Patterns in nature have always caught my eye. That is probably no surprise, I think they attract many photographers because they offer a sense of harmony, a sense of connection. They don’t have to be big, and don’t have to be small – just simply be there in front of me. . . Usually that can be asking for a lot, since most of what we view in the natural world can be somewhat chaotic.
This image of beach rocks is one I have been wanting to make for awhile. I find the unique character of each stone interesting Out of camera, the image wasn’t quite complete – it didn’t provide exactly what I was looking for. Since the rocks were closely uniform in color and tone, I had to try to process it in a way to bring out the uniqueness of each rock They needed to provide the overall appearance of a pattern, yet still hold individuality. . . Layer after layer it finally started taking on the look I wanted. . With post-processing, patterns can take on limitless versions from the same base image.
Patterns on a grander scale require the photographer to remove them from their environment through composition and lens choice In contrast to the above beach rocks, this segment of a rock wall is probably 10 feet high It is a real exercise in seeing, because it is not always so easy to pick them out. . I have noticed that patterns that are too uniform with little to break them up can be a bit static . Just being a pattern may be initially interesting, but can quickly become boring visually if there isn’t something to hold interest. It has happened to me many times. I get excited in the field in finding some unique pattern, and photograph it. Later on in review is when I say to myself – “Boy, that kinda looks like crap.”. 
. It is something that I now try to be wary of when composing – look for the pattern, but then try to frame in some type of focal point or interruption to repetition. It helps your eye from wandering aimlessly around the frame and creates a bit more interest.
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Rats – looks like my gallery went down sometime in the past day or so. . Looking into it. I appreciate the folks that let me know.
The joys of running a website..
UPDATE 6:30 am EST 8/30:
My gallery is back up now. Apparently my host upgraded some software on their end which broke the gallery. (an upgrade of Cpanel) I found a 21 page thread in their forums since this appears to have broken PHP pages on many others’ sites Glad to see I wasn’t alone. . Anyway, found the fix in that thread and back up and running!
Sorry for any inconvenience.
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I came across a wonderful collection of images that are finalists for Prix Pictet, a photographic award for artists drawing attention to world environmental issues. . It serves as a great reminder that although many photographs remind us of the great treasures and details around us, there are others that deserve just as much, if not more of our attention. These are extremely concerning issues, certainly made more powerful and personal by the photographs associated with them.
Both styles of imagery have their place and purpose. . From viewing the work of these photographers, it certainly shows that such efforts do not have to be purely documentary, but have artistic merit as well. . I was particularly engaged by the work of Sebastian Copeland with his work in Antarctica, David Maisel‘s abstracts of an environmentally impacted area in the Sierras, and Edward Burtynsky‘s work of nickel tailings in Ontario.
Certainly there are issues around me that perhaps need more attention drawn to them. I know I will be giving some careful thought about this type of work, and my eyes open to a different perspective when looking through the viewfinder.
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I am just back from a quick trip “Up North”, and one of the stops was of course at my favorite place in Michigan – Pictured Rocks National Lakeshore. . (link is to NPS map) Sometimes photographers talk about how there are no ‘grand landscapes’ (aka. “out west” style) in Michigan, and I certainly think this place is one of the many that proves them wrong. . There is no place in the world quite like it and I feel fortunate to live within a day’s drive of the region. For those not familiar with it, Pictured Rocks is located near Munising in Michigan’s Upper Peninsula along the southern shores of Lake Superior It was designated by Congress as the first national lakeshore in 1966.
Although certain spots of it are popular tourist spots, the 17 miles of coastline that have the dramatic cliffs generally have pretty limited access. Road access is only possible to spots like Miner’s Castle. Hiking is possible via the Lakeshore North Country trail, but you are mostly on top of the ridges, and it is one heck of a long hike – so my personal preference is to explore it via the water. . That represents its own challenges as Lake Superior conditions change rapidly and the water is quite cold most of the year. . This particular trip, our boat rental was canceled twice due to rough water.
On this particular trip, a particular boulder (ie. large hunk of fallen sandstone) caught my eye from the boat and I wanted to get closer to it to use it as a foreground element This particular boulder was just begging to be used in a photograph. Its jagged lines and alternating colors made for something quite interesting.
There aren’t many places to beach a boat along Pictured Rocks because of the sheer cliffs and rocky shores of Lake Superior . Many ginormous boulders lie in shallow waters along the shore. But fortunately a small pebble beach wasn’t too far away with a single opening to make a landing. I was able to climb over the rocks to get to “my rock” that I wanted, and ultimately had to wade into the water as you see here. My wife Lisa decided to snap a pic of me in “action.”
Ideas for images are one thing, but the logistics of making them happen can sometimes be tricky. . The end result was worth it for me, although looking back I think I should have spent more time here working even more compositions than I did do Perhaps this particular rock. (the one in the foreground far right) will wait for the next time I come back, or be consumed into the sometimes violent conditions that Lake Superior is known for.
More of my Pictured Rocks photographs will show up in my gallery as I make my way through keywording and post-processing. . Just click the link to see what’s new.
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A few different sources (podcasts, articles, blogs) I have come across in the past year or so have talked about the the concept of a burden that weighs down on our creativity. That burden is typically developed by our past experiences by looking at other photographs, hearing or reading about what is defined as good or the way something should be done, or perhaps just by growing up with so many rules.
It is interesting to think about how many photographers likely draw upon their past experiences and what they have learned to develop their own sense of style, or simply in trying to make their images better. Does that inner judge, as Craig Tanner from the Radiant Vista puts it, prohibit us from pushing the limits, or going that next step? Is it possible that this experience and, for lack of better term, growth could actually become a noose to future creativity? You know the saying about old dogs and new tricks. Or is it a matter of simply being more refined in knowing what you like and don’t like?
I threw some of my HDR experiments on the table in some past posts. I think most people preferred the more ‘natural’ looking version in comparison That’s OK with me – I am willing to put an image out there and have a thousand people tell me “Gosh Mark – that sucks.”. Just don’t tell me they all do, or I may start taking it personally. 
. Sometimes feedback helps us collect our own thoughts about a new direction when we may be unsure about it. . . HDR is one of those things where I think people are still testing the waters on how they feel and react to it – myself included. . The bluebird image I placed in the previous post, well, I think most people would think that is just plain weird.
It is a strange thing to think about – being more experienced leading to a burden to creativity? Can refinement happen to an extent where your work becomes stale?. Of course, I am asking a lot of rhetorical questions, but I find the possible answers an intriguing thing to think about. . The pursuit of answers to these types of questions is often more beneficial than actually answering them.
(A special thanks to Craig Tanner for pointing to a great article awhile back. It is a great discussion of myths, mysteries, and maximizing creativity. Print it out and refer to it often.)
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