The Creation & Development Process

 

My photography creation & development process:

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High quality photographic images are the result of a process. The process begins with the image capture.  I primarily use a 21 megapixel Canon 6D  full frame camera with a very high quality 24 – 105mm lens and a polarizer filter.  I shoot most images in bracketed exposures which ensures that I capture the scene without over-exposing the highlights (the biggest concern is that in shots involving the sky, I want to make sure that I haven't blown out details of the sky, clouds and sun).  I also use neutral density filters when I'm trying to capture long exposure shots (which gives the water in scenes containing water a silky appearance).  Most shots are taken using a tripod. 

Post image capture processing has always been one of the photographer’s key tools in the development of the final image results.  As Ansel Adams stated, “The negative is comparable to the composer's score and the print to its performance.”  I process the captured images using a combination of tools that help to manage the contrast, color vibrancy, color saturation, image histogram, manage shadows, highlights, and brightness. 

 

Printing is the final step in the process.  Because printing is a skill set of its own, I rely on high quality printers to deliver the final printed product on a variety of printing media (canvas, acrylic, acid free Giclee paper prints, aluminum and several other media described in the Pricing section of this website).  

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My wood sculpture creation process:

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I take two approaches to creating my wood sculptures.  When working with the root balls of a tree, I start by removing the bark and outer decayed material to bring the piece to bare wood.  Once the material has been removed, I use the natural structure of the root ball to guide the creation of the sculpture – a free form, iterative process that continuously evolves until I feel the piece has both flow and interest elements that have a natural feel.

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When working with other parts of the tree, I generally have a form in mind when I start the piece, but the end result always evolves from my original concept to take advantage of the tree shape, grain and interesting features of the tree section (knots, unusual shapes, etc).  I continue to evolve the design until I am satisfied with both the flow and overall appeal of the finished design.

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I finish the sculptures with progressive sanding from rough to very fine grits and complete the pieces with at least five coats of polyurethane.  I then create a base for the sculpture that not only gives it stability but adds to the appeal of the completed sculpture without distracting from the finished piece.