Newsletter #175: December, 2019
© Chris Harris. All rights reserved.
An expression of winter in the grasslands
Hi everyone,
This time of year, I always feel grateful for the many blessings I have experienced; not just during this past year, but throughout my life.
Many of my blessings have been the result of photography, for it encourages me to explore the natural world, always seeking its mysteries and then sharing my thoughts and feelings through the art of visual expression.
Art is the Language of Expression
It has been said that art is the highest expression of the human spirit. Whether we express ourselves in words, clay, paint, culinary arts, music, or images, they are all part of how we communicate with each other.
My language of expression is a visual one; it’s photography.
As a presenter and workshop instructor, I am most frequently asked “how do you do that”? To me, that is the least important question. Of greater concern are the questions of why and what.
When I head out with camera in hand and decide on a subject to photograph, the question is, why did I choose that particular subject (an emotional response), and what am I going to communicate about it. Only then can I begin to decide how I am going to express myself with the tool of my craft; my camera and lens.
For me, the excitement and pleasure of being a photographer is in the adventure of exploring expression.
Over a year ago, I decided that every time I drove to Vancouver, I would dedicate time to stop and make images; anywhere along the way, whichever route I took, and at any time of day. As a result, I have never enjoyed the drive more than I do now.
Here are a few images I have made this year along route 99, the Duffy Lake Road via Lillooet.
Heading north at dusk, just before reaching Lillooet, I climbed up a ridge to capture an
expression of this mountainous stretch of highway.
On another day, a different quality of light allowed me to express a completely different
response when viewing Seaton Lake.
A line is a shape that can be used to express an adventuresome journey.
When a dash of warm light hit the mountain peak, it reminded me of climbing at high elevations
where that touch of light and warmth was all- meaningful.
As a layer of mist descended on the forest, there was just enough contrast to capture my
feelings of witnessing extreme beauty.
With the addition of colour contrast, I was able to make a different expression of the forest.
As an eagle flew over Duffy Lake, I experienced a sense of value for vast wilderness. I chose a
focal length to express that feeling.
Pointed shapes of high contrast is set against the rhythmic lines of reflected trees.
The art of expression should be exploratory. This expression of reflected light is the reward
of my visual adventure.
Trees amidst mountains; another exploration of visual expression.
The contrast of melt holes in the ice provided me with another opportunity; the freedom to leave
representational qualities, and abstract the landscape.
In late spring, the triangular shape of this avalanche remnant caught my attention.
After exploring several modes of expression, I felt most gratified with this interpretation.
I saw a boulder along the side of the road. I stopped and began a visual investigation.
Although abstract, it is a representational portrayal of the beauty I found in subtle colours.
At a lower elevation, the snow disappeared but the mist remained. The yellow line was my guide.
Along the Sea to Sky Highway between Whistler and Vancouver, a large stand of alders
caught my eye. Upon closer examination, the crisscrossing tree trunks generated a scene of complete chaos.
By exploring different modes of expression, I discovered a way to substitute confusion with rhythm and pattern .
Eventually I found a stand that displayed a more evened pattern; I communicated this
uniformity through a sense of motion.
Next month, join me on a journey through the Fraser River Canyon and along the South Thompson River Valley.
Workshops for 2020:
Informative, Inspirational, Challenging & Creative
An expression of an Arbutus tree.
Dennis Ducklow and I are offering THREE 7-day workshops, in THREE different world-class locations, in which we approach photography as an art form.
Be prepared to venture beyond representational image making and open up new worlds of visual expression. With personalized attention, you will take your photography beyond the obvious, and to a level you never knew existed, or thought was possible.
Click for complete details about Develop Your Creative Vision workshops
Merry Christmas to All!
Check out 2-Day Photo Workshops
Check out 7-Day Residency Photo Workshops
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Thank you. See you in 2020!
Thank you for your newsletter.
Thank you Maureen for your appreciation.
Thanks Chris, I realy enjoy reading about your creative journey, and seeing the associated photographs. Your well written and articulated newsletters make me consider my own work and creative journey. Thank You!
I can tell Chris you are already thinking more and more deeply about your creative journey. If my Newsletters help you in that regard, that’s another blessing I am fortunate to have. Enjoy your expressive journey in 2020!
Really enjoyed viewing your collection of images in this newsletter both abstract and realistic, especially your expression of an Arbutus tree. Well done!
Thank you Ernie. All the very best over the Christmas Season.
Merry Christmas, Chris, and thank you for the newsletters. I am always looking forward to the next one.
Renee “The Cozy Cubbyhole” B&B
Thank you Renee. Thank you for your continued interest and support. All the best at the Cozy Cubbyhole!
Merry Christmas Chris & Family! You are still one of my favorite nature and abstract photojournalist!
Thank-you for sharing your talent!
Thank you for your interest and appreciation. Seasons Greetings.
I have driven the Duffy Lake road and was also stricken by the beauty of some parts of it. Your images were an inspiration to get the old Nikon SLR, tripod, lenses and SD cards and go for it.Thank You!
Oh, I was curious about the Arbutus, but I get it now. 🎅🏿🎄
Get it out and ‘go for it’!! All the best.
How beautiful winter looks behind your camera!
Thank you Kaye. Best of the Season!
I love your artistic photography Chris. Thank you for the Christmas greetings. The same to you and yours!
Best wishes Janet. Your thoughts are appreciated.
Chris
I’m sitting here nice and warm, no snow, temp above freezing and then I read your news letter and turned to shivering, beautiful work as always but buddy, soooo cold .
Merry Christmas
Loving the cold! Wish we had more snow!
I particularly enjoyed this news letter. Merry Christmas to you and family.
Merry Christmas to you too Janet.
Wonderful to learn the how, where and why. This is a keeper Sue
Always great to hear from you Sue!
Thank you for sharing these winter wonderland images and the sensations that arose guiding you to a different perspective of expression. I so enjoy seeing the results of what moves you. Merry Christmas and all the best for 2020.
Thank you for staying in touch throughout the year Adbhuta. I think of you often. Best wishes to you all. Chris
The beauty you betray touches me deeply. Always grateful! 🙏
Always grateful Karen. Thanking you for your beauty as well :-.
Hi Chris: I’m an Aussie who attended your CAPA workshops twice in Vancouver – many years apart – and I love your poetic vision and life philosophy which inspire me. As I am also a musician, I feel that “music” could be added after “words” in your description of artistic expression. Merry Christmas!
Thank you…I think I did add ‘music’ to that comment!!
Chris and Rita, thank you for your newsletter which we look forward to receiving. May your Christmas be a magic one! Darrel and Shawn
Best wishes to you both. Still hoping to connect once again, some day!
Through Freeman, I learned of your existence. Now I am nourished and challenged by your work.
Thank you forever.
Valérie in Montréal
Thank you kindly Valerie. We are blessed. Chris
#175! Looking forward to #200.
Merry Christmas, Chris & Rita!
Thanks Jim. I’m getting there!!! Great to see you both recently. Best wishes.
Chris…once again your photography has blessed my day…Merry Christmas my friend, and oh yah…happy pending 80th!!!
Best wishes in the New Year Buzz! Yahooo!
Happy Christmas Chris
Top marks for your expression of an arbutus tree – a real stunner!
The silence of your ‘snow’ shots are very beautiful indeed – makes me lonely for the snow here in Ireland!!
Love Janie
Yes indeed, the ‘silence of snow’; what a wonderful experience. Fond memories for you in Ireland. See you soon Jane!