Black Sand :: Iceland

Black Sand :: Iceland

“The fishermen know that the sea is dangerous and the storm terrible, but they have never found these dangers sufficient reason for remaining ashore.” Vincent Van Gogh

I found out recently that one of my students passed away while out exploring his new home. It came as quite the shock for a lot of us that knew him, both in terms of a lost friend, and as a reminder of our own mortality and the risks associated with our passion – landscape photography.

My heart goes out to his loved ones. I hope you find comfort in the joyful memories you made together. ❤️

This shot is from a notoriously dangerous beach in Iceland, with warning signs that often go ignored or misunderstood by tourists. Reynisfjara beach has particularly dangerous waves due to the location and steepness of the continental shelf.

The Land of Fire and Ice

Fire and Ice :: Iceland

On this most recent trip to Iceland, I learned that Icelanders have a phrase that roughly translates to “It’ll all work out” because the weather is so unpredictable and makes keeping plans difficult. That flexible, positive attitude is one of the many things I’ve come to appreciate during my visits there. It’s also pretty spot on for how Landscape photography goes. Haha

While trying to take this series of shots, I got soaked by a big wave because passing tourists asked me to take a photo of them which distracted me, I got crowded by 103733672829 other tripods when they saw what I was on to, I was distracted again by some photographer forcibly moving a boulder sized chunk of glacier to a spot more to his liking which was at the edge of my original composition (ummmm? thanks dude?) and my battery died. But in the end, it all worked out. 😊

Big thanks to David Pasillas for his input on this edit!  This shot is three blended exposures, some luck and a little bit of magic pixie dust.

The Guardians

The Guardians :: OR

“We men and women are all in the same boat, upon a stormy sea. We owe to each other a terrible and tragic loyalty.” – G. K. Chesterton

These sea stacks were found along the Oregon coast on an overcast, not so sunset-y sunset.  But then, I’m a landscape photographer, and I enjoy the weather that no one else likes because it’s so darn photogenic! lol

I’m working on a new tutorial project to help supplement my teaching materials for the Members Area over at Light & Landscape.  You know….a few free videos to help you learn, my gift to you!  Can’t beat the price, right? 😉

If you want to keep informed about the upcoming tutorials as they are released, make sure to sign up for my newsletter.

 

Defiance

Defiance :: CT

“An island of calm in a sea of uncertainty…”

 

I spent a little time last week down at the shore, putting together example images for next month’s Light and Landscape Member’s Area lesson plan.  This photo was a happy little by-product of the trip.  And by happy, of course, I mean angry skies. haha  We’ve been having some strange weather lately.  This morning, the second day of spring, we woke up to 4+ inches of snow in the back yard…but that’s New England for ya!

If you’re interested in getting any info about our teaching program and photography community, you can contact us at support@availablelightmedia.com .  We’d be happy to give you the overview and answer your questions!  You can also check out a small sampling of some of our student’s work in the next issue of Light and Landscape Magazine, the number one landscape photography magazine on iTunes. 🙂  You can find it in the newsstand app!

The settings, for those interested: 10 mm, 4 seconds, ISO 100, f/11, grad ND

“Ahem. My lens is up here.”

Balanced Flow :: RI

 

You can thank David for that title. haha

This week, I was honored to be included in a pretty comprehensive list of Inspiring Female Landscape Photographers, put together by Sarah Marino.  She did a really nice job expressing how I feel when she says that instead of being a “female landscape photographer”, it would be great to be recognized as a landscape photographer who also happens to be female. Every industry has its challenges though, and hopefully resources like this list will help make the hard-working landscape photo-ladies easier to find when companies are looking for speakers, teachers, etc. 🙂

I feel so very honored to have made the list with so many other talented, inspiring women busting their butts to make it their goals a reality! Check it out, show Sarah some love and hopefully you’ll discover some new, awesome talent out there in the world.

As for the above shot?  I took that in Block Island a few weeks back.  I thought the composition had a nice “yin yang” potential, so I did the smart thing…plopped myself in the way of some incoming waves, and then was shocked when a rogue one snuck up on me and almost drowned my camera. haha  (Don’t worry…the gear is fine!)

Light The Sky

Light The Sky :: Maine

“Even
After
All this time
The Sun never says to the Earth,

“You owe me.”

Look
What happens
With a love like that,
It lights the whole sky.”

Hāfez

(Working title: “JJ Acadia”, for those JJ Abrams fans out there! Or Acadia fans, as the case may be.  Both = a double win! lol)

It’s been a busy few weeks…as I mentioned last week, we are working on a book (which will be awesome.  Sign up for the newsletter for updates, discounts, etc when the time comes!), I’ve got a few personal projects going on and I’ve spent the last few weeks working with Edith Levy on an mutual interview project (because her travel images rock and I think you’ll love them.  Her interview will be released next week…stay tuned for that!).

As of yesterday, she was kind enough to put together a little behind the scenes interview about my photography work.  Please, go check it out and show her page some love. 🙂

This image will be part of the upcoming ebook that David and I are working on…it is a shot I took in Acadia last fall as an example of sun flare.  The final is actually a blend of three exposures, using luminosity masks and manual tweaking.  When we got to the beach a little before sunrise, I wasn’t sure if we were going to get much color.  It’s always a fine line between heavy clouds adding texture to a sky, and heavy clouds blotting out the sun.  Thankfully we got just enough breaks for the light to pour through and give us a show.

That trip was still one of my top photo trips.  I was there with such good company and the weather was just perfect for dramatic shots…what more can a landscaper ask for? ❤

Follow my work on any (all?) of my various social medias…I use each for something a little different. 500px, twitter, FB, G+, IG

Friend, like, circle me (in a non-creepy way), 1+….get to it!

Explore The Scene (Tips and News!)

Infinity :: California

When I find a place that intrigues me, I explore the location until I find a composition that really resonates with me.  After that, it’s a matter of waiting for the best possible conditions to get the most out of a scene.

The camera settings, the light, the weather, the sky, the water, small details you may have missed at first that can become an important foreground element…all of these things can change over the course of a day (or night). Those changes can have a drastic effect on your image.  The more time you have to spend creating your photos, the more options you will have to choose from when it comes time to edit.

I may ultimately edit only one or two images from a series, but in my opinion, it is never a bad thing to have similar (previously unpublished) comps in the archives for future use.

Explore the Scene

This image was taken in California last summer, while out exploring with David Pasillas. I’ve been holding on to this gem for quite some time and waited until today to publish it for two reasons.

First, I am tired of the deep freeze here on the east coast and wanted a taste of summer.

Second, and more importantly, David and I have been hinting at some big surprises this year and today, I’m spilling the beans!

We just sent our final draft of a full length ebook out to edit!!!! The book is loaded with photography tips like this one where I urge you to fully explore a location, as well as ridiculous adventures and mishaps. If all goes well, we will have a finished product ready for release within a few months.

I can’t even begin to explain how excited I am, and how tough it’s been to keep all of our various projects for this year under wraps. Lol (Yes, that means we have more in the works….these secrets are killing me!)

If you want to keep up to date on the all of the projects, the deals and what we can do for you, it’s so important that you sign up for the newsletter. That’s where the exclusive discounts will show up, when the time comes. 🙂 If you do it before March 1st, I will include a free copy of “Photography + Connecticut“!

Cheers to a year of big things!

Xoxo

Shann

Sounds of Silence

Sounds of Silence :: Connecticut

Our lives begin to end the day we become silent about things that matter.

Yesterday was Martin Luther King Day, a day to reflect on the impact of this revolutionary man and the powerful changes that he now represents. His conviction that people should embrace love, treat each other as brothers and weigh the content of someone’s character over other factors (skin color, gender, religion, sexual preference, etc) are powerful sentiments that we can all benefit from in both on the large and small scale.

On the small scale, little acts of compassion, kindness, tolerance and an attempt at understanding would bring less friction, less selfishness, more smiles and more joy into both your life and the lives you touch.

On the large scale, how much unrest, injustice and tragedy could be avoided if the world embraced love and understanding first? We humans are selfish by nature, innately interested in self-preservation. But I challenge you to think beyond your body and family. I challenge you to bring something to the table that helps your fellow man and enriches the rich, beautiful, eclectic, intense variety of the tapestry of humankind.

Collect some good karma points, smile at your neighbor, sprinkle some kindness wherever you go and leave the world a more beautiful place. ❤

 

This image is part of an ongoing personal project to showcase the beauty of Connecticut, a state often overlooked by my landscape photography peers. 🙂 You’re missing out, guys! And ladies, of course. Lol

I took this sunrise photo in Milford, CT over the long weekend. It was incredible to see the world and the water so quiet, despite the frigid temperatures. Sunrises are always a time of peace and reflection for me, and this one will be one that I remember for a long time.

For more info about my images, private lessons or upcoming workshops on the East coast, shoot me an email or sign up for my new newsletter! 

Swept Away

Swept Away

 She was impetuous and changeable, unpredictable and dangerous, and more beautiful than an ocean sunset on a summer day.

This past weekend I had the pleasure of attending a workshop hosted by three well respected photographers / time-lapsers whose work is inspiring and emotive – David Gaiz, Toby Harriman and Michael Shainblum. They assured me they will be hosting more clinics in the future, mostly on the west coast, so if you’re out that way and you have the opportunity, I highly recommend taking a class with them.

Without giving away too much, their workshop focused mainly on seascapes, and went through everything from the technical aspects of camera settings and filter use, to the creative process and using the environment to your advantage…the shapes of the changeable water, allowing the water to wash away footprints in the sand (or not, depending on what you’re looking to accomplish with your image), etc.

The three guys were very open and generous with their time.  I really enjoyed hanging out with them, a few of their photographer friends from TX and my good friend David Pasillas for the weekend. A gal can’t ask for a better trip. 🙂

Now, as for the images we created – we spent the afternoon and evening on Marshall Beach near the Golden Gate Bridge in San Francisco, watching the fog roll over the area and dash our hopes for a sunset. Haha  But, a little challenge never hurt nobody.  The fog added texture to the sky (which I happen to like) and mood to the scene.  There were plenty of interesting rocks, a bridge and of course, the water with which to compose a scene and tell a story.  It was also a prime opportunity to play with filters, long exposures, etc.

Overall, this workshop (and the weekend as a whole) was just a great opportunity to get creative, meet other artists and feel inspired.  As I told David Gaiz after I sat got back to the east coast and sorted my shots, I can think of at least 3 blog posts, lessons and personal projects all stemming from my time in California.  Furthermore, it was an opportunity for me to talk to the guys about the ins and outs of running a workshop because (spoiler alert) that’s on my future to-do list. 🙂

Keep your eyeballs peeled for future workshops with these three, and in the meantime, do yourself a favor and check out their photography and time lapse pages.  You won’t be disappointed!

And Time Marches On

Bones in the Sand

 

During low tide, the ocean gives up the bones of an old coal ship, the Howard W Middleton on Higgins Beach in Maine. We only had a small window of time to play among the wreckage before the water swallowed the ship back up.

 

Timing is everything. The light, the tides, the weather are play such a big role in creating an image. While most people might have been bummed about a sky full of clouds during a day at the beach, to me, it was a blessing. It was uncomfortable, chilly, and best of all, oh-so-dramatic. 🙂