Abstracts

All of the images on this page are created using techniques “in camera” during the exposure, rather than afterwards on the computer. The trees have a somewhat painterly feel by employing camera movement during an extended shutter time. Hover over an image to read more about it.
All of these are available in (3:2) aspect ratio, however because they are abstract images, they can look really beautiful cropped to panorama sizes. I hope you enjoy them and please feel free to shoot me an email if you have any questions.

River Rocks Glacier N.P.

I was mezmerized by the shimmering fluidity of these river rocks in Glacier National Park. I wouldn't normally shoot in the middle of a sunny day but I managed to position myself in mid-stream at various angles to avoid as much glare as possible. A polarizing filter also helped with glare.
"Curves"

Fresh snow in a slough out by Chanhassen,MN. I love the repeating forms!
Sentinals in the Overcast

I created this image in a meadow at Interstate State Park in Wisconsin. It was a very overcast day and past peak for traditional fall colors images but I love the subtle tones of brown,tan and red.
"The Knife Edge"

Kadunce Creek on the northshore of Lake Superior is one of my favorite places in the USA. I never tire of exploring in this area. I always use a tripod which allows me to vary the shutter speed at will. This is a 1/2 second exposure.
The Rushing Forest

I couldn't resist...I have seem a million images of using the "zooming during exposure" technique but I had to try a couple at this meadow. I do enjoy the somewhat frenetic feel of this image.
"Presque Isle Root Beer"

An image created of the Presque Isle river in the Upper Penninsula of Michigan.
"Red Pines_2"

I photographed these huge Red Pines at the Lost Forty Scientific and Natural Area in northern Minnesota.
"Fall Swirl"

I made this image 10-12 years ago in Porcupine Mountain State Park, MI. I shot about 3 rolls of film of this little eddy and from that I have 1 image that I really like. In the "old days" of film cameras you really had no idea what the movement of your subjet would look like until you got your film back. There was always a bit of mystery and uncertainty.
Abstract Tree_2

This beautiful maple tree was photographed out by Chanhassen, MN. There was a light dusting of snow and it was very overcast.
"Soft Gold"

One of my favorite shots in the Kadunce creek. The gold tones are reflected color coming off a vivid maple on the opposite side of the creek. Most people assume I created this effect using computer software. While I have no opposition to post-shooting image editing (I use it all the time) in this case I can show you the original slide.
Cottonwood and Fall color_2

Another abstract made during the last light of the day in Interstate State Park. A beautiful Cottonwood in the foreground anchors the photo and some smaller trees in the back "walk" you through the image. Long, rhythmic camera movements were employed during this 30 second exposure.
Snow Abstract_3

I spent some time photographing abstracts of snow in the Red River valley in N.W. Minnesota. This image, like so many of mine, was shot at the tail end of the day creating longer shadows and more interesting light.
Mystic Pines and Maples

It was very late in the day and the light was nearly gone but I kept shooting abstracts at the edge of a meadow. The trunks of the pines add great reddish tones which contrast nicely with the lighter Maple trunks. Location_Interstate State Park, Wisconsin
"Prairie Sculpture"

I spent some time photographing abstracts of snow in the Red River valley in NW Minnesota. This image, like so many of mine, was shot at the tail end of the day creating longer shadows and more interesting light. The windy conditions of the "valley" can create very interesting sculture.
Cottonwoods

I made this image down by the Mississippi River in St. Paul. Cottonwoods and Maples
Snow Abstract_1

I spent some time photographing abstracts of snow in the Red River valley in NW Minnesota. This image, like so many of mine, was shot at the tail end of the day creating longer shadows and more interesting light. The windy conditions of the "valley" can create very interesting sculture.
Red Pines and Maples

It was very late in the day and the light was nearly gone but I kept shooting abstracts at the edge of a meadow. The trunks of the pines add great reddish tones. Location_Interstate State Park, Wisconsin
Golden Wave #1

Another of my favorites. I used reflected light from Aspens on the opposite bank of the river to create the green and yellow tones. Late afternoon light is the only time that worked for this area. The light has to be hitting the colorful object but it can't be directly hitting your subject or it would just cancel out the reflected color. Look for it during a walk by a stream...if you don't see it, switch sides or come back at a different time of day.
Oak Glen

Theres a great little opening in the forest a bit off the trail in Interstate State Park that has "scrub" Oak along with a few Birches and some Maples. I find the images that I have been creating with camera movement to be kind of painterly and serene.

I was mezmerized by the shimmering fluidity of these river rocks in Glacier National Park. I wouldn't normally shoot in the middle of a sunny day but I managed to position myself in mid-stream at various angles to avoid as much glare as possible. A polarizing filter also helped with glare.

Fresh snow in a slough out by Chanhassen,MN. I love the repeating forms!

I created this image in a meadow at Interstate State Park in Wisconsin. It was a very overcast day and past peak for traditional fall colors images but I love the subtle tones of brown,tan and red.

Kadunce Creek on the northshore of Lake Superior is one of my favorite places in the USA. I never tire of exploring in this area. I always use a tripod which allows me to vary the shutter speed at will. This is a 1/2 second exposure.

I couldn't resist...I have seem a million images of using the "zooming during exposure" technique but I had to try a couple at this meadow. I do enjoy the somewhat frenetic feel of this image.

An image created of the Presque Isle river in the Upper Penninsula of Michigan.

I photographed these huge Red Pines at the Lost Forty Scientific and Natural Area in northern Minnesota.

This beautiful maple tree was photographed out by Chanhassen, MN. There was a light dusting of snow and it was very overcast.

Another abstract made during the last light of the day in Interstate State Park. A beautiful Cottonwood in the foreground anchors the photo and some smaller trees in the back "walk" you through the image. Long, rhythmic camera movements were employed during this 30 second exposure.

I spent some time photographing abstracts of snow in the Red River valley in N.W. Minnesota. This image, like so many of mine, was shot at the tail end of the day creating longer shadows and more interesting light.

It was very late in the day and the light was nearly gone but I kept shooting abstracts at the edge of a meadow. The trunks of the pines add great reddish tones which contrast nicely with the lighter Maple trunks. Location_Interstate State Park, Wisconsin

I spent some time photographing abstracts of snow in the Red River valley in NW Minnesota. This image, like so many of mine, was shot at the tail end of the day creating longer shadows and more interesting light. The windy conditions of the "valley" can create very interesting sculture.

I made this image down by the Mississippi River in St. Paul. Cottonwoods and Maples

I spent some time photographing abstracts of snow in the Red River valley in NW Minnesota. This image, like so many of mine, was shot at the tail end of the day creating longer shadows and more interesting light. The windy conditions of the "valley" can create very interesting sculture.

It was very late in the day and the light was nearly gone but I kept shooting abstracts at the edge of a meadow. The trunks of the pines add great reddish tones. Location_Interstate State Park, Wisconsin

Theres a great little opening in the forest a bit off the trail in Interstate State Park that has "scrub" Oak along with a few Birches and some Maples. I find the images that I have been creating with camera movement to be kind of painterly and serene.