The mind is an amazing thing.  One of the great unknowns when making a photograph is how the viewer will respond.  Once the artist has made an exposure and then edited it for presentation, a new life begins for any image shared with others.  Each person who looks upon the image brings his or her own mind full of personal and photographic history to the process.  When a scenic landscape photograph is shown, we know where the sky is, and where to “stand” in the image.  But on the other end of the spectrum, when we make abstract photographs of nature, questions about orientation or scale or subject come immediately to mind. I don’t have a degree in psychology, but the subject of perception and the human mind is fascinating.

I have an ongoing series of nature abstractions, starting when I received my first camera in 1974.  When I have shown these images over the years, I have enjoyed people’s reactions.  The first instinct is to define the content.  “What is that?”  It is as if understanding the content is required to appreciate the artist’s effort.  “Ah, so it’s mud.  Well then, it is beautiful, isn’t it?  I had no idea what it was at first.”  If I don’t tell the viewer what the subject is right away, then the imagination is activated.  The mind works to solve the riddle and in the process, gets more involved in the composition.

The fascinating part is how differently people see an abstract photograph.  “I see a face.”  “I see silk fabric.”  “I see an elephant!”  If the questions are answered quickly, then the viewer disengages sooner.  I have often watched people flip through photography books.  “Ah, lovely view of the Grand Canyon…”  Flip the page. “Wow, what great light on Half Dome that day…”  Flip the page. “Now what is this?  Is it a rock or a tree?”  If the caption is readily visible, the reader looks urgently for the answer.  “Oh of course, it is rock detail!”  Flip the page.

Merriam-Webster’s Collegiate Dictionary defines the word abstract, related to art, as “having only intrinsic form with little or no attempt at pictorial representation or narrative content.”  Photographic abstractions of nature are based in reality but composed to give no clear reference to it.  Abstract painting suffers no such confusion since the abstraction comes from the artist’s mind, and is not photographic or representational.  Seeing an abstract painting does not make the viewer want to define the subject in terms of reality.  The mind simply imagines.  With an abstract photograph, we know the subject is real.   The mind wants answers!

Hopefully, you haven’t looked ahead in my ramblings to find the “answer” to my image here!  The object is rounded, yet appears flat.  Its depth is not clear as the lighting was even with little shading at the top and bottom of the frame where the shape recedes from the camera.  My use of a small aperture keeps the entire subject sharp, maintaining the effect of flatness.  I used the panoramic format to imply the shape of the subject without having to show the entire object.  The texture and cracks provide clues, but the horizontal orientation aids the ambiguity.  The color is monochromatic, so no real clues there.  I made the exposure with my tripod and 4×5 camera, minus its center post, low to the ground.  The scale is about 10 x 24 inches, so my bellows was extended to focus closely.

The photograph here is of a fallen tree decaying on the forest floor one fine autumn day in Ohio in 1993.  Does knowing the entire context help with your appreciation of the image?  I wonder…

Fallen tree trunk, Tinkers Creek State Nature Preserve, Ohio 1993

I find the process of making abstract imagery an exciting challenge, and the results are an important addition to the overall portrait my photographs make of the landscape.  I want my portrait to be like an orchestra sounding the many notes of the land’s diversity, and that it reflects as many ways as I perceive it, which includes my abstracts.  As you develop your own perspective and body of work, think carefully about what you want to say, how you want to develop your own artistic portrait of the earth.

The above essay, written in 2001, came to mind recently when I posted some abstract photographs made recently in my home that I posted on Facebook.  In response to the comments, I added these words, which serve as an addendum to my 2001 essay.

Thanks to all of you for your comments on my last post! I love the way abstract photographs engage the viewer. I have always been inspired to photograph by a strong sense of wonder about the world around me. I look for and find beauty around me everyday, often making photographs like this one. I especially love patterns, often abstract, since I got my first camera in 1974. Whether it is fine art or not is for others to decide. I made this image in my living room a couple of days ago. We use a wood-burning stove to heat our home, and at night I turne down the vents so that the coals last until the morning. Sometimes, depending on the wood burning, some creosote builds up on the front glass of the stove door. So the subject is a pattern of creosote on glass while a fire burned inside the stove. I added an extension tube to my 70-200mm so that I could focus closely enough to show the pattern without burning up the lens and camera! Loved the imaginative guesses. I didn’t mean to frustrate anyone, but just wanted to share my sense of wonder.

The following images were the ones posted recently.

Creosote #2, Ahwahnee, California 2013
Canon EOS-1Ds Mark III, TS-E90mm f/2.8,
20.00 second at f/11, ISO 100
Copyright © 2013 William Neill

Creosote #1, Ahwahnee, California 2013
Canon EOS-1Ds Mark III, EF70-200mm f/2.8L USM,
15 second at f/16, ISO 100
Copyright © 2013 William Neill

Please give me your feedback, and enjoy!

Cheers,  Bill

Here are two more of my favorite nature “abstracts.”  Care to guess the subject matter?

The post Happy Earth Day / Inner Landscape appeared first on William Neill's Light on the Landscape PhotoBlog.

Purple Plum Blossoms, Ahwahnee, California 2013

Here is my latest image, taken of my Purple Plum tree in front of my house. The sun was partially blocked by a large oak tree, and so allowing me to throw that point of light out of focus. Enjoy and share.Happy Spring!

Cheers, Bill

Purple Plum Blossoms, Ahwahnee, California 2013

Canon EOS-1Ds Mark III__EF50mm f/2.5 Compact Macro__1/250 sec at f / 2.8__ISO 100

The post Purple Plum Blossoms, Ahwahnee, California 2013 appeared first on William Neill's Light on the Landscape PhotoBlog.

Rock and Water, Cascade Falls, Yosemite National Park, California 2011 / Canon EOS-1Ds Mark III__EF70-200mm f/2.8L USM__1/2 sec at f / 27__ISO 320

Come join me for a private workshop session in Yosemite! I will book individual sessions as well as small groups of up to 4 students. See this page to see details, instructional content options discounts for small groups or multiple day sessions:

Private Yosemite Sessions

William teaches simple ways to capture quality images in order to focus more on your expressive vision. These methods are what he uses for his own photography. Potential topics to be covered include:

Improve your Creative Vision
Learn to see deeply, to convey your emotional connection with the subject

Exposure Techniques
Using Histograms, HDR, Long Exposures

Composition
How to create clean, well-balanced designs without distractions

Planning Your Photographic Sessions
When to photograph and where, weather and seasonal considerations

Photo Critiques of New and Previous Images
Learn about your strengths and areas for improvement in your prints and downloaded digital files from field sessions.

Digital Camera Workflow
Basic and Advanced Techniques in Adobe Lightroom and Photoshop

Photograph with William in Yosemite
Guidance while you photograph with in-field suggestions
Explore alternate perceptions and locations
Watch and ask questions as he selects and photographs Yosemite subjects.

Techniques in Impressionistic Photography
Learn how to create “light paintings” with intentional camera movement. William will domonstrate how he creates his Impressions of Light” photographs, and guide you with your efforts in the field.

 
http://www.williamneill.com/one-on-one-workshops/yosemite_private_workshops.html

The post Come join me for a private workshop session in Yosemite! appeared first on William Neill's Light on the Landscape PhotoBlog.

I had a wonderful day with a private student in Yosemite on Wednesday. There were no clouds, no interesting weather, but the ice was fabulous. I helped Shauna find simple but clean designs within all the chaos of patterns. There is always something of profound beauty to photograph in Yosemite.

Yosemite Private Workshops

Enjoy, share and add your comments here!

Ice patterns and grasses along the Merced River, Yosemite National Park, California 2013

Canon EOS-1Ds Mark III__EF70-200mm f/2.8L USM__0.5 sec at f / 32__ISO 100

I am still post-processing images from Dec. 27th, when we had a killer sunrise, sunset and moonrise. Oh yes, and fresh snowfall. Here is one from the sunset.

Half Dome and Winter Sunset, Yosemite National Park, 2012

Canon EOS-1Ds Mark III__EF70-200mm f/2.8L USM__3.0 sec at f / 32__ISO 100

The post New Yosemite Winter Images appeared first on William Neill's Light on the Landscape PhotoBlog.

Gulls at sunrise, Natural Bridges State Beach, California 2012
Canon EOS-1Ds Mark III, EF70-200mm f/2.8L USM,
8 second at f/27, ISO 100

My latest On Landscape column for Outdoor Photographer Magazine is now on the OP website! The article features this image. Check it out and let me know what you think.

The post appeared first on William Neill's Light on the Landscape PhotoBlog.

I am finally pulling together my favorite photographs from 2012.  It is always helpful to take the occasional assessment of our own creative progress. The annual ritual of posting a “best of” has gone viral.  You might be interested in reading an essay I wrote on the subject several years ago in my On Landscape column for Outdoor Photographer on this subject.  I am pleased with the selection, which includes new Impressions of Light images, iPhone images, studio macro setups as well  landscapes taken around my home and in nearby Yosemite.  Since I started teaching private workshop sessions in Yosemite, I’ve been visiting Yosemite Valley much more often so you will see a batch of new Yosemite images taken this past fall and winter.

This year I have numbered each image, which will make it easier for your to let me know which ones are your favorites.  It will be fun and helpful for me to have your feedback.  I will value a list of favs, or general thoughts on what work you respond to the most.  After I assess your feedback, I will then make a final edit of 10-15 that are my top selects of the year.  If you have your own list of top images for 2012, please add your link in your comments below.

Regarding my private Yosemite sessions, you might enjoy seeing the Flickr group that I started for my students to share their photographs with each other:  William Neill Private Yosemite Workshops.

I look forward to your comments and favorites for my 2012 portfolio.

Happy New Year,  Bill

Best Of The Year:  An annual review of your images can point you in new directions of creativity

1. Sunrise, Santa Monica State Beach, California 2012
Canon EOS-1Ds Mark III, EF70-200mm f/2.8L USM,
1/1 second at f/19, ISO 100
Copyright © 2012 William Neill

2. Sandpiper at sunrise, Santa Monica State Beach, California 2012
Canon EOS-1Ds Mark III, EF70-200mm f/2.8L USM,
1/4 second at f/13, ISO 100
Copyright © 2012 William Neill

3. Oaks and sunbeams, sunrise, Ahwahnee, California 2012
Canon EOS-1Ds Mark III, EF24-105mm f/4L IS USM,
1/60 second at f/11, ISO 100
Copyright © 2012 William Neill

4. Poppies and Lupine. Merced River Canyon, California 2012
Canon EOS-1Ds Mark III, EF70-200mm f/2.8L USM,
1/2 second at f/32, ISO 100
Copyright © 2012 William Neill

5. Redbud, Merced River Canyon, 2012
Canon EOS-1Ds Mark III, EF70-200mm f/2.8L USM,
1.50 second at f/22, ISO 100
Copyright © 2012 William Neill

6. Lilies, Ahwahnee, California 2012
Canon EOS-1Ds Mark III, TS-E90mm f/2.8,
1 second at f/22, ISO 100
Copyright © 2012 William Neill

7. Nautilus Shell Detail, California 2012
Canon EOS-1Ds Mark III, TS-E90mm f/2.8,
15 second at f/13, ISO 100
Copyright © 2012 William Neill

8. Nautilus Shell, California 2012
Canon EOS-1Ds Mark III, TS-E90mm f/2.8,
20.00 second at f/22, ISO 100
Copyright © 2012 William Neill

9. Stones, 2012
Canon EOS-1Ds Mark III, TS-E90mm f/2.8,
3 second at f/22, ISO 100
Copyright © 2012 William Neill

10. Ceiling at The Tech Museum, San Jose, California 2012
iPhone,
1/120 second at f/2.4, ISO 100
Copyright © 2012 William Neill

11. Sunbeams and Fog, San Mateo Coast, California 2012
Canon EOS-1Ds Mark III, EF70-200mm f/2.8L USM,
1/750 second at f/8, ISO 100
Copyright © 2012 William Neill

12. Sunbeams through Fog, San Mateo Coast, California 2012
Canon EOS-1Ds Mark III, EF70-200mm f/2.8L USM,
1/2000 second at f/2.8, ISO 100
Copyright © 2012 William Neill

13. Rock Formations, San Mateo Coast, California 2012
Canon EOS-1Ds Mark III, TS-E90mm f/2.8,
1/1 second at f/22, ISO 100
Copyright © 2012 William Neill

14. Hostas, New Boston, New Hampshire 2012
iPhone 4S,
1/120 second at f/2.4, ISO 100
Copyright © 2012 William Neill

15. Ferns, New Boston, New Hampshire 2012
iPhone 4S,
1/20 second at f/2.4, ISO 80
Copyright © 2012 William Neill

16. Elderberry Leaves #5, Ahwahnee, California 2012, Ahwahnee, California 2012
Canon EOS-1Ds Mark III, TS-E90mm f/2.8,
1.50 second at f/22, ISO 100
Copyright © 2012 William Neill

17. Pine and Clouds, Sierra Nevada, California 2012
iPhone 4S,
1/640 second at f/2.4, ISO 50
Copyright © 2012 William Neill

18. Half Dome at sunrise, Leidig Meadow, Yosemite National Park, California 2012
Canon EOS-1Ds Mark III, EF24-105mm f/4L IS USM,
1 second at f/22, ISO 100
Copyright © 2012 William Neill

19. Gulls at sunrise, Natural Bridges State Beach, California 2012
Canon EOS-1Ds Mark III, EF70-200mm f/2.8L USM,
8 second at f/27, ISO 100
Copyright © 2012 William Neill

20. Yellow Maple Leaves, Yosemite Valley, Yosemite National Park, California 2012
Canon EOS-1Ds Mark III, EF70-200mm f/2.8L USM,
1/125 second at f/4.5, ISO 400
Copyright © 2012 William Neill

21. Yellow Maple Leave Impressions, Yosemite Valley, Yosemite National Park, California 2012
Canon EOS-1Ds Mark III, EF70-200mm f/2.8L USM,
1/2 second at f/5.6, ISO 100
Copyright © 2012 William Neill

22. Oak and Pine, autumn, Yosemite National Park, California 2012
Canon EOS-1Ds Mark III, EF70-200mm f/2.8L USM,
1/90 second at f/4, ISO 100
Copyright © 2012 William Neill

23. Backlit Black Oaks, Yosemite Valley, Yosemite National Park, California 2012
Canon EOS-1Ds Mark III, EF24-105mm f/4L IS USM,
1/15 second at f/22, ISO 400
Copyright © 2012 William Neill

24. Bigleaf Maple and Merced River, autumn, Yosemite National Park, California 2012
Canon EOS-1Ds Mark III, EF70-200mm f/2.8L USM,
6 second at f/27, ISO 100
Copyright © 2012 William Neill

25. Maple Leaves, autumn, Yosemite National Park, California 2012
Canon EOS-1Ds Mark III, EF70-200mm f/2.8L USM,
1/4 second at f/9.5, ISO 400
Copyright © 2012 William Neill

26. Black Oaks in afternoon backlight, Yosemite Valley, Yosemite National Park, California 2012
Canon EOS-1Ds Mark III, EF24-105mm f/4L IS USM,
1/8 second at f/16, ISO 100
Copyright © 2012 William Neill

27. Merced River reflections, Yosemite National Park, California 2012
Canon EOS-1Ds Mark III, EF24-105mm f/4L IS USM,
1.50 second at f/22, ISO 100
Copyright © 2012 William Neill

28. Oak reflections and the Merced River, Yosemite National Park, California 2012
Canon EOS-1Ds Mark III, EF24-105mm f/4L IS USM,
1/2 second at f/16, ISO 100
Copyright © 2012 William Neill

29. Oak reflections, El Capitan and the Merced River, Yosemite National Park, California 2012
Canon EOS-1Ds Mark III, EF24-105mm f/4L IS USM,
1 second at f/16, ISO 100
Copyright © 2012 William Neill

30. Willow Leaves, autumn, Ahwahnee, California 2012
Canon EOS-1Ds Mark III, EF70-200mm f/2.8L USM,
1 second at f/4, ISO 100
Copyright © 2012 William Neill

31. Oak Forest in Fog, Ahwahnee, California 2012
Canon EOS-1Ds Mark III, EF70-200mm f/2.8L USM,
1/6 second at f/16, ISO 100
Copyright © 2012 William Neill

32. Oaks and Fog, Ahwahnee, California 2012
Canon EOS-1Ds Mark III, EF70-200mm f/2.8L USM,
1/3 second at f/22, ISO 100
Copyright © 2012 William Neill

33. Oaks at sunrise, Ahwahnee, California 2012
Canon EOS-1Ds Mark III, TS-E24mm f/3.5L,
1/10 second at f/16, ISO 100
Copyright © 2012 William Neill

34. Winter Sunrise over Yosemite Valley, Yosemite National Park, California 2012
Canon EOS-1Ds Mark III, EF24-105mm f/4L IS USM,
1/3 second at f/13, ISO 100
Copyright © 2012 William Neill

35. Sunrise clouds over Yosemite Valley, Yosemite National Park, California 2012
Canon EOS-1Ds Mark III, EF70-200mm f/2.8L USM,
1/8 second at f/16, ISO 100
Copyright © 2012 William Neill

36. Ice Pattern, Merced River, Yosemite National Park 2012
Canon EOS-1Ds Mark III, EF70-200mm f/2.8L USM,
1.50 second at f/32, ISO 100
Copyright © 2012 William Neill

37. Winter Sunset on Half Dome, Yosemite National Park, California 2012
Canon EOS-1Ds Mark III, EF70-200mm f/2.8L USM,
1/1 second at f/16, ISO 100
Copyright © 2012 William Neill

38. Winter Moonrise over Half Dome and Cloud’s Rest, Yosemite National Park, California 2012
Canon EOS-1Ds Mark III, EF70-200mm f/2.8L USM,
1 second at f/11, ISO 800
Copyright © 2012 William Neill

The post My Favorite Images from 2012 appeared first on William Neill's Light on the Landscape PhotoBlog.

Falling snow and forest,
Mt. Rainier National Park, Washington, 199

Greetings from the Sierra Nevada foothills.
It is Christmas Eve, and I want to wish you all a Merry Christmas.
I am reminded how grateful I am for my family, friends,
and the beauty I see around me everyday.

Peace on Earth

Bill

The post Happy Holidays! appeared first on William Neill's Light on the Landscape PhotoBlog.

On Monday morning, after a strong series of rain storms came the the Sierra, there was heavy fog in the Oakhurst/Ahwahnee area. I photographed this quiet grove of oaks. Here is one new image, made from three horizontal frames stitched together in PS6.

Enjoy! And let me know what you think!

The post Oaks and Fog, Ahwahnee, California 2012 appeared first on William Neill's Light on the Landscape PhotoBlog.

Willow Leaves, autumn, Ahwahnee, California 2012
Canon EOS-1Ds Mark III__EF70-200mm f/2.8L USM__1.0 sec at f / 4.0__ISO 100

Last night, I had a flash of memory about an early influence in my photography – the book The Zen of Seeing by Frederick Franck. I picked it up at a used book store during my college years at CU Boulder. The book discusses the concept of seeing and in the author’s case drawing, as a discipline by which the world may be rediscovered, a way of experiencing Zen. I realized how engrained this practice is in my life for the past 30+ years. Now I’ll have to dig though my office to find it, and read it again!My photograph here was made across the street from my home. It is a small piece of woods that I can see from here and watch every day. During this autumn, I’ve watched these willows slow turn color and thin out as leaves fall. Saturday morning, I noticed that just a few leaves were left, and NOW was the time to capture their beauty. They hung gracefully, looking like bamboo. I exposed dozens of frames, playing with shutter speeds and camera motion. I have many favs, but like this the most…

The post The Zen of Seeing appeared first on William Neill's Light on the Landscape PhotoBlog.

Black oak forest, autumn, Yosemite National Park, California 2012
Canon EOS-1Ds Mark III, EF24-105mm f/4L IS USM,
1/8 second at f/16, ISO 100
Copyright © 2012 William Neill

Happy Thanksgiving!

Today I am thankful for all of my friends and family. I have so much love from my wife Sadhna and my two children Tara and Ravi.  The support and encouragement I received from them, and the rest of my family and friends, is a true blessing.

I am also thankful for having the great opportunity to share my photographs, and teach others what I’ve learned, and make a good living at what I love to do.  In 1984, I made a decision to pursue my dream of becoming a landscape photographer, and 28 years later I am still living that dream.

To all of you who have taken classes from me, who follow my photography online, thank you so much!  Your encouragement and support keeps me going, keeps me pushing myself creatively, learning and seeing deeply everyday.

Enjoy your holiday with family and friends.  And take a moment to truly seeing the beauty of the world that surrounds us everyday.

Peace,  Bill

PS.  I have included two new images from my new Yosemite Autumn series.  Please feel free to add your comments or share links to your images from this autumn. Enjoy!

Backlit oak leaves, Yosemite National Park, California 2012
Canon EOS-1Ds Mark III, EF24-105mm f/4L IS USM,
1/15 second at f/22, ISO 400
Copyright © 2012 William Neill

The post Happy Thanksgiving! appeared first on William Neill's Light on the Landscape PhotoBlog.