Daily Practice 19/365

Title: "Chain Reaction"

I was looking out my bedroom window while dressing this morning, and saw some cloud formations in the sky that I thought looked interesting. I grabbed my camera, thinking it had a long zoom attached, and went out to the backyard to make some images. Turns out the macro lens was attached, and I decided to go with the flow. With the very shallow depth of field, hand held is a real challenge, but I was pressed for time and didn't want to get out the tripod. As I moved around the yard, I started exploring the rain chain for the studio. I think there are more ways to "see" this chain, but I was pleased with this image.

Daily Practice 18/365

Title: "The sea beckoned him with a thousand voyages"

I've been enjoying the ever changing morning views around the corner from the house. The tremendous drama being played out overhead is always a draw, but this morning I decided to change my perspective, and emphasize the ever present sea. Dark and infinitely patient, there were the last vestiges of the night's tempest crashing against the sea wall. I chose this image because it shows the hope that is always over the horizon after a storm.

Daily Practice 17/365

Untitled (click to see full image)

I took advantage of another break in the wet winter weather to visit a favourite spot for rest and contemplation. There's nothing particularly remarkable about this image, a panoramic view from Anderson Hill Park, or "Blueberry Hill" as it is more colloquially called. Yet the short hike up to the vista, and the opportunity to feel the sun on my face, was quite restorative. The view is looking south, across the Strait of Juan de Fuca, towards the distant Olympic Mountains. It is generally quiet here, an oasis in the middle of the south village, usually there are only a few dogs and their owners who've come for a ramble. A good place to gather thoughts and reflect on new ways of seeing.

Daily Practice 16/365

Title: "He felt the sky weighing down the sea, oppressing his every thought"

I've been re-reading Edward Weston's daybooks the past few days. I'm always struck by how generally enthused he is after a day's shoot, his talk of having many fine negatives and his impatience waiting for sunny weather to print them in platinum. This morning was frosty but sunny, and I felt an urgent need to take my 4X5 camera out to the shore, to make images of the overbearing sky and the patterns in the rocks and driftwood. It's been too long since I worked with sheet film, and there was much enjoyment in developing the film, making sheet contacts and then picking a negative for a proof print.

Daily Practice 15/365

Title: "He whispered his question in the oracle's ear, leaning closer in hope of a reply"

The end of another work week, and fortunately the torrential downpour happening this morning cleared by afternoon. I stopped at Harling Point on the way home, it's one of my favourite places to photograph. The sun was shining, and the wind was brisk. I came upon this little tide pool in the worn rocks, the shape suggesting a story.

Daily Practice 14/365

Title: "He stood on the icy precipice, contemplating the possible outcomes"

I liked the organic shapes I found in an abstract subject, and had fun isolating different aspects and imagining what stories the images told.

Daily Practice 13/365

Title: "He scanned the time lines, looking to jump to a better future"

A quick break in the gloomy weather, with interesting patterns in the clouds over the Olympic Mountains. Took a little extra time on the drive to work to go along the coast, and stopping to make images of the clouds. I was struck by the parallel lines of different shapes and tones in this image.