Newsletter #152: February, 2018
© Chris Harris. All rights reserved.
Hi everyone,
We haven’t had so much snow in decades. The shoveling and cross-country skiing is exhilarating; all designed to keep me fit enough to continue my photographic explorations into the back country!
This Newsletter is going to take us out to the grasslands on two different trips to Farwell Canyon. It never ceases to amaze me how each trip to Farwell Canyon is so entirely different. In the back of my mind, I keep waiting for the trip when I get skunked, but it just never happens. The grasslands are so sensitive to environmental change, that they yield photographic surprises each and every time.
Over time the grasslands have provided me with the deepest sense of place. I feel a spiritual resonance there; an emotion I try to capture in my image making. Enjoy.
Newsletter Theme:
Line, Shape, and texture
Contents:
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Farwell Canyon: the simplicity of line and shape. A dedication to Fred Chapman
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Farwell Canyon: adding texture to line and shape makes my heart soar
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A Recent Blog Post: Artistic Photography
1. Farwell Canyon: the simplicity of line and shape. A dedication to Fred Chapman
A Dedication to Fred Chapman
It was in the early 1980’s when Fred took me to his photographic gallery in the basement of his home. There before me were a dozen or so photographs which he had meticulously printed and framed. Each masterpiece was a winter landscape depicting simple line and form compositions; each defined by fences, telephone poles and trees. I never forgot that experience, and I have searched for similar compositions ever since.
I think mentors are important to each and everyone of us. Fred inspired me to take my work seriously. He remains a wonderful influence. I have made many a winter image because I knew that if Fred were with me, he would have made a very careful composition which might, one day, hang in his gallery.
Fred has always had a willingness to share. Many of us from across Canada are better photographers because of Fred. I certainly am one of them. Thank you, Fred.
For a day of photographing in the grasslands, I chose a day when the weather appeared unsettled. I enjoy not knowing what to expect; it provides a mindset that keeps me alert and excited for dramatic light.
Heading out in a blizzard had me excited for the day!
I crossed Sheep Creek Bridge and drove up onto the Chilcotin Plateau. It’s there that I experience a tremendous sense of freedom. The Plateau and the Coast Mountains beyond does that for me.
The blizzard had stopped, but the flat light provided new opportunities. When I saw a lonely clump of trees off in the distance, I could visualize the image potential in a heartbeat.
I pulled over, opened a rancher’s gate, and walked out onto the field where I could eliminate the telegraph wires. I set up my tripod, rotated my camera to a vertical format and made the following image. I was so excited with my first capture of the day. I was pumped. I knew the rest of the day would not disappoint.
Composition was critical. The division of space spoke to the sense of freedom I was experiencing.
I drove on. The winter landscape is simple in design, and every tree or fence post adds contrast. The result was a viewscape of line and shape. To simplify things further, I visualized everything I saw through my 100-400mm telephoto lens.
I felt so inspired. I wondered to myself, ‘what is it about line and form that excites me so much?’ I drove on, stopping frequently to capture the beauty of each passing moment.
Eventually, the day cleared as I approached the Chilcotin River. The wildfires of 2017 had left a new beauty which the sun so generously revealed to me. I changed my boots and waded out in knee deep snow, seeking a burnt sagebrush with sufficient white space around it for my envisioned composition.
Each line had been duplicated. My excitement doubled.
Later in the day, clouds provided new opportunities with bursts of shadow and light. Usually I am not one to wait for light, preferring to keep moving, knowing that another opportunity will always reveal itself. But not this time. I knew that the two fence lines and undulating snow swells provided an unapparelled opportunity if the light cooperated.
I waited for 45 minutes, making images as the changing light danced over the land in my viewfinder. Eventually, it happened. A beam of light provided the line and shape I was waiting for. Ecstatically I clicked the shutter. Click!
What a day in the grasslands. They never disappoint. A home cooked meal with Rita rounded out the day. Does it get any better than that?
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Farwell Canyon: adding texture to line and shape makes my heart soar.
On another trip to Farwell Canyon, the light was such that texture became the dominant element. I continued to use line and shape, however, but in a more contextual role. To amplify the texture, I made the following images using my camera’s multiple exposure function combined with camera movement.
Continuing with the road theme as an element of line, I noticed a small bush to include and provide a sense of balance. These two elements seem to reveal themselves from within the carpet of textured snow.
This image is a single exposure designed to soften the textured grass background. The panning movement had to be precise to maintain the definition of the road. The division of space above and below the road is a personal compositional decision.
As you can see, these two trips to the grasslands couldn’t have produced more contrasting results. It’s one of the many reasons why I love them, and why I will always continue returning there.
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A recent Blog Post: Artistic Photography
As I mentioned in my last Newsletter, I am writing more frequent photographic blog posts. If you enjoy photography, you may wish to subscribe to be notified of their publication. I will be doing three or four each month.
In future, they won’t appear in my Newsletter. They can be found on my website under Blogs. Please subscribe, and tell your friends!
A rainforest – a documentary view
Whenever I go for a walk, as I did in the above rainforest, I see the world around me as it is. The world as it is, however, is not necessarily based on realism, it is also based on imagination. That’s the reason for enjoying the arts and being an artist; to stimulate our senses and imagination.
As a photographic artist, as I visually absorb landscapes, I begin to imagine them differently. They become ‘mindscapes’. I see what is visual, then imagine what is invisible.
On this particular forest walk, I began to visualize the rainforest in ways that took me beyond realism. Below are some examples.
Artistic interpretation I
I feel there is less and less call for images that depict the world as it is. We know what the Eiffel Tower looks like; do we need yet another look-alike photograph? Let’s try and go deeper, and try to express how we see the Eiffel Tower as no one has ever seen it before. We can do this as expressive photographic artists.
Artistic interpretation II
When we study the history of painting, for example, we read about artists like Monet, Van Gogh, and Kandinsky who were courageous enough to break away from the establishment. They believed in their new work, they valued it, and they brought about tremendous change. We too can become creative and expressive photographers.
Artistic interpretation III
Fence composition is amazing! Takes a lot of experience to see and wait for that.🙏
Hi Ray. Great to hear from you. I guess it takes a rancher to appreciate fences!!You no doubt have put up hundreds of miles of fences, but did you think of composition as you went along??? Hope to see you one day soon.
Chris
Chris- I think these winter line & form scenes are my favorite of all your wonderful art! Well done Roomie!
John…great to hear from you!I wasn’t sure you still got my Newsletters. Thanks for the comment and happy to hear you like the line and form. It’s a favourite subject of mine to. I hope all is well with you. Take care buddy.
Cheers for now. Chris
Chris: I go back to Artistic Interpretation III over and over again. I feel like I am in an gallery or museum and have found the image that absolutely draws me in. Thanks for creating an artistic moment for me!
Your comments always make me happy! Thanks Joan.
Congratulations on another fabulous series! Erin and I LOVE the burned sage brush with shadow. Amazing. We both totally understand and appreciate your comment on the experience of freedom once crossing the bridge. A different world. Thank you for sharing!
Thank you Erin and Remco. I’m learning which pictures don’t make you woooozy Remco!!! Chris
Hi Chris. Your descriptions of where the inspiration comes from and your thinking process are very effective teaching tools. Plus, you images are just a joy to look at. I’ve got new ideas and I want to run out in the fresh snow with my camera – in Tuscany no less!
Snow in Tuscany ! Not as much as here I bet! Have fun Pat…enjoy your adventures. I’d love to see your images one day…but I do see a few on Facebook. Chris
Mr. Harris: Good, good, good morning to you sir. Thank you so very much for your passion, inspiration and for always sharing your beautiful photography and words. Have a wonderful day and look forward to your next newsletter. Thank-you for your dedication which is so appreciated by us all.
Thank you kindly Domenic. Your words inspire as well! Chris
Awesome..once again Chris. A perfect start to a day is enjoying a fresh brewed coffee and losing myself in your art..Thankyou
That’s so cool! Imagery with coffee…hard to beat!! Take care Buzz. Chris
Thank you for sharing your gift with your many followers, Chris. I’m inspired by the beauty and artistry in every newsletter. The profoundly simple fence-posts-in-snow image is glorious, as if the particular cant of each post had been ideally designed for the shot. Love your vision.
So wonderful to hear from you Anita after so many years. Thanks for your comment and support, and I hope you are both doing well.
Chris
Hi Chris. Michael and I are doing wonderfully well. We moved up to Cobble Hill village in 2016 and opened a pottery studio for Michael combined with a shop called Two Hoots Gift Gallery. If you and Rita are in the neighbourhood on your next Vancouver Island visit, we would love to see you both. Best, Anita
I have that marked. We will visit for sure. We have a tour coming up so we’ll keep in touch. Chris
Thank you for your calm or exciting images. Freeman referred me to you when we spoke (wrote) moons ago about Haida Gwaii. We will go this August! The Multiples and the lines are grand.
Love,
Valérie
Thank you Valerie. Great to hear from you again! Chris
Stunning and moving as usual. Images and touching tribute so held by your heart, which is beautifully and vibrantly present in your winter scape photo expressions!!!
Thank you Karen. I received a beautiful letter from Fred’s son Greg. He is not doing well, but he was able to read the tribute and see the images. Wonderful. Chris
Hi Chris, I remember Fred and his encouragement to look for line and shape. My heart reaches out to him. I love the two fence image captured with patience and trust that the sun’s rays would light up your composition and your heart. The forest images speak to me in waves of energy radiated by the trees. Thanks for all you do to awaken the creativity in all of us. Be well, Love Adbhuta 💞
Wonderful to hear from you Adbhuta. Fred is in a care home now but he read my tribute. He remembers our trip well through the Spatsizi. So many amazing experiences we have shared over the years. Drop by if you pass this way. I always look forward to seeing you. Chris
I love it! your are in my spirit!! To go deeper and deeper is so exiting! Thank you for your vision and results too!
Thank you for sharing your excitement! You are in my spirit too! Chris
Hi Chris.
As usual, I find these ‘fence’ photographs most inspiring.
I think you have got me back to work again!!
I just needed that little inspirational boost!! Thanks
Love Janie x
Wow, so happy to hear my photographs were an inspiration to your painting! I can’t wait to see what you create with those paint brushes!!