Influencing People and Photography

 Canon 40 D 100 - 400 IS Canon lens, 1.4 dupp, TN

Have you had people in your life that were influential in shaping your life? Yes we all have.
Here at Mr. Quigley Photography we are often asked the question ...who influenced your photography style? Id like to share a bit about that in this post.

Canon D30,  28 - 105 Canon lens

                                                                      Northern, AZ

Early on it was my mom and dad. They introduced me to the great outdoors and the magic and intricacies of it all. My mom and dad were  photographers and always snapping photos so they naturally influenced and created a desire for me to be a photographer. In my teens I began picking up a camera and began creating images with 110 film. Soon I moved on to 35mm and next 6x7 cm and as soon as digital hit I embraced it with the Canon D30.

                                            Canon 40 D, Canon 70 - 200 IS lens, FL Keys

As I studied photography styles through the years some photographers and their styles really influenced me.

Early on it was a high school teacher named Ron Hildreth. Ron took the time for me as well as others and really cared for those young ones around him. He taught science and photography as well as other subjects. I'm just one of the many that he may not realize he deeply influenced. Ive stayed in contact with Ron and in fact he photographed our wedding.

I have always loved Rons photography. To me its practical, inspirational and spiritual. Ron taught me to use my camera as a means for visual and emotional communication. Ive tried to include those elements into my work.

http://ronhildrethphotography.com/Site/Welcome.html

Canon 40 D, Tamron 18 - 270 lens. TN

Being from Arizona David Muench was a photography style I admired and studied. I ran into David and his wife once while working my wildlife department job in the Kofa mountains. He was of course making powerful images of this unique mountain range.

D30, 200 to 400 Canon L lens.

For me there is no better western photographer that has influenced my western photography style... then David Stoecklein!

He is the best and I love the mood and colors he uses to create images of the modern west.

http://www.stoeckleinphotography.com/

 

Canon 40 D 70 - 200 IS Canon lens, FL coast

One of the best wildlife photographers I know is Thomas Mangelsen. Tom is so good at captuering those perfect wildlife moments. If you ever pass through Jackson Hole, WY.... make sure you make it a point... to step into his beautiful gallery.

http://www.mangelsen.com/store/catalog?Args=

I have always loved Gary Irvings style. His images have such mood to them. My favorite book of his is Beneath the Open Sky. Its a collection of panoramic photographs in the heartland of America. Ive always tried to create mood and feeling with photographs.

 http://www.lightboxinc.com/gallery6/gallery06.html

Canon 7D. 70 - 200 IS Canon lens Gen 2, Central AZ

I just love Shinzo Maeda work. He really had an eye for capturing the natural world. His use of color, unique light and composition are some of the best combinations Ive ever seen. Of course Shinzo is no longer with us but his style influenced me. Would have liked to meet him and chat for a while. Of all his books I liked "A tree, a blade of grass... the best.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Shinzo_Maeda

Canon 40D, 28 - 200 Canon lens, NC

And of course for me there is Ken Duncan. I love Kens view on life and his images just capture me and draw me in. He has always been so open about sharing his style and techniques. I always enjoy getting an encouraging email from Ken or his staff once in a while.

 http://www.kenduncan.com/

Canon 7D, Canon 10 - 22 lens, Western AZ

There are so many good photographers out there but I would have to say these influenced the personal photography style I use today and my life. Study other photographers but create your own unique style.

Canon 20D 70 200 IS lens, 4 Peaks AZ

Who are you influencing with your life in a positive way? If you are not you should be. Your kids, coworkers, friends to name a few.

Dare to be a Ron Hildreth and use your life to influence others around you.

Photograph and shoot well. Mark

Death Comes to Us ALL

Canon 7D 10 - 22 lens
Kind of squirrel?

While walking up a canyon this week I came across a desert squirrel that had gotten into some jumping cactus and apparently couldn’t get it out of its back legs... and died. It made me think that animals are not aware that death is coming to them someday. Only human beings are precognizant of death. Only one human had the power to come back from the dead and we measure history and time by Him.
So for years I have photographed death in the animal world. I know it’s weird and strange.

Canon D30 14 mm Sigma lens

Kind of deer?

Have you ever wondered… when an animal dies how come we don’t see more of their remains about? The reasons I believe is most of the remains I have found through the years are hidden under brush rocks etc. One can usually count on a sick or old animal, lying down in cover and expiring. So sick and old creatures will choose secretive safe places to hide when they are not feeling well..

Canon 1D First gen. Sigma 14 mm lens

What is this?

Sudden death circumstances can that take the life of creatures. Here in the west a sudden summer thunder storm quickly fills a normally dry wash and drowns animals. Fences can hang up an animal… or a predator catching its prey off guard. It’s interesting looking for these circumstances and photographing them.

Canon 40D Tamron 18 to 270 lens.

Here a coyote is partly covered by brush in a northern AZ slot canyon.

Caught in a sudden flood.

You can make out his face and teeth bottom right of the fur.

Devolope your own photography style. Dare to be different and photograph unusual subjects where you live.

Photograph well and stay safe.

Death is coming…Mark

If the eye could see...

Canon 1 D 70 to 200 IS lens (first generation). I pushed the shutter when I thought this shooter would pull the trigger thus capturing the muzzle flash.



Cameras capture things the eye cannot see. Even high speed video cameras must be slowed way down to see the flash of gunfire and never really at this level. I love to TRY and capture the powder burning as it leaves the barrel. Black powder is classified as an explosive and at the right moment in time this type of an image can be captured.

I love to shoot black powder guns and use them to hunt with. From my old flintlock muzzleloaders, cap and ball pistols, long range sharps rifles to 1870 cartridge guns these old black powder guns are fun to shoot! I think if our eye ever really saw the explosion coming from our barrels we would probably never shoot them again.

Shoot well and stay safe!


Mark

Where Are the AZ Wildflowers this Week?

We have received some question and requests to write about more wildflower hotspots. As I told you in an earlier blog post … follow the wildflower bloom up Interstate 17. Last week I was near the Castle Creek Wilderness border and took a short hike up Castle Creek. This is the Castle Creek on the east side of the Bradshaw Mountain Range.

The sides along this high desert creek were aglow. This is a place seldom visited except by serious hikers and hunters. A 4x4 road follows the creek up to what I call the Castle Creek Waterfall. About a mile before reaching the waterfall the wildflowers appear thick.

Watch for rattle snakes. Came across one! Diamond backs and Arizona Black rattlers live here.
Enjoy! Shoot well and stay safe! Mark