Snowy Trees, Raymond Gates Cemetery
Wintertime is my most favorite time of the year to make meaningful photographs. I don’t often write about failures, however, this is one ! For years I’ve been after a large format film image of snowflakes blurring an interesting composition, probably 6-8 times with 3 different large format camera formats. At the end of this story is a short video illustrating the snowy morning as well as an umbrella somewhat keeping the falling snow from the latest, and most expensive view camera I have owned over the years. That camera is approximately 6 times the cost of my Iphone 14 Pro, that comparison comes into play further on in this month’s Story Behind.
With over 40 years of B&W large film photography I’m pretty confident of what is possible with the medium and what is not. Nevertheless armed with that wisdom, a decent snowstorm was forecast for January 7th. Mid-morning was forecast for the heaviest of flakes to be falling. I headed over to a Raymond Gates Cemetery about a mile from my home with a clear plan in place for a stand of trees with terrific shapes and a spacing which offers the impression of a 3rd dimension. The heavy flakes somewhat obscuring the stand of trees would add a wonderful storytelling component to the final image…”IF” the 1/8 second shutter speed would actually capture and reveal the falling flakes.
First a bit of background on this location, I have made several successful images here, one just a few weeks earlier when heavy fog came in the day after Christmas 2023. Seen here is the image made that foggy morning, so within 2 weeks I had two images that could easily fit into a seasonal rendering of this wonderful grouping of trees. The subtleties beyond this majestic central tree with its outstretched and welcoming branches are fundamental visual building blocks of visual art.
Odd numbers of secondary compositional elements are always favorable over even numbers. There are 3 other trees in the main row and three other trees appear in receding fog. Visual relationships are most times easier to understand and more appealing when there is a clear #1 focus, with an odd number of secondary elements supporting that main area of interest. The Rule of Three is a basic rule of heightening interest used in advertising, interior design and graphic art.
This rule suggests the brain creates patterns with odd numbers of elements, while even numbers the brain tries to group into separate or equal elements causing confusion as to what is the main purpose of the image. Therein lies why this composition of trees is so exciting to me, and offers the many seasons of New England weather to showcase nature’s wonderful juxtaposition. I would be remiss to not include a photo of an awesome ’23 Xmas present from my wife of the winter hat with a built-in headlamp ! 
Lastly, the film image took 44 minutes from arrival to teardown of the View Camera. Why the cellphone image seen alongside the snowy stand of trees in the opening image? That image was taken from the comfort of my car in less than 30 seconds time…with the ever elusive blurring snowflakes clearly telling the visual story of an active snowstorm, simply not fair !
So much for point and shoot. You are a dedicated master at your work.
Hello Mike,
Very kind of you to share that sentiment, thank You !!
SS
That umbrella seems a bit small in the blowing snow. You pulled the shot off.
Thanks Jim for you time to read and share your thoughts, I learned more about the umbrella that morning than I did about capturing the snowflakes. Cheers,
SS
SS (I once actually knew a “Super Steve”!) So, I am enjoying your well written story behind the photo and then get to enjoy the actual photo. Nice skills to have. I enjoyed the brief clip of those big flakes!
Hi Tim, thanks very much for your time to read and then offer some thoughtful words. Another SS, go figure !!
Cheers, SS
Every so often I see a photo or a place and I am reminded how even if a photo shows one thing there will be so many different points for your mind to go forward or back to. This is one of those photos for me. Every time I see it I am reminded how life changes in so many ways. SS you are definitely one of a kind who never photographs just (one of kind photos). As always thank you for sharing your talent and the special things you accomplish.
D
Thank you Darlene for such thoughtful and insightful words, always appreciate hearing your thoughts.
Stay well,
SS
Your stories always draw me further into your images. Not only a master photographer, you, sir, are an amazing writer, an artist painting the picture with your words.
Thanks Steve, for sharing your artwork!!
Very kind words Gail, all the more meaningful coming from a professional educator. I enjoy the writing nearly as much as the photography challenges.
Cheers,
SS
As always, thanks for sharing your thoughts and processes.
Well professor, you did it again. Not only a great shot, but told us some of the reasons why. Thank you.
Steve, I second all the above remarks. Each commit nailed who you are and your gift of photography. You have a natural talent for bringing the reader right into your photos. Thank you for sharing your adventures each month!
Steve.
Sorry I’ve taken a while to respond. I wanted to have time to digest it all.
I too love taking pictures in the winter. Snow, ice & mountains!! You share the best in all of this.
Thank you!
I have been following your work for several years. It just keeps getting better and better. I’m still shooting large format and draw inspiration from your work. Thank you!
Thanks very much Jim for your kind words. It’s rewarding to hear you fine inspiration in my imagery.
Wish you the best in your own LF pursuits
Cheers,
SS