Newsletter #183: August, 2020
© Chris Harris. All rights reserved.
Freedom of Expression
To have freedom of expression in any artistic medium is a blessing. When I pick up my camera and head out into the world, I recognize that freedom, and I feel artistically liberated.
I haven’t always felt this way, but recently, I have discovered a multitude of new ways to use the tools of my chosen craft. There are no longer any restrictions or limitations on how I should, or should not, use my camera and selected lenses. This new freedom of artistic expression is thought-provoking, motivating, and inspirationally challenging.
In this Newsletter, I’d like to share some thoughts and imagery to help explain why photography has become an ever-increasing pleasure in my life.
Celebrating the 16th year of writing this photographic Newsletter.
Expressing the Familiar
Image of our property and home
Rita and I have lived here over 15 years, yet I have rarely photographed our property. I have allowed familiarity to dull my quest for visual adventure. The photographically unexplored wilderness of the Cariboo and Chilcotin has always had a greater pull.
This year, however, is different. A greater understanding of photography as an expressive art form, along with COVID-19 travel restrictions, has encouraged and enabled me to see beyond the familiar. Rita’s wild flower garden with an aspen forest on one side and a fir forest on the other, took on a new meaning.
The small aspen forest and tiny fir forest that never appealed to me
With camera swinging, I went on the offensive.
I made this portrayal of Rita’s wild garden by using the ‘dots & dashes’ approach of impressionist painters
Tree tops and the miraculous beauty of the universe above
The sheer natural beauty of colour as displayed by the wildness of Rita’s garden
As I stood looking at this aspen tree trunk, I realized that the tree could see two viewscapes that I could not see; the unseen that lies directly behind the tree, and the unseen behind myself. In order to share with you the colourful range of hues and tones which this aspen tree is privileged to observe, I show them to you reflecting back in the tree trunk itself. It’s as if the tree wanted to show me everything it could see and that I couldn’t.
I then moved into the fir forest and looked out in every direction. The colours and tones which these trees observe around them are shown to you as a backdrop to the forest.
Depending on the perspective from which these trees look out into the world, the colours and tones change. For both the trees and myself, the possibilities for observation and expression are infinite.
For years I have studied the paintings of the Group of Seven, and of particular note to me, were how Tom Thomson and Emily Carr rendered trees and skies; the intricacy of form and boldness of colour. This past month, in my continual search to find a new visual language to express these elements, I came closer to an expression that resonated with me.
Reaching for the Sky. In this case I eliminated the vivid colours of the sky in order to strengthen the power of the forest.
With this small sampling of imagery, I hope to convey a sense of how exciting photography has become, even when expressing the most familiar, outside my front door!
Expression of Twilight
A few evenings ago, I was headed to my office when I glimpsed my camera sitting on the table by the door. I picked it up and went for a short walk around the property, and then out to the road where there is a small lake.
I had no tripod and little light, but I did have the freedom to express. That night I discovered a world of possibilities, and I made expressions unlike any others I had ever made before.
Emotions swirl when you travel through a forest at night
Looking upwards through the forest canopy, I found an entrance to the heavens
Expression of a severe lightning storm
Upon leaving the forest, and seeing a more open landscape, I experienced a sort of ‘freeing up’.
Within that hour of visual enjoyment, I discovered a world I had never seen before.
COVID-friendly ‘Freedom of Expression’ Workshop
This spring I facilitated four of these 2-day workshops with a maximum of 6 participants. This allowed ample room for distancing, and from both a teaching and learning perspective, the workshops were overwhelmingly successful.
“Your 2-day workshop presentation was well beyond my expectations. Going in, I had no idea just what a profound effect your workshop would have on my outlook on photography. You threw the door wide open and gave us an understanding of the endless possibilities that lie within our grasp…….the way you critiqued our images was an encouraging and informative experience. Attending your workshop was a privilege”.
– S.J. – Bridge Lake Photo Group- 2020
There is one fall workshop on September 5-6; and 2 spots have now become available. Workshop details can be seen on my website.
If you enjoy art, and the possibility of interpreting familiar realities as never-before-seen expressions, using ‘in-camera-techniques’, we invite you to join us.
Please contact us immediately by phone or email.
My Website Portfolios: Categories of Expression
I was recently reviewing my website and realized that my Portfolio Page was static and out of touch. I have completely revamped it so that it better reflects the work that I have both done, and am presently doing.
Rather than static portfolios of ‘best’ work, I now prefer dynamic pages which are ‘works in progress’. New images I am excited about may appear monthly, while other are removed. You will share my dynamic creative process of evaluating and re-evaluating my imagery, month by month. In this way, my most meaningful images will stand the test of time naturally and transparently.
I have also re-categorized my portfolios to depict the photographic styles I am presently using; Representational, Expressionist, and Abstract. The category descriptions are on each portfolio page.
Representational
Expressionist
Abstract
I am already finding this new approach stimulating and exciting; I hope you do as well. I invite you to journey through these portfolios as you might an art gallery. Visit frequently; I’ll be re-hanging these exhibits regularly. Enjoy!
Tour my new Portfolios
Check out my Portfolio’s (recently revised)
Check out 2-Day Photo Workshops (space available)
Check out 7-Day Residency Photo Workshops (2021)
Subscribe to this Newsletter
See you next month!
Thank you Chris. Love your images, especially of Rita’s garden.
Thank you kindly. The garden excites me.
~You never fail to inspire Me……hope I can reveal my ‘Arbutus trees in a ‘like fashonnnn !
-Cheer’s Og’s
Good luck with the Arbutus trees Oggie. Try climbing to the top of each one!! A fresh perspective!
Good idea….- and being a ‘grip (Monkey with thumbs) … I’ll find my way Uppppp !!
Excellant newsletter Chris. I really think you have expressed yourself and your artistic vision even more in this newsletter! I really enjoyed the images, in particular the Group of Seven colour image, and the twilight images…very powerful compositions. Thanks for a great read.
Your sincerity about each newsletter is appreciated. Good luck with your new career as a pro photographer!! Chris
Pushes my 86 y.o. brain into overdrive! Thank you, I am your Cariboo & Chilcotin adorer!
Thanks…great to have a local 86 y.o. local ‘adorer’!!
wow….those forest shots are something! you’re clearly “out” of your mind!! dave
I LOVE your complement “out of my mind”!!! I am and loving it!! I hope to see you on the 14th when we pass through Wells. I am celebrating my 80th by going around the Lakes once again!! See you soon. Chris
Chris,
I love your new direction into abstract & impressionist photography. Your evocative images inspire and delight me.
Julian
Harrisburg, Oregon (currently)
Hi Julian. Delighted to hear you are appreciating my journey into Expressionism and Abstraction. I find it inspiring as well! Cheers for now.
Chris, I’m impressed how you manage to create artistic images out of photographs. If these same images were actual paintings they would be heralded as expressionist art and probably have more monetary value. Do you agree? I remember living on Block Drive in a beautiful log home overlooking Walker Valley. Occasionally I would walk down to the valley floor and photograph the birch and poplar trees.
I just pulled out my old photo album and with my iPhone, snapped a few of the photos, which i would like to email to you. Is this your email address? photography@chrisharris.com.
They are not of high quality but they give you an impression of the beauty of Walker Valley, summer & winter. I’m sure you have photographed the area many times yourself?
I hope to visit in early September, so hope to give you a call?
Kind regards,
Terry Young
Thank you Terry. This newsletter response got lost in spam, but I will get in touch with you regarding your visit back to the Cariboo. I photograph with painting very much in mind. I have family members who are painters so I try to photograph with paint brushes!! I agree, they would probably have greater monetary value if they were paintings. I’ll try and change that!! See you soon.
Fabulous, Chris. Can you explain how you did this technically?
Hi Brian. Amazing how images from our garden enters your world in Ireland! I’ll write you personally! Best wishes.
For me, most of my photography is done in my own back yard … and partly due to you “Freedom of Expression” makes me feel so good! Thank you for all the wonderfully inspiring workshops you have given and I hope to do many more. Take care my friend.
Hi Larry. Every month gets more exciting!! I missed not laughing with you at a workshop this year…hopefully next year. Take care Larry.
Hi Chris, lovely work, especially the Group of Seven. Cheers!
Thanks Sue. It was great to see you here at the Gallery! Take care….Chris
Always look forward to receiving that email linking to the newsletter. You thoughts and images continue to inspire. Thank you.
Awesome compositions from your home surroundings. Feels like you are seeing them through the 3rd eye with a soft vision. Thanks for sharing your expressive art with your camera.
Thanks for sharing your thoughts from the north Adbhuta.
Love the twilight and night images!
Your house and property with all the flowers reminds me of Freeman Patterson’s house on the hill, with all the flowers going up the lane.
That’s a complement; Freeman has a beautiful garden. Thanks!
Thanks Bill. Hope to visit your Studio soon. We are going to paddle the Lakes again on the 15th. Hope to see you maybe on the 14th. Cheers.
As you know, your photos take my breath away. This series really touched me-i have never seen photography like it. Take care my friend-from far away Coquitlam. Cheers Helen
Chris: Your creativity knows no bounds. Each time I view your images my body responds with a great big “YES”. I can’t wait until the borders open so I can take more of your workshops. Joan
Hi Joan. Thanks for you comment as always. I too can’t wait to share another workshop with you as well. Wishing you the best in health. Chris
Hello Chris, I have been enjoying your work for decades now and can’t believe it’s been that long!! I have so many happy memories of canoeing the Bowron Lakes with you back in the early 1980s. That trip was a stepping stone to so many more wilderness adventures. As for photography, I love taking pictures of trees, specifically different parts of trees, close up. Thanks for this wonderful display of art and photography.
Hello Barb. How wonderful to hear that you still receive my Newsletter after so many years. Yes, I remember that canoe adventure; those were great times! Thanks for getting in touch and continue to enjoy your photography…and life!
Nice work Chris. Interesting artistic approach to be creative with color.
Sally Towers/Young
Hello Sally,
How wonderful to hear from you. It’s been many years. Glad you still receive my newsletters…hoping all is well. Cheers. Chris
Hi Chris, your abstract images were amazing. I particularly like ‘Expression of severe lightning strike’.
Also like your new idea of ‘portfolios’
This is my second attempt to send a comment!
Janie
Hi Jane. Glad you liked the abstracts and the portfolios! I knew you would like the abstracts!! Tony would have too.
Chris.
too great for me. I’m overwhelmed… as usual. the B&W was amazing. I’m trying to not throw away my Sony gear. I/we need a spokesperson to get multilpe image softwear!
Great to see you at the Gallery this month!!
I always enjoy your work! Keep it coming.
I hope to!! Thanks.
Your descriptive Newsletters, filled with images that transmit your deepest heart connection to nature are always touching my heart. It is a delight and inspiration! Thank you, Chris
Thank you so much Sataya. Great to hear from you; hoping you are well. Chris
Hello Chris:
So wonderful to see your beautiful work. I usually to a look a couple times a year! Thought I would leave a message this time. All the best!!!
Bob Herger
Email: marinersmail@gmail.com
bobherger@gmail.com
Cell: 604 240-4113
Hi Bob. Good to hear from you; thanks for staying in touch. I’ve often wondered if you were still around!! I hope you are doing well. Are you still clicking that camera of yours??