Dumpster Diving Too

Western Grand Canyon monsoon sunset 2014

I’m cleaning out my archives.  Yes, this project is about as dull as it sounds, but it does have its advantages.

Almost three years ago, I was inspired by Guy Tal to re-work some forgotten images. He calls the process “dumpster diving.”  My current interminable project again gives me the opportunity to earmark some of my older work to live again through alternative processing.  Some images seem to demand to be presented in Black and white, while others need a crop or (ahem) subtler color presentation.  Sometimes I just want to add an image to my favorites whose merits I didn’t appreciate at first.  Perhaps, having been confronted with the specter of losing them, I’m feeling more sentimental.

Susie Yazzie in her hogan

Susie Yazzie lived in Monument Valley throughout her life and died in 2013, allegedly at the age of 98.  Some say that her birth date is conjectural. As far as I know she didn’t speak English, and I only speak Tony Hillerman Navajo, so what I know of her is secondhand.  She was a weaver, a midwife and in later life a frequent photographic model.  This image was made in her Hogan in 2012. It’s one of those images which fell between the cracks, but it seemed to me to really want to be processed in black and white.  Those hands.

Sunset from Yarnell Hill 2015, New Years Day

I think I’ve only recently come to properly appreciate a minimal composition with dramatic light.  These (this, together with the header image) rather minimally composed, serve as examples. They convey much more emotion to me now.  The drama of these experiences builds gradually with a vibration in my chest and that delicious uncertainty about how far the moment will go. These two owe their spectacle to storm light, one during monsoon season in Western Grand Canyon and the other after a winter storm in Southern Yavapai County. I feel as if I’m unwrapping a couple of forgotten gifts.

Sedona sunset behind the Cock's Comb 2011

Sometimes we’re left with a dilemma about color.  There are competing desires; to portray the scene faithfully and to make it believable.  This moment in Sedona arguably appears farfetched but I just couldn’t resist presenting it in its full glory. It looked like this.

Peacock, Sahuaro Ranch Park, Glendale Arizona 2011

This critter is a resident of the City of Glendale Arizona’s Main Library and Sahuaro Ranch Park grounds.  The peacocks there are comfortable with people and make great subjects.  I appreciate the drama in this portrait and what appears to be quite an attitude.

Harbor Seal, San Luis Obispo County California

Speaking of animals habituated to humans, this harbor seal on Harford Pier in Central California couldn’t be bothered to interrupt his nap for me.  No, he wasn’t dead (he was surrounded by his mates) and as much I strive not to anthropomorphize animals, I found him cute.  This image just needed a little rotation and crop after its rescue from obscurity.

Southbound end of a northbound burrowing owl

The last of the critters; a slightly different perspective on a burrowing owl from Maricopa County’s western farmland in 2014. Sometime we just need to shake it off.

Tree in the fog, Sonoma County California 2012

Fog.  We don’t see it so much in the desert.  Jerry Dodrill has a knack for finding just the right spot to optimize fog photography.  This one came from a workshop in Sonoma County.  Quiet strength.

Lake Powell Aerial

Aerial abstracts.  I’m not sure how I missed this one from a 2010 helicopter flight over Lake Powell.  This one makes me want to go back for more.

Thanks for sailing along with me on this little voyage of discovery.  Here’s wishing you some unearthing of your own.  Cheers.