Cooling off?
Driving past the Flat Top Ranch near Glen Rose, TX last night, we spotted a pond full of mature Elk bulls cooling off. I suspect that their species is not used to 90+ degree days and lure of a cool pond (in Texas we call them Tanks) is not to be passed up. The Flat Top Ranch is 20,000 acres of cattle and Elk and I seem to come across a photo opportunity every time I come by. I learned my lesson last year when photographing Elk grazing just across the fence because after I waded into high brush on the fence line to get a better shot only to find my legs covered with chiggers!
My friend Conrad owns a piece of property on top of Chalk Mountain near Glen Rose, Tx that in every respect, looks like a scene from Tuscany. Conrad is a well known desinger who’s house looks like a Tuscan villa repeat with marble pillars and ornate gardens. Last year I brought my grnaddaugher here for her Senior pictures (color photo) and last week was there at night so I set up the tripod in the same place to get a sense of what a night shot would look like. Actually, I was waiting for the moon rise only to find out it would be way past my bedtime so I settled for the BNW above. We can see the Milky Way from here but there was too much light from the city. The specs in the top photo are actually stars and do look like specs on the lens. Now that fall is here and the air is clear, I will work on the moonrise and Milky Way soon.
The light in the fall is the most wonderful time for photographers. Crisp and clear with no humidity in the air allows me to work with different views and possess. Here, my friend Jean is walking along the site of the pond and with no wind, the reflection is wonderful. I do believe that black and white images convey and lovely tone of the photo and brings outs the true image I was looking for.
Scott Gipson 