dothework

Designing the strongest image you can. /  by BIlly Sauerland

The design elements in a photograph are crucial to creating a visually appealing and emotionally impactful image. A well-designed composition can draw the viewer in and convey the intended message with ease. There are several design elements that are important in creating a great composition in a photograph, including line, shape, form, space, texture, and color.

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Connections /  by BIlly Sauerland

Tall Grass Prairie. The connection between land and sky is dynamic, with a constant give and take. The morning air was cool the sunlight was warm. The breeze carried the smell of grass and bison. The stillness was quiet with the noise of being alive.

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Year(s) of the Asterisk * Part 2 : One decision at a time. /  by BIlly Sauerland

Yellowjacket, getting itself something sweet. 2020/09/06 #yellowjacket #pollinator #goanddo #dothework

Yellowjacket, getting itself something sweet. 2020/09/06 #yellowjacket #pollinator #goanddo #dothework

A decision down, more still to come.

Since the last post I’ve been a little busy. Cultivating an old routine and making it new again, journaling. Journaling for me includes sketching as well as writing. I do have a fine art and design background, and drawing and painting were my main creative ventures. So I wanted to try and bring back those practices, that helped me develop ideas, that I let slip away. Yesterday, I made a modification to my site, there was an old 365 project that I had started in 2019 and subsequently let die, so renamed and reclaimed as an Image Journal. It’s a place just to upload images for ideas, reference and just to say this is me right here right now. It’s not Instagram, which for me is more of a promotional space. But more of a space for generating ideas, a space to take note of things for future ideas, concepts and projects etc. As well as just to say this is me right here right now. It’s also not a blog exactly, it can link to and probably will at different points, but it generally won't be as formal or detailed as a blog post or series of post.

Ex: Imagine a book with pages that are not lined, where you jot down an idea next to a sketch and maybe a taped image you captured to help illustrate your idea to yourself. Just to remind yourself at later date. Thats kind of what I’m going for. So yes a visual journal, not necessarily daily but will entries made often.

Pollinators

ViceroyButterFly-0992.jpg

Along with the Image Journal, I am also beginning to share images and video that I have captured, that show moments in the woods or wherever I go. This ties in with the general theme of my photography, Where I Go, What I See. Below is an example of that. The still image and video are of a Viceroy Butterfly that I captured during one of my recent visits to Oxley Nature Center. This is particular moment is shared in the Pollinator gallery under the Projects tab. I feel it’s so important to protect our pollinators, all of them not just the honey bees.

Viceroy Butterfly, a moment in the woods @oxleynaturecenter

365* Project...182.5 Re-Boot! /  by BIlly Sauerland

2 IMAGES A DAY TO THE END

The 365project started strong in the beginning, I did have fears that it would not last and then ultimately it would fade and stop. That of course is exactly what happened, unfortunately I was unable to maintain the effort and I became distracted by other things going on in me life. The last month or so I’ve been thinking of a way to reintroduce and complete the project in a meaningful way. This came about through efforts I am making to restart my photo book as well. Evaluating what has lead me to this point, not having completed the projects I have started the last year. I began to refer to the last year, really the last two years as “year of the asterisks,” more on that later.

So that the numbers add up to what the original project would have contained, there must be an accounting of the missing images. So the idea of two images a day, beginning at the half way mark on day 182 or near the beginning of day 183. There are already 15 images posted for the project, one with an asterisks, there will be some forgiveness near the end of the year. As of right now I do not know what that forgiveness will be however for now I want to re-establish a regular regiment without too many variables to try to make it easier for the new routine to become established.

Exit Glacier, Kenai Fjords National Park, Seward, AK

Exit Glacier, Kenai Fjords National Park, Seward, AK

As I am working on this blog post I am watching “National Parks Adventure” on Netflix. It is a McGullivery Freeman IMAX film, if you haven’t seen it I highly recommend it. Seeing images of National Parks featured in the program makes me want to take a big road trip so badly. One of my dreams has always been to travel the country and photograph all the parks. The tag line on my website, “Where I Go, What I See.” This is something that I have always held close, wanting to share what I see, what I bear witness to. From Exit Glacier in Kenai Fjords National Park to Bison in the Tallgrass Prairie Preserve north of Pawhuska, OK.

Bison, Tallgrass Prairie Preserve, Pawhuska, OK

Bison, Tallgrass Prairie Preserve, Pawhuska, OK

This, in a lesser way, is what I want to try and achieve with the 365* project, to share “Where I Go, What I See” on a daily basis. The images may not be grand or awe inspiring but they will be true and honest, to share the truth of the day and place.

With that, I move forward with true and honest intent to be open to what may come everyday until the end of the year and after. To not be re-active but pro-active in my efforts and outlook.