In the Moment:
Michael Frye's Landscape Photography Blog
by Michael Frye | May 9, 2011 | Yosemite Photo Conditions
Emerging dogwood along the Merced River (from 2005)
I drove up to Yosemite Valley on Saturday for my reception at The Ansel Adams Gallery, and saw many dogwoods in full bloom—finally! I’d say about half of the blossoms in the valley had turned white, while half were still in that greenish-yellow stage. They’re changing quickly, and I expect that most of them are in full bloom today.
Meanwhile, the attendance at the reception was great—thanks to all of you who came! It was fun to actually shake hands with people who I’d previously only met in the comments of this blog, or on Facebook or Twitter. And it was nice to connect with old friends and acquaintances.
Now I’m on my way to Utah for the Moab Photography Symposium later this week. I’m reminded of that line at the end of the Coen brother’s movie Raising Arizona, something about finding a place “where all the children are happy, and all the parents are strong, and wise. Maybe Utah.” Of course—Utah. Here I come.
by Michael Frye | Apr 28, 2011 | Critiques
"Bonsai Waves" by Mat Malone
Composition
This week’s photograph was made by Mat Malone along the eastern shore of Lake Tahoe, Nevada. What first caught my eye about this image was the composition, with the layered, repeating shapes of the foreground rocks leading the eyes toward the more distant rock with the “bonsai” trees.
In some other critiques I’ve taken issue with foregrounds that didn’t seem to work, that really didn’t add to the photograph. This, on the other hand, is a strong foreground, something that contributes greatly to the overall effect of the image.
Mat told me, “When I was composing this I was really trying find an interesting set of lines that I could incorporate into the foreground. Along the shore I found a few large boulders next to each other that also lined up with the bonsai rock. Then it was just a matter of finding a perch for my tripod with a height that gave the rocks the separation I liked, and waiting for the light.”
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by Michael Frye | Apr 26, 2011 | Yosemite Photo Conditions
Rainbow on Bridalveil Fall
We had a great time last week during my Spring Yosemite Digital Camera Workshop. The weather was constantly changing, which made things challenging, but interesting. I made this photograph of Bridalveil Fall on Thursday as clouds alternately hid and revealed the sun, creating wonderful chiaroscuro light.
Cooler weather has slowed the snowmelt a bit, but the waterfalls are still going strong. The lower temperatures will actually help preserve the snowpack, and ensure that the water will continue to flow well into summer. Someone asked me recently about photographing the lunar rainbow during the July 14th full moon, and I think that might actually be possible this year. There will certainly be plenty of spray for rainbows during the May and June full moons.
A few cottonwood trees have started to leaf out, and I saw the beginnings of some dogwood blossoms. Although skies are supposed to be mostly clear this week, temperatures are expected to remain cool, which might slow the emergence of the dogwoods. At this point the dogwood peak looks to be at least two weeks away, although we could see some individuals in full bloom within a week.
It’s still shaping up to be a spectacular spring—but a late one.
by Michael Frye | Apr 18, 2011 | Yosemite Photo Conditions
Forest dogwood, 2009 (part of my current exhibit at The Ansel Adams Gallery)
Just a quick note about conditions in Yosemite before I start my Spring Yosemite Digital Camera workshop tomorrow…
Spring is a bit behind schedule this year. A few trees have new leaves, and a few more have buds, but Yosemite Valley hasn’t really started greening up yet. And there’s no sign of dogwoods. Looks like the dogwood bloom will be at least a week or two late; it will probably start the first or second week of May.
Down in the Merced River Canyon, west of the park, you can still find some nice redbud, but they’re fading quickly. By this weekend most will have leafed out. There aren’t many other flowers to be seen either.
But here in Yosemite Valley the waterfalls are roaring. I watched spray being blown all the way from the bottom to the top of Upper Yosemite Fall, something I can’t recall ever seeing before. It must have been the wind, or perhaps some strange configuration of the ice cone at its base. But in any case the recent warm weather has increased the rate of snowmelt, and a lot of water is coming down.
The weather is supposed to turn cooler this week, so the flow will temporarily diminish a bit, but any warm spells between now and mid-June will create heavy runoff. I expect this to be a great year for waterfalls.
by Michael Frye | Apr 13, 2011 | Announcements
Waves and Reflections in the Merced River
Some great events coming up! Here are a few highlights:
Reflections on Yosemite Exhibit
The Ansel Adams Gallery, April 18 – May 25
I’m busily printing and matting images for this show, which starts on Monday. We’ve picked the photographs and layout, and I think it will look great. The exhibit will include lots of new work, as well as a few of my classic Yosemite images. Regular readers of this blog will recognize many of the photographs, but there’s nothing like seeing actual prints.
I hope some of you will get to stop by the gallery (next to the Visitor Center in Yosemite Valley) during the show, or better yet come to the reception on Saturday, May 7th, from 3 to 5 p.m.
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by Michael Frye | Apr 7, 2011 | Digital Photography Basics, Photography Tips
Most camera's light meters would read the dark areas in the background and overexpose these dogwood blossoms. To correct for this, you need to either override the meter with exposure compensation, or adjust the exposure manually.
In the first part of this series I explained one of the most fundamental aspects of digital photography: reading histograms. In this edition I’ll delve into the next step: how to adjust the exposure when the histogram doesn’t look right the first time.
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by Michael Frye | Apr 5, 2011 | Yosemite Photo Conditions
Redbud and Rocks along the Merced River. Soft light emphasized the colors.
Flower Reports
They’re late this year, but the redbud are finally blooming in the Merced River Canyon, along Highway 140 west of Yosemite. I’d say they’re just short of peak; some have not yet bloomed, but none have leaves. Photographically, this is the most interesting time, as once they start to leaf out they’re not as photogenic.
The big snowstorm two weeks ago damaged some of the redbud near El Portal, but further west they’re in great shape. Look for them everywhere near the river along the main highway, as well as the Merced River Recreation Area at Briceburg.
So far few poppies have appeared near the Merced River. They might be late, or it just may turn out to be a poor year for them—time will tell. But the best poppy blooms I’ve seen here have always occurred in March.
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by Michael Frye | Mar 27, 2011 | Announcements, Photography Tips
Autumn Sunrise, Half Dome and the Merced River
How do you give your photographs impact? How do you convey the grandeur of the landscape in a small, two-dimensional image? You have to find your focus. I’m not talking about turning the ring on your lens—I’m talking about focusing your composition on the essentials and finding a strong design.
My latest article in Outdoor Photographer magazine discusses exactly how to do that. Titled Find Your Focus, it shows you how to communicate your vision by simplifying, finding focal points, creating depth, and looking for patterns. The article is scheduled for the May issue, due out next month, but it’s already on the OutdoorPhotographer.com website—a sneak preview. I hope you enjoy the article!
by Michael Frye | Mar 23, 2011 | Yosemite Photo Conditions
A snowy scene from 2008
A storm dumped three feet of snow in Yosemite Valley on Sunday and Monday, knocking down trees and power lines, and closing all roads into the park. Due to lack of electricity and water in Yosemite Valley, the park service evacuated all visitors and non-essential employees. The park won’t reopen until power is restored, which may not be until this weekend, or possibly later. The main electrical line into the park was cut by a rock slide that knocked over an electrical tower, and replacing the tower requires bringing in crews and equipment by helicopter.
More rain and snow are falling in the park today, another storm is expected to arrive tomorrow, and one more on Saturday. These additional weather systems may hamper efforts to clear roads and restore electricity.
Power is still out in many foothill communities outside the park, especially around Oakhurst. We lost electricity at our home in Mariposa for about eight hours on Monday, but this was a small problem compared to what some of our neighbors are dealing with. My mom, who lives outside of Oakhurst, is still without power, so she’d taken refuge with us.
Here’s a link to one story and video about this event, and here’s another, both from Fresno’s ABC30 web site. If any of you find links to other good information, please post them in the comments. If you’re planning to head to Yosemite, call 209-372-0200 for the latest road information.
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by Michael Frye | Mar 21, 2011 | Reviews
When I think about contemporary landscape photographers who’s work I admire and respect, Guy Tal is definitely on that list. He consistently produces beautiful work in a natural style that reflects his appreciation for the natural world.
I recently had the opportunity to review Guy’s eBook, Creative Landscape Photography. I’ve read a lot of books and articles about photography, and written a few myself, so it’s refreshing when I find something that presents a new idea, or a new way of looking at the process of photography. This book does that. Guy has the ability to get you to think in different ways about photography, and about your own approach to a subject. Rather than presenting recipes for successful photographs, or abstract philosophical ideas, he gives you concrete steps to help provoke your own thought process, and stimulate your creativity.
This includes a list of questions to ask yourself before photographing a subject, like, “What element(s) do I find most visually appealing about the scene?, or “What emotion(s) can I convey to my viewers using the elements in this scene?” All vital questions.. While highly-experienced photographers may consider such things instinctively and automatically, even they can use a reminder, and less experienced photographers will find that a conscious effort to answer these questions will pay big dividends.
Guy has always struck me as a thoughtful person, and that comes through in this volume. It’s clear that he’s has given a lot of thought to every aspect of landscape photography:
“A common enemy of good composition is the impulse when an attractive scene presents itself to immediately reach for the camera, snap a few quick exposures, and move on to continue the hunt. In reality, chances are your perspective will not be ideal at the precise moment you discover your subject.”
“Consider all the rules, take what works. Apply where appropriate, but do not be afraid to break every last one of them. Go with your instinct. Photograph for yourself and satisfy your own sensibilities and aesthetics. True artists do not pander to a pre-selected audience. Instead, they carve an audience of their own from those who will encounter and be moved by their work.”
The heart of the book is the first four sections, called The Creative Process, Concept, Visualization, and Composition. The remaining three parts—Capture, Processing, and Presentation—support the ideas presented in the beginning, explaining how to carry your original vision through to a finished photograph. The book also includes many of Guy’s beautiful photographs to inspire you, most from one of my favorite regions in the country, the canyons of southern Utah.
Anyone who’s serious about making better, more creative landscape photographs will learn a lot from this eBook. It’s available directly from Guy Tal’s web site for 9.95. He’s also announced a sequel,Creative Processing Techniques in Nature Photography, due out later this year.
