Conservation Center Photography Show

The press release for my show "Lyrical Nature"  from the Society for the Preservation of forests can be accessed at here.  Brenda Carpentier had a nice write-up of the show and this was sent to local media and apparently placed on the "Arts" calendar in the local area.

Conservation Center Photography Show -- Tree, Stream, and Early Morning Fog, Millerton NY 1964

I had the privilege during the summer of 1964 to attend a workshop given by Minor White, organized by Michael Hoffman, at the Millerton School in Dutchess County NY. One morning, instead of having a "class room" session Minor told us all to go make photographs because the fog was creating such striking visual effects. This image was made at that time and was part of the arts festival at St. Lawrence University, where I was an undergraduate, the next spring. Of course the image is very atmospheric and has endured as a visually evocative image over the years.

The image was made with a Mamiya twin lens reflex medium format camera and printed with pigment ink on Hahnemülhe photo rag paper (308gsm weight).  Image size 15.9" x 16.0".

Tree, Stream, and Early Morning Fog, Millerton NY 1964

Conservation Center Photography Show -- Screw Auger Falls, Grafton Notch State Park, 2008

The Bear River flows through Grafton Notch State Park creating stunning natural scenes with picturesque and powerful waterfalls. Screw Auger Falls is an extended water fall flowing through the gorge formed by the river's flow over millennia. This image was made of the broad expanse of the falls with a long exposure that merges the chaotic water movements into a smooth serene flow, in contrast to the river boulders. Both are overshadowed by the spring trees along the shore.

The image was made with a Toyo 4 x 5 field camera and printed with pigment ink on Hahnemülhe photo rag paper (308gsm weight).  Image size 20.0" x 15.4".

Screw Auger Falls, Grafton Notch State Park, 2008

Conservation Center Photography Show -- Summer Stream, Joe English Reservation, Amherst NH, 2002

The forest in summer is alive with growth of all sorts and the vegetation surrounds this stream that is quietly running through. The reflections in the surface of the stream are particularly evocative and one wonders if the summer stream is looking back at the viewer.

The image was made with a Toyo 4 x 5 field camera and printed with pigment ink on Hahnemülhe photo rag paper (308gsm weight).  Image size 20.0" x 15.5".

Summer Stream, Joe English Reservation, Amherst NH 2002

Conservation Center Photography Show "Lyrical Nature" is Now Open

My show at the Conservation Center in Concord under the sponsorship of the Society for the Preservation of New Hampshire Forests is now open.  There are 49 images from a wide variety of venues:  New Hampshire, Virginia, Maine, Newfoundland, Nova Scotia, Death Valley, Colorado, New York, with an emphasis on some of the local nature preserves in the neighborhood of our house in New Hampshire.  The emphasis is on images made in the last 10 years or so although a few images are included almost from my first photographic experience in the late 60's.

The show runs through October and I plan to change out some of the images at the end of September to freshen up the show a bit after a month.  Follow the link in the Recent Activity page of my website to see a list of photographs in the show with a thumbnail image of each and a scannable QRC code that, in some cases, provides more information regarding individual photographs.

The poster for the show follows:

Some photos of the installation:

Conservation Center Photography Show -- New Point Comfort Virginia 2005

Traveling south in Virginia's tidewater region there is a spit of land that projects into the Chesapeake Bay, "New Point Comfort." The road ends where there is a wide vista of the water with old pylons and views of Mobjack and Chesapeake Bays. In this instance the clouds allowed the sun to shine through creating beams of light emanating from the sun and creating a tremendous bursting of light from the heavens that also reflected off of the water.

The image was made with Toyo 4x5 view camera and greyscale film. The image was printed with pigment ink on Hahnemülhe photo rag paper (308gsm weight). 20.0" x 15.6"

New Point Comfort, Virginia 2005

Conservation Center Photography Show -- Tall Grass, Assateague Island Virginia, 2005; Woodland Trail Assateague Island Virginia 2002;Early Morning Mist Woodland Trail Assageague Island Virginia 2007

Assateague Island is a barrier island off of the coast of Virginia and Maryland's eastern shore with sand dunes, forests and marches that make for a beguiling landscape.  I have photographed in the Virginia section of the island for many years, dating back to my first visit in the mid-70's.

This image was made on the approach road to Assateague beach with the grasses standing tall against the soft background of the pine trees. The grass is rendered in a high key tone against the darker background and the intertwining of the grass provides entrancing geometric patterns.

The image was made with Toyo 4x5 view camera and greyscale film. The image was printed with pigment ink on Hahnemülhe photo rag paper (308gsm weight). 18.0" x 13.8"

Tall Grass, Assateague Island Virginia, 2005

The woods on Assateague are dense with vines and undergrowth, and in the early morning are awash with mist and fog: an environment emanating vibrant energy and dynamism. This image was made in the evening with "quiet" light and the sky light in the distance providing scattered highlights that contrast with the mid tones of the woods, grasses and vines.

The image was made with Toyo 4x5 view camera and greyscale film. The image was printed with pigment ink on Hahnemülhe photo rag paper (308gsm weight). 20.0" x 15.1"

Woodland Trail, Assateague Island Virginia, 2002

The woods on Assateague are dense with vines and undergrowth, and in the early morning are awash with mist and fog: an environment emanating vibrant energy and dynamism. This image was made in the early morning when the mist was clearing and the sun shone through the trees. With the light on the foliage and the snake like appearance of the old vines the image appears to be alive with music and dance.

The image was made with Toyo 4x5 view camera and greyscale film. The image was printed with pigment ink on Hahnemülhe photo rag paper (308gsm weight).

Early Morning Mist, Woodland Trail, Assageague Island Virginia, 2007

Conservation Center Photography Show -- Blue Ridge Branches, Virginia 1967

This image was made while I was a graduate student in physics at the University of Virginia. I had hiked up to the top of a ridge from the Skyline Drive in the southern section of the Shenandoah Nation Park when I encountered these branches on an otherwise treeless ridge. I made several images of the stark branches against the clear sky.

The image was made with a Calumet monorail 4 x 5 view camera and printed with pigment ink on Hahnemülhe photo rag paper (308gsm weight).  Image size 15.5" x 20.0".

Blue Ridge Branches, Virginia 1967

Conservation Center Photography Show -- Tree Trunks and Vines, Heald Track, Wilton NH, 2012; Dead Trees and Hemlocks Heald Track 2012; Autumn Leaves Heald Track Wilton, NH 2013

The New Hampshire landscape presents dense forests with embedded beaver ponds at almost every turn.  In mid summer the ponds are often full with water plants, water lilies and grasses and other plants that are by themselves striking.  In winter the ponds are frozen over and snow fills the forest. I have made photographs from time to time in the Joe English Reservation in Amherst, Beaver Brook in Hollis, the Heald Track in Wilton, and in the Monson Center in Hollis.

This image was made near an old orchard, just off the access road at the top of the hill in the Heald Track.  The majesty of the dead tree, the contrast of the bare tree trunk with the dark tree behind, and the delicacy of the vines and foliage all provide a harmonious feeling.

The image was made with my Nikon Coolpix P510 point and shoot camera with digital capture. The image was printed with pigment ink on Hahnemülhe photo rag paper (308gsm weight). 11.1" x 15.0"

Tree Trunks and Vines, Heald Track, Wilton NH, 2012

Dead trees in beaver ponds are characteristic of New Hampshire ponds and these trees in the Heald Track were seen against the dark hemlock tree background. The contrast of the dead trees versus the vibrant live hemlocks is complemented by the stark black - white tones of the image. 

The image was made with my Nikon Coolpix P510 point and shoot camera with digital capture. The image was printed with pigment ink on Hahnemülhe photo rag paper (308gsm weight). 14.3" x 20.0"

Dead Trees and Hemlocks, Heald Track 2012

Fall leaves bring a grand display of color to the forest from dramatic reds and oranges to mellow yellows and subdued browns. The yellow leaves in this image from the Heald Track, rendered in high key tones, presents a swarm like curtain in front of the dark tree trunks and the light from the open area beyond the forest. The visual effect gives lucidity to the image.

The image was made with my Nikon Coolpix P510 point and shoot camera with digital capture. The image was printed with pigment ink on Hahnemülhe photo rag paper (308gsm weight). 

Autumn Leaves, Heald Track, Wilton, NH 2013

This image of the beech trees with their light colored leaves clinging to the branches into early spring evokes the quite of the forest and perhaps the reluctance to surrender fully to the cold, stark days of winter.

The image was made with my Nikon Coolpix P510 point and shoot camera with digital capture. The image was printed with pigment ink on Hahnemülhe photo rag paper (308gsm weight). 20.0" x 15.0"

Winter Trees, Heald Track, Wilton NH 2014

Conservation Center Photography Show -- Hemlock Trees, Woodstock CT, 2012

These hemlock trees are quite massive and I was struck by the dark foliage and the delicate needle structure.  The branches always seem to be weeping, giving the image a somewhat melancholy aura and at the same time the lightness of the foliage provides tension with a more positive feeling.

The image was made with my Nikon Coolpix P510 point and shoot camera with digital capture. The image was printed with pigment ink on Hahnemülhe photo rag paper (308gsm weight). 14.7" x 11.0"

Hemlock Trees, Woodstock CT, 2012

Conservation Center Photography Show -- Boulders Grafton Notch State Park Maine 2010; Boulder and Trees, Grafton Notch State Park , Maine, 2008

Grafton Notch State Park in Maine present great image opportunities with the Bear River flowing among boulders and forest.  I have made photographs herein 2008 and 2010, particularly at Screw Auger Falls both of the falls and the boulders.

This image evokes the massiveness and power of the boulders and presents the viewer with smooth but somewhat irregular shapes.  At the same time the natural pattern on the face of the boulders provides interest and the hand carved letters some mystery of a previous visitor.

The image was made with Toyo 4x5 view camera and grey scale film. The image was printed with pigment ink on Hahnemülhe photo rag paper (308gsm weight). 19.5" x 15.2"

Boulders, Grafton Notch State Park, Maine 2010 

The boulder in the image seems nestled in the side of the riverbed and to me presents a feeling of "so happy to be here".  The delicate hemlock tree branches add to the feeling of lightness even when the bolder is clearly very massive.

The image was made with Toyo 4x5 view camera and greyscale film. The image was printed with pigment ink on Hahnemülhe photo rag paper (308gsm weight). 20.0" x 14.8"

Boulder and Trees, Grafton Notch State Park, Maine, 2008

Conservation Center Photography Show -- Green Point Cliff, Newfoundland, 2004; Blue Hill Totem, Forest, Newfoundland, 2004

In June of 2004 I toured Newfoundland for about a month, making photographs along the way. Images were made in Port au Port Peninsula, Gros Morne National Park, the Great Northern Peninsula, the south shore near Harbour Breton, Bonavista Peninsula, and the Avalon Peninsula.  I have included a number of images from this trip in the Conservation Center Show.

In an outcropping near Green Point in the Great Northern Peninsula this wall of rocks was revealed by the erosion of the shore waters, after geologic uplifting, leaving a spectacular rock formation that was formed between the Cambrian (500-570 million years ago) and Ordovician (430-450 million years ago) geologic periods. The image contains a fantastic collection of vignettes, subject to the imagination of the viewer.

The image was made with Toyo 4x5 view camera and grey scale film. The image was printed with pigment ink on Hahnemülhe photo rag paper (308gsm weight). 18.5" x 14.6"

Green Point Cliff,  Newfoundland, 2004

We drove to the top of Blue Hill in Terra Nova National Park and had great views of the surrounding forests and lakes which I made some photos of.  This image was made of the forest next to the parking area.  The forests in Newfoundland are often dense and encrusted with lichen and this area was no different.  The image seems like a natural totem to me with the green man of the forest smiling at us.

The image was made with Toyo 4x5 view camera and grey scale film. The image was printed with pigment ink on Hahnemülhe photo rag paper (308gsm weight). 18.0" x 14.0"

Blue Hill Totem, Forest, Newfoundland, 2004

Conservation Center Photography Show -- Summer Grass, Heald Track, Wilton NH 2012;

The New Hampshire landscape presents dense forests with embedded beaver ponds at almost every turn.  In mid summer the ponds are often full with water plants, water lilies and grasses and other plants that are by themselves striking.  In winter the ponds are frozen over and snow fills the forest.  I have made photographs from time to time in the Joe English Reservation in Amherst, Beaver Brook in Hollis, the Heald Track in Wilton, and in the Monson Center in Hollis.

This image was made at the edge of Batchelder Pond in the Heald Track.  The swaying grasses were frozen against the pond and distant shore background.  And the contrast of the grass seeds, rendered in light to middle grey tones is striking against the varied background.

The image was made with my Nikon Coolpix P510 point and shoot camera with digital capture. The image was printed with pigment ink on Hahnemülhe photo rag paper (308gsm weight). 15.5" x 11.6"

Summer Grass, Heald Track, Wilton NH 2012

Conservation Center Photography Show -- Blue Ridge Mountains Shenandoah National Park Virginia 2008

I have made photographs in the Blue Ridge Mountains of Virginia since graduate school at University of Virginia in the late '60s traveling back now and then for vacations or family reasons.  I have a strong attachment to the region as place because of this history and find it inspiring to make images there.

On a photographic trip to the Blue Ridge Mountains in Shenandoah National Park in June of 2008 I made this image near sunset.  The forest was fully leafed out in late June and from this vantage point appeared like rolling hills covered by a carpet.  The light and the mist gave the image subtle, glowing feeling.

The image was made with Toyo 4x5 view camera and grey scale film. The image was printed with pigment ink on Hahnemülhe photo rag paper (308gsm weight). 20" x 13.5"

Blue Ridge Mountains, Shenandoah National Park Virginia 2008

Conservation Center Photography Show -- Floating Lily Pads, Beaver Pond, Monson Center, 2009

The New Hampshire landscape presents dense forests with embedded beaver ponds at almost every turn.  In mid summer the ponds are often full with water plants, water lilies and grasses and other plants that are by themselves striking.  I have made photographs from time to time in the Joe English Reservation in Amherst, Beaver Brook in Hollis, the Heald Track in Wilton, and in the Monson Center in Hollis.

This photograph was made at the Monson Center with the clouds reflecting from the pond surface providing a middle grey background for the high key lily pads and the darker grasses.  The lily pads float on the water, both figuratively and actually.

The image was made with a Toyo 4 x 5 Field Camera and printed with pigment ink on Hahnemülhe photo rag paper (308gsm weight).  Image size 20" x 13.2".

Floating Lily Pads, Beaver Pond, Monson Center, 2009

Conservation Center Photography Show -- Beaver Pond and Distant Trees, Beaver Brook, Hollis, New Hampshire, 2002

The New Hampshire landscape presents dense forests with embedded beaver ponds at almost every turn.  In mid summer the ponds are often full with water plants, water lilies and grasses and other plants that are by themselves striking.  I have made photographs from time to time in the Joe English Reservation in Amherst, Beaver Brook in Hollis, the Heald Track in Wilton, and in the Monson Center in Hollis.

This photograph was made at Beaver Brook at the height of the summer when the water lilies were filling the beaver pond.  The strong stand trees on the distant shore is a characteristic of the landscape and this case the "sea" of white lilies is striking with the added feature of the dark water and, in the near field, the tree stumps.

The image was made with a Toyo 4 x 5 Field Camera and printed with pigment ink on Hahnemülhe photo rag paper (308gsm weight).  Image size 20" x 15.6".

Beaver Pond and Distant Tree Line, Beaver Brook, Hollis New Hampshire, 2002

Conservation Center Photography Show -- River Stones and Roots, Wild River Maine, 2008; River Stones, Boulder and Trees, Wild River Maine, 2008; Leaves, Sand and River Stones, Wild River Maine, 2010; Fern and River Stones, Wild River Maine, 2010

Along the border between New Hampshire and Maine in the White Mountains runs the Wild River, meandering back and forth north of Evans Notch.  The Wild River runs through heavily forested areas and the river bed is dense with river stones and the occasional glacier erratic.  The following photographs were made during trips to this area in 2008 and 2010.

The erosion of the shore by the river during high water in the spring leaves fantastic images of intertwined roots and river stones.  This image is striking with the strong images of river stones and the grasping roots.

The image was made with a Toyo 4 x 5 Field Camera and printed with pigment ink on Hahnemülhe photo rag paper (308gsm weight).  Image size 20" x 15.5".

River Stones and Tree Roots, Wild River Maine, 2008

The river bed is strewn with river stones and glacier erratics and in the spring is in sharp contrast with the verdant forest foliage along the shore.  I rendered this image in a high key to contrast with the "old man" glacial erratic in the center of the stream bed.  The roughness of the glacial erratic contrasts nicely with the smoothness of the river stones.

The image was made with a Toyo 4 x 5 Field Camera and printed with pigment ink on Hahnemülhe photo rag paper (308gsm weight).  Image size 20" x 15.5".

Glacial Erratic, River Stones and Spring Forest, Wild River Maine, 2008

This fern image is somewhat of a cliche in photography but the magnificence of the fern fronds emanating from the central plant was irresistible and, with the delicate fronds and surrounding river stones, results in a compelling image.  Welcoming the day and whatever is to come and making the best of where it finds itself I suppose.

The image was made with a Toyo 4 x 5 Field Camera and printed with pigment ink on Hahnemülhe photo rag paper (308gsm weight).  Image size 20" x 16.0".

Fern and River Stones, Wild River Maine, 2010

The overhanging foliage with it's delicate leave structure and the smooth river stone and boulder and the fine river sand all combine to make a delicate peaceful image.  The print is rendered in mostly middle grey tones, adding to the delicate nature of the image.

The image was made with a Toyo 4 x 5 Field Camera and printed with pigment ink on Hahnemülhe photo rag paper (308gsm weight).  Image size 20" x 15.7".

Shore Foliage, River Stones and Boulder, and River Sand, Wild River Maine, 2010

Conservation Center Photography Show -- Sand Dunes and Mountains, Death Valley, 2006; Zabriskie Point and Manly Beacon from Golden Canyon, Death Valley 2006; Mountains and Clouds, Golden Canyon, Death Valley 2006; Mountains and Clouds from Artist's Drive, Death Valley, 2006

On a trip to California to attend the first "Silver" conference in 2006, I spent a week in Death Valley making photographs.  The following three images are from that time.

This image in the Mesquite Flat sand dunes rendered in relatively high key tones with the bushes providing contrast.  The dream like quality of this image has always intrigued me, other-worldly.

The image was made with a Toyo 4x5 field camera and printed with pigment ink on Hahnemülhe photo rag paper (308gsm weight).  Image size 20" x 11.4".

Sand Dunes and Mountains, Death Valley, 2006

Walking into Golden Canyon one encounters stark hills devoid of vegetation folded onto each other.  A tremendous visible feast.  This day the sky was very clear but with an occasional thunderhead popping up.  The similarity of shape of Manly Beacon and the emerging thunderhead cloud was striking.  The cloud fragment acted somewhat as an observer of the scene.

The image was made with a Mamiyaflex 2 1/4 x 2 1/4 twin lens camera and printed with pigment ink on Hahnemülhe photo rag paper (308gsm weight).  Image size 17" x 13.9".

Zabriskie Point and Manly Beacon from Golden Canyon, Death Valley 2006

The following image was again striking because of the folded landscape, the clear sky and the emergence of the thunderhead just above the very dark ridge in the background

The image was made with a Mamiyaflex 2 1/4 x 2 1/4 twin lens camera and printed with pigment ink on Hahnemülhe photo rag paper (308gsm weight).  Image size 17" x 14.0".

Zabriskie Point and Manly Beacon from Golden Canyon, Death Valley 2006

Driving into the Artist's drive area provides a striking view across Death Valley and the distant mountains.  The strong contrast of the winding road, the dark and light tonalities of the mountains and the brilliance of the illuminated clouds all make for a fairytale scene but in this instance somewhat foreboding or sinister.

The image was made with a Toyo 4x5 field camera and printed with pigment ink on Hahnemülhe photo rag paper (308gsm weight).  Image size 20" x 15.8".

Mountains and Clouds from Artist's Drive, Death Valley, 2006

Conservation Center Photography Show -- Beaver Brook Pond, Hollis, New Hampshire 2002

The New Hampshire landscape presents dense forests with embedded beaver ponds at almost every turn.  In mid summer the ponds are often full with water plants, water lilies and grasses and other plants that are by themselves striking.  I have made photographs from time to time in the Joe English Reservation in Amherst, Beaver Brook in Hollis, the Heald Track in Wilton, and in the Monson Track in Hollis.

The beaver pond in Beaver Brook in Hollis exhibited strong reflections of the skylight from the lily pads and areas of the water that made the central part of the image very high key.  This contrasts with the near field dark tree, and the lighter foliage and stones in the foreground, and the shoreline trees in the background.  The result is a very dynamic image over layered by the shapes of the foreground dead tree trunks.

The image was made with a Cambo 4x5 mono-rail view camera and printed with pigment ink on Hahnemülhe photo rag paper (308gsm weight).  Image size 20" x 15.3".

Summer Pond, Beaver Brook, Hollis NH, 2002

Conservation Center Photography Show -- Monadnock Birches

This image of birch trees was one of several I made on the lower part of Mount Monadnock.  The contrast of the white birches and the darker foliage is of course striking and the feathery ferns adds a delicacy to the image that is appealing.  The resonance of the curves of the tree trunks gives a dancing quality to the image implying a gentle swaying motion.

The image was made with a Cambo 4x5 mono-rail view camera and printed with pigment ink on Hahnemülhe photo rag paper (308gsm weight).  Image size 18" x 15".