Notes from the Woods

seeing · environment · exploration · photography

Dreaming of fall

Written by Mark

Born and raised in Detroit, c. 323 ppm CO2, Mark Graf is a Michigan photographer, naturalist, and diver whose muse is summoned by exploring the endless connections in nature; land, sea, and sky.

Saturday, September 22, 2007

FC6535L.jpg

It seems like it has been a longer wait than usual this year, but fall has finally arrived. Probably because of a greater lull than usual in my summertime shooting. I plan on spending a bit more time with my multiple exposure techniques this fall. This is the image that really got me started with multiple exposures. I shot it 5 years ago using Fuji Velvia slide film. The image is exactly how it appears on the slide. I suppose some of these techniques can be done afterward in Photoshop these days, perhaps even with more predictability, but I find a certain sense of gratification creating it in-camera, even if being unpredictable at times. It takes advantage of being in a playful mood in the field, and those moods don’t always happen when I am sitting at my desk.

Fortunately, my digital camera does in-camera multiple exposures – one of my favorite features that I like to turn on if those playful moods arise. I tend to like it not for gimmick, but for the dream like state it imparts on many images. It reminds me that seeing is not always 20/20, tack sharp images of reality. It reminds me that nature photography does not have to be documentary or follow some preset definition of what photographs of nature should look like. It reminds me that I can do whatever I want to create imagery that moves me.

To photograph is to hold one’s breath, when all faculties converge to capture fleeting reality.  It’s at that precise moment that mastering an image becomes a great physical and intellectual joy..  – Henri Cartier-Bresson

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11 Comments

  1. Mark

    Thank you all for the comments. Please comment back if you happen to try some multiple exposures and provide a link for everyone to check them out.

  2. heather

    how cool mark. i’d love tosee some of your digital doubles. never tried it before, but think i’ll have to now. 😉

  3. Judith Polakoff

    Wonderful image, Mark. I find it very difficult to produce satisfactory results with the double exposure mode in the D2x; but on the other hand, I haven’t experimented with it nearly enough. You’ve inspired me to try again with this autumn gem (although I wish we could see it larger). 🙂

  4. bernie kasper

    I love this Mark, has a mystical quality to it, you gotta love that Velvia film. Great work.

  5. Mike

    beautiful fall colors.

  6. Mike Moats

    Hey Mark, dream like is the perfect discription for this image, well done Mark.

  7. wren

    I like the ghost effect – it does add a dimension to the photo.

  8. Unbalanced Libra

    This is absolutely stunning!

  9. Mark

    Boyd – my old DSLR (D2H) used to do infrared pretty good. I didn’t find out until after I sold it that my D2X doesn’t handle infrared so well. It would be nice to have – but it is another body to carry for something I don’t do that often.

  10. BoydGreeneArt

    Mark, awesome image. I always love to see someone find their unique voice.

    I’m astonished meeting artists that have painted 45 years, had 12 years of schooling and don’t know what their voice is! Sad.

    Perhaps were afraid of showing who we really are and what we really think.

    Do you ever think about getting a camera for infra-red photography?

  11. paul

    Lovely image, Mark. I’m excited about fall, too. I love the cooler weather and the beautiful colors, but most of all, I like the smell of autumn.

    I’ll have to give that double exposure a try this season. Thanks for the tip!