Bonnie Rannald's Photo-Explorations in focus with nature.

Monday, January 28, 2013

Special Effects Through Mistakes

Making the Most of the Moment

Rushing out with the camera to catch that scene before it disappears can often allow for mistakes. However, a few of my mistakes have created some interesting photographs.

While trying to catch the full moon just as it was peeking over the Gillis Mountains at Walker Lake, Nevada, I forgot to remove the UV filter. As a result, the light reflected off the optical elements within the lens and bounced back to the camera's sensor, thereby producing this scene where the moon has lost her face.

On a sunny day, I was attempting to photograph ice crystals or sundogs (parhelion) that were forming in the clouds. Aiming that close to the sun, it is almost impossible not to catch flare, even with a lens hood. The flare in this image produced radial streaks, appearing as a bright spots (ghosting) across the scene. An added bonus to this scene was the jet and contrail that seems to be headed toward one of the polygonal shapes.

As much as I love full moons, the crescent moon also holds as much beauty and intrigue. While bracketing my exposure on manual setting, I overexposed this scene of the moon with some interesting highlights.

My first attempt to catch the solar eclipse ended in disappointment when clouds covered the Wassuk Mountains just as the sun went in to eclipse. Not being one to give up, I took the photos hoping that the sun might show through the clouds. What I did catch, due to filter stacking was some interesting effects from lens flare.

Attempting to capture the scene of the undertaker's parlor through the dusty window at Bodie Ghost Town State Park put shivers up my back. However, when I processed the RAW images and saw the light streaking from the dark ceiling, it really gave me the shutters!

Creating special effects with photography is fun and can be challenging. It’s a special bonus when they just happen and create a more interesting scene.

What an exciting and interesting photo-adventure this day has been. I love it when I am drawn to an area and not knowing what to expect I get treated to new experiences.

Photography places me in the moment where I can share that moment in time. It becomes a life story as represented by my interaction with the scene. The happiness and beauty or the sorrow and strife; how I focus leaves a lasting impression that might touch the viewer on a spiritual level.

"Reflecting Nature's Artistry"

Many of these images are available on my website:

http://www.bonnierannald.com/

For custom matted and framed images:
Off The Wall

No images on this blog are within Public Domain or are available for free download.

All rights reserved, world-wide and images protected by Digital Millennium Copyright Act (DMCA). All photography, graphics, text, design, and content is copyrighted by Bonnie Rannald and should not be copied, down-loaded, transferred and re-created in any way without the express consent, in writing to Bonnie Rannald. For information on Bonnie Rannald licensed, right-managed images, please submit a written request.

Sunday, January 20, 2013

Photography's Unique History

The Photographs That Have Gone Before

I came across a quote the other day from Jonathan N Jones in The Guardian: "The thing about painting is that no good painting can be made in ignorance of the painting that went before. This is why painting is different from, say, photography which has no history in the sense that painting has. Painting is like classical music. It is a high art form."

After spending all day in contemplation of Mr. Jones remark, I begin to wonder if it is somewhat true. The drawback with photography as an art form in this digital age is, a novice without any formal training, can produce unlimited snapshots by just snapping away with the camera on automatic. This is all wonderful when the camera enthusiast realizes their endeavor for what it is, a hobby. However, the problem arises when the novice tries to make the transition to fine art photography before perfecting the craft.

Without a grasp of "the photographs that went before" and the interesting history of photography going back as early as the 4th century BC, the medium becomes watered down and does appear to have no history. Photography, whose medium is light, is both an art and a craft, originating around 330 BC and noted by Aristotle who questioned why the sun could make a circular image when it shined through a square hole. Later in its evolution, scientist Sir John F.W. Herschel in 1839 coined the word "Photography" from the Greek words meaning to draw with light.

So photography originated not as an art medium but rather through the combining of several different technical discoveries while exploring the phenomenon of light. It was much later and way beyond the 1820's after French inventor Joseph Nicephore Niepce's heliographs (sun prints) became the prototype for the modern photograph.

I remember early in my photography career how difficult it was to become accepted by the fine art community. The jurying committee for art shows and galleries would only consider the best copywork and portfolios, anything not meeting their high standards went straight to the trash bin. The presentation was most important, with prints of at least 16x20 inches framed with archival and conservation products to insure that the photograph would not deteriorate over time.

Today, I wonder where the standards of excellence have gone when I see countless photographs posted in the social media that are believed to be made better with more enhancing. Forget about the sharpness of the image or the accuracy of colors in nature; just make them look like paintings and people go wow!

I always remember the humbling experience when I spent countless hours shooting what I thought was the perfect image and my mentor threw it back at me and said: "Go re-shoot!"

Now I am forever grateful for the hard knocks and learning experiences that developed me in to a professional photographer. It is not just my reputation on the line when I present a photograph to the public; I am also carrying on my back all the photographs that have gone before.

For more information:

http://inventors.about.com/od/pstartinventions/a/stilphotography.htm

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/History_of_photography

What an exciting and interesting photo-adventure this day has been. I love it when I am drawn to an area and not knowing what to expect I get treated to new experiences.

"Reflecting Nature's Artistry"

Many of these images are available on my website:

http://www.bonnierannald.com/

For custom matted and framed images:
Off The Wall

No images on this blog are within Public Domain or are available for free download.

Saturday, January 12, 2013

Art of Photography

Creating the Photograph

In this technological age where pocket cameras and phones are producing photographs with the quality comparable to that of a Hassleblad, I am ever minded of the quote from Ansel Adams, “You don't make a photograph just with a camera. You bring to the act of photography all the pictures you have seen, the books you have read, the music you have heard, the people you have loved.”

How often do these traits mentioned by Adams still hold true when the art of producing photographs has become as common as serving a prepackaged gourmet meal from the microwave. Looking over Adam's background, an early childhood devotion to music, an appreciation for the arts, plus a love for our natural environment greatly influenced his photography. Furthermore, Adams developed his mastery of photography through countless hours of reading, observing art exhibits and attending camera club meetings. During the time that Adams was perfecting his camera skills, he was also conditioning his body for the strength and stamina needed to carry the heavy equipment over rugged trails and higher elevations in Yosemite Valley, California.

At this point, maybe you are curious as to why I am making comparisons with Ansel Adams and present day photographers. I suppose it is due to the numerous requests that I receive from people who want to get in to photography and enjoy what I'm doing. As a seasoned professional photographer, I am always amazed by these requests, especially when it comes from a novice who thinks photography is the easiest art medium to pursue.

I get amused when I reflect over the times I stood in the freezing cold and waited for a photo that never materialized. Or the day I was out in the desert hiking with a backpack of camera equipment and a lightning storm was moving in. Yes, photography is easy when a snapshot is taken from the inside of a climate controlled car.

So over and above the fitness training that I perform on a daily basis, as with Adams, my photographs are a composite from my background in music, studies in fine art, a MA degree and countless hours perfecting my skill. I create my photographs by carefully composing the scene and then adjusting the exposure per the available light within the camera before I ever release the shutter. Shooting in the RAW mode, any additional adjustments are made to the photograph with Lightroom editing software.

My mentor once compared the making of a photograph to that of cooking a gourmet meal: the careful preparation and slow simmering to bring out the flavor of all the ingredients. How true I've found this to be when the photograph has that WOW factor and pops right off the wall.

What an exciting and interesting photo-adventure this day has been. I love it when I am drawn to an area and not knowing what to expect I get treated to new experiences.

"Reflecting Nature's Artistry"

Many of these images are available on my website:

http://www.bonnierannald.com/

For custom matted and framed images:
Off The Wall

No images on this blog are within Public Domain or are available for free download.

Sunday, December 30, 2012

Highlights of 2012

Welcoming the New Year

The past year has been both exciting with new opportunities and disappointing with the loss of more art shows.

Early in the year a notice came out that the Purple Summer Festival at Lavender Ridge during Reno's Artown would not be held again this year. Over the past four years the Purple Summer Festival has become one of Reno's largest art festivals with three days of family fun, music and culinary delights.

The opportunities that came through this year also gave me a chance to début several of my new photographs.

An exciting start to the New Year began when I received an invitation to join Reno's art touring group, Reno Open Studios. It's quite an honor to be among the 40 artists who promote their art in exhibits in the Reno area and open their studios for the public during September.

During my open studio, I exhibited my new collection of photographs, "Solar Temenos" that were taken during the Venus Transit across the sun. I demonstrated the process of making a Baader Solar Filter and adapting it to the Nikon 500mm 4.0 lens that was mounted to my digital camera. For more information on the Solar Temenos, please follow the link at the end of the post.

In early June, I was very fortunate to have my Nevada photographs selected for exhibit and purchase at the 49th. International Photo Fair in Bièvres, France.

Among the photos selected was a new work entitled, "Fall Equinox Moon".

Culminating my exhibits for the 2012 season and opening November 22nd. through December 13th., I was honored to be included with six photographers from different parts of the world to exhibit in "November Montmartre" at the L'Atelier des Artistes Montmartre in Paris, France.

The photographs selected were images of fall scenes in the southwestern U.S., including one of my latest works, "Silver City, Nevada”.

My favorite photo shoots during the year:

Americana Music Festival in Virginia City, Nevada on July 14th.

Fall adventures in Yosemite National Park through Tioga Pass.

It has been an exciting year, I welcome the New Year and wish everyone a happy 2013!

For more information:

http://bonnierannald.blogspot.com/2012/08/reno-open-studios.html

http://bonnierannald.blogspot.com/2012/06/transit-of-venus-from-walker-lake.html

http://bonnierannald.blogspot.com/2012/06/49th-international-photo-fair.html

http://bonnierannald.blogspot.com/2012/11/bonnie-rannalds-photographic.html

What an exciting and interesting photo-adventure this day has been. I love it when I am drawn to an area and not knowing what to expect I get treated to new experiences.

"Reflecting Nature's Artistry"

Many of these images are available on my website:

http://www.bonnierannald.com/

For custom matted and framed images:
Off The Wall

No images on this blog are within Public Domain or are available for free download.

Monday, December 24, 2012

Celebrating the Season

Special Time for Embracing Nature

As the countdown begins toward that big time of festivities and traditions on Christmas Day, I look out my office window at the trees shuttering in the cold wind and am reminded of how I love to celebrate this special day.

With all the rush and frenzy to buy the right gift, plus the hours in preparation for the holiday feast, there is nothing more pleasing than taking a quiet walk in nature.

I suppose my desire to spend time in nature was developed by my dad when he took interesting drives after our big noon-time meal on the back roads in Georgia.

Christmas Day to me is a time to embrace and celebrate peace and to reflect back on treasured moments with loves ones.

What better way to celebrate the peace than a picnic on leftovers with some hot spiced tea, surrounded by the wonders of nature.

As I reflect back over special times and cherished memories of Christmases past, I wish to you a peaceful and joyous Holiday Season.

What an exciting and interesting photo-adventure this day has been. I love it when I am drawn to an area and not knowing what to expect I get treated to new experiences.

"Reflecting Nature's Artistry"

Many of these images are available on my website:

http://www.bonnierannald.com/

For custom matted and framed images:
Off The Wall

No images on this blog are within Public Domain or are available for free download.

Tuesday, December 18, 2012

Winter Solstice, a Time for Reflection

Welcome to 2012 Winter Solstice

Winter Solstice, a period of so much darkness, to me is a time to turn inward. A time for quiet reflection and as the earth slumbers, inner peace is restored. The video, “Winter Solstice” is my reflections of special moments over the past year.

Winter Solstice 2012

Winter solstice occurs on December 21st.
When the sun shines directly over the tropic of Capricorn.

The sun appears at its lowest point in the sky,

marking the shortest day and the longest night of the year.
The word solstice from Latin, solstitium, sol, sun.

A balance between the forces of day and night.
Nature's reprieve from summer follies,

when nature lies dormant all around us and stillness settles over the land.
A time for quiet reflection, to reflect on the passing year.
The longest night surrenders, the light shines on a new day,

renewing our inner light, and focus for a new year.

What an exciting and interesting photo-adventure this day has been. I love it when I am drawn to an area and not knowing what to expect I get treated to new experiences.

"Reflecting Nature's Artistry"

Many of these images are available on my website:

http://www.bonnierannald.com/

For custom matted and framed images:
Off The Wall

No images on this blog are within Public Domain or are available for free download.

Thursday, December 13, 2012

Photographing Wildlife in Snowstorms and Freezing Fog

Winter Weather Adventures makes for Challenging Photography

The challenge of nature photography is greatest in winter when I have to protect my equipment and my body from the elements. However, if the snow is falling animals tend to hanker down to conserve energy and avoid being attacked by predators. By dressing in neutral colors and approaching quietly, I have been able to go unnoticed and catch some rare moments with wildlife.

Early one cold December morning after a snow storm at Walker Lake, Nevada I happened upon this large group of Desert Bighorn Sheep. They were nestled down in a canyon, waiting for the storm to clear. With my telephoto lens, I was able to get as many photos as I wanted and they were not even aware of my presence.

Several years ago in Southern Nevada, a cold front moved in bringing snow to the Mojave Desert. While I was driving through Red Rock Canyon National Conservation Area, I spotted these 3 wild horses. I pulled off to the roadside. They looked up just as I snapped the shutter but then continued to graze through the fresh fallen snow.

Over the years Asian Doves have taken up residence at Walker Lake. One snowy winter morning when I looked out my kitchen window, I noticed a dole of doves finding shelter in my neighbor's peppercorn tree. Using my long Nikon 500mm lens, I was able to capture this special moment.

Eagles are definitely fair weather fowl and most often will remain perched high in the trees waiting for the skies to clear. On a cold morning in Mount Carmel, Utah I saw this Bald Eagle in the distance perched on a limb. As I was focusing on the eagle, it spotted some prey and took off. I was lucky to have my camera on autofocus for this rare shot.

Fog mixed with snow can present some challenging opportunities for wildlife photography. On this cold and dark day, I noticed the outline of several large shapes up ahead in the desert. I wasn't sure what I might be coming upon and if I should turn back. Finally I realized this was a herd of horses. I set my camera to under expose and silhouette the horses against the dreary background. And then I quietly turned around and made my departure.

The weather phenomenon of freezing fog or Pogonip occurs in the Great Basin Desert on very cold mornings. On this morning I traveled to the Stillwater Wildlife Refuge in hopes of getting some interesting photos. I was walking toward an ice covered stream when the crunch of my boots on the frosty grass spooked a pair of Red-tailed Hawks. As fast as possible I pressed the shutter that was on continuous servo in hopes of getting the scene in focus. I was honored with a Third Place award of this photo, Quiet Retreat, at the Opening of Umeå 2014 European Capital of Culture, Expo d'été à Paris.

What an exciting and interesting photo-adventure this day has been. I love it when I am drawn to an area and not knowing what to expect I get treated to new experiences.

"Reflecting Nature's Artistry"

Many of these images are available on my website:

http://www.bonnierannald.com/

For custom matted and framed images:
Off The Wall

No images on this blog are within Public Domain or are available for free download.

Saturday, December 8, 2012

Winter Storm Accents Flowers

Diffused Lighting, Snowflakes and Flowers

The autumn of 2012 in Northern Nevada has been anything but typical with warm sunny days and mild nights. As all good things must eventually come to an end, on the morning of November 10th. a cold front passed through the area covering the landscape in a blanket of snow.

Once the storm passed, the sky remained overcast which created nice, even soft lighting. A walk through the yard found the flowers decorated with snow that were still in bloom.

The diffused lighting without the harsh shadows and contrast from direct sunlight allowed the colors of the flowers to appear more saturated, as with the red filaments on the bird of paradise bush.

A pink petunia nestled in the snow might make an attractive Christmas card.

The additional moisture accented the plants, creating interesting patterns with water droplets.

The thorn on the branch of a purple robe locus trees stands out in sharp contrast against the light background, the near freezing temperature suspends a water drop that is too frigid to fall.

A stalk of Russian Sage wears a frosty hat.

The scattered light passing through the clouds creates a surreal, dreamy effect on the pampas grass.

Finding the conditions completely favorable in nature photography is often a huge challenge. However, when things are just right it is a fun and rewarding experience to be out there and in the moment.

Great news, "November Montmartre", an exhibition of photographers from around the world has been extended through December 13th. For mor information, please follow the link:

http://bonnierannald.blogspot.com/2012/11/bonnie-rannalds-photographic.html

What an exciting and interesting photo-adventure this day has been. I love it when I am drawn to an area and not knowing what to expect I get treated to new experiences.

"Reflecting Nature's Artistry"

Many of these images are available on my website:

http://www.bonnierannald.com/

For custom matted and framed images:
Off The Wall

No images on this blog are within Public Domain or are available for free download.

Bonnie Rannald's Photo-Explorations in focus with nature.

Monday, January 28, 2013

Special Effects Through Mistakes

Sunday, January 20, 2013

Photography's Unique History

Saturday, January 12, 2013

Art of Photography

Sunday, December 30, 2012

Highlights of 2012

Monday, December 24, 2012

Celebrating the Season

Tuesday, December 18, 2012

Winter Solstice, a Time for Reflection

Thursday, December 13, 2012

Photographing Wildlife in Snowstorms and Freezing Fog

Saturday, December 8, 2012

Winter Storm Accents Flowers

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