Seeing 2011 (#146)

For your consideration: a local's discarded, neglected cabinet, material which devolved to furnish my observation of it as an appealing objet d'art.

This composition serves to further my astonishment at the mind's ability to recognize patterns, even amidst chaos. Significantly cropped to more tightly focus on texture, nonetheless enough visual references exist to render this scene immediately identifiable as a common bedroom piece. Ironically, the small handle, being the singular element utterly devoid of both texture and color, provides the convincing argument enabling this recognition.

Peeling Dresser, #2666-20D

© 2011 James W. Murray, all rights reserved.

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Details: November 28, 2010; Canon 20D; f/16 @ 1/320 sec; —1/3 EV; ISO 400; Canon EF 100mm f/2.8 Macro USM

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Seeing 2011 (#145)

For your consideration: perhaps for the foliage congregated herein, a nightmarish outcome (life after death becomes a rather wooden pedestrian journey).

For the rest of us, this scene may be at once soothing and edged with unresolved tension . . . Where do these paths take us? What to make of the platform affording an elevated vantage point, yet does not seem to promise a clear view to the way out?

An odd construction seemingly in midst of a forest, echoing the overarching nature of one's journey: strive as we might to find a path to enlightenment, in the end the Unknown remains just that, until we pass out of sight and through the unseen portal.

Los Gatos Stairs (stasis), #2838-20D

© 2011 James W. Murray, all rights reserved.

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Details: May 29, 2011; Canon 20D; f/4 @ 1/50 sec; —2/3 EV; ISO 400; Tokina 11-16mm f/2.8 @ 14mm

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Seeing 2011 (#144)

For your consideration: the results of a blissfully peaceful, quiet, solitary sit by a slowly ebbing campfire (see prior post) . . . this specific inactive activity is probably my absolute favorite, all-too-rare, indulgence in life.

Taken during this contemplation: a composite image — sandwiched photographs of the moon's surface, correctly exposed — layered over the otherwise overwhelming brightness picked up by the camera's sensor during the much longer exposure required to reveal the fog-enshrouded sky and trees.

Sunset Beach Midnight Moon, #1647-7D

© 2011 James W. Murray, all rights reserved.

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Details: September 10, 2011; Canon 7D; f/4 @ 1/6 sec; +1 1/3 EV; ISO 1250; Canon EF 70-300mm f/4-5.6L IS USM @ 70mm

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Seeing 2011 (#143)

For your consideration: two photographs depicting four married concepts: Earth, Fire, Water and Air.

Elementary, of course.

Homage to Dante, #1616-7D

© 2011 James W. Murray, all rights reserved.

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Details: September 10, 2011; Canon7D; f/5.6 @ 1/40 sec; —1 EV; ISO 1000; Canon EF 70-300mm f/4-5.6L IS USM @ 100mm

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Water Pillar, #9669-20D

© 2011 James W. Murray, all rights reserved.

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Details: July 11, 2010; Canon 20D; f/4.5 @ 1/4016 sec; ± 0 EV; ISO 200; Canon EF 100mm f/2.8 Macro USM

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Seeing 2011 (#142)

For your consideration: a subtly defensive pose . . .

In this canvas things are certainly not what they seem, on many levels . . . virtually all aspects of this composition may be suspect . . . as dubious a representation as the demeanor of the visage which exudes a contempt for something seen apparently just beyond our view.

Our presumed subject, comfortably smug in his private (yet publicly displayed) disapproval of unseen offenders, might be shaken up and find himself disoriented were the image perspective rotated 90-degrees . . . for the original scene from which this is extracted is a burning candle depicted close-in.

The Aristocrat, #1572-7D

© 2011 James W. Murray, all rights reserved.

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Details: April 30, 2011; Canon 20D; f/16 @ 1/1000 sec; —2/3 EV; ISO 200; Canon EF 70-300mm f/4-5.6L IS USM @ 244mm

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Seeing 2011 (#141)

For your consideration: a depiction of the nature arc of Life, at least as we tend to experience it on this mortal coil.

Genesis Pod, #1168-7D

© 2011 James W. Murray, all rights reserved.

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Details: August 14, 2011; Canon 7D; f/11 @ 1/2 sec; ±0 EV; ISO 500; Canon EF 100mm f/2.8 Macro USM

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Seeing 2011 (#140)

For your consideration: a simply study in yearning, and patience.

Tubular, #1156-7D

© 2011 James W. Murray, all rights reserved.

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Details: August 14, 2011; Canon 7D; f/2.8 @ 1/664 sec; -2/3 EV; ISO 800; Canon EF 100mm f/2.8 Macro USM

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Seeing 2011 (#139)

For your consideration: a study in Euclidean geometry cast within a billboard, metal variety. On particular interest to me is the nimble, nearly instantaneous ability of the mind to recognize and properly complete familiar patters from partial clues.

The local viewers of this entry are challenged to determine the specific signage. The rest, enjoy meandering about the subtle flow and symmetries latent in this composition.

Blue and Gold Four-Square, #1580-7D

© 2011 James W. Murray, all rights reserved.

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Details: September 3, 2011; Canon 7D; f/6 @ 1/2049 sec; -2/3 EV; ISO 250; Canon EF 70-300mm f/4-5.6L IS USM @ 229mm.

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Seeing 2011 (#138)

For your consideration: after a fortnight or more spend indoors hunched over my dining table with matte cutter in hand my soul was in dire need of an exterior excursion.

Wandering near San Jose's main library where some of my work is currently on display, in splendid weather, I caught sight of this interesting interplay of texture, geometric layering, and subtle anomalies. The arrangement was a ready-made composition . . . yet here again we have a (relatively) rare example of shooting at noontime — normally unfriendly for dramatic shadowing and dynamic color — defying the norm by sharply enhancing the stucco surface of the walls.

Had I strolled by this scene an hour earlier, or much later, it would've been largely devoid of the elements which make it compelling here. As it is, it reminds of of a tug boat or old paddle-wheel making its way down the muddy Mississippi.

Pinched Stack House, #1533-7D

© 2011 James W. Murray, all rights reserved.

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Details: September 3, 2011; Canon 7D; f/11 @ 1/1000 sec; -2/3 EV; ISO 250; Canon EF 70-300mm f/4-5.6L IS USM @ 200mm.

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Seeing 2011 (#137) - Exhibit Announcment

Greetings kind followers, subscribers and new visitors!

Twenty of my images are now on display at the Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr., library, in downtown San Jose, CA. (A photograph of the library from an earlier post appears below.)

For those of you are are local, or have quick access to a private jet for distance travel, I would love to see you:

Reception for the Artist today (Friday, Sept. 2, 2011) from 4:30pm - 6:00pm, on the fourth floor of the library. Entrance is of course free, and snacks will be provided. (The best parking option is in the City parking structure across the street from the library.)

Dr. Martin Luther King Jr., Library, #0196

© 2011 James W. Murray, all rights reserved.

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Details: May 31, 2011; Canon 20D; f/8 @ 1/100 sec; +1 EV; ISO 100; Tokina 11-16mm f/2.8 @ 11mm.

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Seeing 2011 (#136)

For your consideration: a sunny early afternoon on the southern California coast, at Morro Bay.

Looking away from the famous rock, eastward . . . fog burns off while other elements seem to fill the void.

Moro Bay Fog, #1276-7D

© 2011 James W. Murray, all rights reserved.

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Details: August 21, 2011; Canon 7D; f/7 @ 1/3000 sec; —2/3 EV; ISO 640; Canon EF 70-300mm f/4-5.6L IS USM @ 95mm; polarizer;

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Seeing 2011 (#135)

For your consideration: a macro microcosm of peace, serenity, and impermanence in the pristine freshness of a new day.

At the smallest scale these orbs are universes unto themselves, formed from condensing vapor, soon to evaporate and scatter into an unfathomably large existence. A wondrous journey witnessed by nobody . . . demonstrating a profound lesson needed by many.

Early Morning Atmosphere(s), #1255-7D

© 2011 James W. Murray, all rights reserved.

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Details: August 21, 2011; Canon 20D; f/5 @ 1/664 sec; —2/3 EV; ISO 640; Canon EF 100mm f/2.8 Macro USM

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