I recently spent time in Joshua Tree National Park in California, it was the first time I had visited there since 1987 when my wife I went camping. Coincidently our trip occurred right after U2 had introduced their new album “Joshua Tree” and I remember listening to it non-stop as we sunned ourselves on the… continue reading
Beauty is in the Eye of the Beholder
Flaming Dahlia I found this Dahlia discarded on the ground in a greenhouse. Apparently not perfect enough to sell, it was certainly beautiful enough to create this image. I took that Dahlia home and created these few images with it: https://colethompsonphotography.com/portfolios/series/the-dahlia/ Beauty is in the eye of the beholder. Cole
Greenhouse + Workshop + Penlight = Wrenches
This image is titled “Wrenches” and was created shortly after I returned to photography in 2004, I had been absent for a very long time as I raised a family and built a career. Upon my return I converted to digital and so I was learning both how to use this new tool as well… continue reading
LENSCRATCH, the Desert and Irony
You just have to love Irony. Yesterday my interview with Aline Smithson of LENSCRATCH was published and on the same day I created this image in Joshua Tree. To understand the irony, read the interview and please do not say “this reminds me of an Ansel Adams photograph!” http://www.lenscratch.com/2012/01/success-stories-cole-thompson.html I’m still wandering in the desert… continue reading
Today is Friday, tomorrow morning I’ll be in the car and driving to Death Valley. I go there every year about this time, alone, to create. I really enjoy this trip for both the location and the solitude. It’s where I recharge my creative batteries by blocking out the rest of the world and focusing… continue reading
When I finish a series, I’m generally done with it and don’t add to it. It’ s nothing philosophical, I simply lose interest. But the other day I was eating in my favorite Mexican Restaurant, the Rio Grande, and noticed this wonderful ceiling lamp. And like many ceiling lamps, it’s true beauty was only… continue reading
Receiving another rejection notice can be discouraging at best, and at worst can cause you to lose faith in your abilities and cause creative paralysis. I have submitted my work to hundreds of shows, exhibitions and magazines; and while I have gotten in some, I have also received many rejections. What is one to make… continue reading
Harbinger No. 1 – The Story Behind the Image
I’d like to tell you the story behind the image of Harbinger No. 1; how I came across it, how I created it and how it led to a ongoing portfolio. My son Jem and I were traveling across Utah on a Father-and-Son road trip, it was summertime and it was 105 degrees in the… continue reading
It was autumn and I was driving on I-70 just outside of Kansas City when it started to rain. The hills were covered in a dense forest of bare trees and as they soaked in the water, they turned black…except for this one lone white tree. Instantly I could see the potential for this image… continue reading
I’ve just created a short video to introduce people to the diversity of my portfolios. Over the years I’ve been advised to pick just one subject and work to become known for that. However that approach has never appealed to me and I’ve always enjoyed pursuing a variety of subjects and styles. I have always… continue reading
