I will be showing my photography during Art @ The Source June 4-5 & 11-12, Saturday & Sunday, 10am - 5pm. I will be showcasing some new work including wildlife and landscapes from Klamath Falls, Oregon. A new black & white series includes Coleman Valley Road and still life Calla Lillies.
Nature in Black & White is inspired by Edward Weston's, Robert Mapplethrope's and Imogen Cunningham's still lifes. It is through this exploration of abstraction that I find the sculptural beauty in the natural world.
Edward Weston's modernist style and his passion love of nature and form in his still lifes.
“Anything that excites me for any reason, I will photograph; not searching for unusual subject matter, but making the commonplace unusual.” – Edward Weston
Robert Mapplethrope's flowers and still lifes of timeless elegance. Arranged with his sense of balance and meticulously lit.
“…My whole point is to transcend the subject. …Go beyond the subject somehow, so that the composition, the lighting, all around, reaches a certain point of perfection. That’s what I’m doing. Whether it’s a cock or a flower, I’m looking at it in the same way. …in my own way, with my own eyes.” – Robert Mapplethorpe
Imogen Cunningham's plant photographs. Her floral studies were influenced by stark lines and were mainly of close-ups, as she believed the "paradox of expansion via reduction becomes vivid when one looks at the visual aspect of nature", each level of detail is echoed in the next lager and smaller level of scale.
"My interest in photography has something to do with the aesthetic, and that there should be a little beauty in everything." - Imogen Cunningham
Inspiration for photographing landscapes and rural life are Ansel Adams and Minor White. Ansel Adams photographed landscapes whose horizon are very high in the frame, giving favor to the landscape below. Minor White is one of the masters of photographic modernism. White sought to photograph things not only for what they are but also for what they may suggest, and his pictures teem with symbolic and metaphorical allusions.
"All art is a vision penetrating the illusions of reality, and photography is one form of this vision and revelation. . . . My approach to photography is based upon my belief in the vigor and values of the world of nature, in aspects of grandeur and minutiae all about us." - Ansel Adams
“No matter how slow the film, Spirit always stands still long enough for the photographer It has chosen.” – Minor White
My love of wildlife photography is inspired by Eliot Furness Porter, National Geographic magazine and Jacques Cousteau's underwater adventures. Eliot Porter took up color to create more accurate photographs of birds. Soon he added other woodland subjects to his repertoire and became the first established artist-photographer to commit to exploring the colorful beauty and diversity of the natural world. "In Wildness Is the Preservation of the World." He combined his evocative color photographs of New England woods with excerpts from the writings of Henry David Thoreau, revolutionized photographic book publishing by setting new standards for design and printing and proving the commercial viability of fine art photography books.
"Sometimes you can tell a large story with a tiny subject." - Eliot Porter
In today's selfie age can photographs still be considered "ART"? I believe that it can and I strive to elevate my photos in the same spirit as the renowned photographers of the past who revolutionized the art of photography. Besides does the world really need another selfie of Kim Kardashian?
A Categories page has been added so you can easily link to subject you are interested in viewing.
Owls are one of my favorite birds to photograph. There faces have many expressions. Please enjoy my new photo gallery "Barn Owls" - Photography Copyright Francesca Scalpi
Take a look at the videos of a Northern Pygmy Owl in Collier State Park, Oregon on 2/13/2016.
Camera: Nikon D810 - Lens: Sigma 150 - 600 Sport. Published on the Video page.
Another great adventure......
In the morning we went to a lecture by Harry Fuller on the Great Gray Owl. His information and photos he shared was very interesting and rewarding. He had just published a book with Peter J. Thiemann, Great Gray Owl which I purchased right before my trip. Not a lot of information out there on this particular owl. After the great talk we got to chat with him about owls and possible places to see them in particular the allusive Northern Pygmy Owl. He mentioned that during the nighttime owl search he thought he saw one fly over head near Collier State Park by Spring Creek.
Northern Pygmy-Owls are brown with fine white speckles on the head and white spots on the back. The back of the neck features two dark patches that look like eyespots. The eyes and bill are yellow.
Photography Copyright Francesca Scalpi
Height: Males 16-18 cm (6.3-7.1 in), Females 16-18 cm (6.3-7.1 in)
Each day we would pick a bucket list bird and head out on an all day search. We both knew that trying to find a bird that is brown and less than 7 inches tall in a forest was a challenge. Being the optimist we looked on the bright side and stated that it was one part of Klamath we had never been so no matter what it was worth the trip. Collier State Park was 30 miles north of Klamath Falls on Highway 97. A Basin Pine Forest, where Spring Creek erupts from underground and is a clear cold spring.
Once near the park trying to find the creek and this bridge the 7 inch bird flew nearby was difficult. We were looking for a BRIDGE and a LARGE body of water. After driving too far north we turned around and went to explore the day use area. Across from the day use area was a Logging Museum which we pulled into. I saw a beautiful area with tall pines, small running stream near the old logging buildings. I decided to take some winter landscape photos. For the trip we bought winter hiking clothes and boots. So tripod, camera and long lens in hand we trudged through the deep snow. Down by the small stream was a hand built wood bridge. The stream went under the road with an overpass with mud nests on the ceiling. I remember him mentioning the mud bird nets. Did we fumble on the spot? Is this what they call a BRIDGE and a LARGE body of water?
The landscape was tall pines, deep snow, clear rushing water and was beautiful. There was a tall barren tree by the road with an extra large nest. There was no one home in the nest and way to big a nest for a pygmy owl. Took some photos on both side of the stream, Lotus on the wooden bridge and the mud nests. Saw a large bald eagle land in a tall pine down the creek a ways and a small bird in silhouette on a nearby tree branch. Went under the branch and heading for the large Bald Eagle down stream. Towards my way back I photographed some epiphytes on tree branches and the tall nest by the road. Lotus was on the wood bridge with the binoculars. I was curious about the odd shape small bird and asked her to see what type of wren or robin or ........ She could not spot what I was talking about. It was hard to see because of its shape and the density of the trees. So with all this heavy gear I went to the bridge, grabbed the binoculars and looked. Yes I know you already know what I saw and walked by at least 4 times it was a Northern Pygmy Owl looking back at me. It went from tree to tree and my trusty Lotus guide was able to see where it went each time. No small feat I may add to a small quick flying bird. Finding it in the tree once it landed was a difficult tasks. Each time it would take us awhile to relocate it. Each time we had a OMG there it is..... This is a bird I have photographed as a rescue bird. I always wanted to see it in the wild.
Another adventure to share.........
Along the auto tour in the Lower Klamath Wildlife Refuge I saw a large Bald Eagle land in a tree along the road. The photo gods were teasing me because it landed on the tree side away from my view. A lot of branches covered a clear view of its majestic head. So we pulled over to see if we could get a shot once it flew off. Out of nowhere came a Red-tailed Hawk. It was not coming in to share the tree or the view. It had in its talons with an eviction notice. They tussled back and forth with the Red-tailed Hawk continuing its assault from the air. The eagle got annoyed and took to the air in its defense. The hawk out maneuver the eagle who landed in the grass. Just as the hawk made another pass the eagle flew out of the grass with talons up. Some more action back and forth and to my shock the eagle gave up and flew away. The hawk than went to the best branch of the tree it won and proudly looked over its domain.
Photography Copyright Francesca Scalpi
More adventures to come. ......
Wow what a trip to Oregon and Northern California border. A lot of 1st for me. First time in the beautiful state of Oregon. The Klamath area is stunning with natures beauty all around. Lovely people both local and visiting birders. Great food and micro brews. We will be back for a longer stay. Sample of some of the things we saw:
Photography Copyright Francesca Scalpi
Lower Klamath NWR in the distance 5 bald eagles in a single tree. We search high and low and finally found an area back in the refuge where there were thousands of sandhill cranes, swans, ducks and geese all singing their songs a Grammy moment. Every so often something would spook them an eagle or hawk perhaps and like a baseball game wave from left to right they would take flight. You have thousands of birds taking to the sky at once. Once in the air it was like a ballet of motion or a air traffic controllers worst nightmare. They would fly to the right then left then back to the right looking for a place to land back in the water. This ballet would play out many times during the end of light. With a scenic view of a series of ancient volcanoes in the background including a snow covered mount Shasta gleaming colors of the sunset. How can you top this.....
Photography Copyright Francesca Scalpi
Well the next day the was an area in the NWR that had a series of large trees with water on both sides of the road. Along this road was saw single eagles each claiming there own tree. We stopped of course to admire each one, photograph and pay homage. Scanning the treeline I saw a very large nest. There were lots of unoccupied nests throughout. I looked at the nest and to my surprise there was a female eagle in the nest and the male on a limb next to the nest. I shouted in a whispered voice to Lotus eagles in nest quick get in the car. Said our goodbyes to the singles and headed off to the nesting pair. We watched how they interacted with each other. She was stripping the bark on the limb right next to the nest. He was guarding her from maybe the single males down the road? We know that mate for life but maybe this was a new coupling? He than flew off and by now we had a crowd of photographers, birders and nature lovers. I heard one loud photographer state well I got the best I am going to get and left. I do love to photograph the birds. What I love most is to watch their behavior. Lotus and I were in for the long haul on this pair. Not long after the photographer and others left the male came back with large twigs and nesting material for his mate. He started breaking off some twigs and hurled them like rose petals in her nest. Once done he got in the nest and squawked several times as they were faced to face in the nest. He then flew on the right of the nests edge facing her squawking more. Than flew to the left edge of the nest squawking more then he mounted her and we witnessed the bald eagles mating in their nest. After they mated he went to the branch he was on when we first arrived squawk a few more times and than flew off. We waited to see if he returned and so did she. She than flew to another tree and squawked and no male returned her call. She than flew off to hunt for food or possibly him? Right after it got dark and I thought of the loud photographer who left missing the entire event. I did grin to myself and smiled and thanked the pair for sharing the wonderful moment with us. It was probably going to be the highlight of my trip or was it? Photography Copyright Francesca Scalpi
Another day....?..
At the Petroglyph Point section of the Lava Beds National Monument a former island we saw ancient carvings. In the walls high above flew Prairie Falcons. In the large monolith there were cracks where we found a female Great Horned Owl. Right at twilight the male hooted to the female owl. We had not spotted which crack he was in. Because he was back in the crack his hoot echoed to her. I was photographing the larger female when he started to hoot. She came out on the edge of her crack and moved her head to the right towards the sound. He hooted again and I sent Lotus with binoculars in hand to find him. By now we had 3 other photographers all searching for the allusive male. He hooted again and this time she hooted back. In this place of the Ancients with the carvings etched into this monolithic rock nature was in its glory. The sun was going down behind us and casted a beautiful warm glow on this so magical place. We were all in the moment sharing an experience. The hoots continued back and forth. Then one of the Prairie Falcons above dove right in front of the female GHO who immediately stepped back into her crack. The male continued to call to her. The search team located the male who was deep in his cave making his calls. The female took some time to come back out to call back. With the light fading fast we knew the darkness would soon give them the privacy they needed. Click here to see photos of the female Great Horned Owl.
More adventures to come.....
Just returned from Oregon's Klamath Falls' Winter Wings Festival. Photographed and video was shot in a variety of wildlife refuges in Oregon and Northern California. Videos include a pair of bald eagles mating, winter migration and a red-winged black bird call. More video to come.......
Link Video
The Graton Art Gallery has a juried Small Works show every year. It is one of the most sought after shows. A large submission of work is submitted to the jury. 194 artworks by 128 artists have been selected by our Jurors: Sandra Speidel and Clark Mitchell. I am honored to say that I had all three of my works accepted.
Show Dates: January 27, 2016 - February 28, 2016.
Graton Gallery: 9048 Graton Road, Graton CA 95444 | 707-829-8912 | info@gratongallery.net
Open Tuesday ~ Saturday 10:30 to 6pm, Sunday 10:30am to 4pm
The seasonal Pacific flyaway migration is underway. There are several areas I go to take photos of this migration in process. The Sacramento and Colusa NWR are hot spots for migrating geese and ducks. During these migrations you will also see a larger presence of predator birds such as eagles, hawks, falcons, and herons. This area is north of the city of Sacramento. South of Sacramento are two hot spots for migrating Sand Hill cranes Cosumnes River Preserve and Woodbridge Ecological Reserve.
Several photo galleries have been added with bird photos from this migration. Golden Eagles, Peregrine Falcon, American Kestrel, Belted Kingfisher, and Red-tail Hawk.
Several pieces of my work is now showing at the The Artisans’ Co-Op in Bodega, CA. On display are photos from the follow series: Wildlife, Marine Life, Windows, and Sea Ranch. Also showing some prints from the Black & White series, shore birds, marine fish and coastal life. The Artisans’ Co-Op is open 7 days a week and has 50 different local artist on display.
Address: 17175 Bodega Hwy, Bodega Bay, CA
