To continue with guest blog posts by InFocus 2017 photographers, I am pleased to introduce Al Dixon. Al has been with InFocus since the beginning and his landscape images reveal he is a man of patience and skill. As InFocus is quickly approaching, I love peering into the creative practices of these photographers. It is inspiring to say the least. I’m sure you will feel the same after reading Al’s words. On that note, away we go!

AL DIXON

A picture is worth a thousand words.  Yes, that’s oh so ‘tre cliche’, yet it’s a mantra that many photographers and other visual creatives live by.  We strive to create images that resonate with our audience by capturing their imagination, evoking emotions & feelings, or spurring conversations.  Along with a level of technical mastery & a certain visual appeal, these are the hallmarks of an exceptional image.  We each have our own reasons as to why we embark on these creative journeys.  For me it starts as a stress reliever.  After that, the mixture of art & technology provides outlets for both my Inner Artist & Inner Nerd.  Surprisingly, when we start to forget these reasons we seem to be able to produce an image reminding us of them just in time.

Windy Point by Al Dixon

It wasn’t until after first posting “Sunset at Abraham” online and receiving feedback that I saw the image in a totally different manner.  Having shot the image with an exposure of 4 minutes, the chaos and raw power of the location had been greatly mellowed and refined.  Many that know the area commented that they had never seen Windy Point so calm and tranquil.  Thinking back on the evening I created the image, I could recall sitting on the rocks with little doubt in my mind as to how the location had received its name.  While strong winds attempted to toss photographer and gear into the lake, powerful gusts buffeted the tripod threatening the dreaded camera shake.  Waves were crashing on the rocks below, creating spray that clambered to find purchase upon my filters and lens.  What I didn’t realize at the time was that while I was aware of all this chaos, confusion, and distractions; not once did any of it interfere with the mission I was on.  The image my Inner Artist intended to capture was clear in his mind, my Inner Nerd contently performed filter exposure calculations in his head, and I sat on that cold wet rock completely and totally at peace.

Sunset at Abraham by Al Dixon

All it takes now is but a moments glance at that image to remind me of the simple joy the art of photography has brought into my life.  While the stress of the daily grind may seem over bearing at times, immersing myself in creating images can make all of that go away.  It rekindles the memories of ‘borrowing’ my parent’s camera as a child, countless hours in the darkroom throughout high school, and countless photo excursions with my daughter.  These simple joys had been fading over the past few years; but thanks to a cold, wet, windy evening they are here to stay.

Where Al hangs his hat online:

Website:  www.aldixonphotography.com

Facebook:  www.facebook.com/AlDixonPhotography

Twitter: @Al_D_Photo

Instagram:  @Al_D_Photo