10-NOV-2011
Celebrating history at the Pyramids, Cairo, Egypt, 2011
The fall of 2011 was a tumultuous period in modern Egyptian history. The country had just put aside a dictator to achieve freedom for the first time in centuries, only to confront new limitations posed by the commanders of its own army, as well trying to successfully navigate the messy democratic process of electing an actual legislature for the first time. During the day we spent in Cairo, we not only toured the Egyptian Museum on Tenihir Square (they barred all photography there), but visited the Sphinx and Pyramids as well. Our visit coincided with a national holiday, and thousands of locals were celebrating their own political accomplishments by visiting the tombs of Pharaohs dead for more than 3,000 years as well as the mystical Sphinx, which was typically once again under repair. (It seems to always need some fixing – Cleopatra took Julius Caesar to see the Sphinx more than 2,000 years ago, proudly showing him the most “recent” renovation that had been finished more than 1,000 years earlier.) As the sun went down that afternoon, thousands of boisterous Egyptians were still clamoring over the reconstruction site, with more arriving every minute. I made this image as a salute to their spirit, as well as in appreciation of what they must have endured as a people over the centuries. The golden shadows around them are laden with atmosphere, and the mood seems rich in promise.
22-NOV-2011
Layers of dawn, Kusadasi, Turkey, 2011
From high on the deck of a docked cruise ship, I made this image of the downtown area of Kusadasi only moments after sunrise. I layer the image with six different planes, starting with the Turkish flag in the left foreground, then moving back through a neighborhood of low buildings sparkling with illuminated skylights. At the mid point of the image, a minaret appears as a flaming red torch – no doubt it was intentionally designed to call attention to itself in this way. Beyond the minaret, a range of buildings crown a low hill, backed by a wall of mist and then another hill, with an even higher hill looming behind it. These layers express the atmosphere of this prosperous commercial town catering to tourists and upscale cruise passengers. Kusadasi is bathed in gold – and in more ways than one.
20-NOV-2011
Morning, Limassol, Cyprus, 2011
I made this atmospheric image through the front window of a tourist bus moving slowly through downtown Limassol, Cyprus’s port city. I liked the way the sun defines the planes of the modest buildings, and most of all how the warm light illuminates the sleepy pace of the place – the mood seems calm, almost silent. Only one person appears in the frame, an abstracted silhouetted figure caught suspended in time between a tree and a traffic sign.
18-NOV-2011
Evening, Jerusalem, Israel, 2011
Most “overlook” pictures are scenic descriptions that simply visually map a location, rather than define it through its atmosphere and mood. I was oddly fortunate to visit this historic city on a windswept, rainy day. Overcast skies are somber, reflecting the strife that has defined this place over the centuries. However as evening fell, the sun struggled to make a brief appearance, softly illuminating the mass of pinkish gray clouds hovering over Jerusalem’s limestone buildings. I happened to be high on the Mount of Olives at this moment, and made this atmospheric image of the Old City, still divided by walls that have existed for more than 2,000 years.
27-JUL-2011
Diners, Jacob’s Pillow Dance Festival, Becket, Massachusetts, 2011
The evening light isolates a pair of diners seated at the edge of the festival’s huge tent just prior to a dance performance. They seem to be alone, although hundreds of others dine in the shadows just beyond them. The play of light and shadow here creates a mood of relaxation and utter privacy.
01-JAN-2011
Volcano, French West Indies, 2011
Dark, moisture-laden clouds contrast with the orange fire of a reflected Caribbean sunset here, expressing a eruptive mood. The volcanic island seems to be belching fire, even though all was actually quite calm as our cruise ship sailed by.
07-SEP-2010
Awestruck, Mission Beach, San Diego, California, 2010
The setting sun has turned the incoming tide to gold, an atmospheric liquid carpet that obviously engages the imagination of this child who gingerly tests the water with her toes. I abstract as a silhouette to engage the imagination of the viewer as well. The mood is all about wonder and awe.
01-SEP-2010
Pacific evening, off Mission Beach, San Diego, California, 2010
The setting sun is often expressive when screened with a layer of heavy clouds. In this case, the mood is magical as its rays begin to filter through the clouds, illuminating the sea at the horizon. A single gull moves through the scene at right, lending a touch of scale to this image.
08-SEP-2010
Walking the tide, Mission Beach, San Diego, California, 2010
The tide flows out at sunset, offering this barefoot couple an atmospheric stroll on a wet sandy path strewn with seaweed and feeding waterfowl. My long 415mm telephoto lens compresses the gradual curve of the beach, making it seem as if the distant hills overlooking the sea are nearby. Actually they are miles away.
31-AUG-2010
Sunset watch, Mission Beach, San Diego, CA 2010
Every sunset expresses its own special character. This one is laced and crowned with layers of clouds, spaced enough to reveal the full disc of the sun as it hangs over the Pacific Ocean. A string of spectators watch from the edge of the water, spaced far enough from each other along the beach to allow silence and contemplation. The moment is rich in atmosphere and mood – nature even brings a golden reflection to the edge of the beach itself, linking it to the setting sun.
20-AUG-2010
Within the shadows, Phoenix, Arizona, 2010
As the morning sun painted this glass brick wall with light, I noticed how it falls short of illuminating a primitive doll seated in the corner.The doll, a figure holding small children, comes to us within the shadow as an atmospheric surprise, a metaphor for a spirit that seeks the light but yet cannot reach it. Using the spot metering mode, I exposed for the light, letting the rest of the image fall into shadow.
01-JUN-2010
Fireplace screen, El Rancho, Gallup, New Mexico, 2010
Gallup is cowboy country. In the early and mid 20th century, many western films were made here. The El Rancho hotel is a relic of that era. All the visiting movie stars stayed here in the 30s. The old fireplace screen remains, a reminder of a nostalgic time. I force its wrought iron cowboy to fade into the golden glow of the brickwork behind it, an atmospheric tribute to the mythic films of the Old West.
