Sunday, July 25, 2010

Botanica - Part Three




Recomposed Lily
2010
© Larry Torno

It's back to the Botanica series for me.
Note: a new feature on the blog will allow you to Google my site for additional Botanica images (or any other subject for that matter, by using keywords; check it out. Try the Search this Blog).
     Our neighbor wanted me to photograph this Calla Lily growing in his backyard before the
St. Louis summer melted it away. I obliged and thought that was the end of it, but sometimes I can't let things go.
     The unique shape of this flower and the great contrast of the early afternoon lighting, made me go back to the original photo to see if I could reform a different composition. The final triple image layout provided the look that I wanted.

Sunday, July 18, 2010

Midwest Cliché - Part Seven





Forest for the Trees
2010
© Larry Torno


Last week I posted a photo of two trucks that I found near the Big Muddy Fish and Wildlife Refuge. Before coming across the side-by-side trailers, I took a short hike in the woods and discovered another image for the Midwest Cliché series.
     Forest for the Trees illustrates the idiom that Midwesterners are simple people who don't look far beyond the small details of their lives to comprehend the bigger picture.
     While I understand the meaning of the adage, I don't agree with the premise that small details should be overlooked for the sake of the larger effort. These saplings stand alone as individual elements, yet are an essential part of the total growth and uniqueness of the area.
     Not only do I see the trees, but I see the forest, feel the breeze on my face, smell the dampness of the grass and hear the birds in the distance.

Sunday, July 11, 2010

Simply Irresistible

(click on photo to enlarge)


Two Trucks, Fish and Wildlife
2010
© Larry Torno


A gallery owner once commented that he liked my work best when I simplified my compositions to 2-3 main elements; part of my observe, select and eliminate the rest, philosophy.
     Something struck me as simplistically wonderful about this scene. The repetition of shapes, the contrast of light and dark, the textured surfaces, and the depth of the evening sky drew me to this parking lot that borders the Big Muddy Fish and Wildlife Refuge.
     I didn't set out to create a photo of two trailers but when inspiration calls, it's a good idea to answer.
     For feedback, I usually forward samples of my favorite images to a fine art photographer friend of mine in California for his thoughts. "Ahhh, the power of simplicity!" was his response and I couldn't agree with him more. I have always responded to the simple things in life and relish the beauty of shape and form in my photos.

Sunday, July 4, 2010

Trees - Part Three

(click on photo to enlarge)

Broken Heart
2010
© Larry Torno

This tree at Creve Coeur Lake was the focus of my attention on a cold, rainy morning in May. I was tired of waiting for a bright, sunny day to take photos, so I set out to see what I could find during a dreary spell of gloomy weather.
     The literal translation of Creve Coeur is "broken heart" and it seemed appropriate to find a stand of lonely looking trees at the water's edge. Isolating this one against a background of incoming storm clouds, captured the eerie calm that I felt was present. Although it was only 9:30 a.m., the feeling you get from this image is that it's much later in the evening.
     As is usual with my photography adventures, the shot that I like the best is one of the last images that I created. I think I'm getting better at knowing when to quit.