As I am closing in on finishing up the printing and framing for the Cooley Dickinson exhibit, Mary Beth suggested that I include this old image from 10 years ago. It is one of the first images I made digitally with my 10D and the full rez file does show a bit of noise and artifacts, but for old tech it isn’t too bad and is going through the printer as I write.
The mound in the fog is Harris Hill at the north end of the Quabbin watershed. I’ve visited this spot countless times since then (some of which have appeared here) and have seen a lot of fog but never so thick that only the top of the hill is visible nor with such soft yet lovely color.
I hope you enjoy this trip back in time.
One print to go, some re-matting of previously displayed prints and then the inventory sheet and…shudder…artist’s statement.
Stephen Gingold Nature Photography Blog 
Beautiful picture!!
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Thank you, quarterhorsegirl.
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It ain’t the tech, it’s the taker. That is a terrific shot. I love the foreground in relation to the sky. I have to assume it was hard to bring everything together to make that work. The sky, the fog and the foreground just work together so well. Congrats. Is your exhibition going to be at the Hospital? Or at another location. If it is this summer, I could definitely get out to see it.
James
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Thanks, James. Actually the light was close enough in balance that, with the help of a better version of ACR than the 2004 issue, it printed up much better, as well as the internet copy, than a few years ago.
The show is at the hospital during the month of July with the reception on the Thursday the 10th from 4:30 to 6:30 and coincides with Northampton’s Arts Walk.. If you could come that would be great. If you can’t make that but can visit at another time, I’ll try my best to meet you if it’s not during work hours.
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I love the ‘mound’ poking out through the clouds. It brings back childhood memories of the first time I was above the fog/clouds and looked down from the summit of a hill in glorious sunshine at the top-side of the fog rolling beneath us. It was breathtaking and a transforming event.
I actually like the little bit of noise – it feels photographic.
Congratulations on being almost ready for the show. Wish we lived nearer and could drop in.
The artist’s statement – that should be fun. I hope you will include links to your blog and photography website.
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Thanks, Rod. Yep, with the internet creating new friendships for us the distances make a closer relationship/interactions more difficult. I will post a collection of the images so the whole exhibit will be here and maybe a couple of shots of the walls.
I am not fond of writing about myself in a formal sense so the statement may be the most difficult part of the whole thing. I’ve not been happy with previous versions nor my statement here on the blog for that matter. I did plan to include the links, but thanks for reminding me. I am bound to forget something…last time it was the comment book. All my comments ended up my my co-exhibitor’s book.
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I think the photo is magnificent. I think Mary Beth made a great suggestion that you include this one in your exhibit. The scene seems almost ethereal or mystical.
Now about writing about yourself. “Jazz” it up and don’t be bashful to tell what you are about. You are a marvelous photographer so make your self read as a man of talent but yet not too boastful.
Yes, that is a tall order to tackle. 🙂 Add some humor if you can. I bet Diva could help.
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Rule #1: Mary Beth always makes good suggestions.
Rule #2: When she makes a bad suggestion, see rule #1. 🙂
Yeah, that is a tricky line to walk, Yvonne. I am not good at talking about myself in superlatives. Everything I do is “OK”. 🙂 Is Diva still on the planet? I haven’t heard from her in ages.
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Yes, I get rule 1 & 2. That’s how it went in my marriage as well. 🙂
Well, I owe Diva a long letter which I had promished months ago. I had answered her with a short one with a promise that I did not keep. Just no motivation and feeling pretty depressed. I’m terrible about keeping up correspondence. I think she is pretty absorbed in her new job . Anyhoo, I’ll write her to see if she’ll answer me.
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The actual rule has to do with being wrong, but it’s more or less the same thing. 🙂
Diva and I exchanged emails in April and I have not heard from her since. I know she was giving the internet a rest for a while. I hope all is ok with her and the family and that she is just busy at the new job.
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MY husband was the ruler in oour house but many times I did not follow what he had in mind. 🙂
I got a reply from Diva on Sunday and she wrote that she’ll be writing more soonish. Her message was from her iphone. I asked that she get it touch with you before she answered back to me.
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Thanks, Yvonne. I hope you hear from her soon….me too. 🙂
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Exquisite photo! Did you take that from New Salem Lookout? Rattlesnake North is one of my favorite destinations, but I have not seen it in this light until right now.
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Thanks, q. Yes, from the Route 202 overlook.
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So all that gear we have bought in 10 years and we could have stuck with the 10D. Its a grand photo and well worth its place at the exhibition.
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For working in a fog, yes, Andrew. 🙂
I hope there are a few that merit that opinion. 🙂
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Oh, this is a beautiful shot. whatever the technology. And, yikes! getting ready for a show! I’m on my way this afternoon to take down a show and my stomach is in knots, hoping I won’t be taking too many pieces home. I try to remind myself it isn’t all about sales, but then again, it sort of is.
Here’s hoping your show is a huge success! The images certainly are excellent.
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I hope you were very successful and sold a few pieces, Melissa. No, it isn’t entirely about sales, but they do make carrying on with one’s art a little easier and it is pretty high praise when someone will part with their cash for one of your works. 🙂
Thanks!.
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Steve, I have been a casual follower of your blog for awhile, and have really enjoyed your images from the greater Quabbin area. The shot above is really excellent, you had amazing conditions that morning. And not bad for a 10D either!!!
Reading your blog this spring inspired me to take a trip out to the Quabbin for sunrise on May 25, 2014. I was blessed with unusual conditions that were similar to your image, the fog was so thick that only the tip of Rattlesnake Hill was exposed. Attached is a link to my shot, it’s amazing how similar the fog was to your shot. Of course mine was taken with a 5DMkIII, so the new technology helped a bit…
http://www.edmcguirkphoto.com/p705216726/h1563ea4#h1563ea4
Good luck with your show,
Ed
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Thanks, Ed. I appreciate that you’ve been watching the blog and thanks for commenting.
Yes, the valley is full of fog in your image and that is quite a flotilla of clouds too with a cool sunstar. I missed sunrise that day and chose to hike a trail instead. Looks like that was a mistake.
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Gear is overestimated anyway – it is just a tool and worthless if the photographer does not have a vision, a plan or a dedication. You have it all and this image is well worth to be included in the exhibition (well done Mary Beth!!!).
Regarding the artist’s statement: what about a ghostwriter? =D =D =D
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Thanks, Sandra. Are you volunteering? 🙂
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That mound in the fog really won me over on this shot. Beautiful image.
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Thanks, Lyle. The valley under the fog is filled with wildlife…moose, deer, bear, turkeys, coyotes, foxes and many others. I thought you’d like to know that. 🙂
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Now I like it even better!
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I thought you might. 🙂
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Outstanding image Steve and good luck with the artists statement !!
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I had to submit one with my application, so I pretty much just used the same thing with a modification or two. Easy way out. 🙂
Thanks, Bernie.
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Artist’s statements are terrifying things to write. I alway write mine in the 3rd person, that way I can be quite ‘tongue in cheek’ which helps but I’m sure Freud would have something to say on the matter 😉 This is a beautiful image, Steve. I’m really happy that you are getting a show together of your work and I wish you every success with it. I’m sure that you will gain a whole load of new fans and hopefully some great sales. Here’s to YOU and much SUCCESS, you deserve it. Lottie xx
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I hope its not offensive to say, but I never liked third person artist’s statements. I prefer them to be in the first person and personal. 🙂 There is just something about writing of oneself in the third person that feels awkward to me. I know a lot of artists do it, but it doesn’t feel comfortable to me.
Thanks for your encouraging comments, Lottie. While we were hanging the exhibit a lot of people walked by and said nice things. A few even said they would purchase one or two. That would be nice, but I am not counting on it. They almost never come back. It is a good traffic spot though.
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