Happy New Year 2015.

Today I have started my own Blog titled, “Reflections on Photography, Life and Values”. I intend to share my personal photographic work and offer observations about what influenced a particular image or meaning in it that is reflective of what I have observed in life or of values that are worthy of ascribing to and aspiring to live by. This blog is the culmination of over forty years of photographic work and represents an opportunity to personally grow by sharing my perspective beyond the corporate world that I make my living from.

This image is of a Sunoco fuel terminal that I photographed this past year as I was returning from my son’s college track meet. The lesson for me in this image is twofold:

– There is beauty in the world in the commonplace and in the unexpected if you train your mind and eye to be observant and appreciative of the world beyond your inner realm.

– Success in photography or in in life for that matter is a factor of determination and patience.

Over the past two and half years, I have driven by this scene a dozen times and knew there was photographic potential. However, the lighting had never properly illuminated the industrial landscape in a manner that render the monochromatic tonal range, luminance or details that I knew existed. My patience paid off and my timing was excellent as I was able to render the image that I sought on that particular day.

How often as an American society, do we have a predefined concept of beauty or landscape that is dismissive of common man made structures, commerce or industry as being potential elements in a scene that can be admired or contemplated as noteworthy? Become observant of the world around you and you will find beauty in the sublime if spend the time to think and use your imagination as those who created the environment did.

Until next time …

ELL II