Stones From a Rocky Road - The Photography of Kathy Neudorf

Wednesday, November 4, 2009

Aldergrove Fair Days

A Polynesian charmer who danced center stage.

Focus

Copyright 2009, Kathy Neudorf

Sunday, October 11, 2009

Dressage at Thunderbird

A day of contrasts - a wonderfully challenging time photographing elegant, well schooled horses, followed by a visit to a fish hatchery. Both within an hour of my house - how special is that?

Walking Tall

The Dance

A Gentle Reward

Copyright 2009, Kathy Neudorf

Inch Creek

From a fish hatchery near Mission, BC.

Pastel Pond

Swept Away

Liquid Gold

Fish Fry

Patterns

Copyright 2009, Kathy Neudorf

Tuesday, October 6, 2009

Read my comment about photographic art, published in the Robert Genn Twice Weekly Newsletter:

Robert Genn's original post:

TUNE UP -- October 2, 2009

Dear Artist,

Where I live, the spiders come out in autumn. They're in my face when I bend to turn on the garden hose. Going about their sky-harvest and their devious mating-games, they spread their webs across my larger windows. In the nearby forest there's a surprise of mushrooms. The longer, darker nights bring the owl's call closer. Even by day the night birds are more active, silently moving between the tall cedars.

When painters take their paints to the forest, they feel this presence. While the hiker, jogger and even the photographer can get some of the benefit, the richest spirit is released to the ones who sit in a spot for some time. Fitting in and adapting to the scene, we become part of nature's furnishings. Alone, or with a quiet friend, with simple, timeless tools and procedures, we honour the privilege. Consistently, the surroundings that attracted us in the first place give up more secrets as we sit.

Best regards,

Robert

My Comment:

PHOTOGRAPHERS GET JOY TOO

by Kathy Neudorf, Langley, BC, Canada

I am a formally trained painter who now makes photographs. During my schooling, my 14 years as a painter, and my transition into photography, I frequently encountered the view that photography is not art, and by association, photographers are not artists. Some think we just point, and shoot, and the camera does it all. Not so.

When out with my camera, the hours melt into minutes. I frequently spend extended periods at a single location, taking picture after picture, moving this way and that, experimenting with setting after setting. This is a whole body experience - sometimes I'm perched on a tree limb, other times I'm on my belly.

Do I feel connected to my subject? Absolutely. Do I slip from the present into the subconscious, intuitive state that brings forth true creativity? Without question. Not surprisingly, I felt this way about painting too. Is my photography art? I believe so. It's certainly every bit as satisfying as brushes and paint.

Another reader writes:

From: Linda Bishop -- Oct 06, 2009

Just to let you know Kathy, that I think you are absolutely an artist. People who just point and shoot ( that would be me) are not photographers. Learning how your tool works and creating images that otherwise could never exist in reality is a true art. As a painter and someone who uses the camera only to try and record the image for later use, I can truly appreciate your chosen medium as I find it very difficult to even take a decent photo with my own camera. All the best to you.

Thank you, Linda. GO PHOTOGRAPHERS!

Monday, September 28, 2009

Osprey Lake

This beautiful lake is a short distance from Princeton, BC. I spent a long weekend there in early September, 2009. It's popular with fishermen, birds, bears, and bugs, and the morning light turns the water into a breathtaking, reflecting pool.

Dip, Dip and Swing

Trestle, Trans Canada Trail

Watercolors

In the Shallows

Crystal Waters

Drifting at Dawn

The Pause That Refreshes

Copyright 2009, Kathy Neudorf

Sunday, September 20, 2009

Campbell Valley Country Celebration

Today I was treated to some excellent musical talent at our annual Country Fair. Karen-Lee Batten and Tracy Chamberlain are local country artists. They are both very special: each has an amazing voice and performs with strong spirit and emotion. It was a privilege to see them.

Karen-Lee B.

Tracy C.

Thursday, September 17, 2009

More Fun With Macro

Tiny objects made large - so many secrets are revealed by the close-up lens. The largest flower, the purple daisy, is one inch across. The golden dragons are half an inch long, and the little star measures a mere quarter inch.

Looking Up

Miniature World

Golden Dragons

Copyright 2009, Kathy Neudorf

Thursday, September 3, 2009

Murrayville Cemetery

I love old cemeteries, and am lucky enough to have several close to my home. The air is special in these places, and if I stand quietly it's almost possible to hear the whispers of the past. I've been trying to capture the essence of the pioneer graveyard for years. Success has been elusive, but the effort has its own reward.

Scene on Stone

Life Remembered

Thursday, August 27, 2009

Goodbye, Little Ferry

Last night I went to Fort Langley, where the Albion Ferry docked during its 50 year run on the Fraser River. About a month ago the ferry service was replaced by the Golden Ears Bridge, and the boats are now at the Maple Ridge Terminal, awaiting a new home. While the new bridge is necessary, it was sad to see them there. I will treasure the memory of foot passenger crossings with the sun in my face and the wind in my hair.

Kulleet and Klatawa

Rollin' on the River

Fraser Shore

Five Boats at Sunset

Copyright 2009, Kathy Neudorf

Tuesday, August 18, 2009

Barkerville

The back road from Likely to Barkerville is a six hour drive - OK, make that three hours with lots of stops for pictures. Summer in Barkerville, a restored Gold Rush town, is a revelation; so much to see for visitors and visiting photographers alike.

Petunias

Jewel in the Rafters

Victoria

Copyright 2009, Kathy Neudorf

Monday, August 3, 2009

Likely, Really

A series of shots from a recent visit to Likely, British Columbia. If you get a chance, you really should go. The Cariboo area of BC is magical - a wonderland of snowy mountains, remote lakes and racing rivers. Oh, and vast grasslands, plenty of sagebrush, and the promise of gold.....

Gateway to Barkerville

Bears on Ghost Road

Quesnel Lake Cabin

Stove, Quesnel Forks

Symphony of Fire

Copyright 2009, Kathy Neudorf

Sunday, July 5, 2009

I Heart HDR!

The first three images were taken on a winter trip to Tulameen, BC. Shooting the fourth got my chin really dirty:)

Winter Blooms

Evening Light

Backroad Barn

Clover

Copyright 2009, Kathy Neudorf

Sunday, June 7, 2009

New Stuff

From various stops along the road....

Cooling Off

Across The River

Bird's Eye View

Friday, April 3, 2009

Every Picture Tells A Story, Don't It?

This one certainly does. I was in Summerland a few years back, when the town was a temporary home for dozens of migrant fruit pickers. Mostly young Quebecois, these people were on every street. French conversation filled the air. They were charming photographic subjects - a delightful mix of the traditional and the bohemian. A true band of gypsies.

This photo has been in my files ever since. Today I figured out how to make it whole.

Music In Motion

Copyright 2009, Kathy Neudorf

Friday, March 6, 2009

Playing Around

A shot in the dark from the Vancouver Aquarium

Fruit Bat

Friday, February 6, 2009

La Belle Province

Maman a la Place Jacques Cartier

Saturday, January 31, 2009

Tearing It Up on a Friday Night

Last night was such fun - I was out taking photos on behalf of the LANGLEY ARTS COUNCIL at FAT CITY SWING. It's a rockin', happenin', toe tappin', hip shakin' place, and I enjoyed every minute. Check out their site at www.fatcityswing.com and get on up...

Walking in the Air

Two x Two

Copyright 2009, Kathy Neudorf

Monday, January 12, 2009

Random Imagery

Army Dreamer

3 Martinis

Monday, December 29, 2008

Looking for Eagles

Another outing, this time to Harrison Bay to shoot eagles, with the camera of course! The eagles were elusive, but I was lucky enough to discover the lovely, tiny, frozen community of Deroche.

Deroche

On Frozen Pond

Chilly Hill

Copyright 2008, Kathy Neudorf

Wednesday, December 10, 2008

More Outings - Vancouver Aquarium, Cloverdale Raceway

Let's Do Lunch

Pacer at Dawn

Copyright 2008, Kathy Neudorf

Sunday, October 26, 2008

A Trip to Bear Creek Park, Surrey BC

A Small Slice of Fall

Vision in Violet

Copyright 2008, Kathy Neudorf

Saturday, October 18, 2008

Fun With Macro

Autumn Lily

Are lilies supposed to bloom in October? This one did. Thanks, Beth!

Copyright 2008, Kathy Neudorf

Tuesday, October 14, 2008

Out of the Archives, Into the Now

Between October 3 and October 8, 2008, I travelled to the West Kootenays of British Columbia, visiting areas around Nakusp, New Denver, Sandon and Revelstoke. Autumn color was at its peak. It was the glorious, breathtaking moment before Nature sends her first snow. I am still glowing from the experience; the sights, sounds and splendor were almost beyond words.

This is what my camera saw.....