Sunday, December 20, 2009

A Tribute

Today I lost a good friend, Judy Daniels. Judy was a warm, articulate, witty woman with a huge zest for life. She was also a very gifted photographer who taught me many things. We shared a lot of good times, and she will be greatly missed. Judy struggled with cancer for over a year. It finally claimed her.

Fly freely, dear one - your wings are strong. You will never be forgotten.

For a video of Judy's amazing images, click here.

Below are some examples of her work:


Surviving One More Storm


Red Fox in Snow


Glass Magic


Seals at South Sawyer Glacier


Steptoe View


Rufous Hummingbirds


Tuscan Courtyard


'I Can't Eat That Stinky Thing!'


Judy's (very feisty) dog, Rosie


Judy Daniels: December 14, 1941 - December 20, 2009

All Images Copyrighted

Monday, November 23, 2009

Storm Watching, Sort Of

A while back I journeyed to Ucluelet, on Vancouver Island's West Coast. Yes, it rained - it was November after all, and the area is one of the wettest in British Columbia. The sun came out too, which was a wonderful gift. This place is stunning, no matter what the weather.


Pacific Jewels


November Surf - Brrr!


Amphitrite Lighthouse

Copyright 2009, Kathy Neudorf

Wednesday, November 4, 2009

Aldergrove Fair Days

A Polynesian charmer who danced center stage.


Focus

Copyright 2009, Kathy Neudorf

Sunday, October 11, 2009

Dressage at Thunderbird

A day of contrasts - a wonderfully challenging time photographing elegant, well schooled horses, followed by a visit to a fish hatchery. Both within an hour of my house - how special is that?


Walking Tall


The Dance


A Gentle Reward

Copyright 2009, Kathy Neudorf

Inch Creek

From a fish hatchery near Mission, BC.


Pastel Pond


Swept Away


Liquid Gold


Fish Fry


Patterns

Copyright 2009, Kathy Neudorf

Tuesday, October 6, 2009

Hot Off The Press!

Read my comment about photographic art, published in the Robert Genn Twice Weekly Newsletter:

Robert Genn's original post:

TUNE UP -- October 2, 2009

Dear Artist,

Where I live, the spiders come out in autumn. They're in my face when I bend to turn on the garden hose. Going about their sky-harvest and their devious mating-games, they spread their webs across my larger windows. In the nearby forest there's a surprise of mushrooms. The longer, darker nights bring the owl's call closer. Even by day the night birds are more active, silently moving between the tall cedars.

When painters take their paints to the forest, they feel this presence. While the hiker, jogger and even the photographer can get some of the benefit, the richest spirit is released to the ones who sit in a spot for some time. Fitting in and adapting to the scene, we become part of nature's furnishings. Alone, or with a quiet friend, with simple, timeless tools and procedures, we honour the privilege. Consistently, the surroundings that attracted us in the first place give up more secrets as we sit.

Best regards,

Robert

My Comment:

PHOTOGRAPHERS GET JOY TOO

by Kathy Neudorf, Langley, BC, Canada

I am a formally trained painter who now makes photographs. During my schooling, my 14 years as a painter, and my transition into photography, I frequently encountered the view that photography is not art, and by association, photographers are not artists. Some think we just point, and shoot, and the camera does it all. Not so.

When out with my camera, the hours melt into minutes. I frequently spend extended periods at a single location, taking picture after picture, moving this way and that, experimenting with setting after setting. This is a whole body experience - sometimes I'm perched on a tree limb, other times I'm on my belly.

Do I feel connected to my subject? Absolutely. Do I slip from the present into the subconscious, intuitive state that brings forth true creativity? Without question. Not surprisingly, I felt this way about painting too. Is my photography art? I believe so. It's certainly every bit as satisfying as brushes and paint.

Another reader writes:

From: Linda Bishop -- Oct 06, 2009

Just to let you know Kathy, that I think you are absolutely an artist. People who just point and shoot ( that would be me) are not photographers. Learning how your tool works and creating images that otherwise could never exist in reality is a true art. As a painter and someone who uses the camera only to try and record the image for later use, I can truly appreciate your chosen medium as I find it very difficult to even take a decent photo with my own camera. All the best to you.


Thank you, Linda. GO PHOTOGRAPHERS!

Monday, September 28, 2009

Osprey Lake

This beautiful lake is a short distance from Princeton, BC. I spent a long weekend there in early September, 2009. It's popular with fishermen, birds, bears, and bugs, and the morning light turns the water into a breathtaking, reflecting pool.


Dip, Dip and Swing


Trestle, Trans Canada Trail


Watercolors


In the Shallows


Crystal Waters


Drifting at Dawn


The Pause That Refreshes

Copyright 2009, Kathy Neudorf

Sunday, September 20, 2009

Campbell Valley Country Celebration

Today I was treated to some excellent musical talent at our annual Country Fair. Karen-Lee Batten and Tracy Chamberlain are local country artists. They are both very special: each has an amazing voice and performs with strong spirit and emotion. It was a privilege to see them.


Karen-Lee B.


Tracy C.

Copyright 2009, Kathy Neudorf

Thursday, September 17, 2009

More Fun With Macro

Tiny objects made large - so many secrets are revealed by the close-up lens. The largest flower, the purple daisy, is one inch across. The golden dragons are half an inch long, and the little star measures a mere quarter inch.


Looking Up


Miniature World


Golden Dragons

Copyright 2009, Kathy Neudorf

Thursday, September 3, 2009

Murrayville Cemetery

I love old cemeteries, and am lucky enough to have several close to my home. The air is special in these places, and if I stand quietly it's almost possible to hear the whispers of the past. I've been trying to capture the essence of the pioneer graveyard for years. Success has been elusive, but the effort has its own reward.


Scene on Stone


Life Remembered

Copyright 2009, Kathy Neudorf

Thursday, August 27, 2009

Goodbye, Little Ferry

Last night I went to Fort Langley, where the Albion Ferry docked during its 50 year run on the Fraser River. About a month ago the ferry service was replaced by the Golden Ears Bridge, and the boats are now at the Maple Ridge Terminal, awaiting a new home. While the new bridge is necessary, it was sad to see them there. I will treasure the memory of foot passenger crossings with the sun in my face and the wind in my hair.


Kulleet and Klatawa


Rollin' on the River


Fraser Shore


Five Boats at Sunset

Copyright 2009, Kathy Neudorf

Tuesday, August 18, 2009

Barkerville

The back road from Likely to Barkerville is a six hour drive - OK, make that three hours with lots of stops for pictures. Summer in Barkerville, a restored Gold Rush town, is a revelation; so much to see for visitors and visiting photographers alike.


Petunias


Jewel in the Rafters


Victoria

Copyright 2009, Kathy Neudorf

Monday, August 3, 2009

Likely, Really

A series of shots from a recent visit to Likely, British Columbia. If you get a chance, you really should go. The Cariboo area of BC is magical - a wonderland of snowy mountains, remote lakes and racing rivers. Oh, and vast grasslands, plenty of sagebrush, and the promise of gold.....


Gateway to Barkerville


Bears on Ghost Road


Quesnel Lake Cabin


Stove, Quesnel Forks


Symphony of Fire

Copyright 2009, Kathy Neudorf

Sunday, July 5, 2009

I Heart HDR!

The first three images were taken on a winter trip to Tulameen, BC. Shooting the fourth got my chin really dirty:)


Winter Blooms


Evening Light


Backroad Barn


Clover

Copyright 2009, Kathy Neudorf