Seeing 2012 (#60)

For your consideration:  a floating city of sorts, which could be mistaken for a castle in the sky in this flattened perspective.  The foreground, being the blurred effect of gently arriving waves over the duration of the thirty-second exposure, might also substitute with cruel irony as a layer of light crude beneath, awaiting plunder, were this a cut-away diagram rather than a long-telephoto image.

Capturing the miraculously buoyant edifice at considerable distance with clarity and sharpness was particularly challenging.  It was hard enough to find a true focus point even when using a view-finder magnifier;  the lingering, ethereal, yet definitely present mist in the night air (wonderfully temperate though it was)  added to the challenge.  Still, producing this photograph was undoubtedly easier than the toiling taking place on board that floating metal platform.

The thought comes to mind:  not all that glitters beautifully on the horizon, as inviting beacons in  dark, unfathomable expanses, are benevolent creatures . . .

Derrick and Surf, Carpinteria, CA, #7110-7D

© 2012 James W. Murray, all rights reserved.

(click image for larger version)

Details: April 28, 2012; Canon 7D; f/7.1 @ 30 sec; ±0 EV; ISO 320;
Canon EF 70-300mm f/4-5.6L IS USM @ 170mm

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Seeing 2012 (#59)

For your consideration:  ostensibly, a seat of power . . .

Regal as it may be, this edifice speaks as much to the elegance of days long past as it does to the notion of sophisticated and well-reasoned judgement, equanimity, compassion and simply doing the right thing for its own sake . . . all elusive elements themselves in these modern times . . .

This evening I was left with a hollow sense of things, as much of what I hold as dear and cherished was afar, and on a transit of unpalatable circumstances (from where I sit).  Power is an elusive and frequently delusional concept:  in  principle I could object strenuously, but to what end?  Ultimately the Universe is in sympathetic agreement — or not.

Thus I was left the notion of sitting still with the sadness and distress, or engaging in some action — anything really — to blunt and soften the dark heaviness of the situation.  As it happens, a phone call returned lead to an unexpected dinner invitation with compassionate friends, and the spiritual and mental wolves were fed by conviviality rather than claustrophobic focus on the gap between what is yearned for and what is.  So one seat was substituted for another, and for a time at least, the heart was lifted.

This image is particularly selected to honor one of my dinner partners this evening, who has a particular penchant for photographing solitary chairs.  A nod in your direction, my friend; thanks for being there.

Courthouse Chair, Santa Barbara,CA, #6444-7D

© 2012 James W. Murray, all rights reserved.

(click image for larger version)

Details: March 24, 2012; Canon 7D; f/5.6 @ 1/10 sec; ±0 EV; ISO 800;
Canon EF 70-300mm f/4-5.6L IS USM @ 70mm

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Seeing 2012 (#58)

For your consideration:  a remnant of what surely was a bucolic living . . . or at least my imagination (and yearning) would have it so.

More likely:  the setting was pastoral enough, but the actual daily existence was undoubtedly filled with laborious challenges requiring tremendous expenditures of time and fortitude.  Being even today quite remote from mainstream civilization, it's not difficult to surmise that life on this acreage was far more a matter of simple survival rather than the romantic, nurturing seclusion I'd like to fantasize it might have been.

After all, there's a reason the hospitality offered now is completely open-door . . .

Abandoned House, Panoche Valley, #5243-7D

© 2012 James W. Murray, all rights reserved.

(click image for larger version)

Details: January 21, 2012; Canon 7D; f/8 @ 1/1000 sec; —1/3 EV; ISO 400;
Canon EF 100mm f/2.8 Macro USM

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Seeing 2012 (#57)

For your consideration:  thanks to a spontaneous chat with a bakery worker in a Kingman grocery store, I was directed to a little known forest of Joshua Trees (aka Yucca) not too distant for an exploration.  Being an Arizona native and resident for more than 25 years, it came as quite a surprise that such flora can be found in my home state, let alone in this unexpected northwest corner.

I was delighted to find it, and managed to spend more than three hours relishing and roaming no more than an acre  — a tiny portion — of a delightful spread of these surreal and regal entities.  I lingered, photographed, read and meditated until after sunset.

The peace I found in that calm desert was pervasive and deeply healing for my soul.  I could use a refresher dose of such soothing, and the confidence and fortitude it can sustain.

Mt. Tipton, Arizona, #4781-7D

© 2012 James W. Murray, all rights reserved.

(click image for larger version)

Details: December 28, 2011; Canon 7D; f/11 @ 1/664 sec; —1/3 EV; ISO 250;
Canon EF-S 17-85mm f/4-5.6 IS @ 30mm

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Seeing 2012 (#56)

For your consideration:  there are times when blue skies seem mockingly close yet far beyond reach, while unfathomable and impenetrable walls close in — and there's simply no safe place to be found.

It seemed like this many years ago.

Nota Agrum.  Déjà vu.  Comme sera sera.

Inner Child, #6784-7D (ver. 2)

© 2012 James W. Murray, all rights reserved.

(click image for larger version)

Details: April 7, 2012; Canon 7D; f/16 @ 1/166 sec; —2/3 EV; ISO 250;
Tokina 11-16mm f/2.8 @ 11mm

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Seieng 2012 (#55)

For your consideration: a scene from a party, of sorts (I had a blast photographing the clutch of statuesque attendees, but most of them were stiffs) . . .

Warehoused within, well, a massive swap-meet-cum-warehouse, and armed with my (then) newly-acquired ultra-wide angle lens, this gathering of appendages and graceful surfaces drew me in, with enthusiasm, for the inviting experience of pursuing and capturing intimately close photographic perspectives — amidst a group I felt confident would utter no objections.

My goal with this series is to convey an incongruous sense of alienation and sterility, feelings of being utterly alone even while within a crowd, an increasingly common experience in these modern times when few of us know our neighbors . . .

Back-Handed Mannequin, #0937-7D

© 2012 James W. Murray, all rights reserved.

(click image for larger version)

Details: July 24, 2011; Canon 7D; f/9 @ 1/12 sec; —2/3 EV; ISO 800;
Tokina 11-16mm f/2.8 @ 14mm

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Seeing 2012 (#54)

For your consideration: another bit of roadkill, of a disturbingly surreal variety.

This scene rests a mere few yards off the shoulder of a long, straight stretch of largely empty highway in northwestern Arizona. I happened upon it as my photographic destination for the day happened to be Chloride (recommended to me by the Kingman locals for its quirky 2/3-scale ghost town, images of which are posted earlier in this blog, as well as for its "mural" — actually petroglyphs — the latter of which I never managed to spot).

My visit to the area was a relatively brief few hours; unfortunately for Ms. Morse it is a rather more permanent destination.

Never heard any music, either.

Live Music and Sandra Morse, Chloride, Arizona, #4658-7D

© 2012 James W. Murray, all rights reserved.

(click image for larger version)

Details: December 27, 2011; Canon 7D; f/11 @ 1/500 sec; —1/3 EV; ISO 250;
Tokina 11-16mm f/2.8 @ 15mm

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Seeing 2012 (#53)

For your consideration: subtle yet pervasively recognizable visual clues provide a general setting for this tableau as wholly terrestrial, yet absent such atmospherics this scene could otherwise be taken as occurring on a distant, alien world, in a far greater scale.

Here, however, a meditation on the concept of genesis. An incredibly delicate craft seems to hover above a slim surface, a visitation where continued replication is itself the raison d'être of both the determined journey and tenuous landing.

The odds of success seem frightfully long: even the slightest whiffs of breeze pose abortive impediments to the goal. Yet, though the fate of this particular quest literally hangs by a thread, Nature has proven herself to be endlessly relentless and ultimately successful in such life-sustaining aspirations.

Never, ever, ever give up.

Seed Approach, #6241-7D

© 2012 James W. Murray, all rights reserved.

(click image for larger version)

Details: March 23, 2012; Canon 7D; f/8 @ 1/250 sec; ±0 EV; ISO 640;
Canon EF 100mm f/2.8 Macro USM

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Seeing 2012 (#52)

For your consideration: we all have our own personal crises and failures, yet the vast majority of them are but temporary conditions which may or may not divert us much from our chosen course.

For select unfortunates, however, errant events can leave much more permanent halts, some without hope of circumvention.

Such it was on April 14, 1912; this then, in memoriam, S. S. Titanic.

Cantor Cross, #6760-7D

© 2012 James W. Murray, all rights reserved.

(click image for larger version)

Details: April 7, 2012; Canon 7D; f/11 @ 1/3165 sec; —2/3 EV; ISO 500;
Canon EF 70-300mm f/4-5.6L IS USM @ 277mm

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Seeing 2012 (#51)

For your consideration: as I compose this (at 11:25pm) it is raining heavily, winds are gusting, lightning flashes are making (rare) appearances, and it is quite dark (!) outside . . .

Inside it is quiet, the cats asleep in their respective, fiercely guarded nap territories, and me tapping on the keyboard — as a feigned antidote to a mind which is far stormier and tumultuous that the outdoors atmosphere. The riotous despair encased within my cranium is better hidden from my feline companions than the meeker havoc swirling beyond the walls of this space.

I've been reminded, however, that the solution to all trials and tribulations is love, compassion, and equanimity. It is often challenging to maintain such perspectives when duress attains Jovian proportions, but even so the universe is abundant with the salve of beauty, elegance, tenderness, comfort, and the promise of delightful outcomes for those who persevere.

Nurturing, patience, forgiveness and time can bring forth a miraculous creation.

Thus this submission. Some may dismiss such images ("hmm, a flower - ho hum"), as of course is their right. But there's much more than a simple lily here, to those apt to ponder more deeply.

Lily With Droplets, #6645-7D

© 2012 James W. Murray, all rights reserved.

(click image for larger version)

Details: March 25, 2012; Canon 7D; f/16 @ 1/83 sec; —2/3 EV; ISO 640;
Canon EF 100mm f/2.8 Macro USM

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Seeing 2012 (#50)

For your consideration: a section of an amazing sectional sculpture, on of mammoth proportions, currently on display at Stanford University's Cantor Art Center.

My sweet wife Julianna and I visited the museum last weekend, to take in an exhibit of Walker Evans' photographs (now closed). Stepping outdoors for a few moments I was immediately confronted with this splendid metallic work of interleaved arcs, the size and surprising elegance of which must be experienced to fully appreciate. Look for a few more images from this brief tour in the weeks ahead.

As for this particular offering . . .

This construction is an accurate map of my current spiritual/emotional landscape. I find myself on an increasingly narrow, harrowing path, a personal journey which involves considerable pain, sharp psychic edges, uncertain turns and deep shadows. The challenges are massive — easily the hardest of my life — and beyond my ability to move on my own. The stakes for me are beyond description; all of my hopes and dreams. Some days I have reason to be optimistic, others not so much. Nonetheless, the greatest power of all is Love, especially between soul-mates, and I shall continue to strive to find, see, and reach for the blue sky, currently seemingly out of reach but oh so close at hand, so long as there is love to be found and nurtured.

Untitled, #6781-7D

© 2012 James W. Murray, all rights reserved.

(click image for larger version)

Details: April 7, 2012; Canon 7D; f/16 @ 1/166 sec; —2/3 EV; ISO 250;
Tokina 11-16mm f/2.8 @ 11mm

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Seeing 2012 (#49)

For your consideration: a tiny bit of perseverance and perhaps outsized courage . . . in any case, a moment of being at the apex and end of one's journey.

Despite being taken using a steady tripod, in essentially calm conditions, more than 21 shots were taken of this "peak", from which I culled this nearly singularly useable result. (One or two others may be eventually posted.) At issue was a combination of timing and having the focal point just so — I'd intentionally disabled autofocus and thus had to guess within a fraction of a millimeter where to spot the critical focus . . . at such a very close distance even f/12 provides scant room for error.

Working in my favor, however, was that this intrepid explorer had a veritable army of kin who in turn made their own treks to the edge before and after this one's accomplishment . . . whether as verification or mutual thrill seeking, who can say? Most made it, all without a Sherpa in sight.

Summiteer, #6277-7D

© 2012 James W. Murray, all rights reserved.

(click image for larger version)

Details: March 23, 2012; Canon 7D; f/12 @ 1/99 sec; —2/3 EV; ISO 640;
Canon EF 100mm f/2.8 Macro USM

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Seeing 2012 (#48)

For your consideration: while I am quite skeptical of so-called close encounters of the third kind (at least when it comes to tales of actual abduction), I do nonetheless absolutely believe that the universe simply must be broadly populated with many forms of sentient life. Whether or not our species will ever meet up with it, or even recognize such creatures as actual living beings, is of course another question.

Still, I did recently run across this enlightened form . . .

Lamp Alien, #5736-7D

© 2012 James W. Murray, all rights reserved.

(click image for larger version)

Details: March 3, 2012; Canon 7D; f/11 @ 1/83 sec; —2/3 EV; ISO 500;
Canon EF 100mm f/2.8 Macro USM

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Seeing 2012 (#47)

For your consideration: another relatively exotic dancer at the Summerland nursery . . .

A broader universal notion is in the air, relating to both beginnings and ends, birth and rebirth.

Cactus Slit, #6250-7D

© 2012 James W. Murray, all rights reserved.

(click image for larger version)

Details: March 23, 2012; Canon 7D; f/6.4 @ 1/395 sec; —2/3 EV; ISO 640;
Canon EF 100mm f/2.8 Macro USM

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Seeing 2012 (#46)

For your consideration: a succulent, succinct scene illustrating the pros and cons of being armed to the teeth, and the possible polarity of an incomplete ying vs. yang relationship.

Upon close reflection one finds that this photograph conveys considerable energy, paradoxically in an arrangement which also functions as a study in stasis. The plunging diagonal is sharply interrupted by the thorn jutting forth as if a contrary, cresting wave; the wound itself, clearly a scar of some duration, also mimics an undulating gamete.

Despite graceful arcs and a soothing palette a potent sense of caveat emptor prevails.

Pointed Remark / Caustic Cactus, #6268-7D

© 2012 James W. Murray, all rights reserved.

(click image for larger version)

Details: March 23, 2012; Canon 7D; f/8 @ 1/332 sec; —2/3 EV; ISO 400;
Canon EF 100mm f/2.8 Macro USM

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Seeing 2012 (#45)

For your consideration: a simple study of illumination, form, and texture, under perhaps somewhat shady circumstances . . .

The background's subtly undulating pattern, combined with the upwards thrust of the objet d'art, yields an unexpectedly dynamic motion to the tableau. Perhaps, rising from the depths, the source of enlightenment is to found . . .

The Visitor (Carpenteria), #5711-7D

© 2012 James W. Murray, all rights reserved.

(click image for larger version)

Details: February 18, 2012; Canon 7D; f/8 @ 1/32 sec; —2/3 EV; ISO 800;
Canon EF 70-300mm f/4-5.6L IS USM @ 90mm

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Seeing 2012 (#44)

For your consideration: a soothing and unexpectedly luminous corridor illuminating an architectural elegance rarely if ever created in these modern times.

The extreme contrast between the interior twilight and the brilliant outdoors scenery required several exposures attuned to each setting. By merging the resulting images the effective dynamic range is increased, and by selective application of layer masks to manage the curves (the Photoshop tool, not the arches presented here) a pleasing photograph is developed.

Interior, Santa Barbara Courthouse, #6424/25-7D

© 2012 James W. Murray, all rights reserved.

(click image for larger version)

Details: March 23, 2012; Canon 7D; f/4.5 @ 1/50 sec; +⅓ EV; ISO 500;
Canon EF 70-300mm f/4-5.6L IS USM @ 135mm

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Seeing 2012 (#43)

For your consideration: a clutch of color-infused and radiant entities from the plant Kingdom, rather hard to miss set against a much chromatically-muted surrounding as they were. These bear glowing and brilliant endorsements to the notion that the best lighting for photographic nature's bloom is that of overcast sky.

I used a tripod to maximize stability, given the desire to accommodate a considerable depth of field (via f/16): this chosen aperture mandated a shutter speed too slow (lengthy) for a hand-held macro shot, where delicate and highly-accurate focus is critical.

Summerland Bristles, #6408-7D

© 2012 James W. Murray, all rights reserved.

(click image for larger version)

Details: March 23, 2012; Canon 7D; f/16 @ 1/60 sec; —1 ⅓ EV; ISO 640;
Canon EF 100mm f/2.8 Macro USM

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Visit my full photographic repository at jwmurray.smugmug.com