Haupu & Naupaka

“Haupu & Naupaka”
Epic clouds that briefly were above Haupu Mtn during our 2015 Workshop as seen from Mahaulepu. It was SUPER windy this day which doesnt come across as much unless you see the choppy ocean. The small naupaka was hanging tight along the rocky coastline.
Enjoy!
aF

Haupu Mtn as seen from Mahaulepu near Poipu, Kauai
“Haupu & Naupaka” (unreleased)

Wizard’s Touch…a Workshop adventure

 
Day 1.  Actually not even more than a couple of hours after meeting our Workshop clients we found ourselves at the first stop of the 6 days we were to take exploring and photographing the island.  Given that the waves were up that day, and Ke’e Beach the destination, we made a pit stop over at Lumahai just past Hanalei.  I knew from pictures and reports that the beach and shifted tremendously over the winter.  Massive westerly swells pushed sand 20′ deeper than I’ve seen in places before, ever.  Of course I was the only one to know (or possibly care, ha) but I knew that unique possibilities would be there.
 
Getting down I was blown away.  Rocks that people normally jump off of in to the ocean were filled all the way up to with sand.  Crazy!  Walking up this little pool was hanging out enticing us so we set up and watched the surf.  Occasionally the waves would wash over the rock to the right and cascade in to the pool.  Which I thought was the shot I was after with them.  Getting everyone squared away and set up I was poking around to see what was left.  What you cant see in this photograph are the two tripods to either side of me 🙂
 
As we sat biding our time, watching the clouds move by, waves come and go the sun disappeared.  And all the golden light we had was gone.  Knowing we needed to get to Ke’e for sunset time was starting to run out.  The ehu kai (sea spray) was hanging around as well as winds were fairly light, thus allowing it to collect along the beach and treeline.  Magically, a beam of light opened up and illuminated the mist far down the beach!  Woah!  I was able to get a few exposures off and then it was gone.  60s of light.  That’s all there was for this image.  Amazing! Quickly packing up we were off to our second location of the workshop.  What a way to start the week 🙂
 
Processing this photograph I really wanted to show off the awesome curves which drew me to the scene in the first place.  After editing the color version I had a feeling that the simplicity of a black and white might make more of an impact to the effect I was after.  Converting it I was stoked to see the result but both images have their merits.  So instead of posting one…I present you both!
Note:  For cleanliness some footprints were removed from the scene.
 
Much thanks and enjoy!
aF
 

2015-03-02_029[web]
“Wizard’s Touch” (unreleased)
 
2015-03-02_029bw[web]
“Wizard’s Touch BW” (unreleased)
 

Orchid!

 
While co-leading a 6 day workshop on the Big Island last year with Kory Lidstrom we stopped over at Hawaii Tropical Botanical Garden just north of Hilo for some different scenery.  While exploring the beautiful gardens I came across these orchids.  Unusual flowers always this particular specimen caught my attention.  I used a long lens with extension tubes to help me focus in closer than I would normally be able to and isolated the crazy looking flower.  Always difficult to get something cohesive with these shots I was pleasantly surprised with this result 🙂  Enjoy!
 
aF
 

Close up of a purple orchid at the Hawaii Tropical Botanical Garden in Hilo.
“Orchid” (unreleased)

Sea Smoke

 
It’s a funny thing having an image in one’s mind and then trying to go after it.  As time has progressed I find my ideas are more and more subject to the ephemerality of nature (yes that’s a word…or should be).   This particular afternoon the conditions were aligning to go after one of these such ideas; heavy ehu kai (sea spray) hugging the cliffs of the Na Pali at sunset.   With the surf pounding the north shore of great than 30′ I knew the possibility was there.  All I needed was a clear (enough) sky to the west and light winds to allow the spray to build.  Getting to the trail I had a bit of extra pep in my step and managed to make the first .5mi in about 10 minutes.  From there I was greeted with a welcome sight.  I had shot from 2 locations in the area before and knew approximately where I should be but allowed some time to scout just in case.
 
As the sun got lower the clouds out on the horizon helped play with the light as it popped through.  This dappling of light along the cliffs was nothing short of magical and a great preamble to the light show that would happen just shortly after this.  But that’s an image that will have to wait until another day 🙂
 
Aloha!
aF

Heavy sea mist hugs the Na Pali coast as the setting sun illuminates it along the cliffs.
“Uahi Kai (Sea Smoke)” (unreleased)

Protraction

 
It had been years…many, since I had last taken a camera to shoot the Waimea Pier.  The chance came up after a camping trip to Polihale on the west side of Kauai.  On the way back home it was late enough in the day that we decided to stop by and catch a sunset at the pier.  Having a few ideas already in my mind I set to work experimenting with different compositions.  Running from standing on the pier to underneath it, trying to work as quickly as possible with the dwindling light.  Comical I’m sure to watch.  My goal for this session were long exposures so each time I set a shot and clicked I was waiting anywhere from 30-60s.  Doesnt make for quick work.
 
As the sun was dropping I managed to get off this exposure under the pier and was quite happy with the dance of light around the pillars and base.  The funny thing is that even making sure my horizon was level, the pier is not straight!  Looks like someone needed a protractor when building this one 😉
 
Enjoy!
aF

Sunset as seen from under Waimea Pier on Kauai
“Protraction”

What do we owe photography?

 
This blog comes from a place of contemplation and discussion.  What, as photographers, do we owe photography?
 
Recently I saw an image that was quite impressive from a photographer that had visited Kauai in the last year.  However, as I studied the shot I realized something wasnt quite right.  After approaching them privately about it, it seems that we dont share the same perspective of full disclosure.  And thus my question.   As photographers it is our gift to be able to capture nature in a way that can really connect with others.  Being able to bring them to where we were at the time of capture.  Experience that ephemeral moment.  With the advent of digital photography (though these techniques were going on long before digital), the reality of an image constantly gets called in to question.  With computers we dont need to capture something when we can just hit a few buttons and remake the image to our own will.   At least these are the thoughts that cross people’s minds when they often view photographs these days.  I’ve experienced it first hand in my Galleries.  That utter disbelief that nature could do something so spectacular.  “You must have done something”…nope.  Those Rainbow Eucalyptus really do look like that, the sky really does have that many stars and waves really do make crazy shapes.   That doesnt mean that a photo is done once the shutter is pushed.  Cameras are just tools.  They dont think, feel or do anything but capture light.  It is our job as photographers to take that negative and make a final product out of it.  In fact, most of the same techniques that were available now were possible in the darkroom, just with a few more chemicals and trial and error.   Then there are techniques such and dynamic range and focus blending which aim at expanding past the limitations of our gear.  Further beyond that we get in to the realm of adding in elements or manipulating a scene so that it fits the image that is in the mind’s eye.  The thing is, photography is art.  And everything and anything is possible with art.  It is what is inside of us that needs to get out and for us that medium is photography.  So to achieve the end result by any means is perfectly practical.
 
So, if I’m ok with image fabrication why all the hubbub?  In the end it comes down to disclosure and transparency.  As landscape photographers I believe that we owe it to the scene that we witnessed, the general public and other photographers to be true to our art.  By misrepresenting a photograph and not disclosing ‘artistic liberties’ one is further perpetuating the skepticism that the general public and collectors already have about the art itself.  Furthermore we disrespect that which nature has to offer for us.  If getting the perfect conditions were easy well….
 
Lets continue to evolve as artists.  Create what visions are in our mind’s eye.  Chase that light.  But always maintain consistency and integrity.  We owe it to photography 🙂
 
Much thanks and good light,
aF
 
 
P.S.  It seems that this post as garnered some attention and after rereading it I realize I that I forgot to clarify a point.  I dont believe in spelling out the entire process when ‘creating’ an image but just a simple “artistic license or liberties or whatever you want to call them where taken in this photo” or something along those lines is good enough for me personally.  This tells us the viewer that the artist had a goal in mind and bent the rules to fit their vision.  If we want to know more, we can ask and this way the artist doesnt need to go in depth all the time.
 
Should have explained that initially so my apologies there 🙂

Tears Of Joy

 
“Tears of Joy”
It’s hard to describe the circumstances around getting this photo. The gist is running an errand last minute which was on a correction mission and driving through one of the craziest storms ever. Then, headed around traffic (because of construction) saw the mountains as the storm broke and was able to quickly get to a friends place with an epic view.
Needless to say this is a lot of water coming down Wai’ale’ale (and Kawakini-left falls). The mist is forming in a small valley that a small (usually) river rolls through. The massive water flow helped create its own clouds that would drift up.
Now, for those photogs out there. I learned another HUGE lesson today…again. I had changed my camera to shoot sRAW for the time-lapse and forgot to change it back in the excitement of this photo. ALWAYS check your settings. Alas the maximum print size for this image will be highly truncated.  Lesson learned!

Dozens of waterfalls pour down Wai'ale'ale after a severe rainstorm
“Tears Of Joy” (unreleased)

Edge Of The Galaxy

 
So this one has been in the archives since 2013.  And it’s been a process to get right, and honestly is still not there.  This is a very complicated 180 degree view from the rocks at Ke’e Beach showing our place in the Milky Way.  As we sit, flying through the universe on the outside edge of the galaxy, this image gives me, maybe too much, sense of perspective.  Looking out over the ocean as if space was just over there at the edge of the horizon.  Venus along for the ride.
 
Enjoy <3
aF

Milky Way archs over the ocean as seen from Ke'e Beach
“Edge Of The Galaxy”(unreleased)

 

Crystalline

 
So way back in 2009 I found myself with some friends hiking inside a fenced off area…as you do on Kauai.  When we got to the edge of this giant cliff the view was spectacular.  Being midday, not generally my favorite time to shoot, I wasnt overly inspired to shoot that much landscape, however from that height looking down on the calm water was pretty impressive!  The way the light and water played made for a crazy color below.  Took a few shots to try and capture the effect and this is what the result was.  Fun!  Now to try it again soon 🙂
 
Thanks!
aF
 

Looking through clear turquoise water from above
“Crystalline” (unreleased)

Whispers Of Yosemite

 
I’ve been holding this image for a long time.  Since March of 2013 when I got to experience the magic that is snowfall in Yosemite Valley.  In the frenzy that was that morning (which can be read about more in my other image “Pencil To Paper“) I recalled this spot which I had noticed on previous trips.  Though back then the falls werent flowing nearly as much (if at all….something about a on-going drought).  This time around a different story.  As the snow was pounding down I set up the shot and luckily had my small umbrella hidden in my camera bag to protect the camera (not me) from the big, heavy flakes.   Spending the better part of an hour at this location experimenting with different ways of capturing the scene as it changed.   In the end this particular exposure really managed to translate the experience of that morning in the Valley 🙂
 
Much thanks!
aF
 

Lower Yosemite Falls as seen through a hallway of redwoods in heavy snow
“Whispers Of Yosemite” (unreleased)