Welcome
Hello and Welcome to My View
For quite some time, I’ve needed an outlet to share the many images I have accumulated over the years and continue to accumulate.
And, so with great trepidation and excitement, I am launching My View.The blog is called My View because my view of the world has always been a bit skewed – or so I’ve been told. Many of my images reflect that. In great scenic landscapes, I see details. In details, I often see landscapes. In both, I often see softened edges or swashes of color. Sometimes, I hear or smell the color, or feel the whole scene. Are you getting the picture? Well, that’s my view. Of course, not all of my images are “skewed”, but many of my favorites tend to be.
Along with thanking Craig Tanner in the About Marti section, I also need to thank Ted Byrne who “gently” pushed me toward this project for the past year. If I’d not promised Ted I’d have it ready by now, it would probably still be a work-in-progress.
On this opening day, I want to share one of my favorite images with you. It was taken on my first real expedition with this strange new technology called a “digital camera” in one of my most favorite places in the country. In addition to being a beautiful place for landscape images, I have a great emotional attachment to Big Bend National Park and the areas surrounding it. This is my favorite image from my 2004 visit to the park. As time passes, you will see more images from Big Bend from 2004 and from earlier years.
All constructive comments and suggestions are welcome as they will help me grow as a photographer and a person on this journey we call life.
Thank you for visiting My View.
“Dancing Agave”
Big Bend National Park, November 2004
Canon 10D, 16-35mm L lens at 35 mm, 2.0 secs at f/22, handheld (zooming while shutter open)
About time too, Marti. A great image to start with as well. I’m looking forward to seeing what you share with us.
Comment by Gordon — February 1, 2008 @ 12:51 am
CONGRATULATIONS MARTI….and a very gorgeous image…really enjoy the pastel colors and the blur. Superb combination.
Comment by Alec — February 1, 2008 @ 6:19 am
Marti, this one of my favorite images of yours and I cannot wait to see more and to hear your thoughts. Congratulations! Susan
Comment by Susan — February 1, 2008 @ 9:07 am
Hi Gordon, Alec and Susan,
It’s great to see you here and thank you for you kind and encouraging comments. This is going to be a fun and educational journey!!
Comment by marti — February 1, 2008 @ 9:17 am
Marti,
Thank you for showing me this technique in Death Valley and for sharing this beautiful image!
Congratulations!! I love this image and you know Big Bend is one of my favorite places! I have many good memories of visits to BB
Lucy
Comment by Lady of Light — February 1, 2008 @ 9:30 am
Hi, Marti
Congratulations! What a wonderful step for you. That image is also one of my favorites of yours. The colors, so pastel, they go with your coloring, BTW. And I’m a big fan of blurs. Did you do this in camera or in post processing? It looks like a lens zoom. I’m looking forward to seeing more of your beautiful work
Flo
Comment by tonebytone — February 1, 2008 @ 10:13 am
Marti, congrats on taking this step and thanks so much for sharing with us. I know your unique view will be a gift for anyone willing to accept it. I’ve told you before, but this agave image is one of my favorites and it has inspired me to try similar techniques, especially last fall at Big Bend. Thanks again.
Tom
Comment by tomjones — February 1, 2008 @ 10:29 am
Hi Flo, Lucy and Tom –
Thanks so much to all of you for being here!!
Flo, this was all in camera for the blurring — just zooming the 16-35mm for a couple of seconds. Stopped down to f/22 so that I could get a couple of seconds for the zooming. In Photoshop, I did a levels and curve adjustment and saturated the colors more to mimic Fuji Velvia film. I had just started this digital journey at this time and was still in “film shooting” mode of thinking. Heck, I even brought along my film EOS 1v (and a whole bunch of Fuji Velvia) because I was still unsure about digital cameras!! That Velvia is still in the fridge.
Comment by marti — February 1, 2008 @ 10:31 am
Marti – congratulations to you!! I love the first image and I’m really looking forward to your posts gracing my google reader…and Janet so excited about coming over for your workshop in April. I hope the year continues to be a good one.
Comment by KennyWJ — February 1, 2008 @ 10:36 am
Hi Kenny,
Thank you so much for being here and for your support. I’m very much looking forward to meeting Janet in April and so appreciate her traveling all the way across the pond to attend this workshop.
Comment by marti — February 1, 2008 @ 11:31 am
Marti,
I look forward to seeing your unique vision of the world and its great to see your first image is set in one of my favorite places too. Congratulations.
Comment by DavidM — February 1, 2008 @ 12:05 pm
Marit,
It will be nice to see more of your images.
Good luck and thanks for your support at the 2007 Death Valley Workshop.
Gareth
Comment by GarethP — February 1, 2008 @ 12:11 pm
Marti, congrats on taking this giant step. I know it will be a successful journey for you. I love your agave shot. I’ve seen so many agave photos but yours stands out above the rest.
Comment by jaxart — February 1, 2008 @ 6:36 pm
Hi Marti,
Congratulations on the launch of My View. Thank you for your very kind words about me here. You have been such an amazing friend and support to me…I reserve the word angel for extremely limited usage but I have used that word to describe you many times and its fitting… in many ways you have been an angel in my life… you have helped me to be a better person… and you have also been incredibly patient and forgiving with me when I have been difficult. I am so much looking forward to teaching with you this year and I am very much looking forward to seeing more images from you like the beautiful agave from today. We have a different way of seeing and I get inspired by what can be your more abstract take on the landscape and other subjects.
I am very happy for you because of what I know is true about a blog like this…. it is an amazing outlet that leads to much more creativity. I can’t wait to see you and your work evolve as a result of this outlet you have created for yourself and us!!!!…. With Love, Craig
All is one
Comment by Craig Tanner — February 1, 2008 @ 6:57 pm
David, Gareth and Jackie — Thank you so very much for being here on the first day. It means so much to have your encouragement.
Craig — now you’ve brought me to tears — good ones. Thank you for all of your encouragement, opportunities and inspiration over the years and for being patient with me!! (sniff)
Comment by marti — February 1, 2008 @ 7:18 pm
Marti,
Congrats on starting My View. I love your image, and hope to someday make it to Big Bend.
Nick
Comment by Nick — February 1, 2008 @ 7:37 pm
What a beautiful “opening” image for the launch of MyView.
I’m looking forward to following your work here!
Comment by aprilS — February 1, 2008 @ 7:54 pm
Marti, The instant I saw your first image, I knew where you had made it. It is a wonderful image, and I agree that Big Bend is a wonderful place, which I hope to visit again. Congratulations on starting a blog. I will look forward to following your progress. Thank you for sharing your work.
Comment by Dave Peterson — February 1, 2008 @ 10:54 pm
Congratulations, Marti, on opening this door to let out your view. The agave is such a great debut. How many people have seen agaves, but have never imagined your view? The colors, the movement just keep me looking.
This looks like fun! Will be watching for your view.
Comment by Jo — February 2, 2008 @ 12:34 am
Nick, April, David and Jo — thank you all for the encouraging comments and for being here on day one.
It’s been 24 hours since the site became live and I appreciate very much all the posts and wonderful and encouraging emails I’ve received. I’m so very fortunate to be associated with such a wonderful group of photographers and good friends. Watch for another post on Sunday evening.
Have a great weekend, everyone!
Comment by marti — February 2, 2008 @ 12:42 am
Well Marti, I guess I have to go this route to let you know that I am on your site and enjoying it very much so far. Congratulations on getting it up and running. I will be checking it out regularly. Guess I missed day 1 but I was here and registered, just didn’t get to this page.
Wes
Comment by wes — February 2, 2008 @ 9:26 am
Good morning, Wes, my friend. Thank you so much for visiting — it would not be the same without you here!
Comment by marti — February 2, 2008 @ 9:29 am
Yea!
You have created an ejector to snap bottles filled with your feelings onto the digital waves. This one’s loaded with the fizz, sparkle, and colored bubbles that make me smile and murmur “Wow!” I’ll collect these magic bottles because, well… smiling and “Wow!”ing are good things.
Thanks for the effort this takes Marti.
Ted
Comment by tedbyrne — February 2, 2008 @ 10:09 am
Thanks for the gentle pushing to get me here, Ted!!!
Comment by marti — February 2, 2008 @ 10:19 am
Marti, I’ve been out of town so a bit late in this new development. Congratulations! I know you had talked about doing this and it’s a big step. I really look forward to your pictures and sharing more of yourself with us. You have been a good friend and teacher for me and I value your work. I love this picture you previously shared with me and will use it for inspiration in my own work.
Comment by Kasiemsen — February 2, 2008 @ 10:31 am
Congratulations on getting this started, Marti! It’s so good to see it and to be able to connect with you and your images in this way. I look forward to more!
Comment by mariacordell — February 2, 2008 @ 12:43 pm
What a lovely, lovely image! The agave is not only dancing, but speaking to me (in tongues?!!)
I’ve just discovered your blog via Alec’s and Craig’s blogs (I’m a friend and student of Alec’s) and am so impressed by the creative community that you are a part of – the support, creativity and growth is evident in every posting. My admiration and appreciation to you Marti, for stepping out into the big wide world of the web, and sharing your gifts with us!!
Comment by AmyO — February 7, 2008 @ 11:35 pm
Hi Amy — thanks so very much for your comments and for stopping by. I very much appreciate it!!
Comment by marti — February 8, 2008 @ 1:20 am
Hey Marti – congratulations on your new blog. Very nice to see. I’ll pop in from time to time to see what’s cookin’
John
Comment by nzo — February 10, 2008 @ 8:34 pm
Hi John,
Welcome and thanks for popping in from New Zealand!!! It’s great to have you here and I look forward to reading your comments!!
Comment by marti — February 11, 2008 @ 12:42 am
This is just a wonderful picture, so rich in it’s blue/green colors, so dynamic in it’s converging lines, so deeply rooted and at the same time freely moving in your picture. Simply great!
Comment by springm — April 30, 2008 @ 10:31 am