Photographers I Admire - Michael Kenna

Michael Kenna is a tremendous photographer known for his medium format black and white images. Interesting trees, foggy landscapes and low light, nighttime long exposures are his hallmarks. I own one of his retrospective books - incredible! Love it, love it, love it! Especiallty check out his images of Mont ST Michel, Ratcliffe Power Station and Pont Neuf hidden within galleries of France and England on his website.

If you enjoy good black and white photography take a look at his website here.

How I create an image for my Windows series.

Finally, as promised I have put together a little video on how I put together the Windows series images. I tried to do a screen capture video. It is very rough and probably a little vague at times. I will try a few more in the future. Who knows they might even get better.

Wow! What a two months!

I apologize for the lack of posts - I've been busy. And it is still hard for me to work on a project and still keep track of the small things - like blogs. I will try to be better.

There are three things I want to announce.

1 My website is now redesigned - check it out here. I really like this new look and hope to add new features and new folios this winter.

2 My photograph "Tires" was selected by Black Box Gallery in Portland, OR, for their show "Black and White: Mastering the Art of Photography" and can be found in their online annex gallery here.

3 Two of my photographs have been selected for the


Paris Gibson Square Museum of Art
in Great Falls, MT

• 17th Annual Art Auction Exhibition
  December 28, 2013 - January 29, 2014
  Exhibit Opening January 10, 2014; 5:30p-8:30p

Pale Rose

Red Rose

Framed and matted 30x30 they are big and beautiful! If you are in Great Falls during January stop by and take a look.

And I haven't forgot my promise to share how one of my window photographs is built in photoshop - its definitely coming soon.

Building an Image Part 1

Squared Sunflower

Some images you see right in front of you. Others take planning and preparation but then again become visible right in front of you. Others get stuck in your head and look for a way out - like this image. Thank God for Photoshop!

I love this image on several levels. I am not good with my hands - I can't build things. But I took this image from my minds eye and built it and I am proud of that. I love the positive and negative spaces because it plays to photography and to my view of life. All of the sunflowers are dried up, wrinkly husks and that is a play on age and beauty. I love the color - something I took from my Hosta Study series. I love the textures. And finally I love the window effect. Its like I am viewing another world.

I am working on a whole series of these images. Changing it up by presenting the images in actual window frames and inkjet printed transparencies, using different plants and different ways of using positive and negative spaces.

I will post how I did it next week.

Last week in Sioux Falls

Last week I visited my mom and sister Linda and her family in Sioux Falls, SD. I had a great time, highlighted by alot of great food - I think I gained 5 pounds in 4 days. Not only did Linda's husband Kevin cook up some wonderful meals but I ate at several outstanding restaurants. If you are ever in Sioux Falls you have to stop at Queen City Bakery - the Wednesday almond croissants are to die for, Wild Sage Grille - wonderful for lunch with a view of the Big Sioux River and Acoustic - for their awesome pizza.

The highlight though was a trip with my niece Lexi to CH Patisserie. Top Chef Just Desserts season two winner Chris Hanmer just opened this restaurant in downtown Sioux Falls and the desserts are incredible! I had a tart and Lexi a mound of what seemed like pure chocolate. It was silky smooth - a must have for all chocolate lovers! Of course we shared and had a great time. And on the way out you can buy a bag of assorted macaroons - WOW!
Thanks to Lexi and everyone in Sioux Falls I had a wonderful visit!

Photographer's I Admire - S. Gayle Stevens

Gayle Stevens is incredible! She uses the old wet plate collodion process dating from the turn of the century. The imagery is fluid, organic and truly beautiful. This work of hers "Blow" is one of my favorites. Please click here and discovery the amazing photography of this gifted artist.

Something New for Expose Montana

Something new! As most of you know I don't normally take street photography but an 8x10 pinhole camera and a 1950's folder, used for the picture above, has broken me out of my botanical shell.

I just submitted work for the Expose Montana Project. The project was created by Canvas - an arts advocacy group in Billings, MT. You can visit their project website here.

For the project photographs were taken between 5pm June 29th and 5pm June 30th and then submitted through the website. At the next Billings Art Walk - Aug 2nd - there will be a show, sale and auction at the Babcock Theater Arcade off 2nd Ave N in downtown Billings.

Put it on your calendar and come down and support Canvas and all the artists involved!

Photographers I Admire - Susan Burnstine

I love photography. And once a week I hope to share with you the work of a photographer I admire. Today it is Susan Burnstine. Having recently purchased her book Within Shadows I accidently came across a show of hers at The Center for Fine Art Photography in Fort Collins, CO. I like the book very much, but the actual prints were amazing - large on beautiful paper with darkened edges and simple frames. Take a look at her website here and read her moving story. She uses handmade cameras and lenses for her unique look. A truly remarkable vision.

Super MOON and Sacrifice Cliff

Here's a Photo of the super moon taken last night. Jens Selvig and I spent a frustrating evening waiting for the moon to appear from behind a few maddening clouds. Eventually we found a spot near the power plant and had a great time shooting sacrifice cliff and the full moon. The police even stopped by for a chat. I had hoped to shoot the moonset this morning, but a few more clouds sent me back to bed.

Center for Fine Art Photography Show

This image from my new portfolio entitled Hosta Studies II is included in an upcoming show at the Center for Fine Art Photography. The show entitled Black + White is up at the Center in Fort Collins, CO, from July 5 through August 24. Unfortunately, I will not be able to attend the reception on August 2.

With the Hosta Studies II portfolio I continue my fascination with the simple hosta plant. With these black and white images I concentrate on the lines of the leaf edges. The lines, curves and shapes dance across the print in freeform jazz riffs. As I worked on these images I could hear John Coltrane or Miles Davis improvising in the back of my mind. Hosta Studies II no.7 take it Mr. Coltrane.

In The Beginning

Every photographer has a beginning. when photography became more than a fun activity. For me it was an image that was a revelation. Even after 35 years I remember the day I took the photograph, the place, my feelings that day - a very powerful memory.

I was at the Lincoln Park Conservatory on a beautiful late spring day in Chicago, IL. Using a series of closeup filters for the first time. And this image appeared in my camera viewfinder. A week later, when I finally received my processed film back, I knew I had something that would take my life in a new direction.

In the beginning - Iris Whirlpool 1.