I sort of gave away the ending by sharing my very best image from my recent Minnehaha Falls outing in my very first post on the day. It wasn’t just the best image from that outing, it was one of the best photos I’ve ever made. I use the word “made” deliberately, because it wasn’t my typical fire at will and hope for the best type photo. I know, because I “take” a lot of those photos.
In fact, when I showed that first image to my mom, her comment was that it looked more like a photo by Jane than me. Which is both true and a compliment of the highest order. Today’s images are more like what I thought I would be getting during our outing. The first one is my standard style, nice interesting landscape. Don’t get me wrong, I’m perfectly happy with it.
This second one is a little more abstract. I went with a cool tone in the b&w conversion, just to be different. You can still see it’s a stream in the snow with some tree shadows, but the focus is a lot tighter.
This third one is reaching the level of abstraction I was hoping to achieve. You can tell it’s snow and shadows, but I wouldn’t call it a landscape. These are the types of images that appeal to me more and more. I’ll never quit photographing landscapes, particularly when we we are traveling, but I feel like a real artist when I can produce images more like this one.
I am so loving this new journey you are on. The last two images really speak to me. As you said, the first one is nice, don’t get me wrong. However, the shadow play and the soft, zen feel of the images are divine.