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Old Oak at Sunrise
Old Oak at Sunrise is another image made with my iPhone 6 Plus while on one of our morning walks. Again, this one was shot in HDR mode to preserve dynamic range, then carefully processed through Lightroom to optimize noise, sharpening, and local contrast. I'm more impressed every time I work with a file from this new camera.
Ephemeral Wetland at Sunrise (iPhone 6 Plus)
Over the past few months I've been going on leisurely morning walks of 3-4 miles. When the opportunity presents itself, I typically make a few photographs using my new iPhone 6 Plus, then post the images to either Instagram, Facebook, or both. It's been a fun exercise in learning the capabilities of the phone camera, while also encouraging me to be more spontaneous and intuitive in my photography.
The technical quality of the images coming out the phone are shockingly good, particularly when using the HDR mode. This new mode mostly overcomes one of the major drawbacks of tiny sensors - limited dynamic range. At first I didn't believe my eyes, but the proof is in the files: the dynamic range I'm getting with the new iPhone in HDR mode rivals the dynamic range I'm getting with my full frame Canon 5D Mk II.
Obviously, for print output at gallery sizes, the 8 megapixel JPGs from the iPhone can't compete with the 21.1 megapixel raw files from the full frame DSLR. But, when carefully processed through Lightroom and viewed at screen sizes of up to 2,000 pixels, the iPhone files look every bit as good as the Canon files, even when pixel peeping at 100%. This is astounding to me, and has me once again wondering whether DSLRs have a future outside of a few specialty niches such as action sports and wall-sized gallery prints.
I'm not yet ready to give up my Canon gear (particularly the wonderful L series lenses), but the excellent files I'm getting out of the new iPhone do have me thinking about using it as a more serious tool. Whereas in the past I mostly thought of phone images as throw away snapshots, going forward I will be looking at them for consideration as part of my more serious work.
American River at Effie Yeaw
I was extremely pleased to find out that my print American River at Effie Yeaw was accepted into the 2015 Crocker-Kingsley Exhibition. The Crocker-Kingsley is one of the most important art shows of the year in our region, and it’s always a great honor to be accepted. This year, only 75 pieces were selected among 1,300 entries by juror and world renowned painter, Gregory Kondos. The following is some history on the show from the Crocker-Kingsley website:
The Kingsley Art Club has been in existence for over 120 years, making it one of the oldest arts institutions in the West. After meeting in member’s homes, in 1927 membership increased and the Kingsley found a permanent home at the E.B. Crocker Art Gallery. The club featured an annual program of art lectures, art exhibitions of its members work, and sponsored occasional exhibitions by artists outside Sacramento. Responding to a community need, Kingsley instituted an invitational art exhibit that provided an opportunity for emerging artists to show their work to the general public. Now known as the Crocker-Kingsley, the 75th show was held in 2009.
Considered one of the most prestigious competitions on the West Coast, past exhibits have included early works by many premier artists such as Wayne Thiebaud, Gregory Kondos, and Stephen Kaltenbach. The competition is open to any California artist, and has been a launching point for many emerging artists. The entire show is mounted at the Blue Line Gallery in Roseville for 6 weeks. The winners then move to the Crocker Art Museum for a period of 3 months.
Show details as follows:
Crocker-Kingsley Exhibition
January 9 – February 21, 2015
Blue Line Gallery
405 Vernon Street, Roseville, CA
Opening Reception: January 17, 2015, 6:00 p.m. – 9:00 p.m.
Accepted Work: American River at Effie Yeaw
Ferrari Ranch Wetlands, Study 1
The SMUD Art Gallery features works by local artists as part of the Sacramento Metropolitan Arts Commission's "Art in Public Places" program. 33 members of the Viewpoint Photographic Art Center were invited to show their work in the SMUD Gallery from December 12, 2014 through March 3, 2015. I'm pleased and humbled that I was among the artists invited to participate. Details as follows:
December 12, 2014 – March 3, 2015
Viewpoint Artists at the SMUD Gallery (group show)
SMUD Art Gallery
6301 S Street, Sacramento, CA
Artists' Reception: December 11, 4 p.m. – 6 p.m.
Accepted Work: Ferrari Ranch Wetland, Study 1
More Information →
Solar Wind
I was pleased to find out that my print "Solar Wind" was juried into the Twelve: Small Wonders show at the Viewpoint Photographic Art Center. Details as follows:
December 9, 2014 – January 3, 2015
Twelve: Small Wonders
Viewpoint Photographic Art Center
2015 J Street, Sacramento, CA
Artists' Reception: December 12, 5:30–9:00 p.m.
Second Saturday Reception: December 13, 5:30–9:00 p.m.
Accepted Work: Solar Wind
More Information →
This favorite old oak tree survived a recent grass fire. I wonder how many times it's felt flames at the base of its trunk?
Charred Westside Oak (Summer 2014)
Westside Oak (Winter 2013)
From Wikipedia:
"Asian aesthetic writing is generally consistent in stating the goal of ink and wash painting is not simply to reproduce the appearance of the subject, but to capture its spirit. To paint a horse, the ink wash painting artist must understand its temperament better than its muscles and bones. To paint a flower, there is no need to perfectly match its petals and colors, but it is essential to convey its liveliness and fragrance. East Asian ink wash painting may be regarded as a form of expressionistic art that captures the unseen."
Natural Sumi-e
Two Peas