This is a response to Neal Rantoul's piece, "A Disturbing Trend", and while it might contain a rebuttal of this point or that, it is not intended as a rebuttal as such. This should be a conversation! Neal's unhappiness seems to stem from two separate sources. The first is that photographic Artists tend to be supplying what strikes him as an excess of text to go with their … [Read more...]
Triptychs Part 1 of 3: Fundamentals
Be who you are and say what you feel because those who matter don’t mind and those who mind don’t matter Bernard Baruch 1 - Introduction This is the first of a series of three essays on triptychs. This new series builds upon the concepts established in my previous essays, in particular, my just-completed series on abstract landscape photographs. You can read my previous … [Read more...]
The Long Road – William Neill Photographer a Retrospective
We all walk the long road. Sometimes the light is all shining on me, sometimes I can barely see. What a long strange trip it has been, on this long and winding road. These lines from classic rock and roll songs pop into my head as I try to write about my four decades as a landscape photographer. You may ask yourself, how did I get here? When I was growing up, my family often … [Read more...]
The Toughest Print
As many of my regular readers, friends and fellow photographers know, I love to print. For me, the photographic print is not only the final end result of the photographic process but is importantly the ultimate expression of my work. The online jpeg is nothing more than a poor facsimile of the finished fine art print; whereas the finished print is the medium in which I prefer … [Read more...]
Edward Burtynsky – Interview Part Three – Final
Prints, Studio and Color Lab My interview with Ed Burtynsky continues with this final segment. This is the part I enjoyed the most as Ed and I talk about his prints and why and how he makes such big prints. For Ed, it’s all about the print. As he explains when looking through the viewfinder he is composing for the look. But, when the print is made the magic comes alive … [Read more...]
Happy Fourth of July 2017
Every year America celebrates the 4th Of July. It marks the official beginning of summer but more than anything else celebrates America’s independence. These days a lot is being said about America and especially the leadership and government. No matter what though one thing that doesn’t change is Americans. Americans are proud and no matter what they are strong when they … [Read more...]
Regarding Fine Art Photography – Part 2
Part II – Some Defining Characteristics of Fine Art Nature Photographs In Part II, I am sharing what I personally look for in a finished nature photograph that can reasonably be described as fine art. Control Over the Artist’s Medium There is no substitute for mastering one’s craft. This is true in all art disciplines. Artworks may be created as personal … [Read more...]
Edward Burtynsky – Interview Part Two
Ed's Camera Gear Continuing my interview with Ed Burtynsky, we talk about every photographer's favorite subject, cameras. Ed shares with us his evolution of camera systems from 4x5 and 8x10 film to the Hasselblad 100 mega-pixel digital camera. Much of Ed’s work is shot from high altitude, and he has a few stories about how that is accomplished. You’ll also hear why during … [Read more...]
Edward Burtynsky – Interview Part One
Throughout the years there is one photographer who I have admired, and that is Edward Burtynsky. He’s a landscape photographer like most of us, but he’s a different kind of landscape photographer. He focuses on landscapes that man has changed. His work is stunning. It draws a viewer in, and your eye wants to explore all the details. Edward is a true photographer because … [Read more...]
In The Palouse – Luminous-Landscape’s Palouse Workshops
It is time for my annual Palouse trip. This year I’ll be in the Palouse for two weeks, running two back-to-back workshops with four participants each. For those of you that don’t know, the Palouse is an area of southeast Washington State that is comprised of rolling hills, small towns, and has some of the richest farmland in the country. The specialty crop here is … [Read more...]
Regarding Fine Art Nature Photography – Part Three
Part III – The Process for Creating Fine Art Images of Nature Making a sustained effort to study the principles of fine art and understand art history and traditions is a major commitment made easier by the abundance of information on this subject. Understanding how experienced artists develop ideas and concepts, and then translate that to photography sessions is another … [Read more...]
The Sculptural Aspects of Light
"My quest, through the magic of light and shadow, is to isolate, to simplify and to give emphasis to form with the greatest clarity. To indicate the ideal proportion, to reveal sculptural mass and the dominating spirit is my goal." - Ruth Bernhard Light painting (I refer to it as Sculpting with Light) more than any other method of lighting, allows us to combine lighting … [Read more...]
TIPA AddsThree New Members, Including First Online Publication – Luminous-Landscape
Luminous-Landscape is proud to be the first online publication member. We were recently invited to be part of this international photography awards group. TIPA ADDS THREE NEW MEMBERS, BRINGING TOTAL TO 30 WORLDWIDE NEWEST MEMBERS INCLUDE FIRST ONLINE PUBLICATION - Luminous-Landscape.com Madrid, May 2017 At the Technical Image Press Association (TIPA) General Assembly, held … [Read more...]
Polar Fever
I love ice and icebergs. I am enthralled by these floating and artful armadas. I am not the first. From Antarctica to Greenland and beyond, countries and people for centuries were obsessed by these unmapped mazes of ice. Naval expeditions, fortune-seeking whalers, and sealers sailed deep into these uncharted waters facing untold misery and hardships, never knowing if they … [Read more...]
Greenland – Land Of Undiscovered Beauty
I have been fortunate in my life to travel extensively to some of the most photogenic locations on the planet. Over the years I have become very attracted to the Polar regions. Not only do I like cooler temperatures, but there is something about these regions that are just so pristine and untouched. Over the last few years, I have visited Antarctica, … [Read more...]
