Selection Sunday (Copy)
It’s time again to select two photos for the annual AZPA Members’ Exhibition. I’ve been playing around with a few ideas —- color or B/W, different sizes, framing options —— but it really comes down to which photos from the past year I feel are my strongest, the ones I feel like only I could have made. The juror this year is an Ansel Adams scholar, and so I considered B/W landscapes, like the one above. I do love it, and it’s about as good as I can do, but I don’t want to play that game of guessing what the juror will like: either she’ll accept what I send, or not. But I really love this one.
After I printed this one (6x9 on Epson Hot Press Bright paper), I had no choice but to choose it, I wish I could show you the print itself, because it’s gorgeous —- rich colors, fine detail, and a dynamic movement. It’s as if the grass is remembering what it was like to sway in the runoff rain. If you’re dying to see it, come the the Mood Room Gallery in Phoenix (April 19-May16), or let me know if you want one of your own.
I’m also committed to showing work I’ve made with my new and only camera, the Leica Q2. I’ve been surprised haw easy it’s been to adjust to have a single camera with a fixed lens. Before I made the change I had Canon 24-70, 70-100, 100 macro, 85, 50, and a funky 85 Petzval that was a chore to focus and rendered backgrounds psychedelic. I also had three lenses for my Sony. Too much to lug around, especially when combined with a tripod. This new camera isn’t pocket-sized, but it’s small enough to carry around all day, the battery is decent, and it’s easy to shoot within my limits (24mm prime).
The second selection has taken a bit more effort. I’ve been thinking about this one, since it moves in a way that mirrors the grasses. The colors are similar, too, so it might work side-by-side with the first selection. I worked my butt off at White Sands to get this, and I’m really happy with the light and composition, so it’s still in the running.
I’m leaning hard toward this photo, taken one morning in Ireland along the Wild Atlantic Way near Dingle. We were on a van tour and had just finished checking out some old stone structures, some sheep, and a friendly shepherd dog, and we were waiting for everyone to finish getting tea and using the toilet. I was scanning the ocean when the light peeked through the low clouds and offered this magical ring. It was a ways off, so what you see here is cropped quite a bit. It’s in a 4:5 portrait format, so the print is about 4 3/4 x 6, and like the grass image, this repro doesn’t do the print justice.
That’s it, then. I’m down to one definite and another up in the air. I still might go with the B/W storm clouds over White Sands. I have a couple of days to decide. Let me know if you have a preference.