Various snaps along the trail of ‘life in the awe’.
The bulk of these snaps are from a bicycle as I have explored the hills and dales of our regional wilderness preserves and mountains by foot peddle. Others are just seeing something too beautiful to not document. Typically, on bicycle, I have two cameras, one a DSLR. When more domestic, I use a pocket camera with a wide angle. I do not photograph or edit with my phone much. A little old school I suppose. I do use a GoPro knock off quite a bit as well.
I am not keen on landscapes, simply because the creativity has already been provided by mother nature. All you can do is document what has captured your awe. That said, who wouldn’t want to document the awesome?
As I too wade through this massive cache, I must recognize the many beautiful opportunities that have fallen in my path. Treasures of nature. I am indebted. But also, I do ‘see’ well, and am diligent especial while hunting the perfect photograph. Just a half step too many will extinguish a rapture of light and balance. Honestly. So I back up. Framing in camera is everything. Move three steps left. Almost. Step on top the log. Bad perspective. Step off the log,,, OMG! IT’S A Rattlesnake!!!!
I love the California renaissance era of plein air painting. Well over a hundred years ago, the painters of that era recognized just how glorious natures temple could be, and were passionate to emulate it on canvas and panel. I am a lousy painter. But I too get weak kneed coming over a ridge and suddenly witnessing something astonish beautiful. I paint it through the lens, but so feeble compared to the Cal-renaissance guys who would lug much more cumbersome material into the wild to get the capture.
One of my favorite Cal-Renaissance painters was Willim Wendt. Very prolific. I have his picture books, volumes of landscapes that force you to linger. He considered the canyons of southern California as something that can be construed simply as ‘natures temple’ Indeed. It was too beautify to walk by without greater consideration. I often wondered what constitutes their choice to halt and paint six hours? For me, a snap and on to the next.
I do visit the Sierra Nevada’s annually, mostly in the Autumn. The colors take on that fall brilliance with a lower angled sun that triggers eye candy magic at every turn.
You have just visited ‘Nature the Pretty’
As mentioned, anytime you step outside, you are entering a temple of extraordinary balance and grace. It is just hard to see it when …it’s all assumed. Imagine if there were no color? Or Imagine if the plants crossed genes into one droll solo species. No bio diversity to please the eye, or the intellect. Imagine…..Ok please dont. It would not be the world.
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