Adirondack Light

Re-View

2012-01-10T10:45:00.000-05:00

I'm grateful for some nice press I received in Adirondack Almanack. Click here to see the article. It's so much fun to be part of such a comprehensive show!

Holiday Gathering at Shelter

2011-11-26T18:41:00.000-05:00

Join me and the staff at Shelter for cocktails and a first look at the new Radigan Adirondack Wall featuring my latest work and the framing talents of Jim Kiefer. All the pieces are framed using Adirondack native hardwoods, selected for each individual image. Believe me, the total package is amazing!

I'll be appearing at Shelter from 2 to 4 pm on Saturday, December 3, where we'll be enjoying wines, hors d'oeuvres and great company. I'm really excited about the new work and hope you'll come by and check it out. Shelter is located at 3109 St. Rt. 28 (Main St.) in Old Forge, NY next to the arcade. For any questions call (315) 369-5014.

Shelter is my exclusive dealer in the Adirondacks, specializing in exceptional rustic and contemporary custom furniture and home accessories designed by Jim Kiefer. This is the best there is!

See my latest work at View

2011-11-25T08:53:00.000-05:00

I'll be showing my latest work as part of the group exhibit Teacher's Turn: Instructors from the Adirondack Photography Institute, which will take place at View in Old Forge from December 3, 2011 thru January 29, 2012. In a rare opportunity, the work of the rest of the API staff will also be on display.

I'm very excited about this first opportunity to show at the new arts center!

Hanging On

2011-10-07T09:19:00.000-04:00

Finally, two days in a row of fall weather. The colors are hanging on, but they definitely peaked about a week earlier than usual for this area.

Now is a great time for all of the ground foliage...

Signs of the Season

2011-09-13T12:01:00.001-04:00

A beautiful morning today in the village of Raquette Lake. The colors are changing a lot in certain places. It seems early, but a careful assessment proves otherwise. The maples are still in their summer coats. The changes seem mostly related to the wetland trees. There is a really nice little pond right on Rt. 28 near the village. I've done a few simple things there over the years, but today I was determined to dig into it a little. Today I was captured by the subtle variations in the earth-tone colors of the trees bordering the pond. The image I made looks like chaos at first, but there is a definite simple structure and the more I look at it the more I see. I'll look at it again six months from now and decide whether I really like it or not!

Driving Through The Woods

2011-09-12T19:54:00.000-04:00

Beautiful weather today once the morning blah burned off. I couldn't resist taking my new car into Moose River Recreation Area. It's been so long since I've had a car that can go in there without my being on edge the whole time. So long in fact that the D.E.C. has since closed my favorite road in the area, toward Muskrat Pond and Squaw Lake, one of the most beautiful remote trails in the Adirondacks. It still makes me sad.

Today was all about checking out what's changed, stopping along the way to walk down to the various streams, clear my head. It didn't take long for me to be reminded why I love northern forest so much. Nothing smells like the north woods.

This being a weekday, the Otter Brook campsite was unoccupied. A great place for me to plop down my camp chair and finish a book. Sure wish I would have brought my tent...

Finally

2011-09-12T09:40:00.000-04:00

Misty, rainy, Seventh Lake Mountain

Got up to meet the sunrise today. At least that was the plan. It wasn't obvious to me when the sun actually came up. So my first morning here is a gray one. But that's OK. Anything here is better than a nice day anywhere else!

Goal #1: Take a photo of something. Anything. Just get started.

Mission accomplished. It's not much, but I saw, I heard, I smelled the Adirondacks again.

I find myself wishing I could share it with someone...

Looking Forward

2011-09-10T10:36:00.000-04:00

I was supposed to be on the road today. Figured I'd get up at 5:00 AM, pack the car, and head to Inlet for my fall season. That plan went to hell when the torrential downpour (that lasted an hour!) and lightning storm began at 4:45. As I lay in bed it occurred to me that I could stay here one more day and get a head start on my materials for the next two workshops. So here I am...

I came across this poem by Mary Oliver last night. It reminded me immediately of Nancy Rotenberg. It also makes me ponder my own uncertain future. It is a wake-up call to us in our muddling through life...

The Summer Day
By Mary Oliver

Who made the world?
Who made the swan, and the black bear?
Who made the grasshopper?
This grasshopper, I mean –
the one who has flung herself out of the grass,
the one who is eating sugar out of my hand,
who is moving her jaws back and forth instead of up and down –
who is gazing around with her enormous and complicated eyes.
Now she lifts her pale forearms and thoroughly washes her face.
Now she snaps her wings open, and floats away.
I don’t know exactly what a prayer is.
I do know how to pay attention, how to fall down
into the grass, how to kneel down in the grass,
how to be idle and blessed, how to stroll through the fields,
which is what I have been doing all day.
Tell me, what else should I have done?
Doesn’t everything die at last, and too soon?
Tell me, what is it you plan to do
with your one wild and precious life?

My Friend, Nancy

2011-08-27T15:02:00.000-04:00

I remember the first time I met Nancy Rotenberg. I was attending a photo workshop put on by Adirondack Life magazine in the mid-90's. Nancy was one of the leaders. I remember thinking: "This woman is like a magnet!". She was just so full of life that she was impossible to ignore. Not only that but she was doing beautiful work. We became friends that weekend.

Our friendship lasted many years, and became the foundation for the Adirondack Photography Institute. Working with Nancy was always the highlight of my year. The two of us, along with Nancy's good friend and assistant Linda Torbert, laughed and worked and laughed some more. These were the most wonderful moments of my life. If I was fated to be stuck in a time-warp, I would choose to spend it just the three of us, forever laughing our way across the Adirondacks, dragging sleep-deprived workshop participants in tow.

The news that I have been dreading for some time came this morning. My friend Nancy is gone.

I could write about her forever, but I should leave her spirit to the silence. I love you Nancy and I will never forget.

Smiling in My Exhaustion

2011-08-21T20:07:00.001-04:00

Great weather this weekend in Lake Placid! I'd forgotten just how hard it is to drive straight from Cleveland into a workshop. But it was worth it. This was a great group that laughed a lot and made some really great images. (Best Milky Way picture I've seen!)

I met some people I'll never forget. And had some beautiful surprises.

I'm going to act like an invalid tonight in Inlet. Make some visits on Monday. Then home. (boo) What's it going to take for me to just be here? Can't wait to get back up here for the retreat...

First Workshop This Year!

2011-08-20T19:27:00.000-04:00

It's been way, way too long since I've been here, but here I am at last! My first workshop of the year! I get to see all my friends from Adirondack Life, most of the API staff and have a great time in Lake Placid. They were calling for nasty weather, but it has been perfect the whole time. And, what a surprise when I opened the door to my room at the Northwoods and saw the killer view of Mirror Lake, Whiteface and Main Street. I am SO happy!

One more day and then back to Inlet...

Brian Henke and then the Woods

2011-08-16T10:04:00.000-04:00

It's only fitting that I was able to watch Brian Henke perform last night. He's such a great player and I use his work in nearly all of my Adirondack-related presentations. So his music reverberates in my mind as I prepare for my Lake Placid workshop coming this weekend. Brian and I are also planning a special event together highlighting our new work, probably taking place early next year. Stay tuned!

You can get a nice sampling of Brian by watching this video I made to promote Adirondack Photo Institute. His music is available on cdbaby.

Back To The Woods

2011-06-22T17:09:00.000-04:00

A Group of Friends

Gotta get back to the woods! Kevin's bachelor party camping trip to Allegheny Forest this weekend will help, but I've got to get back to the other woods!

Another image from my upcoming delivery to Shelter. I can smell the balsam...

Beginning Again. Again...

2011-06-19T12:18:00.000-04:00

It's that time of year when summer season in the Adirondacks is starting to get serious. This year I'm going to do something new and exciting. I'm going to get together with Shelter, my exclusive dealer in the Adirondacks, and put together an invitation-only event featuring some of my newest work, to celebrate the new season. I'm working on the images now, and will soon be getting them off to Shelter, where Jim Kiefer will be finishing them with beautiful Adirondack hardwood frames.

It's exciting to be working on new things, and exciting to share them. Above is a sneak peek from Eighth Lake last fall.

Martin and His Spider

2011-03-29T15:24:00.001-04:00

I admit that sometimes I forget what it's like to be a Clevelander. Last year I didn't spend much time here, and when I did, I wasn't really here.

I've known about The Barking Spider for a long time. But I didn't begin to spend signficant time there until last year. It was a place to go and regroup, to start over, to be anonymous. Friendly, but unobtrusive. Authentic is probably a good word. Anyhow, the history was unknown to me.

Last night, I spent the evening with what can only be called the Spider family. Beachland Ballroom graciously hosted Martin Memorial, in memory of the visionary founder of The Barking Spider, Martin Juredine, who passed on very recently. All kinds of great music and stories and goodwill, ending with a sparkling performance by Jim Volk in the tavern.

I knew Martin by sight only, but man did he touch a lot of people in his life. This night was all about what it means to be a Clevelander, the good times, the bad, the bizarre, the lonely, the community. It was about just how BIG music and poetry and laughter can be. And just how big of a part the Spider plays in all of it. A night not to be forgotten...

A Walk Through Melancholy

2011-03-22T23:13:00.001-04:00

A thread that came to me after taking in open mic talent at the Barking Spider...

A Looking Back

I sang one song
About a man,
Trying to find his way
Between the two sides of the coin.
I always wanted to sing it to someone,
But I never met you

I made one image
Of the world in all its beauty,
And boundless indifference.
I always wanted to show it to someone,
But I never met you

I wrote one poem
Of no rhyme or reason
But the unadorned truth.
I always wanted to read it to someone in love,
But I never met you

I did all these things
But I missed it
And never met you

CBG Afterglow

2011-03-13T16:01:00.000-04:00

Photo by Karen Krugman

I've made a lot of changes to my macro program at Cleveland Botanical Garden. This weekend was the third time I've led a program in conjunction with Orchid Mania. I think overall the participants have always ended the weekend feeling that they've learned a lot, but I have always felt that the structure of the program didn't allow me to get enough across. This time, however, I left CBG feeling that the program resulted in a big step up in the participants' work. I was really happy to see how many nice images were shown during the final critique. I was even happier to see how much exploration was happening, with everyone working hard to dig deeper and deeper into their subjects, trying to get their defining image.

If this weekend was any indication, this is going to be a great workshop year for me...

Rites of Spring

2011-03-07T19:40:00.000-05:00

Things are starting to look different to me. Yeah, it snowed yesterday, but things just looked different. Sun angle, I guess. Regardless, this time of year certain things take place that make Spring start to seem inevitable. When I start to get that feeling, there are things I do as well, so I can play along. Once I see the March sun, I start thinking camping. Hard to believe, but only six weeks 'til my start of the season camping trip to Allegheny National Forest! To get in the mood, a trip to Gander Mountain is required. Just a half-hour or so walking around looking at stuff, thinking about campfires and fishing and stars and hikes and on and on. (Yeah, I think about photographing, as well) I don't really need much in the way of camping gear anymore, but looking at the stuff gets me fired up to get outdoors. It won't be long now...

Another sure sign of spring is the annual Orchid Mania at Cleveland Botanical Garden. Again this year I'm lucky enough to be taking part, by leading a macro workshop at the Garden. I'll be working with some new friends this Saturday and Sunday, showing tips and tricks to getting creative with flowers. I'm excited that we'll have some private time in the Glass House this year, before the Garden opens to the public.

Camping gear shopping and Orchid Mania: Two sure signs of Spring!

Apparition

2011-01-29T18:07:00.003-05:00

I dream the shape of your words,
hair crashing down as the waterfall.

Your surprise an expanse of fireworks
always ending in a smile.

The sound of your winter
always brings you back.

As alive as a memory can be,
almost to touch you.

Just you...

Reflections On Opening Night

2011-01-08T23:50:00.000-05:00

It certainly was fun showing my first new exhibit in over four years, at home, finally. The turnout was quite large for an exhibit of this type, in a community center as opposed to a gallery or art center.

Many of the people who I can count on to come to my exhibits in Ohio were surprised to see that I haven't even been doing the kind of work that they know me for. It was nice that my current approach was accepted so graciously by everyone I was able to spend time with, the opening being so busy.

I notice a common theme wherever I've shown this work. People are far more engaged than they were with my more traditional nature work, asking lots of questions, commenting on subtle details, and so forth. There is very obviously a direct connection being made with the new pieces, which I find personally satisfying and also enlightening. I am learning things about my own work, from others.

Most comical exchange from last night: A guy raved about how he'd never really liked anything heavily Photoshopped, that it usually looks overdone to him, but that I had become so good at it that my work is on a level all its own. (Something like that.) He was so sincere that I didn't have the heart to tell him that all the images were created in-camera, Photoshop being used basically just to do minor corrections and the printing. I'm still laughing inside. It's amazing the assumptions people make.

Looking forward to my next Ohio show. Don't ask me where. Now I've got to find a place...

My Latest Work Coming To Ohio

2010-12-18T13:05:00.000-05:00

I'm bringing my new exhibit, Natural Resonance, to Ohio for the first time. This is my first exhibit of new work in four years! (You may recall that I lost all of my previous exhibit prints in a flood several years ago.) I'll be showing at Willoughby Hills Comunity Center, along with painter David Shimmerer, from January 7 thru January 31, 2011.

There will a public reception on Friday, January 7 from 7-9 PM. Please try and come out. I'm really excited about this new show!

For more details contact John Davis at borrowedtime1999@aol.com.

Cleveland Botanical Garden Fall Workshop

2010-11-13T11:30:00.002-05:00

Leaf drop at CBG

It's always a pleasure to teach at Cleveland Botanical Garden. This fall was no exception as colors the weekend of my workshop were peaking. I had a great group, very eager to try new things. And this year it wasn't raining. That's a first!

Afterwards I was able to take a special friend, who had never visited Cleveland, on a tour of the place. I was very proud as everything about CBG looked perfect on that day.

If you've never been to CBG you should really check into it. This is the type of place that many cities just don't have. Another jewel in Cleveland's crown.

An Awesome Retreat Experience

2010-10-02T13:36:00.000-04:00

Some tamaracks near Raquette Lake

Words don't adequately express the depth of experience I felt during this past week's Nature of Possibility retreat. Afterward Mark Bowie and I were both exhausted by the hard work but so positively energized. I can say without exaggeration that we've never had a better group to work with at any of the API events. Everyone was so talented, open-minded and willing to share. This was one of those times that makes me so proud of what the Institute has accomplished, and excited to see just how far we can go.

The best part was that Mark and I were participants, instead of just leaders and instructors as we are in the standard workshops. It was really fun to be out there every morning shooting with everyone, and making prints in the afternoon to hang on our Wall of Expression.

The retreat gang and our Wall of Expression

This has turned out to be a transitional year for me. I really didn't do a lot of shooting in the Adirondacks this summer/fall. At least not as much as I usually do. It's been all about waiting patiently for my next move to make itself apparent, but there's no better place to do that than up here.

I wrote this piece as my final essay of the retreat. The retreat was ending. The leaves are falling. Everything is in transition. I am in transition. Cycles end and will begin again.

Beauty at the End

The largest tree cries tiny raindrops
While the loon lays bare its despair on the darkness.
The wind moans of regret in the ancient tongue
Of a long forgotten land.

Ours is a shared loneliness
Staggering in its depth
As the wellspring.

I know you.
I don’t know me
Although there are clues I guess.
And while yours shines indifferently
Mine remains alone and locked away.

Life rains down.
There is memory in the song.
The howl washes all away.

Finally A Real Fall Day

2010-09-23T19:09:00.000-04:00

It's been windy and/or raining seemingly forever up here. Today was the first of what I would call a typical fall day in the Adirondacks. As the shooting conditions have been subpar for a long time, I was really excited to get up this morning and head out into the field.

The colors are pretty conspicuous now, and I've always wanted to spend some time working with the areas of the highway that were blasted out of rock way back when. There's some really interesting patterns in the rock, and usually some interesting little trees, bushes and that sort of thing that get really pretty in the fall. This spot reminds of the face of an old waterfall, for some reason.

I wanted an ethereal look, so an image overlay (Nikon users may enter here!) seemed appropriate.

Can't wait to see what it's like out there tomorrow...

One To Remember

2010-09-16T09:00:00.000-04:00

Day 3 of my fall shoot-out. I could tell when I stepped outside that conditions were potentially great for shooting over open water. I was expecting frost this morning, as that was the forecast as of last night. But the low temps never materialized because of the cloud cover. (To an Adirondacker 41 deg. isn't a low temp!) There was some high altitude cloud cover, with quite a number of openings. I passed on my previous plans and decided to go find some inspiration at Raquette Lake.

A Raquette Lake Morning

There was about a 15 minute window of rapidly changing conditions. I've never seen things change that quickly and drastically over such a short period of time. I missed numerous opportunities because of it, but I am very pleased with the few shots I pulled off. Raquette never stops calling me, and never stops amazing me.

The photo above was a gift to me. I share it here as a gift to someone special. You know who you are...

Starting My Photo Fall

2010-09-14T15:51:00.001-04:00

This is the time of year that I eagerly await. The mornings are much cooler than even two weeks ago. The tourists are gone for the most part. Bugs are a distant memory. And the fall colors are starting to show themselves.

Eighth Lake Morning

I started my annual photo fall this morning at Eighth Lake, which I have rarely photographed in the past. I don't usually frequent the state campgrounds, because there's just too much activity for the type of shooting that I like to do, but I figured I'd give it a try.

It looked to me like there would be heavy fog to start things off, but this changed very quickly with the arrival of a small front. What I eventually got was a spectacular cloud display over a very still Eighth Lake. A great way to start my shooting this season!

All the while a middle-aged man and his father worked on the shore to get their boat ready for a morning of fishing. It seemed like it took then an awfully long time to finally get going, but then I realized that it wasn't about the fishing. At that moment I realized that I'd gladly leave all my camera gear on the shore and walk away if I could have another opportunity to go fishing with my Dad.

Taking The Show On The Road - Adirondack Cafe

2010-09-04T13:47:00.000-04:00

Me & Felicity at Adirondack Cafe

I just got done hanging most of my Natural Resonance pieces at Adirondack Cafe. Thanks to Felicity, the proprietor, for suggesting this idea to me. The prints will be up thru Columbus Day. Somewhere in there we hope to have a little meet & greet, so stay tuned.

Adirondack Cafe is right next door to the T.O.W. Bar on Main St. in Old Forge. While you're there, I suggest trying the Blackened Chicken with Bacon, Brie & Herbed Red Peppers on a Roll. Amazing...

I'm In Adirondack Life This Month

2010-09-01T11:03:00.005-04:00

Fresh off the press...

If you haven't yet, pick up a copy of the September/October issue of Adirondack Life magazine. Beginning on page 34 you will find a sampling of my new work under the title "Totally Radigan: A new twist on nature photography".

I'm excited that the magazine was open-minded about the possibility of publishing work that is outside the realm of traditional landscape photography. I thank them for the nice layout and thoughtful text!

Silence

2010-08-31T11:40:00.000-04:00

I spent a lot of time early this morning sitting behind the Woods Inn on Fourth Lake. The lake was perfectly still in the blackness, with tons of stars overhead. The only sound was that of a single cricket, every once in awhile. No cars. No boats. No lawn mowers.

I found myself wondering whether that cricket was lonely. I most certainly was not...

How My Day Began

2010-08-24T18:25:00.000-04:00

This is how my day began...

It was great fun being able to spend some time photographing with my friend Danielle, who was so kind as to bring her family up from Long Island to see my exhibit on its final day. Danielle has taken several of my company's photo workshops, and it's always been great having her around. She took the best spider web picture I've ever seen!

This full moon in the fog lasted about two minutes then disappeared. Adirondack mornings just don't get any better than this!

Changing Times And A Reminder

2010-08-12T16:48:00.000-04:00

This morning showed the first subtle signs of the changing season. The absence of the more annoying bugs during my daily walk. The fragrances slightly different. A little chilly with the kind of sky that just says fall. Maybe I was just imagining it...

Just a reminder...

If you've not seen my exhibit in Blue Mt. Lake yet, please try and do so. There are only nine days left! And don't forget the reception taking place from 6-8 pm on Saturday, August 21. I'm really looking forward to catching up with some old friends and meeting some new ones. I will have posters with me and for sale. I'd be happy to sign one for you!

Brief Intermission

2010-08-08T16:48:00.000-04:00

Time to head out for a couple of days. Take care of a couple of things back home, load up my workshop box, get back here so fast I forget that I left.

I've seen and learned lots during this trip. I guess that never ends.

It amazes me that I'd be so subdued just thinking about leaving, even though I know I'll be back in a couple of days.

Last night's sky was so beautiful. The starts were uncountable even just back of the hotel, with its permament glow. I shot a few frames just for the memory. Next time I see a sky like this I'm going to head somewhere really dark! Then I'll try and get lost in the memories of the Adirondack skies of my childhood.

Taking the Show to Santa Fe

2010-08-03T11:53:00.000-04:00

Just got some big news!

In addtion to my work for API, beginning in 2011 I will be leading workshops for Santa Fe Workshops! I'm really excited to bring new people to the Adirondacks, as well as present some of my ideas in Santa Fe.

Next year's offerings will be The Adirondacks in Color: The Intimate Image taking place in Inlet, NY, and Intimate Expression, which will take place in Santa Fe. Keep your eyes on the SFW calendar for the details.

I hope to see some of you at these events!

Night Shooting Fun

2010-08-03T11:38:00.001-04:00

I haven't spent much time over the years doing night photography, although I've always enjoyed looking at other people's work. Well, this week I'm a participant in Mark Bowie's workshop for API, Photographing the Night Landscape, which is taking place in Inlet, NY. It's great to be shooting with everyone instead of worrying about all the little details of the workshop. I think I'll attend my company's workshops more often!

This is one of my images from the first evening in Raquette Lake. We had great conditions; few bugs, warm temperature, mostly clear sky. I'm so used to being on this bridge when it's a lot colder, this was like a trip to the beach.

All-in-all, it seems like everyone is having a great time! And I can't wait to keep working on my night photography as the seaason progresses...

My New Exhibit Opens In Blue Mt. Lake

2010-07-20T12:18:00.000-04:00

The day has finally arrived! My brand new exhibit of recent Adirondack work, Natural Resonance, opened this morning at Adirondack Lakes Center for the Arts in Blue Mountain Lake, NY. The exhibit consists of twenty-two images, twenty of which are one-of-a-kind prints on Hahnemuhle watercolor stock. The other two are open-edition prints specially framed in tiger maple by Jim Kiefer of Shelter in Old Forge.

There will be a reception on Saturday, August 21, the last day of the show, from 6-8 pm. See the art center's website for gallery hours and other info.

I was there this morning first-thing to see the exhibit and snap a few photos for the blog. I am very pleased with everything! Thanks to Cornelia Tobey of the arts center for doing a wonderful job of hanging the artworks, Jim Kiefer for the amazing framing job, and especially to Dee and George Merrill whose financial support made the show possible.

Please try and come out...

Inlet Retrospective

2010-06-25T10:56:00.001-04:00

I had an awesome weekend in Inlet! I had the great pleasure of working with my friend and colleague Eric Dresser, wildlife photographer and one of the staff instructors for my company, Adirondack Photography Institute. There were some awesome opportunities to work with songbirds of all types, common loons, and even a big bear (I was the tracker on that adventure).

My thoughts on the experience are best expressed through the words of another:

    Let me know your enormity and my tininess,
    Help me see your infinity and my finiteness

    (Mike Doughty from Haughty Melodic)

New Exclusive Adirondack Gallery Representation

2010-06-24T16:58:00.000-04:00

I am now in partnership with Shelter, a custom furniture maker and gallery in Old Forge, New York. Shelter is now the exclusive dealer of my artworks in the Adirondacks. Shelter specializes in serving the home decorating needs of high-end clientele.

Jim Kiefer, owner, is a very talented woodworker known for his custom furnishings. Purchasing my artwork from Shelter gives the customer access to Jim's talents as a framer. He makes beautiful custom rustic frames, as well as contemporary frames designed with exotic hardwoods. The combination is, in my opinion, the pinnacle of artwork display. I've never seen my artwork look better!

Shelter is located on Rt. 28 in Old Forge. They can be reached at (315) 369-5014 or adirondackshelter@yahoo.com.

Adirondack Anticipation

2010-06-11T14:04:00.000-04:00

This is the time of year when everything is moving in the Adirondack animal world. There are lots of things to see that don't happen any other time of year. Loons on the nest, snapping turtles laying eggs, lots and lots of little songbirds passing through. I've not been able to spend a lot of time shooting during mid-June. But this year I have the great pleasure of a weekend of wildlife photography with friend and wildlife shooter extraordinaire Eric Dresser. We've been talking about a photo trip with just the two of us for several years. Hopefully I'll have lots of fun stuff to look at after next weekend. If not, I'll be talking about how great it is just to be in the Adirondacks!

Thursday can't get here quickly enough...

Updated Image Gallery - FINALLY!

2010-06-04T16:34:00.001-04:00

It's been more than three years since I updated the image gallery on my website. Spending all my time working on trying to get Adirondack Photography Institute off the ground. Lingering depression from the loss of my entire gallery exhibit in the "once in a thousand year" flood of a couple of years ago. Worries about changes in my artistic direction. Worries about changes in my life and livelihood. General laziness...

I decided a couple of months ago to regroup and get it done. And after many, many hours of work, here it is! There is still lots to do as far as organization and categorizing, but for now I thought it most important just to let the images live.

Moving on is tough, no matter the circumstances, but I am proud of where I've been and where I've arrived with my art. I hope you enjoy it too...

On The Closing Of The Moose River Plains

2010-05-09T00:23:00.003-04:00

I've been thinking about this all day. For those who don't know what "this" is you can see what I'm talking about by clicking here (if you have a Facebook account).

Anyone who knows me very well knows that when angry I have a hard time expressing myself without blurting out anything less than an unacceptable number of f-bombs. I'm trying to convince myself that this situation doesn't make me angry, without much luck.

I guess more than anything I'm sad. Sad that maybe I'll never watch my nieces jump rock to rock in Otter Brook. Sad that maybe I won't hear rumors about where the brook trout have magically reappeared and are starting to break water again. Sad that I may not get another chance to chase moose at Mitchell Ponds. Sad even that I may not see the Barnyard Refrigeration guy again at the League Club gate.

It #$&%-ing sucks...

A quote from Edward Abbey seems appropriate:

"One can imagine a sane, healthy, cheerful society based on no more than the principals of common sense, as validated each day by work, play, and living experience. But this remains the most utopian and fantastic of ideals."

I think that the good people congregated near the Inlet and Cedar River entrances to the M.R.R.A. probably have a way better idea how to utilize, manage, and respect the Plains than the State does.

Just sayin...

Always A Favorite

2010-04-29T17:52:00.000-04:00

OK, so I think I'm done printing for my upcoming show in Blue Mountain Lake. Twenty all-new images!

Whenever I do a big printing spree, there's always one that just keeps grabbing me. On this occasion this is it...

Printed on Hahnemuhle William Turner 310 with my Epson 3800.

Layer after layer of haunting...

Adirondack Addicted

2010-04-28T15:09:00.000-04:00

All of us
Adirondack-addicted.

We miss

Bears
Lakes
Deer
Raccoons eating Twinkies.

Trees
Docks
Beer on the deck at Matt’s.

Party boats
Adirondack chairs
Loons
Northeast attitudes.

Sunsets.
Everywhere.
EVERYWHERE.

The power to see
And be unseen.

All of us
Adironack-addicted.

Sometimes it seems so far away
As to be a loss like death.
Just as many tears
Even though no one has died.

Sometimes the sounds and smells
Seem so close as to be in the room
Though distant by a thousand miles.

But we are lucky
We can always come home
And have it all again
Even for a day.

Like a kid on a beach laughing
And throwing sand
Without a care.

(This piece owes its inspiration and most of its words to Meg Roy)

Excited About The New Exhibit!

2010-04-17T13:58:00.004-04:00

Boathouse #30

Well, I did it... I finally sat down and chose the images for my upcoming exhibit at Adironack Lakes Center for the Arts, which will run July 20 thru August 21. I had been going back and forth over the last several months as to whether I should continue showing my documentary photos, or finally let a substantial collection of my personal expressions see the light of day. I've decided to push forward, and I'm really excited about my decision and my image choices.

Now for the printing...

Bright Eyes

2010-03-28T11:28:00.004-04:00

you came from my dream
very late to stand at my door
with your bright eyes
very real and wholly mythical

and in those waking moments
fragments all in a rush

jukebox matchmaker
feverish crayons
the angry spider
genocide perpetrated against clams
a boy in the circus
campfire perfume
a case of bad brakes
all the snacks in the mountains
a sadly heartbroken deer

so much from so short a time
the well i lower a bucket into
when i need to remember
how sweet life can be

(until we meet again...)

To Be Always In The Flow

2010-03-25T11:49:00.000-04:00

The Flow

It is when we leave the Flow
Resist
That we become separated from the Universal...

Observing Orchids at Cleveland Botanical Garden

2010-03-15T15:50:00.002-04:00

Tulip #30

I had a great time teaching this weekend at Cleveland Botanical Garden during the Observing Orchids workshop! The workshop is planned to coincide with the Garden's annual Orchid Mania event, which is always a treat. This year we were given the opportunity to shoot in the glasshouse for a couple of hours prior to the Garden's opening to the public. There were some really beautiful images created by the participants this year.

Thanks to Jennifer at CBG for working with me to make this our best macro event so far!

Far Away Sun

2010-02-06T17:05:00.002-05:00

Far Away Sun

What to do at a time when everything feels cold?

Things that once seemed reachable
Feel farther away then ever
People
Places
Dreams

Little known fact that the sun
Is nearest to Earth in the dead of winter
We wait and and the bright, warm days return

I hope both winter
And the disappointment
Fade

New Work as Part of Cleveland Heights Exhibit

2009-10-17T14:06:00.004-04:00

I'll be showing new work as part of a group exhibit taking place at the South Wing Gallery of St. Paul's Church in Cleveland Heights, Ohio from October 30 thru January 18. There is an opening reception, open to the public, from 5-7 PM on Friday, October 30. I hope to see you there!

The gallery address is:

South Wing Gallery
St. Paul 's Church
2747 Fairmount Blvd.
Cleveland Heights, OH 44106

For more information contact Katy Barney at (216) 932-5815 extension 215.

Drizzly Morning Gifts

2009-09-23T15:06:00.006-04:00

Signs of Fall Near Seventh Lake

there are other gifts
blue heron of patience
fragrance of warm drizzle
her voice in my dreams
other gifts to notice
cherish here and now
don't let them pass

Comfort in Trees

2009-08-15T16:21:00.003-04:00

Comfort in Trees

A foggy Adirondack morning
Welcoming call of the loon
Trees that seem like they've always been there
Maybe they have...
Only my soul remembers

Rain, Rain and More Rain

2009-08-02T14:08:00.002-04:00

Rain

Rain, rain, go away...

Solitaire

2009-08-01T13:28:00.003-04:00

Solitaire

How is it possible to feel totally alone and a part of everything, simultaneously?

Every time I take someone to Raquette Lake I see something new and different. Today was no exception with an early morning fog giving way to this thought provoking opening to the day.

Sunset Mystic

2009-07-31T11:33:00.003-04:00

Sunset Mystic

Call of the loon-sentry beginning
It is with belief that we welcome the sunset
That all will be renewed in fire
She keeps watch through the night
And cries in joy of the return

Impressions on the Porch

2009-07-29T11:47:00.005-04:00

Finally had a chance to sit down and relax after dealing with all the business emergencies that have been popping up ever since I've been here. What an amazing sunset last night at The Woods Inn! Everything warm and glowing...

Thoughts on the Trail

2009-07-28T12:58:00.002-04:00

Yesterday night on the Rock Lake trail. The first hike of the season for me. I was overwhelmed by the smells of the forest. So much more intense than during the fall, when I spend most of my time here. Every piece of forest has isolated places that have the wonderful northern forest smells of balsam fir, pine, cedar. But the Rock Lake trail is a continuous trail of forest perfume. And after all of that the amazing view of Blue Mountain over the lake. A perfect Adirondack hike on a perfect Adirondack evening.

The Stuff of Experience

2009-07-18T13:09:00.001-04:00

The Stuff of Experience

I wish that I could experience without clinging.

Let life wear me down slowly while knowing that I’m the better for it.

Fallen Joy

2009-07-18T13:00:00.002-04:00

Fallen Joy

I saw you last night
It will always be too soon
Was reminded of your thoughts
Of fallen joy
A metaphor that remains inescapable
Always brings sadness
Signals a struggle
That I am not winning
But am not allowed to quit

The Solipsist

2009-07-16T14:59:00.002-04:00

The Solipsist

Rise up
Speak in silence
Remind me
Every day I have forgotten

It’s not what
I want to hear
I am not the center
And I am not alone

Spring

2009-07-12T10:52:00.010-04:00

Lupine

Spring is in the first flower...

Why Photography Isn't Art

2009-07-03T14:40:00.005-04:00

Bet I got your attention with that title, eh? Now I don't really believe that statement, but I do often ponder the existence (or non-existence) of a distinction between photography, as it's practiced today, and "art".

I get asked often about my photographic influences. It happens that I like a few photographers, but painting and the classical arts interest me a great deal more. Photography seems stuck in some sort of purist, documentation-only muck most of the time.

The most recent Red Dog News blast had a link to an interesting post from the Gone City blog. So there's at least one other person out there who wants to see photography move ahead. Enjoy!

The Dream Image

2009-07-01T16:44:00.006-04:00

Dream Image

There is a dream image
Joy and melancholy locked together
Caught in the seasonal transition forever
A reality from a distant past
Most certainly dreamt by many through time immemorial
Sent to remind us of our transience and our immortality