The Light Preserve Photography

People

People of Time and Place

The photographs here are more than just portraits. They are as much about time and place as they are about the people in them. As a consequence, these photographs are more informative than a simple head shot would be.

The girl on the left was dancing with several friends at the Escondido Renaissance Faire. With a couple drummers on hand, it was a spontaneous performance on the grass. I put the long lens on the camera and when I looked through the viewfinder I saw Shy. We chatted briefly, refined the position of the fans, and this is the result. Huzzah!

Photographed at Colonel Allensworth State Park, Church Lights preserves light, mood, and character. This woman brought light and life to the chapel. She was so gracious in letting me try to photograph what can't really be seen, that I'm doubly pleased that this turned out so well.

I've included Relaxing at the Getty in this group, even though the woman comprises only a small part of the frame. She gets such strong "presence" from the lines and patterns that the photograph is as much about her as the Getty Center architecture.

Unusual light and stark, formal composition give impact to Exotic Beauty. She seems almost ghostly and cold...until you notice the smile. And then the formality gives way to a pleasant warmth.

My interest in photographing people continues to grow, particularly in subjects with clothing and fashion as a major element. Elegance is an example of that interest. The woman by the stairs fairly sings "class," and the white staircase and soft light complement her well. Against the Storm was photographed at Bodie State Park, and Cowboy was photographed Calico Ghost Town and earned a First Place Award at the Santa Barbara Fair. If you like the "old-time" fashions, there are several pages in the Magazine section of The Preserve that you might enjoy.

On the Trail

While hiking and exploring, I sometimes find scenes that benefit from including someone in the photograph. A special thanks goes to the "Trail Pals" seen in this group, who agreed to be included in these images.

The photograph at left was made in Death Valley. Unusually heavy rains of 2005 left a substantial portion of the valley under water. This area, at Badwater, is generally nothing more than a small, muddy pond. For a little girl, however, whatever is, is, and being Just Out There is reason enough for enthusiasm. It is unlikely that I will see so much water at this location again, but she might get another chance some day.

I photographed Fly Fishin' in late afternoon light. But the result didn't "feel" right. The light needed more sparkle and snap. It's not that the light wasn't right; it just needed a more dominant impact on the image to restore the original sense of being there. And so that's what it gets in the print (you'll see it better in the larger linked image).

Through Sands of Time earned a First Place Award at the Santa Barbara County Fair. The color, reflections, and late afternoon light work very well together. I got one chance at this and got lucky that her expression and movement convey her youth so well.

The light was good At Nojoqui Falls, and just a hint of flash fill helps define and separate the woman from the background. At the same time, her pleasant and serene expression blends with the mood of the location.

I wasn't seeing images of the giant sequoias that conveyed their age and size but toward the end of the day I arrived at General Sherman Tree and saw this opportunity. The contrast of size and age gets further visual help with the contrast of warm tones of the tree trunk and cool tones of the woman's clothing.