• landscape,  natural areas,  Pineridge Natural Area,  quotes,  sunrises

    This Landscape

    June 21, 2021
    Sunrise over Dixon Reservoir

    I was never content to stand apart from the landscape, looking in, being a transient visitor—a tourist, an outsider—showing up to harvest an image or practice some form of recreation before moving on. When in a place that interests me I am not content just seeing it; I want to be a part of it, to immerse myself in it, to know it, to become comfortable in it. Certainly I might accomplish these things in a great variety of places, but they take time to evolve. And my time, alas, is limited. I have made my choice, and there is no doubt in my mind that I chose well. It’s not about the landscape; it’s about this landscape.

    Guy Tal

    I’m aware I lean towards Guy’s idea of immersing myself into the landscape and desiring to experience it. I confess that for many years my interest in landscape photography has been in harvesting the image. I would then share it for the likes and the oohs and aahs I imagined everyone is making.

    I’m also aware that to know and be comfortable with the landscape requires me to be there on a regular basis. I think you will agree immersion in the landscape can’t happen from our recliner or desk or someone else’s images. It may mean we must sit in the cold, rain, snow, heat, or swat at the tiniest bugs when we would rather sleep in late. Or relax at some coffee shop with a mocha. We can only fully experience this landscape when we are there and present to it. So, I will continue my mornings within the landscape. And, yes, time is limited.

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  • Canon Powershot G12,  quotes

    The Small Things

    June 11, 2012

    The Small Things

    “,,,the greatest reward for a creative life is not in what you create, but in how you live. It is in how you train yourself to view and respond to the world and internalize the many experiences and meanings and mysteries that come your way. It is about finding peace and satisfaction in a world rife with cynicism, violence, competition and greed.” Finding the Needle (Part II) by Guy Tal

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  • lake,  landscape,  Plants,  quotes,  trees

    Ladora Lake

    November 15, 2011

    Ladora Lake looking South

    “My goal as a person and, consequently, as a photographer, is to witness, participate in, and hopefully share the delicate beauty of wilderness – those moments in time when nature and spirit transcend the make-believe world of politics, economics, religious squabbles, fleeting fashion, mass “entertainment,” and other means of wasting the precious gift of thought and inspiration we are each endowed with.” – Guy Tal

    I just observed a young boy, maybe 6 years old, walk into this coffee shop with his eyes glued to a smart phone or game boy? He never looked up. Unfortunately, he had been sucked into that small box with its dings, dongs, chimes, bells and whistles, blasting away to kill as many opponents as quickly as his nimble fingers could move. It was obvious he was no longer “witnessing or participating” in the world around him. His mother sat passively beside him with no attempt or chance of a conversation and I’m not sure she even wanted any of that. I wondered what that conversation would be like. Could he even have a conversation with her? Does he have, or will he ever have, the precious gift of thought and inspiration? Just watch our children, and unfortunately many adults, as they walk through life looking down at their handheld devices. Addicted?

    Anyway, I wanted to share the above quote from Guy Tal. His words so resonate with my heart and soul in this misguided world. If you have a chance to visit his website and blog, I highly recommend it. He’s a very good photographer and very much in touch with the world around him. I enjoy his little quips called, “Just saying.”

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