School has begun, the summer has cooled, and it is now time to take a few minutes to write to you again.  Back in July, I shared a few things that I have since progressed tremendously.  Along with those exciting details, I have a collection of photos from my summer travels and another set of projects that I hope to build upon in the coming months.

The last time I wrote, I was considering offering a special, one of a kind “Original” print at the big shows I attend.  I took my samples around and talked with a few experts of the trade and have decided to test the idea.  This Sunday, October 4, 2009, one such piece will become available at the Hyde Park Square Art Show and in grand scale--the three canvas wrapped sections add up to a whopping total dimension of 30”x62” (that is three times larger than any print I have offered in the past).  If you have a big wall to fill, this will be a must see.

I also shared, in the last edition, a selection of portraits I had been working on.  I commented on how unusual it was of me to include portraiture in my newsletter.  Well, if that were not enough, I currently have an entire portrait gallery exhibit on display in Mason, Ohio for the show “Becoming.”  The all-photography show was scheduled to last until October 7, but has since been extended into November.  You can see the entire “Becoming” collection for free at the Gallery 42 and Pop Revolution galleries at 105 E. Main St., Mason, OH. Show hours are Tuesday through Friday 10-6pm and Saturday, 11-3pm.

..And now, some of the pieces I've been working on:   [Can't see 'em? Click Here]

Earlier in the month I took an expedition throughout Western New York State and the Finger Lakes Region.  The trip yielded a great variety of scenery, but the vast majority center around water in one form or another.

The water beneath Station Road Bridge casts and excellent reflection.  The arches above, and in their mirror image, frame this Cayuga Valley Railroad Train as it rushes by providing me only one opportunity to get the shot off.  In planning my trip, I paid meticulous attention to details; and in so doing, I knew exactly when to expect this particular train to cross under this scenic overpass.

This shot from a marina on Lake Seneca also benefits from the power of vibrant reflection.  The waters were calm as twilight entered the skies.  I left the shutter open for several minutes as I walked up and down the dock bursting the scene with a multitude of flashes in order make those white mast stand out brilliantly from the deep blue to purple backdrop just above the hilly terrain of Watkins Glen.

Watkins Glen also offered a great spot to see a collection of wonderful waterfalls.  Millions of years of rushing water and the freeze and thaw of cold winters has chiseled a deep canyon of majestic magnitude.  The texture of these rough and weathered  walls provide a great deal of depth to this photograph.  Allow your eyes to follow the river from the first fall, down the smooth pool until it rounds the corner and drops a second time and then continues along downstream.   Below is another photo from the series of falls at Watkins Glen.  It is shot with an infrared filter, causing the green moss in the foreground to look like rushing water.  Due to the long exposure time, running water appears soft and smooth.

The  waterfall below was also shot with an infrared filter.  As I mentioned, the infrared filter requires fairly long exposure times even in bright sunlight; thus,  this falls, tucked away and shaded by the towering rock walls which surround it, needed nearly three minutes to capture the correct amount of light.

Of all of the photos I have finished thus far, this one with the train crossing the "Grand Canyon of the East" just behind the crest of a very large waterfall, may very well be my personal favorite.

I have not openly stated it before, but I do target these newsletters to several groups: friends and family interested in my success, customers who may be interested in purchasing new pieces as I complete them, and fellow photographers eager to learn new techniques and continue a dialogue with me.  Both the photo above and below are great examples for discussing the rights that I and my fellow photographers have.  Photographers, understand your rights! (I recommend having a copy of  this pocket pamphlet of your rights on you when you are out shooting).

First, the car:  After shooting this shot I was approached by the car's owner who jokingly requested payment for the use of his antique car.  I shrugged it off, then he made it known that he did not want to find this image on the internet.  Now, I am not one to be contrary; however, he really had no basis on which to make such a request and I frankly had little intention to travel several thousand miles to take photographs that I could not ultimately share, and here's why: I was shooting from a public area (the street) and the car itself was parked on the street, and therefore there is no reasonable expectation of privacy.  Shooting from the street into someone's home is a different story because there is a "reasonable expectation of privacy" when someone is inside of their home.

Second, the photo of the father and son fishing:  Permission to take their photo was not necessary, mainly because they are not readily identifiable (due to only being silhouettes in the photograph), but also because they were in public space where there is, again, no  expectation of privacy.

Perhaps the most dramatic piece from the trip was, ironically enough, from my home state, Ohio.  This lighthouse juts out into Lake Erie in Fairport harbor.  Capturing worthwhile photos of this landmark proved rather difficult as there was a barge and a crane just to the left back corner.  When I publish the 360 degree photo from this location, you will witness how a crafty photographer comes to hide obstructions naturally. *Big Grin*

Early in the summer I began putting together a collection of panoramic photos from outside Great American Ballpark, the home of the Cincinnati Reds.  I had a profound opportunity to present these images to Senior Vice President of Business Operations of the Reds.  I am not yet prepared to make any other announcements regarding the meeting, but I can say that I was met with an assuring and warm sense of optimism for what may lie ahead.

Thanks again to everyone who replied back and/or forwarded the last newsletter!  If you have friends who may enjoy seeing it, please pass this newsletter on to them.  If you are receiving this edition from a friend... I want to hear your thoughts as well!  You can also get your email address on my distribution list so you don't ever have to miss a beat... just visit my "Request Newsletter" page on my website to sign up for it.

Previous Editions: [July '09] [May '09] [March '09] [January '09] [November '08] [October '08]