Open Window

Reflections and Refractions

Any photographer will tell you that photography is all about the light. In fact, the word is derived from the Greek photos ("light") and graphe ("drawing").

Spotlight Refractions in the Fog © 2020 Claudia Ward

One morning this past week, it was quite foggy which did little to nothing for my sunrise images. On the way home, I pass a golf club that happens to have a small pond just off the first tee. It's often quite still and becomes a rather enchanting reflection pool. I pulled in the driveway at the off chance that this might be the case that morning. Much to my delight I found light having quite the celebration - creating subdued foggy reflections of the trees lining the pond's south shore, and stunning spotlight refractions beaming skyward behind the conical pines. 

Starburst © 2020 Claudia Ward

As I moved around the pond, the sun's light became a starburst showing its rays ethereally through the fog and later it wrapped itself around a tree trunk clearly showing off its versatility.

Refracted Light © 2020 Claudia Ward

The light fog muted the bright colors of Spring creating a pastel-toned image with a variety of softened shapes, textures, and light. What a delightful morning surprise.

Foggy Fairway © 2020 Claudia Ward

East vs West

May 2nd 5:48:32 a.m.

May 2nd 5:48:44 a.m.

I recently posted a photograph on Facebook and was blown away by the response there was too it. I had more likes and comments on it than any other image I've ever posted anywhere.  (Photo is shown below.) I love the image as well but the response made me think.

My husband is a photographer too and I always show him the photos I take in any shoot. I appreciate his experience and his eye, and have learned a tremendous amount from him, photographically-speaking, over the years. So I asked him to re-review the images taken at sunrise on May 2nd, the same day I took that very popular one. I watched as he swiped through the file and I observed something very clearly. All of the images he preferred were vivid, with stark contrasts and shadows, and he sailed over any that were lighter and softer with pastel colors. In fact, he gave the latter no time at all.

By way of contrast, I spend a great deal of time on the images with pastel colors as they seem more of an exception in nature than the rule. They evoke more emotion in me. Don't get me wrong I love capturing the drama of those high-contrast moments; my heartbeat accelerates and my breath quickens as I try to capture the light (and dark) in an unusual juxtaposition. But, the calm, peace I feel when shooting a pastel sky is immensely comforting to me and in some ways the subtlety in the colors and contrasts demand that I focus even more closely on composition.

Thus I come to the title of this post. As you can see from the captions, these two images were taken only 12 seconds and 180 degrees apart. The high contrast image was taken facing East and the soft pastel image was taken facing West. Sunrise is my favorite time of day and most people who join me around that hour are fixated on the eastern horizon, pivoting little if at all. I just want to say, "Look both ways", you just may find nature revealing more subtle aspects of her ever-changing personality, some that may inspire you to say "Ahhh!"

 

May 2 nd 5:51:34 a.m. Sagg Sunrise ©2020 Claudia Ward

Thoughts? Comments? What's your preference, stark or subtle contrast, vivid or muted colors?

Placid

A Placid Morning Moment ©2020 Claudia Ward

Placid: "... serenely free of ... disturbance". When I read the dictionary definition of the word placid, I knew it was a perfect description of what I so appreciated about this early morning moment. 

While our days are so crammed with almost nothing but disturbing disturbances, I yearn to have and to hold on to a moment or two "serenely free of disturbance" and I am determined to have them. We all should seek them out and cherish them when they happen. Small jewels in time that no one can take away from us; precious moments that will shine with hope and comfort in our memory. I sincerely hope you can find some of these moments too, in the meantime, I'll share mine.

 

Up With the Sun

April Sunrise © Claudia Ward 2020

Ever since I was young, my favorite time of day was early morning. The peace and quiet is unequalled and there's anticipation in the air. Of what? We never know, but in my opinion that's one of the joys of life.

At sunrise, while others are still lost in slumber or just beginning to climb out of the comfort and warmth of bed, you can find me in one of my favorite places, the beach. Watching the sun rise out of the ocean is never boring and trying to capture the magic of those moments is one of my favorite pastimes. Thankfully pursuing this pastime doesn't involve a lot of effort to ensure social distancing.

There are four of us who regularly share these moments of peace: a German man who has a charming smile, a friendly wave, and is tucked in a sheltered corner of the beach house on the dune; a woman who's generous spirit includes bringing bread or leftover fish from dinner for the seagulls; and, a newcomer who is bundled to the hilt against the chilly ocean winds and steadfastly watches the horizon for the sun's debut. As for me, I am usually at the water line wearing my Hunter boots capturing the wind, water, and sand as they each dance across the shoreline, leaving only fleeting reflections and colors.

I'll be sharing some of these moments with you here. I understand that morning-people are the exception not the rule, so I think it's only fair that you get to see some of what you've missed.

P.S. I know it's been a long time since I've posted regularly, in part that was due to some "technical difficulties" which I believe are now corrected. Please do leave a comment to let me know you're still there. Share an image of your favorite time of day or pastime.

Open Window's Sixth Year - 2015

Open Window was ajar most of 2015 as energies needed to be directed toward our photography business. In fact, there were only 47 posts to Open Window in 2015 compared to 231 in its inaugural year. Sadly I found it much easier to post a photo or comment to Facebook from "the field", and I know many of you don't participate in Facebook.

"Second Thought" © Claudia Ward

At the beginning of 2015, we'd planned on exhibiting in two shows in Florida, the plans for which had to change as Peter hurt his back just before we left and needed surgery once we got there. Brave soul that he is however (and with doctor's approval), we did meet up with our friends in Rincon, Puerto Rico where Peter rested and recuperated, and I got some of the best wave images I've ever taken. 

Chatham Arts Festival 2015

Spring, Summer, and Fall were filled with art festivals in New York State and Massachusetts (Memorial Day to Thanksgiving). In all, we participated in 12 art festivals (10 outdoors and 2 indoors). In addition to those, we participated in our own private show at Ashawagh Hall along with two other incredibly talented artists, 4 gallery shows, and one Christmas Fair. There's a lot of work involved in planning and executing the participation in these shows, which I hope explains my absence from Open Window. It simply could not be helped. Not only did we meet incredibly wonderful artists and sponsors, but we also found individuals who truly love our work. Connections have also been made with a Surf Clothing Company, a couple of galleries, and a framer/gallery in the Design Center in Boston. As we all know, "it's not over 'till the fat lady sings" - please pray she sings.

Good fortune had us shooting in the Southern Caribbean for a week just before Christmas. Water may have been the draw but it was the sunrises, sunsets, and fall skies that truly took our breath away, every single day. 

The Freedom Tower © 2015 Claudia Ward

As I watched the attached slide show before sitting down to write this, what struck me was how very fortunate we have been in addition to having worked harder this year than either of us have for several. Given all that, the highlight of my year was spending two nights in downtown Manhattan in the beginning of December. Having been on Wall Street on 9/11 and living down there from that day until I left in 2009, I'd seen the cleanup, read about the plans, and watched the beginnings of rebuilding, but it wasn't until December 7th (truly) that I saw for the first time, in person, what has replaced all of that destruction/construction and I must say, it is nothing short of breathtaking.

Past & Present Downtown New York ©2015 Claudia Ward

We came upon the reflecting pools our first night walking back to our hotel after dinner and I can honestly say I wept to see what we have created in memory of so many and despite so few.

The Reflecting Pools in Lower Manhattan After Dark 2015 ©Claudia Ward

The next day we explored it all and Peter was even able to coax me to the top of the Freedom Tower - something I will remember for all of my days to come.

New York After Dark from the Top of the Freedom Tower ©2015 Claudia Ward

Despite all of the despair we all felt that day, there is nothing but hope in the air as you traverse the park, or linger to contemplate  - watching the waters cascading into the reflecting pools.

As 2016 begins - there's an Open Window for all of us.

I hope you enjoy the slide show of 2015.

 

Photos and Slide Show ©2015 Claudia Ward
Music: "Up with End Credits" from the soundtrack, Michael Giacchino

 

Open Window's Fifth Year

First Sunset of the New Year on Baker Beach San Francisco CA ©2015 Claudia Ward

It's hard for me to believe that it was five years ago this week that I began Open Window as a blog to feature posts on travel, food, photography and life in the "not-so-fast lane". Not unlike last year, posts to Open Window were less frequent this year as attention had to be paid to building the business part of our photography venture and to participating in art shows whenever possible. We did travel some, starting the year in San Francisco, taking a slow road trip south to visit friends and sisters in Florida in the Spring, and swinging by Newport RI, on the way back from the Cape, for the start of the Newport Bermuda Race in June.

Newport Bermuda Race Start 2014 © Claudia Ward

Summer found us attending any and all art festivals that we could find on either fork of the East End, researching tents, displays, and transport. We were pleasantly surprised by how helpful and forthcoming so many of the artists are, making us feel more confident about our decision to embark on the Art Festival Circuit this year. We've bought a tent, a trailer, and lots of prints, and have been accepted into two juried shows and have seven other applications pending. This is going to be a year filled with lots of learning and adventure, and we're looking forward to it with excited trepidation. Please do stay tuned.

Art Show Booth

Our photography was focused much closer to home this year which resulted in a series of still life projects centered on all manner of fruits and vegetables. Those shoots were some of my happiest days this year and I'm glad to be able to share some of the images with you now.

Basil & Tomatoes © 2014 Claudia Ward

As always thank you all for your continued interest and support. I hope you enjoy this summary slide show of 2014 - Open Window's fifth year!

 

Happy New Year everyone!

Reflections

I adore reflections - I don't recall ever seeing one that didn't catch my attention and imagination. They mildly distort the world from what is known to something recognizable but oh so appealing, especially if there is color involved. This was dawn in Bloomington Indiana last September on a cool late-summer morning - this makes me want to return.

Open Window's Second Year

It's official, Open-Window is now two years old. I can hardly believe I began this blog on a cold January day, sitting at the island in my kitchen, 730 days ago. In the past two years, Open-Window has focused my days on creating stories, snippits, and photographs that I hoped you would find entertaining, sometimes informative, and maybe even amusing. We've covered a lot of ground and many diverse topics over this time ranging from Hawaii to Paris, Hamburger Relish to Caviar, Horse Racing to Airshow Acrobatics. As time has passed, we increasingly focused on the images and slide shows that would accompany a post, and have worked diligently to improve the quality of all that we delivered. Peter has continued to emphasize wide-angle HDR (high dynamic range) photography whether on his DSLR (digital single lens reflex-camera) or his, ever-handy, iPhone, and I have continued with my love of all-things-macro, although we each dabbled in the other's specialty just to keep it interesting.

Mexican Train Tiles and Turtles
Photo © 2011 Claudia Ward 

Over the past twenty four months, we've made 388 postings to Open-Window which is an average of almost 4 per week, nearly every one containing at least one photograph and 60 of which included a slide show with music. When we embarked on this endeavor, we expected to focus on travel, food and photography. As it's turned out, the focus has been just that ... but in reverse - photography, food and travel. See, we'll photograph nearly anything - food that we eat, games that we play, children at the beach, machines of any sort, flowers and their residents, landmarks and landscapes, moon-rises and sunsets, and even light itself. 

The Outer Banks of North Caroline
Photo © 2011 Claudia Ward taken with the iPhone using the Pro HDR App

This year has been quite a journey photographically as well as geographically. Peter and I traveled over 14, 500 miles. We drove the entire east coast from the east end of Long Island to Orlando, Florida, traversing Florida, and turning north to reach Memphis Tennessee. We crossed the states of Tennessee and North Carolina end-to-end (west to east), photographing some of this country's most beautiful scenery in the Great Smoky Mountains. When we reached the Atlantic Ocean, it felt like we'd returned home, for tidal waters are in our veins, and the days on the Outer Banks are now cherished memories. Early morning sunrises over the ocean, wild horses on the beaches, hang gliding from the dunes, and fish tacos are just a few of the things we captured in-frame. With tornadoes nipping at our heels from western Florida, to Memphis and eventually to eastern North Carolina, we headed home just hours before their destruction hit the locales we'd come to know and love. Atlantic City was our refuge from the storms, before returning to the calm, untouched East End.

Spanish Mustang on the Outer Banks
Photo © 2011 Claudia Ward

Thirty days and thirty nights, and 4,000 miles on the road gave us a tremendous, renewed appreciation for the beauty and diversity of this country we live in. A couple of hundred more miles were covered seeking out horses at Saratoga Springs in August. For one who isn't known as an animal lover, I do love photographing them. Whether in their stance or stride, they speak volumes to me and hopefully that is being captured by the lens. Finally, the balance of those miles (nearly 10,000) were accomplished by a trip to The Big Island of Hawaii, where we were able to photograph the incredible diversity of this island's landscape and all of its beauty from a helicopter. 

Antique Hood Ornament
Photo © 2011 Claudia Ward 

More locally, we visited Belmont Park just a week before the Stakes were run and attended the Hampton Classic Horse Show every single day it was held over Labor Day weekend. There were at least three Antique Auto Shows, one Road Rallye and a Mini Cooper Scavenger Hunt that we shot as well. Our beaches on the east end of Long Island are some of the most breathtaking in the country (right up there with North Carolina's) and we spent many happy hours either hip deep in snow in January or ankle deep in sand in August, capturing the undulating shapes of their dunes draped in snow or the power of their seas after a storm.

Light Painting for New Year's
Photo © 2011 Peter Tooker 

The holidays that dot our calendars were also not ignored. Memorial Day is always an homage to the "Opening" of the Hamptons season. Flag Day, the 4th of July, Labor Day, Thanksgiving and the Christmas season were all duly noted and celebrated with photographs too.   

Meaty Tomato painted by Barbara Andolsek

Let me also add, ever so humbly, that I have once again been thrilled that Barbara Andolsek continues to make paintings based on some of my photographs. Barbara and I have yet to meet but feel a friendship beyond pen-pals. Nearly 3,000 miles apart but with a shared appreciation for the beauty of the world around us, Barbara and I have forged a friendship that could only occur in this wonderful 21st century. It still astounds me at how incredibly open and selfless so many people are using the internet to connect, communicate, and share. I feel incredibly fortunate to be able to be a part of it.

The word "blog" is derived from the expression "web log", which originally was an online journal of sorts and has morphed, over time, into a platform for communicating and exchanging information and ideas. I want to thank you all for your enthusiasm and support over the last two years but more importantly for your participation - "communication and exchange" are exactly what has occurred when you've left comments for us, and you've made it just that much more fun and interesting.

So here is a slide show which represents a snapshot of Open-Window's second year. It's shorter than last year's and yet still longer than most at just under 10 minutes. Perhaps you can set aside a little time next Sunday morning. We've made this for you, to enjoy and remember a year that we shared, and for that I want to say with great sincerity "Thanks for the memories". 

  

Photos & Slide Show by Claudia Ward & Peter Tooker © 2011
Music: Concerto in E-flat Major for Trumpet & Orchestra: 1. Allegro Con Spirito by Wynton Marsalis, National Philharmonic Orchestra & Raymond Leppard 

 

P.S. Please feel free to leave a comment and let us know what you thought of year two and if there is something you'd like to see more of in the coming months.

 

 

Dawn at the Outer Banks

Dawn is my favorite time of day. I always find first light thrilling, I don't know why - perhaps it's the optimist in me ... what will a new day bring? But first there's sunrise which is ever so brief and beautiful.

We're overlooking the ocean, sleeping to the sounds of its constant motion, and waking to the drama of the sun rising from the ocean. The coast of the Outer Banks of North Carolina are picturesque, and Peter and I find the changing early morning light magical.

Sunrise

Dawn at the Outer Banks.

Sent from my iPhone

A Glorious Morning

It's such a glorious morning, especially after all the rain we've had all along the east coast this week. I just felt like I had to share with you another glorious morning. 

Sunrise Over Pleasant Bay @2010 Claudia Ward ALL RIGHTS RESERVED

Sunrise Over Pleasant Bay HDR ©2010 Peter Tooker ALL RIGHTS RESERVED

Dawn On Cape Cod © 2010 Claudia Ward ALL RIGHTS RESERVED

What a sunrise we had this morning! Wouldn't you agree?