2 Weeks photographing Japan

I recently returned from a journey to the other side of the world, a truly mystical place called Japan. Thank you to Blain from Blaininjapan.com for his hospitality and guidance. He knows the places to photograph and, more importantly, when to be there. Can’t wait for my next visit.

Sea of clouds

Mt. Fuji at early morning light

Gallery showing 'Havana Glen Rock Amphitheater' Photograph

I’m happy to announce The Black Box Gallery in Portland OR has selected my Havana Glen photo, from over 750 worldwide entries, to be shown on their On-Line Annex Gallery. On display and for sale will be the black and white photo ‘Havana Glen Rock Amphitheater’ from my ‘Black Series’. For the ‘Black Series’ photos I use Capture One software to darken the overall photo but then highlight water features to provide a greater contrast from the darkened surroundings. The entire exhibit will be shown February 1st through Feb 20th 2024. The winning photo below can be viewed at Black Box Gallery, 811 E Burnside St #212, Portland, OR 97214 or online at: www.blackboxgallery.com

Havana Glen rock AMPHITHEATER, Montour Falls, NY

Chautauqua Art Gallery

Please visit Leslie Calimeri, owner of Chautauqua Art Gallery, to see a display of my artwork at her downtown Gallery 318 N. Main St, Jamestown NY 14701. On display will be (4) pieces, framed and ready to take home. Each image includes handmade Japanese paper and carbon based inks that will last hundreds of years. For sale will be award winning images of the Allegheny River and Havana Glen, along with Letchworth State Park, and Watkins Glen. Please see more at Chautauquaartgallery.com

Havana Glen waterfalls - Featured in ‘the Great Outdoors’ photo contest

Rivers Edge - 1st place at the Allegheny National Forest 100 year celebration exhibition 2023

1st Place at ANF-100 Exhibition

The Guest Juror - Laura Domencic, Executive Director - Erie Art Museum, has chosen my photo titled “The Rivers Edge” as the #1 Artwork on display at the Allegheny National Forest 100 year Exhibition being shown this weekend at Crary Art Museum, Warren PA. Thank you to the Crary Staff, Forest Rangers and Laura for their efforts with this important exhibition.

ANF-100 Juried Art Exhibition

Join me at the Crary Art Gallery in Warren PA on September 23rd and 24th to see the Allegheny National Forest 100 year anniversary juried art exhibit. You’ll see two of my photos on display, as shown below, along side other area Artists displaying their artwork of the forest’s plants, watershed, people, and wildlife

Through The chute - captured at Bent Run Falls, Warren PA

The Rivers Edge - Captured at Kinzua Dam, warren pa

Crary Art Gallery Exhibition

My ‘Shades of Grey, A perspective on carbon based ink prints’ recently shown at Crary Art Gallery in Warren PA was a huge success. Many people visited, from as far away as Rochester NY, to view my art work. A big Thank You to all the Staff and Proctors that worked so tirelessly to make this happen. And a special Thank You to the Board of Directors for selecting my photos to be displayed.

Ines Nelson, Board Member of Crary Art Gallery, stated: “It has truly been a joy to hear the oos and aahhs of people enjoying your work, recognizing the local spots and, talking about the video and, the history of the paper.”

George Wiedenhofer explaining the process behind the “Planted Roots” photograph

2nd Outdoor Photographer Photo Contest Finalist

I would like to once again thank everyone at Outdoor Photographer for choosing my “Yosemite Half Dome” image named “Mirrored Tranquility” as a finalist in their 2021 Great Outdoors photo contest. It’s an honor to be a finalist two years in a row and join 30 other wonderful Photographers this year from Bolivia, Italy, Iceland and around North America.

The caption for “Mirrored Tranquility” as shown in the photo booklet reads:

“Visiting California’s Yosemite National Park in February has its advantages.  There’s limited people in the Valley and the Sierra Nevada Mountains hasn’t yet shed it’s ice and snow.  Unique photo opportunities can be created due to more accessible locations and low water levels. This image was captured near the Ahwahnee meadow, along the bank of the Merced River, when the evening sun painted the face of Half Dome for just a few minutes.  The brilliant blaze orange light disappeared as fast as it came.  I had just witnessed Nature’s true beauty.”

“The sun’s coloring of Half Dome is only a part of the strength of this image.  The clarity of evergreen needles against the darkening clear blue sky, stillness of the Merced River, and the all present Mirrored Tranquility of the scene is its strength.  This simple beauty reminds me of a quote from Architect Heinrich Tessenow; “The Simplest is not always the best, but the best is always simple”.  As an example, many may not realize the top of Half Dome is almost 5,000 feet above the water of the Merced River below it. This image reveals the strength of Nature’s tranquility without showing its true scale.”

Family Portrait

There are many ways to photograph a family unit. To be a little creative I chose to highlight the facial features in a side by side comparison. Interesting approach that I think works well. Printed on Hahnemuhle bamboo paper using Carbon based Ink with Warm Shadows and Cool Highlights.

Thank you to Cone Editions Studio for their excellent print work.

May 31 2021-Jun 11 2021-JPEG Quality 100.jpg

Outdoor Photographer Magazine Contest Finalist

I would like to thank the folks at Outdoor Photographer for choosing my “Havana Glen Park” photo as a finalist in their 2020 “The Great Outdoors” Photo contest. I joined 27 other photographers, from around the world, showing amazing scenes of Nature from places like Hawaii, Australia and Africa. See the actual photo below as shown in their finished photo book.

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Havana Glen Park, Eagle Cliff Falls in Montour Falls NY

Havana Glen Park, Eagle Cliff Falls in Montour Falls NY

Yosemite National Park Workshop 2020

Check out my amazing photographs I shot at Yosemite National Park last week. You’ll find most at “earth” and a few at “water” listed on the menu. Many thanks to my new friend Phil Hawkins for conducting this amazing workshop. 14 photographers from around the world formed the group and I was lucky enough to join them.

Our purpose was to capture the Fire Fall at Horsetail Falls which can occur only for 2 weeks out of the entire year. But, no snow or rain on top of El Capitan put a damper on our chances to get that once in a lifetime shot. Even without the “Fire Fall” it was worth the trek to Yosemite. With limited crowds during the winter months the access to the typical locations was easy. And, with Phil’s knowledge of the Park, we got to some locations not well known but produced some of the best photos. Light was amazing during the evening just as Phil promised.

If you want to enjoy taking a photographic journey of Yosemite it’s worth the price of admission to join one of Phil’s workshops. I highly recommend calling him and sign up.

#philhawkinsphoto

#yosemitephotoworkshops

Taken along the Merced River near the Villages

Taken along the Merced River near the Villages

First Platinum/Palladium test print

03/08/19

With my new contact print frame in hand, yesterday was my 1st day of testing. Items on the list to confirm processes were applying the Bostick and Sullivan emulsion, UV exposure time and using the developer chemicals. Overall an important day to continue down the path of museum quality of Platinum printmaking.

The first ay results were mixed. Still love the Japanese paper but the prints turned out darker than expected. I’ll be analyzing the process and products to confirm what’s working and modify what’s not. The journey is the destination. I intend to be on this trek a long time!!

Stay tuned as I confirm the quality of my digital negatives, obtain finer brushes and improve my application technique.

Thanks for being a part of my journey.

GW

Digital Negative

My journey into Palladium/Platinum printing is ready to start. Thank you to Bruce Starrenburg #lightbox for going the extra mile to produce my Digital Negative. Bruce knows the right people to get things done.

Once I receive the negative from Bruce I can start calibrating my UV light box. I’ll also confirm my entire process before diving into the 16” x 20” Palladium/Platinum prints on handmade Japanese Koso Paper.

Almost there!!!