During an afternoon hike in the Coconino National Forest I came across several interesting wild aloe plants. Their form and color/tones were great and I envisioned a higher contrast B&W image but the lighting was never right. Always too harsh, too direct or bleaching out the colors. I was looking at every plant I passed but wasn't pleased.
I spotted this subject from a distance in the shade of a juniper tree but upon closer inspection there was a harsh side light reaching round the juniper that was causing a very distracting directional light low in the plant that I was "seeing" as black or dark toned. I studied this aloe from different angles, over head, left and right, hoping to get an appealing light when those wonderful summer monsoonal clouds began crossing in front of the sun diffusing the harshness. I focused on the tip of the center bud with just enough DOF to capture the close large leaf in focus that was quickly lost into the dark area in the center of the plant. I had to wait for a few clouds to pass to get just the right combo of subdued overhead and side light and snapped the shutter a few times before capturing this image. Subtle tones reaching from the edges of the image to the crisp focus of the center bud.
There is a unique feeling of history at this place. The final image should remind you of a story, a story of a journey that has been taking place for some unknown span of years. The aged memory is captured and remembered here.
After settling in I had to explore a little just to get my bearings. The sun quickly dropped behind the surrounding hills and gave way to a pleasant diffused glow. I located a campground and creek but nothing was catching my eye. When I returned I came across an interesting (in the night light that is) colored cactus and a large old aloe plant. Several very long exposures resulted. I envisioned this as I planned the shot. All mid to low gray tones contrasted by the "night bird" flying out. Almost abstract.
With a trip planned for Sedona AZ I already had a vision in mind. Not of a particular image or subject, instead perhaps, more of an insight. Usually very patient I couldn't wait to find what was waiting for me. What I may capture. Objects waiting to be found, I didn't know and didn't want to jinx it. My only real goal was to go painting with light.
"There seems to be an almost prophetic sense of satisfaction when the shutter is released for certain exposures"
Arizona Photo Set
