In our last blog entry, “Photography is easy. Really?” we wrote about the importance of concentrating on the art of crafting an image. Nowadays it doesn’t come easily because the constant need (and in some cases addiction) to be connected doesn’t allow our minds to calm down and settle on ONE task.
However, there are some places where quietness comes naturally, concentration comes easily and your artistic inner self can show itself without any outside disruptions. For me, Westminster Abbey in Mission, BC is one such place.
I find that a stunning location and beautiful grounds always calm me down. They allow me to put aside all the noise and just wander around with my camera. There’s no pressure, no purpose, no distractions! I have visited this place many times and each time I encountered stunning views and different conditions which created a magnificent mood.
All images were shot with the Fuji X100S and Fuji X-Pro1 with XF 14mm F2.8 and XF 60mm F2.4. Processed in Iridient Developer and NIK Silver Pro.
… and truly yours at work
2014 © Olaf Sztaba Photography. All rights reserved.
Amazing pictures. I have been following your blog for a while and every post is a new inspiration.Please keep up the great posts, I am learning a lot from your thoughts!
Pombo,
Thank you.
Olaf
In many of these shots there is something particularily dream-like. Third from the top for example. A place to run down the hill to, to retreat to. It has the quality of Lars Von Trier’s film Melancholia. Six from the last, one of those steep nightmarish hills you climb. The barbed tree.What was the tower is now an alter at the crest. There is danger praying there, you don’t know what terrible thing you might call upon. I fuzzily remember a film I saw as kid too, a 50’s pulp sci-fi called ‘This Island Earth’ which had a mysterious scientific, cultish retreat. It weirdly reminds me of that too. With shots like these, shrouded in mist, devoid of context, if you give your mind time to wander you can imagine all sorts of curious little fictions attached. Very evocotive!
Peter,
I really appreciate that you found the time to share your thoughts. It is really rewarding to know that our photography evokes such strong emotions/memories. This is exactly what photography is all about.
Thank you for visiting.
Olaf
Fantastic images artfully crafted in black&white which adds beautifully to the stunning mood!
Bob,
Thank you for your kind words.
Olaf
Beautiful mood, you have quite an eye for your subjects
Thanks,
Olaf