I’ve started a new thing, and I’m really excited to share it.
My new venture is called WILD MERCY, and it includes essays, recommendations, a forthcoming podcast, and much more. If you’ve ever enjoyed this blog, I would love for you to go check it out and see if it’s something you’d enjoy.
Thanks so much for your time and continued love!
When you live on the road in the U.S., there are just a few main regions that are suitable for winter living. Florida, South Texas, the Southwest (Arizona & Southern California), and Baja Mexico. We explored Florida our first two winters, mainly because we love the gulf beaches and I love the Everglades, but in 2019, we decided to explore more of the Southwest.
Obviously, the mild temperatures are the main reason Arizona is so popular in the winter. But all the federal public land (mostly BLM and National Forest) is really just as big a draw for many of us.
See, in Florida, the uninitiated/ unaware may spend $500-1000 per month on places to stay. In Arizona, we only spent $100 on “rent” the entire six weeks or so we spent there, thanks to boondocking on BLM land. Granted, off-the-grid living requires a few key pieces of equipment that we personally didn’t have yet our first two years on the road. But in 2019, we finally had a generator and solar panels, enabling us to “unplug” with ease.
Living off-the-grid in Arizona really suited us. Vast, open land.
A lot of people, sure, but so many great places to camp that we felt like we had several spots completely to ourselves. The nearest “neighbors” being a quarter of a mile or more away. Some camp areas we saw had hundreds of RV’s packed in like sardines. Basically giant, dirt parking lots. When we saw those we simply kept driving.
I have been in love with the desert landscape for many years, thanks mostly to Big Bend. Deserts are dynamic and dramatic. And everything that lives in that ecosystem is so well adapted for such a harsh environment… I find it endlessly fascinating.
And I’m not sure how typical it is, but we got amazing storms that rolled in throughout February, creating some beautiful light.
It was a dynamic winter in the desert. Layers of light drifted and danced across the landscape, creating artful scenes.
I found some really incredible locations that I am excited to explore a bit more. There really are incredible photographic opportunities everywhere across Arizona.
We’ve always said that if we make enough money in the summer and fall, we’ll go to Florida in the winter. If we don’t, Arizona. I’m rethinking that now as I reminisce.
I really do love getting beach and Everglades time, but wintering in Arizona is quite certainly in no way any kind of silver medal.
Should we continue to be so fortunate, to live this dream on the road, spending the winter months getting dusty, wandering the arid backroads, I will count it as gold. Cherished, borrowed time, in a desert wonderland.
— Andrew
Since I began making pictures on film in the mid-nineteen nineties, I have been fascinated with abstract imagery. Back then, mostly it was by accident… an errant frame here and there, missed focus, motion blur, etc.
In the days of film, you truly never knew how your film was going to turn out. Light leaks, camera malfunctions, lab errors… these were all distinct, albeit not common, potentialities.
Now, I make a point to blur an image with motion, or purposefully shift out of focus, for effect and to convey emotion. It’s simply another useful tool by which to create something. Even a feeling.
Whether intentional or not, abstract photography can be powerful.
The world is full of incredible shapes, textures, and colors. As a photographer, you can remove the context of an image to allow the viewer to see something completely new.
If you are interested in trying out this way of seeing and shooting, here are some helpful ways to start.
Look for textures, patterns, lines, and shapes
In the world of nature, there are textures, patterns, lines, and shapes everywhere if you train your eyes to see them. For me, it takes an intentional action to begin walking slower and looking for these details. But once you dial in to that frequency, you may find it hard to stop!
Shoot macro
Seeing minute details will allow you to create lovely abstractions. And you really don’t have to have a specific macro lens, though it can be helpful. The main point is to get down into the minutia. Get close with whatever lens you can. Leave all the distractions out of your frame and simplify what the viewer sees.
Use motion and manual focus to blur your subject
This technique is the most difficult to achieve at a high level, and it’s also my favorite! Use a slower shutter speed and experiment with purposefully moving your camera. Try up and down, left to right, swirling, etc. See what works and what doesn’t. Create new shapes and blended colors with what’s before you.
Aside from motion blur, set your lens to manual focus and start playing. It often works really well to shoot into the light when trying this technique. It will create shapes, and accentuate color, as I’ll mention in the next section.
Experiment with light
Backlight is my absolute favorite. And in combination with one of the other techniques, like motion blur or blurred focus, backlight can really come alive. As mentioned above, it will accentuate color and shapes, in this case lines.
Aerial details
With the advent and availability of drone photography, it has opened a whole new realm to the casual photographer to be able to experience perspectives only seen before by those with access to aircraft. Aerial abstraction is powerful when the light is right and the subject compelling. I’ve only recently bought a drone, so I have a way to go, but I’m loving learning and experimenting!
Again, shooting abstracts is a way to expand the way we see and convey feeling to our viewer. It is simply another tool in the toolbox of visual art and photography. Exercise this muscle by practicing the way you see, and I’m sure you will find it quite fulfilling and enjoyable.
–Andrew
It’s back…
On November 13, Seed Effect, will be celebrating their fifth year of bringing transformation to the people of South Sudan through Christ-centered micro-finance.
Most of you know that Elle is now their social media guru and chief storyteller, and we returned this August to capture more stories and images from the embattled region.
Come out to Seed Effect Turns Five to see my work, hear Elle’s stories, and as a special treat this year, filmmaker Trey Hill will be premiering an amazing short film.
Please join us, and help give the South Sudanese a hand-up…
Date: Thursday, November 13th, 2014 | 6-9 pm
Location: The Laundry, 1818 Chestnut St., Dallas, TX 75226
Admission: $19 per ticket
Cocktail Party | Fundraiser | Photography Exhibit | Short Film Premier
— andrew
The “buy local” movement has gained considerable momentum in the last few years. And there are many great reasons to support your local economy.
But I’d like to see a movement in the art community to encourage people to buy local art specifically.
As the Christmas and holiday seasons approach, artists could begin promoting the idea that locally produced art is the perfect gift. Because it is. Where would be as a society without art? Music, painting, sculpture, theatre, film, photography, culinary art, fashion, architecture, etc. It’s a seriously sad prospect to consider. So we as creatives have to find a way to continue living and producing. And that involves the very important roll of the art patrons. The art consumers and appreciators. Everyone, no matter how cynical, is an appreciator of art.
So how do we as producers turn the casual appreciators into patrons?
I think one way is for us to encourage patronage of art in general. When the population becomes great appreciators and consumers of art, we all benefit. And it starts in our local communities. That’s not to say that buying art around the country or around the world is bad. I frequently sell around the U.S. and internationally, but it should all start at home. Appreciating and buying art locally = a broader base of more informed consumers/ patrons.
We as artists should be supporting and promoting each other’s artwork.
Let’s start a movement.
Let’s help the arts everywhere by buying local. Buying art.
~ andrew
andrew slaton | blog 