Photographs

On a quiet day, building a garden presentation, I am perusing my collection of photographs. Occasionally I come across something exceptional, but rarely garden related. I fall in love again and remember spending hours working or "processing" the image. Most are large Photoshop files, enormous in comparison to others, most of these have multiple layers. Many hours are required to build a few, they may even begin as a transfer and then re-photographed. For me this type of work is underappreciated, hence my decision to change mediums. 

Camera club competitions were my drive. After achieving "Photographer of the Year" for black and white in the advanced category, I felt I was done. That was a goal that took 11 years. 

So I'd like to share a few, these caught my attention today, some have never been seen by anyone else, for reasons I explain. 

This is shot with a color infrared camera. I have 2 such cameras, one for black and white infrared, the other color. The sensor is taken out and replaced. Photographers like to do this when they move to another camera body but keep the old one.  The location is Chatham Manor in Fredericksburg. 

For years I visited the Glade Creek Grist Mill in West Virginia at the height of fall color. This is a technique with many, many layers where you are essentially turning the photograph into something that looks like a pastel piece. I don't believe I ever put it in competition because I didn't think a judge would appreciate it.

This one was taken on a tour of the abandoned Lorton prison grounds, one of several that I attended with photographers. Never entered for judging because of the single, blatant error of cutting off the larger tower. The reason? I was being yelled at by the guard, I had ventered farther than permitted. Alas! You can see what I was trying to do, line up the second tower in the portal. Another color, black and white infrared, and HDR image.

I loved tweaking the photograph, creating a black and white but letting the color come back in, but only a hint. Many of these became the foundation of encaustic work, oil paint was used on the wax to brighten the color areas. 

Entered into competition and winning a ribbon, possibly first. The judge (Josh Taylor) thought it was a "Wowsa". I remember bowing my head when it came up, just not sure what the judge would think. It's so refreshing to have an open minded judge. The image is clearly a reversal, placed over itself again. Some come out very good, some don't, this one was exceptional. 

The original is a monstrous file, with many, many layers. I was trying to create something really moody from an old tombstone at Hollywood Cemetery in Richmond, VA. Color infrared. I am not sure why it speaks to me, but the layers include rusty metal and ivy from other photographs. 

Being in the right place at the right time with the sunlight doing what every photographer dreams it can. Tack sharp where it needs to be, this was another workshop for photography. An early morning on Chincoteague Island. 

A really large file, created after I finished competing but was still selling photography. Printed on cloth and paper, I love them both equally, but they are quite different. Someday I will frame one... or both. 

 

Comments

[DLH]

Oh, wow.
Simply gorgeous.
DLH

[Susan houser]

Hollywood Cemetary. One of my favorite places. I took a ton of photos there with my first “good” camera, my Canon AE-1.

[Karen Rexrode]

Susan, Hollywood Cemetery is such an extraordinary place for photography. I used to go often, my daughter went to VCU, so it was a requirement whenever I visited. Would love to go back.

[Susan houser]

I graduated from VCU also in the day when it was still RPI. With age brings wisdom? We are moving to Prescott Az late summer and would love to see you before we go. Day trip?

[Karen Rexrode]

Susan, Would love to get together, will email you. Karen

[Scott Sneddon]

Your portraits are the best!