What would Ansel do?

What would Ansel Adams do? This question is being worked over a lot in the popular photo mags like Outdoor Photographer, and the trend seems to be picking up speed lately. It’s always an interesting question to consider, especially since he liked to innovate and experiment to improve the quality of his work. I’ve always been an admirer and enjoy learning about his life and techniques. Adams devoted his entire life to the art and profession of photography, as well as advocacy for conservation and the national parks system. It’s no wonder so many people try to recreate the content or feel of his work. He is an inspiration.

But, seeing his name so much lately gives me pause and I have to ask myself this: do I want to be like Ansel Adams? Could I remotely, in my wildest imagination, come close to the compositional, technical and artistic quality that he achieved? What would this accomplish? Is it realistic? Does it even make any sense? Adams was a visionary by doing things and going places with photography that no one had done before. His images are iconic, but not because of their location or processing techniques. They stand on their own because the product is more than the sum of its parts. I could perfect my zone system techniques or travel to Yosemite and take my images at the same locations he did, standing in his footsteps. But even if I do all that, and I ended up with an image that gives the look and feel of Adams’, I’d have to say to myself that it’s already been done.

Instead, I have to take what I’ve learned from and about him and apply it to my own photographic techniques. I will always enjoy looking at his images and reading about his life, but I need to make it my own and take what works for my own photography.

Peter Blackwood to present new Wood Library show

Canandaigua photographer Peter Blackwood will host an opening reception for his 5th annual solo show of nature themed fine art photography on May 6th from 7 to 9 PM at Wood Library. Billsboro Winery of Geneva, NY will be on hand to provide wine tasting to those that attend and for those interested who can't make it, the show will be open to public viewing until mid June 2010.

Blackwood's photographic approach spans a wide variety of subject matter from vast landscapes of the American West to intimate pictures of wildlife and insects, to iconic scenes of upstate New York's Finger Lakes region. His skill and adaptability across this range is apparent, as is his passion for the art of photography.

Peter's web site was featured in the January 2010 issue of Shutterbug magazine, and the reviewer, Joe Farace, says of him, "The big surprise is the variety and quality of the images in his themed library exhibits..."

To view images by Peter Blackwood, visit www.blackwoodphoto.com

2009 Holiday Show at All Things Art and Christkindl Market

I’ve been working over the past 3 or so months to condense my website into something more straightforward and easy to navigate for now. I want an online presence that I don’t have to think about at all in the coming year so I can focus on new photography and building a collection. The only visible element I need to add is an “About” page, so that will be up in the next week or so. After that, start looking for more content...FINALLY.

All Things Art in Canandaigua is having its 2009 Holiday Show and Sale starting this Saturday November 14 at 65 South Main St and runs through the end of December. I have three framed prints up for sale if you’re looking for a different holiday gift this year. Here are some previews...

Winter Rain

Cascade Mills

First Snow

These are 11x14 prints double matted in off white to a 16x20 fine art frame, and each are $115. Please know that 30% of the sale benefits All Things Art, which is a non-profit organization, so these photos are a great deal. I'm sure someone would love to receive one as a gift this year! This show may also include other types of art in addition to photography, though I dropped my stuff off early and didn’t see much yet. If you see any images at Compass Photo you want to purchase for the holidays, you can contact me any time.

I should also mention that on Saturday Nov 14, there will be a gingerbread man workshop for the kids at All Things Art and Christkindl Market at the Granger Homestead is taking place this weekend starting Friday Nov 13 and ending Sunday Nov 15. This will definitely get you in the mood for upcoming holidays. There will be no shortage of stuff to do if you are on the fence about making the drive out to Canandaigua.