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Group News

News

Group closed

With the next Journal(The feature of the contest winners)  the group is shortly closed for submissions until the 16^{th of September}   as I will not be able to do anything for it in this time! I hope you can all stay patient until then

Contest Winners

Our contest has ended and was a great success. Now, the judges will have to take a look at all entries and rate them, in the end, we might need a second row. The final winners will then be notfied and receive their prizes!
They will receive their feature in an extra journal next week.

Interview

Why do you enjoy photography?
    It is enjoyable for me, because photography can tell stories.  I enjoy the unexpected and the anticipation of great moments about to happen.  I find it exciting, especially when my photography brings a lot of joy to others.
    To me, photography is an expressive and very creative medium.  I really enjoy the digital platform with its unlimited possibilities.  It is an exciting time for photography.

^{Creative play using colors and adjustments, in Photoshop.}




Do you carry your camera with you wherever you go?
    I used to! It depends on where I go now; I do not carry my camera everywhere. I will have it ready to go right next to me always if I am on a trip traveling. If I didn’t have my camera ready to go and close at hand, I would have missed “The Coming Storm”.  Lighting struck and scared some wild horses, and they started galloping pretty fast!  Being ready allowed me to capture this image.

                        ^{The Coming Storm}



Your West series makes a great part of your gallery. Can you tell us a bit more about the story behind them? What got you into catching such moments?

    Many of my “Palette of the West” images were shot in Bend, Oregon at the famous Rock Springs Guest Ranch led by a very talented photographer named Wilma Robert’s.
    Rock Springs Ranch was the best-kept secret in the business, known only by working professionals.  Since the 1960’s, well-known stock photographers and commercial artists from around the world filled the spots year after year.  I was one of the lucky few to find out about it and took the opportunity to go.
    My “Palette of the West” series is a part of my personal work-studies of action light and subject matter.  I became very passionate about photographing equines and the feel of the old west after my first trip to Rock Springs Ranch.
    But it is not the first time I was ever in love with the old west.  I have always been a romantic about the old west, having worked in the movie industry on many westerns as an extra (background Artist) for many years as a young woman.
    It is the Magic of light, the unpredictability and surprise that I love about catching such moments. My favorite thing is to capture, the magic hour mixed with atmosphere (i.e.: dust, fog, etc.) It is when the sun breaks through this dust or fog that magic happens, mingling together in beautiful unpredictable ways.




Where or from who did you learn to take photos, or are you self-taught?
    I could always take fairly good snap shots and had done traditional arts as long as I can remember giving me background knowledge in composition and such because of this.
    I became serious about photography when I became involved with an amazing photography class, which I was introduced to by a dear friend and attended for many years, led by Warren King, once a photographer in world war two, now retired in California. One of the few teachers whom have ever been honored with an award and a plaque imbedded on the sidewalk as a permanent remembrance.  That class changed my life forever.
    I have also taken additional classes in studio lighting, food, animals, fine art nude, and many others.  I am still acquiring knowledge.

^{Photographed in a studio with a black background.}


What do you find most tricky about photography?
Holding three cameras at my age
Knowing when to stop.
Keeping out of harms way.


What do you experience when taking a photo?
I experience life.


Which one is the most popular picture of your gallery? What do people like most about it? What do you personally like about it?

                        ^{“Three Cowboys”}

    That would be “Three Cowboys”.  Some have said that it makes them want go back in time and live the real deal.
    I personally like it for the great backlighting and the great experience I had while photographing this image.  This action shot was something that occurred while the light was falling fast and low on the horizon.  A few of us noticed this backlight while the riders were riding, and asked if they would circle around with the horses so the dust would rise higher, and then ride through it for us.  Another rider rode back and forth in the far background as well helping to keep the dust stirred up.  One chance was all we got to get the shot before the sun went down.  I think you could have heard my excitement for miles.  I knew I had gotten the shot!
     This image hung on the wall in the dining room at Rock Springs Ranch for many years.



What is the most difficult in shooting such wonderful atmospheric shots with horses in the dust or fog?

^{Photographed with Fuji 400 speed film}

    The most difficult thing that I found hard to do in a dusty or foggy environment is no longer difficult.
    Using a film camera was difficult and with only 36 tries.  No way were you going to open the back up and try to change out your roll of film while the dust was kicking up everywhere.  Those Photographers who had two cameras were lucky.  Using a black bag to change film was of no use to me; everything gets covered in fine silky dust.  Plastic covers are a must!  Then after each horse roundup I and a few other photographers took our film down to the one-hour film processor, so we could review the images and to make sure things were working out.  The years following I photographed digitally.  No longer did I ever have to take over a hundred rolls of film on my trips, change out rolls of film in a harsh environment, or have them processed.  Best of all no more scratches on my negatives!  I have never used my film camera again.  I love using the Canon Mark II that has perfect quick focus even through thick dust; it can find the most faded subjects and lock on, has amazing tracking abilities, and very fast frames per second.  I love this camera for fleeting moments, but it is a heavy camera.  I had to eventually move to a lighter weight camera for most other types of shooting.  But for any serious action photography in harsh environments you can bet I will bring the Mark II.  I would love to get my hands on the newer Mark III camera.


What makes a great picture in your opinion?
    Many books have been written on the subject of what makes a great picture, and can be very subjective.  Beauty is in the eyes of the beholder.
    Of course, good light and composition and subject matter all play an important role in a great image; however, there have been exceptions.  A great image could have been un-sharp, have flat light and still be a great photograph, because of the content and story.  I think capturing an important or special moment is more important than how great the light is.
    A great picture is one that grabs you in, keeps you entranced, and makes you laugh, cry, or feel some emotional connection.  I find these are qualities that make a great picture, in my opinion.


Do you have essential tips for our beginners?
Beginners:
    Do not get discouraged, practice makes perfect.
    Learn how to use good constructive criticism, this is important.
    Know your camera manual and know it blindfolded.
    Practice your photography everywhere you go. The early birds get the worms (Sweet light).  Get to know your equipment well, know its limitations and strengths.
    Please do not forget to make sure you are safe. Take someone along if it is going to get dark.
    We are very vulnerable while behind the lens and are only aware of what is in front of us.
    Respect the wishes of others when taking photographs. And take great care in photographing our planet. I see so many photographers killing the land for an image, or destroying the subject so others may not get the same shot.
    Hang out with others that share your passion.
    Most important have fun!




Do you have any funny or touching photography story you can share?
    Do you mean like when I sat down at the edge of Bryce Canyon in Utah to take a low angle image, not looking where I sat down, and all of a sudden I was on fire with red ants in my pants?  How my husband freaked out after I asked him to take a look at my bum and took me to the nearest emergency hospital?  And how I had to embarrassingly have my bum examined and receive a shot from a really, really cute doctor?
    OK. Maybe that is not funny or touching.
    But, I cried, laughed, and cried some more.



Do you have final words for our readers you want to share?
    Just that I would like to say thank you for all the support that I have received.
    It has been an honor to answer these questions.
    If any readers have any further questions, please feel free to send me a note. I would love to try and answer them for you.



Thank you for taking your time to answer our questions,
~Julia

Hall of Fame

New Contest Entries

Our Motherhood Contest ended 22/08/2012 with extended date.
mesmerizing-animals.deviantart…
All new entries since last week
'Mothers Pride' by Leucareth
'first bath, then dinner...' by morho
'Rabbits' by ambro

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Affiliate news

New affiliates

We are now affiliated with

BirdsWithDetail A group for realism bird art in traditional and digital

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Other news

Animal Rescue / Charity

Wildlife Photographers, FREELAND needs you!
Wildlife Photographers, FREELAND Needs You!Hello All,
I've been talking about FREELAND quite a bit over the past year. After all, I've been happily helping them partly because of your help! However, FREELAND is currently in a predicament and could use the help of fellow wildlife photographers out there!
The Problem
The illegal wildlife trade is estimated to have a value of billions of dollars every year, making it the third most lucrative international industry behind guns and drugs. However, despite this trade wiping out wildlife all over the world, efforts of law enforcement have yet to match those of the criminals that traffic wildlife. Simply put, the illegal wildlife trade is not taken seriously. As a result, law enforcement and customs personnel often do not have the training to identify wildlife and wildlife products that they come across. This lack of knowledge prevents cases from being developed against wildlife criminals.
FREELAND is developing a mobile app for enforcement and customs personnel in Southeast Asi

Group Promotion

This group has only 4 Members! If you love horses you should stop by and take a look.

For Sale

Not us if:
You want to promote your contest or group
You have questions of any kind
You have an animal that seeks a home
you have an artwork in our group that is for sale

Enjoy your weekend!

Julia




July Feature - a small world | August Week 1  |August Week 2 | August Week 3