around August 5th, so if you see that I'm in your neck of the woods just give me a shout. I'm always looking for new, unique or just plain fun things to photograph.