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Dear Cole,
When you spend two weeks alone in the
desert, you do a lot of soul searching. You
think about what's important in life and what's
not. Eventually you come to realize that
much of what we worry about is ultimately
insignificant; it just doesn't matter in the
end. ~ I've added a new image to my
Harbinger Series (above) which
was created in Joshua Tree National Park during
one of their infrequent storms.
Traditionally my Harbinger images have featured
only a single cloud, but as I thought about the
intent of this series I decided to include this
one. View the Harbinger
images. ~ As many of you know I
love inspirational videos, especially ones that
demonstrate the strength of the human
spirit. Here's one that really touched me
about a champion bass fisherman. http://www.youtube.com/watch?feature=player_embedded&v=-T-1HcxafdA#!Cole |
Dunes
of Nude, From Death Valley
(Dunes
of Nude No 43 - Death Valley -
2012)
Death Valley has
the most wonderful sand dunes; they are large, and
extensive, and beautiful. But because the
dunes are so magnificent they attract tourists who
climb and play on them, unaware of how hard they
make the photographer's job! Fortunately
most tourists are only willing to venture out so
far, and by hiking deeper and deeper into the dune
system each day, I was able to find "virgin"
dunes. I like how the dunes look just
before sunset, which only gave me about 30 minutes
of optimal light each day. At lights last
breath, the shadows are very long and the dunes
take on new and sensuous shapes. This image
is my latest addition to the "Dunes of Nude"
series which is an intimate look at sand
dunes. View the entire Dunes of Nude
portfolio
here |
How
Does A Print Compare to a Computer
Screen?
(Death Valley Dune
Abstract - Death Valley -
2012)
One of the great
benefits of the internet age is that our images
can now be seen by millions of people from all
around the world. And one of the
unfortunate side-effects of the internet age is
that now people primarily view photographic images
on a computer screen and rarely see a "real"
print. It begs the question; does it
matter? Is there a difference between seeing
the image on screen versus seeing a beautifully
crafted print? My view is that there is no
comparison; the print offers so much more in every
respect that it's difficult to describe the
difference. It would be like reading about a
kiss versus experiencing one for yourself.
The description may be accurate, but it would pale
in comparison to the experience! And so it
is with a print. A beautiful and well
printed image is alive and can convey subtle
detail and emotion that no computer screen can
match. To a photographer, holding a great
print in your hands is an almost sacred
experience! If you're considering
purchasing one of my prints but are not sure if
they look as good in real life as they do on
screen, I assure you they look much better.
Please email me and request a sample print before
you make your decision. |
Charcoal
Kilns
(Charcoal
Kilns - Death Valley -
2012) These unusual
beehive-shaped Kilns were built in the 1870's by
the Chinese and American Indians to make charcoal
for the Death Valley silver mines. They are
tucked way back in Wildrose Canyon and it takes a
bit of a drive to get there.
See
this image and all of the others from Death Valley and Joshua Tree on my
New Images
Page.
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Struggle
(Struggle
No 1 - Death Valley - 2012)
Strug-gle (struhg uh 'l) Verb (used
without object)
1. to contend with an adversary or opposing
force 2. a war, fight or conflict 3. an open
clash between two opposing
forces
View the "Struggle"
images.
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Ancient
Rocks - Joshua Tree
(Ancient Stones No. 9
- Joshua Tree - 2012)
I've
added this new "mini-series" to my website but I'm
not yet sure if I'll pursue it. When
in doubt I usually let new images sit for a bit,
come back and work on them, let them sit a while
longer and then decide how I feel about
them.
You can view all of the "Ancient
Stones" images here
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Las
Vegas "Simple" Experiment
(Las
Vegas Detail No. 3 -
2012) While traveling to
Death Valley I went through Las Vegas and thought
I'd prepare for the workshop I'm conducting at The
Center for Fine Art Photography. The class
is on simplifying your images and processes, and I
thought I'd practice what I was about to
teach.
I went to the heart of the
Strip with its millions of lights, signs, people,
peddlers, trinkets and chaos, and set out to
create some "Simple" images.
Go to
my New Images Page to see these and
all of my images from Death Valley and Joshua
Tree.
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Drawing
(Struggle
No. 3 - Las Vegas, NV -
2012)
The winner of this
months drawing is Becky Chapman who will receive
one of my favorite prints, "Bent Grass Against
Barn."
The next drawing is for a
small signed print of your choice. For those
of you new to my newsletter drawings, all you need
do is email me at Cole@ColeThompsonPhotography.com
and put "Print Drawing" in the subject line.
Of course if you'd like to also say hello
or make a comment, that is permitted
too!
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About
Cole Thompson Photography
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