Seeing and Sharing Beauty
Hand of God
Still under the spell of the Land of Enchantment — New Mexico — near Ghost Ranch. Here is my image titled “Hand of God”, taken of a mesa named Pack’s Point during an evening thunderstorm.
Normally, it is a “no-no” for the photographer’s shadow to show in a picture but, hey, I need to keep doing my shadow-work! The sun at my back, I consider the hand of God made that mesa, and even helped me get up there to get the shot. Talk about an enchanting evening!
Water Color, Cannon Beach, Oregon
I wanted to write something clever and inspiring for this post. I was even going to go so far as to quote Forrest Gump, and how his saying about chocolates also applies to landscape/nature photographers: “Life [landscape photography] is like a box of chocolates. You never know what you’re gonna get.”
I was going to emphasize that the work is to be there, READY to receive what comes, to put yourself in a place and time to receive what the sky and weather and light and wind give you. Just be READY!
But I had lunch with my son Harry III today, and he told me, “Dad, you don’t have to write anything. Your pictures are worth a thousand words.”
So without further ado, I invite you to view my Oregon Set on flickr — Hood River, the Columbia River Gorge, and the Pacific coast from Florence to Astoria. Waterfalls, mountains, lighthouses, crashing waves, beautiful sunrises and sunsets.
Enjoy!
Lake Powell Sunset
I want to thank my followers, you are an important part of my life. Serving you, happily and regularly, is a pleasure for me because you nurture MY life.
Harry Hitzeman at Open Lens Exhibit, with his entry “Lake Powell Sunset”
My wife Marti told me three of her women friends who follow my blog were asking how it went for me at the “Open Lens” National Juried Exhibit at Gallery 7 in Joliet. (Why is it always women who are able to ask about these things? Wait — actually I’ve had two men and one woman ask me directly.)
What can I say? I was happy to be there, but more than that, I felt like I was a part of a tribe who was celebrating seeing and creating and having the desire to buy the camera and lenses and make travel plans to go to the place and pay the teacher and guide and set up the tripod and focus the camera and set the exposure and capture the image and develop it in the software and print it and frame it and bring it to the show. (Sorry for the long-windedness, this is always a danger when I talk about my feelings!)
So to my friends and family and other unknown audience of the world-wide web — it was GREAT! We had fancy hors d’oeuvres and wine and beer and pop and desserts. There were jazz guitarists. There were more awards. And my loving daughter Helena accompanied me, and even took a picture of me standing next to my art hanging on the wall and posted it on her Facebook page.
It was a thrill to take that picture of Lake Powell. It was a thrill to stand in that spot and watch the reddish light of sunset slowly trace its way across the silent rock and shimmering water. Nature’s quiet, slow, eternal fireworks display
And I am happy to let the world see it and experience some peace or joy or mystery or sense of beauty, depending on what they see inside themselves.
In Other News …
I have been shooting and/or developing my Chicago, Arizona, California, and Utah Galleries. This month I will be shooting Oregon waterfalls, lighthouses, seascapes, and sand dunes. Stay tuned for more Hitzeman Photography Gallery Premieres!!
And in Other, Other News …
This week’s BIG NEWS for Chicagoans! Congratulations and thanks to the 2010 Stanley Cup Champions, the Chicago Blackhawks, from this hard-working Lighthawk!
“Stanley Cup Vigil”, Chicago, (C) Harry Hitzeman
Lake Powell Sunset
My image “Lake Powell Sunset” was selected for the Open Lens exhibit at Gallery 7, Joliet, Illinois.
“We had 449 images submitted and the quality of the work was truly exceptional!” said Hank Erdmann, organizer of the event. “I only wish we had more space to show them all. As it is we expanded the selection list to 50 images — 35 plus images will make up the exhibit with 15 alternates.”
The invitation to enter read: “Open Lens is Gallery 7’s celebration of the Photographic Image. This exhibit celebrates the vision of photographers and their contributions to the art world. You are invited to experience the vision of photographers and possibly yours as well through the open lens of photographers throughout the Midwest and beyond. Jurors are Joseph Baltz, Willard Clay, and Barry Skurkis.”
The Exhibit Opening Reception is June 4, 2010 from 6:30 PM to 9:30 PM. You can meet the artists and see the Juried Artist Awards.
The exhibit runs through the July 16, 2010 Artists Closing Reception.
Gallery 7 is a Fine Art Gallery in the Rialto Arts District in Historic Downtown Joliet. Located just one door north of the historic Rialto Theater, Gallery 7 features Fine Art Photography, Fiber Art and other artworks. It is a collaboration of nine member and associate member artists. The gallery is open 11 AM to 2 PM, Monday through Friday, for receptions and by appointment. Call 815.726.1840 for appointment openings.
Address: Gallery 7, 116 N Chicago St, Suite 102, Joilet, Illinois.
“Obtain a telling portrait of a pet animal to convey its character, charm, or features. If possible, work with an animal that is lively and has an expressive face. Aim to capture more than the expression or gesture — remember that the composition and lighting should be attractive too.”
— from Digital Photography Masterclass by Tom Ang
Prada is the name of this pug dog, an energetic, curious, and eventually friendly female. I did a lot of crawling around on the floor trying to get the shot, but Prada kept coming over and nuzzling against my thigh. I think she likes me. I shot this image of her in outdoor light on an overcast day. I placed her on a table so I could get more on her level, and not be pointing the camera down on her. And this kept her from wandering around. Her owner, my daughter Lauren, helped to draw her attention towards the camera. She seems to be cocking her head, pondering why on earth was I putting her up on this table and pointing this black thing at her?
Prada Pondering
It's a Beautiful Life!
Harry H. Hitzeman Jr.
Photography book, The Wonders of New Mexico, includes many of the sights near Abiquiu and Ghost Ranch. Inspirational quotes from W. Clement Stone, David Hume, Thich Nhat Hanh, Georgia O'Keefe, Michelangelo, Jiddu Krishnamurti, Henry Ward Beecher, Walt Whitman, Mother Meera, Elizabeth Kubler-Ross, and Anne Frank. (40 Pages. Available in Softcover and Hardcover)
Photography book, The Wonders of Oregon, includes Cannon Beach, Columbia River Gorge waterfalls, and Yaquina Head lighthouse. Inspirational quotes from writers and poets such as Henry David Thoreau, John Muir, Ralph Waldo Emerson, Lao Tzu, Henry Wadsworth Longfellow, and Albert Schweitzer. (40 Pages. Available in Softcover and Hardcover)
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