Moonlight reflections... I've been thinking and scheming on how to move forward with my art as a goal for the new year. There will be some new marketing efforts, trying to up the exposure level, and also - I hope - some skill building. I'm not attracted to the idea of trying something new, but rather of going more deeply into my current medium, digital photo artwork.With that in mind, I recently submitted several images to an art critique program at the online gallery
LightSpaceTime. I've participated in a number of competitions sponsored there, which have mostly resulted in honorable mention awards for my work. Being familiar with the gallery, now it's an easy next step for me to send them a few select images for some professional feedback and a different perspective. One of those is
"Moon River." Chris Hoffman, the gallery director, replied with these comments:
"Out of the three pieces you sent me, Moon River has the most successful composition. I am led well around the image. My eye is attracted to the moon and then down to the reflection on the river. It then follows the curve of the river back to the sky. The glowing edges of the clouds lead me across the image to the larger trees on the right and finally to the foreground. That is what I think makes a great composition. Very nicely done!"
His comments provide welcome validation, and tell me I have a pretty good eye for setting up the scene, or at least for recognizing what will make a great picture. I am reminded of a blog I wrote almost exactly a year ago, Episode 5, regarding the same view of the Salmon River, called
"River at Dusk." Here are some of my comments from that blog:
"Sky colors are reflected in the glassy surface of the river water, and then fade into blue light and shadows cast by the trees on the riverbank. There's a skim of ice formed in the recent cold snap, and the river curves away downstream, giving me a view of the forest edge. I can just see a bit of Chichagof Island away across the strait. The tall cottonwood on the right serves as a fine eagle perch. As I work with the image back inside the warm house, I'm struck first by the curve of the snowy riverbank in the foreground, then the slant of the tree silhouettes back again from right to left. I notice how it leads the eye along the course of the river, and mimics its flow. I've heard it said you can't push the river, and this image speaks to the alternative of that desire, the wisdom of going with the flow."
I'm satisfied with my first efforts in pursuit of my goal. So now it is on to the next strategy: finding my way to those who will teach me more, and lead me to discover new ways of seeing the world around me. Then the creative fun begins as I translate the image into a magical representation to delight the eye of the beholder!Click
here for this wall art of moonlight reflections on the river by Alaskan artist Lillian Ruedrich. Or click here to purchase more
Unique Alaska Artwork for sale.
