"Fine Art Nature Photography"  Paul Wiles

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Special Showcase — "No sounds except that from nature"

"Tamolitch pool is fed by a side stream of the McKenzie River, a "wild and scenic river" of Oregon's Western Cascade Mountains. The allure of this pool is its unique blue color, perfect clarity, and shallow depth. It is contained in a small, nearly circular basalt basin less than 30 meters wide and no more than a meter deep. On its floor lie bleached branches of conifers that resemble ancient elephant tusks. They have been there for decades, slowly dissolving away. The pattern of branches is totally random, but beautiful in its symmetry. This contrast of color and old limbs is what draws me here. It is impossible to photograph the pool as I would like because of topographical impediments, but this view of the stream is as close as I can come to conveying what I feel when I'm here."  (Paul Wiles)

Technical/Equipment Notes: Toyo A2 4 x 5 field view camera, Schneider 120mm lens, B&W 81A , CC5M, and polarizing filters. F22 @ 4 seconds. Fuji Velvia, Gitzo 504 tripod, Foba Superball head.

"In a remote corner of Silver Falls State Park I found this wall of fall vine maple in late autumn. Most of the color had already peaked for this species, so I was surprised to find such a wonderful example of this plant still remaining. I was drawn to it because of the variegated quality of color, light, and balance in the scene. Every stage of fall color was evident, from the early greens through the bleached and browning reds, and it remains the only time I’ve seen that range of color in vine maple in one place. Vine maple is to Oregon and other parts of the Pacific Northwest what aspen is to the Rocky Mountains, and what hardwood deciduous leaves are to New England. It is less photographed and overlooked, but just as beautiful. Just the way I like it." (Paul Wiles)

Technical/Equipment Notes: Toyo A2 4 x 5 field view camera, Nikkor 300mm M lens, B&W 81A filter, F45 1/3 @ 2 seconds. Fuji Velvia, Gitzo 504 tripod, Foba Superball head.

"The dunes of Colorado’s Great Sand Dunes National Park are the highest in the United States, towering 700 feet and more, lying in a remote basin near the New Mexico border and surrounded by the Sangre de Cristo Mountains on three sides. On this particular cold, early fall morning, I had climbed the highest dune well before sunrise to gain a commanding view of the landscape. It was an arduous ascent through soft sand and a very steep slope while carrying a 60-lb. pack of photo gear. I had made this same hike on two previous mornings so I knew exactly what kind of image I was looking for. All I needed were the right conditions: a cessation of the constant, heavy winds, freshly blown sand free of human footprints, and strong, directional lighting. That was this moment." (Paul Wiles)

Technical/Equipment Notes: Pentax 67 camera, 200mm lens, B&W warm tone polarizer, F8 @ 1/4 second, Fuji Velvia, Gitzo 504 tripod, Foba Superball head.