Friday, February 26, 2010

Seeing 2010 (#27)

I've long loved extreme closeup photography; while a senior in high school I earned money photographing ceramic art work which enabled me to buy a macro for my Minolta XE-7 film camera.

It's been seven or eight years since I abandoned my entrenched adherence to traditional film photography for the digital universe . . . thus after several years of coveting -- and thanks to birthday gift funding assistance, today I treated myself to the purchase of a sparkling new Canon 100mm f/2.8 Macro EF lens.

I spent the afternoon today -- which was cold, extremely windy and prone to unpredictable and frequent downpours -- at home becoming acquainted with my new favorite tool; the first series of experiments were devoted to a burning incense stick and the various patterns of smoke flowing heavenward from its ember tip.

For your consideration then: a modest study of a quiet scene of grace and tranquility (and yet another example of the Principle of Impermanence).


(Serenely) Incensed, #6353

© 2010 James W. Murray, all rights reserved.

(click image for larger version)

Details: February 26, 2010; Canon 20D; f/11 @ 1 13 sec; ±0 EV; ISO 400; 100mm.

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Seeing 2010 (#26)

For your consideration, two selections . . .

The locale of the first is a site which I first photographed on a foggy morning many years ago (+25 is plausible), a statue of Father Serra.

That first effort was done on black-and-white film, and the best image on the roll was one where I laid on my back at the statue's base. The result was a perspective of a figure looming overhead against a flat, dark gray sky, arm and index figure thrust across the frame conveying an angry threat or reproach. From an emotional context it remains one of the most powerful photographs I've taken . . . it's working title is Father Knows Best. Yet, to date I've never published that original B&W effort.

The image offered here is one of several taken one a morning of rather different atmosphere, from a much delayed and long overdue return to the setting of the aforementioned negative. The mood in this scene is rather more optimistic.

The second entry below is a close up of the convergence of a tree with a staircase guard rail. Nature's power of perseverance and implacable progress towards growth never ceases to amaze me; here, as the tree grew up against the metal, it simply enveloped what it couldn't move.

My motive in creating this particular composition is to provide a more subtle nod towards the genesis and evolution of life; I'll leave the discernment of this to the viewer.

* * *


Father Points The Way, #3579

© 2010 James W. Murray, all rights reserved.

(click image for larger version)

Details: August 25, 2008; Canon 20D; f/11 @ 1/200 sec; ±0 EV; ISO 100; 47mm.

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Untitled, #2424

© 2010 James W. Murray, all rights reserved.

(click image for larger version)

Details: February 28, 2009; Canon 20D; f/9 @ 1/250 sec; -1/3 EV; ISO 400; 85mm.

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Tuesday, February 23, 2010

Seeing 2010 (#25)

Happy Birthday to you! Happy Birthday to you! Happy Birthday Dear Hannah . . .

Today (February 23rd) is the occasion of my step-daughter's fourteenth birthday . . . almost impossible for me to really comprehend! She entered my life (and I her's) when she was but four . . . and it is quite amazing to have watched her grow into a delightful, bright, vivacious and confident teen. We've gone from playing "Hangman" (with Hannah's two words - "cat" and "ax") to discussing politics, world history, science and my ignorance of what passes for modern music. It's been a wonderful journey of discovery and growth.

Like my sister Ami (see prior entry), Hannah too is an eager and willing model, and a lot of fun to photograph.


Hannah, #3470

© 2010 James W. Murray, all rights reserved.

(click image for larger version)

Details: October 1, 2008; Canon 20D; f/10 @ 1/250 sec; -1/3 EV; ISO 400; 66mm.

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Seeing 2010 (#24)

Finally, my sister makes her (long overdue) debut on this site . . . I've had the great fun of taking innumerable shots of Ami throughout her life, but (as is true for all of my family members) precious few seem to find their way to the public arena.

Of all those who've permitted the intrusion of my camera, Ami has been the most fun to photograph: she's an unfailingly willing, enthusiastic and playful poser, quite happy to participate in spontaneous constructions whether serious, mysterious, aloof or, as in this case, droll.

The scene here is the deck of our parents' home in rural Lake County. It was just moments past sunset on Thanksgiving weekend; the lighting was quickly fading and robbed the setting of some of the contrast I would've preferred. Still, the composition turned out quite nicely; I included more overhead space than might be typical to allow a greater sense of depth to the perspective, which also yields a subtle hint that the statue might indeed be floating just off my surprised sibling's shoulder . . . We were in the woods, after all, where odd events transpire from time to time.


Ami and Nymph, #5631

© 2010 James W. Murray, all rights reserved.

(click image for larger version)

Details: November 26, 2009; Canon 20D; f/11 @ 1/100 sec; -2/3 EV; ISO 400; 49mm.

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Monday, February 22, 2010

Seeing 2010 (#23)

For your consideration: an unexpected scene from a local cinema. Perhaps a post-modern variation of a drive-in?

I was drawn to the jumble of juxtapostions here: the pristine condition of the Mercedes against the decrepit, deteriorating marque; the German auto parked rather incongruously at the entrance of an American theater - perhaps trapping the audience inside -- with an Arabic banner in the booth . . . the clock positing a time of either mid-morning or late evening, either of which defies the lighting; the cherry red subject against an otherwise pallid canvas.

Beyond the myriad of odd contractions this image offers a considerable degree of formal composition, with many elements of repetition, balance and geometric symmetries, bringing high structure to mysterious setting.


Cinema Car (9:25), #3461

© 2010 James W. Murray, all rights reserved.

(click image for larger version)

Details: July 19, 2008; Canon 20D; f/14 @ 1/30 sec; -2/3 EV; ISO 200; 66mm.

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Friday, February 19, 2010

Seeing 2010 (#22)

For your consideration: easily the oddest edifice I encountered on the island of Hawaii a few years ago. I would've taken several more studied images of this looming, mute, altar-like tool but for the the constraints of being a passenger in the lead sedan of a car caravan.

There was nothing remotely like this structure within sight. Its function was a mystery to me, but its scale and skyward orientation suggests that it may have played a role in keeping the Earth in its proper place in Ptolemaic schemas of our Solar System.



Hawaiian Gear (Geocentric Ruin), #8207

© 2010 James W. Murray, all rights reserved.

(click image for larger version)

Details: August 28, 2007; Canon 20D; f/10 @ 1/250 sec; ±0 EV; ISO 100; 22mm.

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Thursday, February 18, 2010

Seeing 2010 (#21)

This entry is a delight to offer: a candid portrait of a candid, sweet and beloved friend.

Rose has blessed my life with her wit, intelligence, compassion and unfailingly good nature for a good many years. We don't see one another often enough; the occasions of our rendezvous tend to be rather extemporaneous -- "Hi! What are you doing right now?" often as not leads to a delightful meeting in relatively short order.

Recently she accepted a spontaneous invitation to visit me at home one afternoon when I was preparing to matte and frame some prints. During her brief stay she paged through a photography book I'd recently acquired, The Life of a Photograph, and I learned something new about this close friend: she is a life-long art lover, and has a deep and broad appreciation of many genres. Her enthusiastic enjoyment of this artist's eclectic approach was a joy to share; I took this image as she paused to glance up from the book.


Rose Wesley, #5560

© 2010 James W. Murray, all rights reserved.

(click image for larger version)

Details: November 10, 2009; Canon 20D; f/11 @ 1/25 sec; -2/3 EV; ISO 400; 80mm.

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Tuesday, February 16, 2010

Seeing 2010 (#20)

For your consideration, an offering from the Drive By Shooting series. I am particularly pleased with the undulations, complexity and rich chromatic spectrum.

The form reminds me of a (highly charged) version of a character from the Beatles' film. (Or, in an alternative universe: a solar filament.)



The Hand of God/Yellow Submarine, #5961

© 2010 James W. Murray, all rights reserved.

(click image for larger version)

Details: December 28, 2009; Canon 20D; f/5.6 @ 2.5 secs; -2/3 EV; ISO 400; 55mm.

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Thursday, February 11, 2010

Seeing 2010 (#19)

For your consideration: a study of geometric progressions, undulations and hints of dangers lurking in paradise.

The location - not far removed from Kona; the scene - a toddler seeks an adventure but seems poised to find the experience disappointing . . . Unseen, just beneath the ripples, swam a plentiful population of gracefully gliding sea turtles. They moved with far greater grace, confidence and ease than the higher lifeforms above.




The Chase, Hawaii, #8199

© 2010 James W. Murray, all rights reserved.

(click image for larger version)

Details: August 27, 2007; Canon 20D; f/9 @ 1/200 sec; ± 0 EV; ISO 400; 22mm.

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Tuesday, February 9, 2010

Seeing 2010 (#18)

For your consideration: fleeting, faint and ethereal as this form may appear to be, it is nonetheless a hot subject.

In days long gone I had a penchant for asking friends philosophical questions for entertainment and perhaps even enlightenment. One of those queries: What would you consider to be Man's greatest accomplishment?

(Note that this can be distinctly different from invention.)

My thinking is, the domestication of fire: it is the one "substance" (if it can be so labeled) which universally commands respect throughout the animal kingdom -- its power as a source of immense pain is readily and seemingly intuitively apparent. Consider then the courage, undoubtedly driven by the instinct for survival against cold, of the first humans' efforts to harness this unforgiving spirit. And this feat enabled the invention of clay tablets (language support), brick (sturdy shelter), smithing, steam plants, thrust for Man's lunar excursions, and birthday cake candles, for starters.

So: what say you?


Oxidation, #6179

© 2010 James W. Murray, all rights reserved.

(click image for larger version)

Details: January 30, 2010; Canon 20D; f/5.6 @ 1/3 sec; ± 0 EV; ISO 400; 45mm.

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Seeing 2010 (#17)

For your consideration: what apparently poses as the epitome of feminine chic and allure in a post-modern society . . . Roughly hewn and strong jawed, blank eyes testifying to a vacant, virtually emotionless stare, as if in disbelief of something vaguely apocalyptic yet inevitable looming in the distance.

All the more attractive standing in as it did for a Christmas season window display in a local mall; might the incongruity of this as a symbol of glad tidings and good cheer be the source of her countenance?


Orange American Beauty, #5811

© 2010 James W. Murray, all rights reserved.

(click image for larger version)

Details: December 22, 2009; Canon 20D; f/6.3 @ 1/20 sec; -1 EV; ISO 400; 45mm.

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Monday, February 8, 2010

Seeing 2010 (#16)

Greetings.

For your consideration, from the nascent Drive By Shootings series, a scene depicting unbridled spontaneity: deep in woods mysterious, a rush of spectral forms bound for purposes and destinations known only unto themselves . . . as fleeting and ethereal as the photons which defined them.



Fantastic Phantasmata, #5946

© 2010 James W. Murray, all rights reserved.

(click image for larger version)

Details: December 28, 2009; Canon 20D; f/5.6 @ 2 secs; -2/3 EV; ISO 400; 39mm.

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Tuesday, February 2, 2010

Seeing 2010 (#15)

For your consideration: portrait of an innocent . . . but how to read his expression? Wariness? Worry? Beseeching? Or is does this depict a quiet satisfaction experienced while surveying a proud accomplishment?

Despite spending an hour or so closely photographing this model, cooperative as he was nonetheless he kept his thoughts to himself.



Untitled (Behind Blue Eyes), #6145

©2010 James W. Murray, all rights reserved.

(click image for larger version)

Details: January 30, 2010; Canon 20D; f/11 @ 1/320 sec; -2/3 EV; ISO 100; 73mm.

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