Intimate Nature: 

 The

form and texture as realized through light and shadow of a leaf.

See the series  HERE

Matthew G. Beall Photography    Shadow behind a Leaf      2013

I recently came across Andy Ilachinski's writings and photographs. I was taken by his definition of photography and fine art photography. It made me think about how I see it to be. So, building upon his words, I propose this:

Photography is capturing what a “thing” is.


Fine Art Photography is the art of capturing and the making of "what else" a thing is.

He goes on to state:

"Point and shoot photography is all about grabbing the shot (of something)"

'Oh, what a lovely tree... where‟s my camera?...click....let‟s go'

In other words, he is talking about the snap shot.

 He continues with, "Fine art photography is all about doing everything possible (before / during / after a shot) to communicate feelings to someone else"

'I‟m so happy here...what beautiful light...how calm everything is...

it‟s as though nothing else exists...a gentle breeze...serenity...'

 My view:
 Fine Art Photography has to begin with visualizing. It is a process  which needs to take place before, during and after the exposure. The process is made up of three simple words: Look, See, Think  It is striving for consistency and quality over quantity where 
the end result is hopefully one that conveys emotion i.e. connects with the viewer at some level. 

“One should not only

photograph things

for what they are,

but for what

else they are.”

MINOR WHITE

The importance of the overall balance of light & shadow is pivotal to composition in Black and White photography. 

Matthew G. Beall Photography
The Rocks
2013
Shell Beach, California

Matthew G. Beall Photography
The Rocks
2013
Ulm, Germany

Matthew G. Beall Photography
A Tree but Not a Tree
2013
Ulm, Germany

The Experimenting the Self journey continues with part two of
The Philosophy of Self

The philosophy of self defines the essential qualities that make one person distinct from all others.

Matthew G. Beall Photography     Philosophy of Self: Multiples 1       2013

Matthew G. Beall Photography     Philosophy of Self: Multiples 2    2013

Matthew G. Beall Photography     Philosophy of Self: Multiples 3    2013

The Experimenting the Self journey continues. 

The philosophy of self defines the essential qualities that make one person distinct from all others.

Matthew G. Beall Photography     Philosophy of Self: Realization 1       2013

Matthew G. Beall Photography     Philosophy of Self: Realization 2       2013

Matthew G. Beall Photography     Philosophy of Self: Realization 3       2013

Stille

an einem sonnigen Tag

Licht

zwischen den Bäumen

an einem sonnigen Tag

Schatten

unter den Bäumen

Stille

Matthew G. Beall Photography       In the Park 1             2012

Matthew G. Beall Photography       In the Park 2              2012

Matthew G. Beall Photography       In the Park 3              2012

Matthew G. Beall Photography       In the Park 4              2012

Matthew G. Beall Photography       In the Park 5            2012

Matthew G. Beall Photography       In the Park 6              2012

Matthew G. Beall Photography       In the Park 7              2012

The Kon Tiki Inn in Pismo Beach, Californina is a truly awesome 'classic' beach hotel. It makes me think of films made in the 60s. Retro Classic

Matthew G. Beall Photography     Kon Tiki Classic     2012-2013

Matthew G. Beall Photography     Kon Tiki Retro      2012-2013

I look at you not to be clearly seen. 

Experimenting the Self (part 1) 
Experimenting the Self -- Part Deux 

Matthew G. Beall Photography       I See You See Me       2013

Matthew G. Beall Photography      Guarded      2013

In Experimenting the Self (part 1) I stated that I get wrapped up in limitations of my own doing. Even though it is very easy to say, it is hard to actually draw outside the lines i.e. your comfort zone. 

Experimenting the Self is a journey to break free of my barriers I have knowingly or unknowingly put upon myself. It is about exploration. It's about putting both feet in icy water. It's about seeing. It's about introspection and extrospection at the same time. It's a journey that I want to take with YOU.

Matthew G. Beall Photography   Experimenting the Self:Here to There    2013

 

Matthew G. Beall Photography   Experimenting the Self:To Where    2013

Matthew G. Beall Photography   Experimenting the Self: Journey    2013

Matthew G. Beall Photography   Experimenting the Self:Within     2013

Matthew G. Beall Photography   Experimenting the Self: Portrait of Now    2013

Also see Experimenting the Self-- Part Deux

 

Sometimes I get wrapped in limitations of my own doing.

Matthew G. Beall  Photography    Wrapped     2013

        It's not easy to break through

Matthew G. Beall  Photography    Push     2013

  You have to push to see

Matthew G. Beall  Photography    Push to See     2013

Even though you may not want to see what is

Matthew G. Beall  Photography    Push  to Block       2013

 It's easy to stay in the trap

Matthew G. Beall  Photography    Push but Trapped    2013

And not look 

Matthew G. Beall  Photography    Push to Not    2013

I am excited about Lightroom 5 (BETA). I tested it out on two photographs I took this past December in Shell Beach, California. These two new photographs are now part of my California Central Coast Series

And http://matthewgbeallphotography.blogspot.de/2013/10/a-rocky-shore-caught-in-black-and-white.html

Matthew G. Beall Photography   The Rocks    2013   Shell Beach, California

Matthew G. Beall Photography   The Cove   2013   Shell Beach, California

Perspective. Your point of view. The way you see things. Subjective. This is what it really comes down to in art making.

Matthew G. Beall Photography    Ulmer Münster through the Stadthaus   2013   Ulm, Germany

I absolutely love making photographs. It's fun. It's relaxing. It's sometimes frustrating, and it's not always easy. It takes knowledge and vision. You have to be curious. You have to be open. You need to look and see. You have to be willing to learn  from others and from yourself. You need to experiment. You should strive for quality over quantity. You need to know when to reject those that just don't cut it. You need to accept that some may reject your work, your vision.  After all, it is completely subjective.

And every so often you should go back and revisit those you made. Sometimes after days, weeks, months or even years, you see these 'old' pieces of work in a new way. Sometimes you will even make another version or change the name. Sometimes you won't. 

Matthew G. Beall Photoghraphy
Shell Beach Morning Point
2012
Shell Beach, California

Matthew G. Beall Photography    The Wheel Goes Round    2011   Ulm, Germany

Matthew G. Beall Photography    A Small Park     2013        Ulm, Germany

Matthew G. Beall Photography    The Stream and Trees and Plants       2012        Neu  Ulm, Germany

Matthew G. Beall Photography    A Snap Shot       2012      Santa Barbara, Californina

Matthew G. Beall Photography    The Münster Series       2011 - 2013          Ulm, Germany

Matthew G. Beall Photography      Airport     2011        Munich, Germany

I don't like winter. I don't like the snow. I don't like the cold. Winter be GONE! You overstayed your welcome.

Perhaps a positive of a snowy winter are the endless photography opportunities. Maybe that's pushing it a bit...

Matthew G. Beall Photography   Such a Long Winter    2012

 

 Wide Angle  Black & White and Color Photography 

Where in the world would you go to make some photographs? NYC? A tropical island? An iconic national park? They all sound pretty awesome to me.

BUT

Sometimes you have to simply look at what is right in front of you. I have said this many times before - You don't have to leave your home to find interesting things to photograph.

You can make a photograph of yourself making a photograph

Matthew G. Beall Photography   Self   2013

Spring is on its way, but I wish it would hurry up a bit. Tulips on the window sill in the living room as a subject.

Matthew G. Beall Photohgraphy   Tulips on the Window Sill   2013

or of the iris enjoying the sun

Matthew G. Beall Photography    The Iris    2013

And finally you can venture out for a walk in the neighorhood

Matthew G. Beall Photography    Schatten     2013

Palms at Mission Santa Barbara. How could I resist such a subject. The feel of California.

Get more of that California feeling here

Matthew G. Beall Photography  The Feel of California   2012

Between Winter and Spring

A fun snapshot from the past

Neue Mitte in Ulm, Germany

Thinking of the ocean and palm trees swaying in the breeze.

Black and White Long Exposure Photography

Matthew G. Beall Photography    Breeze     2012