The Art of Chris Froelich

Ruby Beach, WA  Some more photos from my trip back in May. I spent two nights in Olympic National Park along the coast. I hadn't planned on going that far North along the coast, but I got rained out of the Gorge and I just didn't fall in love with Cannon Beach like I thought I was going to. Since I didn't know where I was going, and I don't have a tourist guide for the Olympic Peninsula, and none of the ranger stations or campgrounds were "open", AND the entire area seemed like it was deserted, I was pretty much flying blind on where to get good photos.  I was basically driving down HWY 101 pulling over every few miles and walking out to the beach to see if there was anything cool going on. It was actually pretty relaxing and the weather was finally nice (cool but sunny).   I was intrigued by a roadside sign that read "Large Cedar Tree - 1 Mile" I thought, "Wow, that must be some tree if they have a sign out by the road. I better go check tha...

I took a trip down the Bitterroot looking for old barns. Barnwood is loved by photographers because of its pleasing tones and its ability to look great in any conversion. I especially like the way it turns out in HDR treatments. The seed-heads of the grass take on a glow when photographed in diffuse but strong light and that effect is enhanced from the HDR process. The sky looks menacing and the truth is that it has been raining for months. As sick of it as I am, I count my blessings that I am not one of the unfortunate families forced out by the floods in Missoula.  Bitterroot Barn With all that rain has come the most incredible spring wildflowers since we've been here. I've got a few photos of the flowers before, but I took some more thinking about Michael Orton. MO developed a technique of photography using slide film. He would take two photographs, both overexposed but one would be sharp and the other would be intentionally out of focus. He would then combine the t...

As I have done photography over the years, I've come to the realization that I like to do landscapes because I control everything. I like methodical, slow, and measured. For those of you who know me best, that may be surprising since that is not how I really go about my life day-to-day. Maybe it is therapeutic so I can avoid Focusyn. Additionally, no flowers have ever had their special day ruined by my bad pictures, so I don't ever feel any pressure. This is one of the reasons I don't really want to do wedding photos for money. Yesterday though, I got to take pictures of one of our friend's wedding. It was nice because I really had no pressure and it was easy because they are gorgeous. It is easy to take nice looking pictures of beautiful people. I wonder why digital cameras all shoot in the 4 x 6 aspect ratio. The more I shoot, the more 4 x 5 appeals to me. The composition is more pleasing to my eye. I need to start keeping that in mind when I shoot on a more con...