This was my first attempt at this project since leaving California and winding up in a city. I spent a lot of time wandering the streets looking for locations. It was a struggle to find a spot with the proper distance and interest. This work was definitely better suited for wide open spaces. As it was I was set up in a handicap parking space which I was able to shoot in until an elderly woman almost ran me down trying to park there.
photo: ©Michael Larkey 2010
Larger here.
I’ve wound up in a room somewhere, albeit perhaps temporary, so I’ve been busy tearing down and rebuilding.
This work is an extension of the Beach Studies I did two years ago. I was kind of bored with the beach stuff and was struggling to find nearby locations. I was in Yosemite in September 2007 and had recognized some interesting locations. I was more intrigued by the cloud layers present in the higher elevations to tell the truth. (See here) I was really hoping for some of that weather but found the total opposite; observe lots of sun and no clouds.
As a side note this was a lot more difficult than the beaches. Since the beach subjects were mostly in motion and constantly changing, the people, other than curious glances, generally paid me no attention. The national park setting threw that dynamic off. Tourists would see my camera set up and avoid the general area it was pointed at. I basically had to wander away from the camera, sometimes pulling it off the tripod to go with me, wait for people to filter in and then run back and hit the shutter. Should I end up in this situation again I think a remote trigger would be a sound investment. Links to larger images:
I paid another visit to the beach yesterday to make an image. People really don’t like it when you take their photograph and at this close proximity it is difficult to hide it. Many people gave me the skunk eye and I’m quite sure I will soon get punched, most likely when I photograph some Steve’s skanky girlfriend in her bikini.
It is just really difficult to get the angle I really want hovering over the edge of a cliff. July 30, 2007
I’m really enjoying this work involving people in the landscape right now. The sun was actually out in full force this morning. I think I got sun burnt shooting this. July 24, 2007
Apparently I picked the worst month to do this whole photo a day thing. It has been gloomy until about 10:00 every morning, then bright harsh sun all day until about 5:00 in the evening, when the gloom returns. Normally I would enjoy such gloominess but right now the hindrance on this project is getting annoying. I’m leaving for Mexico tomorrow morning for a few days for work so I’m hoping something interesting goes down there. July 11, 2007
