WINTER WASH ©1978

Winter Wash was made in western Nelson County, VA during a light snowfall.

When I first spotted this scene, I immediately recognized the potential for a nice piece of art. Like all of my original silver prints, this one is chemically toned the old fashioned way, and technically, it would be referred to as a silver sulfide original.

These images should last for hundreds of years if properly cared for.

To view more of Jack's work, click on OLDER POSTS at the bottom of the page.

To view a larger image, click on the cabin.

EWE & LAMBS ©1972

It was a chilly day in Highland County, VA when I made this image of the ewe and two lambs. You might say that this was an example of anticipation and the decisive moment.

I had my eye on the ewe and even made an exposure, but when a second and third lamb stepped forward, I was ready. I made several exposures, but the best and final image was when the ewe turned toward her left. That was the decisive moment. This has been another public favorite over the years.

For a larger image click on the ewe

When you reach the bottom of the page, click on Older Blogs to continue with my stories and images. jj

SOUTH MOUNTAIN CHAPEL ©1972

This lovely chapel is just off the Blue Ridge Parkway near the interesction of Rt 56 and Montebello, VA.

This is a documentary which came about quite by chance, but I was drawn to the beautiful all-wood interior. I photographed it in both black and white and color.

Thanks to a member of the church, I was allowed to go in and complete my photography.

Click on the image for a larger view

ASPEN GROVE ©2009

COLORADO WINTER ON THE GRAND MESA

I am frequently on the lookout for nature's abstracts, and trees have always been among my favorite subjects.

I drove up to the ten thousand feet level of Grand Mesa last January to get a taste of winter at the higher elevations and I spotted this aspen grove on the way in. It was bitter cold and the breeze did not help matters one bit, but I managed to set up my tripod and camera and this is what I ultimately ended up with.

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Click on the image to get a much larger image and you will be able to appreciate the original a little better.

DISCOVER COLORADO NATIONAL MONUMENT

EROSIONAL MONUMENTS

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We recently spent a week near Fruita and made a number of visits into the Colorado National Monument.

When we lived in Wyoming, we made numerous visits south and drove by this park on I-70 but never realized what a lovely park this was until just recently. In fact, it reminds us of the area around Moab, UT. There are a vast number of canyons and monuments to explore.

This is but one of many images I made this past week, and these curious looking blobs of sandstone are called the "Coke Furnace." I made this exposure one afternoon following a frontal system which passed over the area. This time of year, the lighting is low, and it worked well for this image.

For a larger view, click on the image.

LONE OAK ©1980

LONE OAK

Central Virginia

This image was made right at the tail end of a snow storm and everything was perfectly quiet with no breeze.

I used to drive the back roads of Virginia immediately following a snow storm looking for interesting landscapes; trees were among my favorite subjects.

My camera pack consisted of an old Boy Scout pack frame with a green plastic trash basket strapped to it. There was a badly soiled canvas flap on the top to keep the weather out, and it was held in place by two strips cut from an old inner tube. Nothing fancy. In fact it would appear to many as little more than a throwaway.

Having left the scene and putting a good ten miles between me and the oak tree, I happened to look over my shoulder and lo and behold. I did not spot my camera pack on the back seat. It was only then that I realized that I had left it sitting on the highway directly behind the car.

Have you ever experienced sheer panic? Well, at that moment I did, and after finding a place to turn around, I headed back. There were a couple of turn-offs that I wasn't quite sure of, but the landmarks looked familiar.

To add disgust to frustration, I spotted the tree in the distance and there was a dark speck in the center of the opposite lane. The forty-pound pack was still sitting there, right where I left it and people were simply driving around it. I hate to tell anyone how many thousands of dollars of camera equipment was packed into that old ragged pack. I am still convinced that the appearance of that old ratty old back pack saved my gear. I am also thankful than no one hit it with a car or a truck.

To view a larger image, click on the oak tree.

COUNTRY STORE ©2009

Country Store SW CO

This type of subject matter is not normally my cup of tea, but having driven by this old country store so many times, I could no longer resist. I had to photograph it before it disappeared.

I actually made this image much earlier in the year and just a couple of weeks ago we happened to drive that road and I noted that one of the big advertisements was missing. Moral to this store is: if it feels right the first time, photograph it, or it may disappear. Many a good image has been lost because of procrastination.

Just a few days ago, I drove by this old store and noted that several of the colorful signs are now missing. Go figure... jj May 14 2011
click on image for larger view