Joel Sternfeld

Copyright © Joel Sternfeld

Photographer Joel Sternfeld photographed a series of places in East Meadows, Northampton, Massachusetts.  Using an 8″x10″ view camera he is able to capture the beauty of the place in acute detail.  To get a sense of the place he photographs during all four seasons and at different times of the day.  Sternfeld brings significance to places that we often take for granted.  The images present a subtle beauty.  The images aren’t of vast mountainous landscapes or vibrant sunsets.  Instead he finds beauty within the simplicity of farmland and swampy areas.

Robert Adams

  Listening to the River: Seasons in the American West includes photographs by Robert Adams and poems by William Stafford.  From looking at the  book I got a sense of the everyday landscape of the American West.  Robert Adams isn’t trying to make nature out to be a mysterious force or a spiritual encounter.  His images are subtle and simple, taken from eye level.  He photographs what is there not what he imagines to be there.  They resemble a style similar to the new topographic photographers. 

Across a single page in the book are several images taken in the same space but from different points of view.  I get the sense that he is contemplating where to stand within the space.  His images express a sense of presence.  Poet William Stafford captures Adams images so well in writing

“We wonder if we have the right, here in our damaged landscape, to enjoy beautiful exceptions like an old tree or unpolluted skies.  In order to guard against sentimentality- the vice of allowing minor consolations more emotional significance than they deserve-perhaps we should turn away form improbabilities” (7). 

In response to this Adams brings significance to “our damaged landscape” or “an old tree or unpolluted skies”.  The viewer can take a moment to be at peace with life on earth.

Sally Mann

Photographer Sally Mann chose to explore the landscape of the deep south.  Her book Deep South includes painterly visions of Louisiana, Mississippi, Georgia and Virginia.  Using a 19th century collodion process she works to capture the emotional and historic roots that still remain within the southern landscape.  The images have technical imperfection, scratches and specks of dust.  These images speak mainly of the memories of the past that still linger down south.  Her images taken in Mississippi reflect a time of racial oppression.  A time that is still present today.  Mann writes “These pictures are about the rivers of blood, of tears, of sweat, that African poured into the dark soil of their thankless new home” (50).

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Deep South

copyright © 2005 by Sally Mann

 

 

Joel Meyerowitz

Photographer Joel Meyerowitz explores the four seasons of the Tuscany landscape.  All of his images express a strong sense of light.  Using sheet film he is able to capture the landscape in acute detail.  The writer of Tuscany, Maggie Barrett sums up Meyerowitz images by saying “Here, you are inside the light, and therefore connected to all that falls within its sphere: the land, the sky, the people.”  Each season seem to bring about a different sense of light.  The sky doesn’t get as dark and gloomy in Tuscany as it does here in North America.  Through out the year Tuscany raidates with vibrant light and soft color.  Meyerowitz works to capture Tuscany’s unique beauty.

http://www.joelmeyerowitz.com/index.html

Bruce W. Heinemann

Nature/ Landscape Photographer Bruce W. Heinemann works to capture the worlds beauty through the use of his camera.  His work persuades the viewer to admire and respect the planets natural beauty.  In his book The Art of Nature: Reflections on the Grand Design, he writes ” what is beauty as we may perceive it in nature?  Is it merely an earthly aesthetic meant to please our visual senses, or perhaps, is there a more profound reality that beauty represents?”  Perhaps beauty is within the eye of the beholder.  However there seems to be a general commonality in what seems to be profoundly beautiful in nature.  Personaly I feel this earthly aesthetic represents a spiritual connection between all living and spiritual beings on earth.  The beauty on this planet  is often abused or neglected by a lot of people.  People tend to get caught up in the working world and often forget about other life forces on this planet.  There is a lot to be learned from simply taking a walk into the woods.  A human’s sense of hearing, touch and sight all become more acute.  One becomes more in tune with themselves as well as the planet as a whole. 

Copyright© by Bruce W. Heinemann

http://www.gettyimages.com

In addition I can see in his work how he is trying to get to the essence of his experience in a single image.  Heinemann contemplates his photographic process by asking himself ” How do I communicate that which I felt with all my worldly senses, and indeed my very soul, in a two-dimensional abstract design of color?”  I can relate to his experience in that I work to have my images express an emotional and spiritual presence.

David Lawrence Reade

http://www.dlrimagery.com/The_Galleries/the_galleries.html

Western New York State photographer David Lawrence Reade knows the landscape well.  He chooses to express his vision by shooting with color film and printing in the darkroom.  At Barnes & Noble I picked up his book Western New York Wild: Celebrating Our Rich Natural Heritage.  He is a down to earth man with a sense of humor.  What attracts me to his work is his curiosity about the land and his willingness to be present in the moment.  He has given me some ideas on other places to photograph  within 30 -80 minutes of Alfred.  Some of these locations include: Allegany State Park, Allegheny National Forest, Letchworth State Park, and Zoar Valley State Forest.

As an artist I’m not so much interested in making pretty pictures as I am interested in using the camera as a tool to investigate the natural world.  In addition to photographing I plan on making drawings, collecting objects, and writing down present thoughts and feelings.  These resources also will provide me with ideas for ceramic pieces as well as paintings. 

 There is something to be learned from the natural world.  I’m not sure what it is yet.  But I’m drawn to find out.  Part of me wants to better understand life on earth and another part is urging to connect with a high power.  This is a project that could take me well beyond graduation and into my working adult life.  

Glen Marsh

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Glen Marsh

The Adirondack Park

Trail to Mt Colden

3/1/2003

© Glen Marsh Photography

http://www.glenmarshphoto.com/detail.asp?imageid=233&priceclassid=1&categoryID=4

 

While browsing through nature calendars in Barnes & Noble I came across New York State nature photographer Glen Marsh.   His work mainly consists of mountainous landscapes, shots from mountain tops, close-ups of streams, and rocky landscapes.  Within his work there is an acute attention to light, time, and space.  He typically photographs at sunrise or sunset in order to capture the rich pinks and violets cast on the land.  The weather is clear with patches of clouds.  His shoots of water are taken on cloudy days so he can extend his shutter to get a misty look.  To capture vast open space he hikes miles up to the top of peaks until he sees an open clearing. 

When looking at his work it brings me to a place of peace and tranquility.  He chooses to shoot exclusively with b&w or color film.  No digital photography.  On his website  he quotes saying “what you see is what you get”.  As someone working in film I feel more confident in trusting the landscape to unfold its natural beauty without the use of filters or digital manipulation.  I agree with him in that film compared to digital seems to capture an image closer to what the eye actually sees.  Though this could be debated. 

I’m interested in learning more about his process and experience as a photographer.  He live in Ballston Spa, NY which is only 35 minutes from my Dad’s house.  Perhaps I will get a chance to meet and talk with him about his work and life as a photographer over winter break.  It will be helpful to gain insight into the pros and cons of pursuing nature photography as a career. 

 

 

 

 

 

  

 Glen Marsh

The Adirondack Park

Black Mountain over looking Lake George

10/1/2003

© Glen Marsh Photography

http://www.glenmarshphoto.com/detail.asp?imageid=165&priceclassid=1&categoryID=7