“Be still with yourself until the object of your attention affirms your presence.” – Minor White
I’ve always been a “morning person” drawn to the shores. Lakes, ponds and seas. In the stillness I meditate on this scene hearing the distant cry of a Loon. Perfect start to a day.
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| Marsh Grass Tapestry. Mosquito Point, N.S. 2023 |
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Autumn Twilight, Gaspereau River. 2023
I hiked
along the river’s edge before sunrise through a light fog. I found a scene I
had noticed the day before but conditions weren’t right to make a photograph.
Now I was blessed with a soft, cool light that transformed the scene and
absolute stillness essential for the long exposure. |
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| Water Grasses and Sky Reflection, Wolfville Watershed. N.S. 2024 |
An abstract photograph I made of water grass on a calm, cloudy evening at the Wolfville Watershed Nature Preserve. No filters were used in the making of this photograph just careful attention to camera placement.
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| At the Edge of the Forest, Black River N.S. 2021 |
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| Late Autumn Detail. Black River, N.S. 2024 |
A light frost begins to melt with the first rays of morning sunlight.
These are always some of my favourite photographs to find and capture. The detail is extraordinary!
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| Pickerel Weed and River Foam. Mickey Hill Provincial Park in Graywood, N.S. 2023 |
Morning sun catches the Pickerel weed in an eddy at Mickey Hill. I made several exposures before the light was too harsh, each a different composition due to the swirling current. I was very pleased with this one!
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| Late Autumn Morning, Black River Lake, Methals N.S. 2024 |
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| Peach Blossoms, Annapolis Valley, N.S. 2024 |
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| At the Still Water’s Edge. Queens Co., N.S. 2023. |
I found a place along the
bank of the peninsula to land the kayak. With my tripod precariously set at
water’s edge I framed this intimate scene of lily pads and pickerel weed. What
an incredible habitat!
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Late Autumn Canopy, Minas Channel at Cape Split, N.S. 2024
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Morning along the shoreline
at Cape Split looking up into the canopy on the steep banks. It seemed too good
to be true that I would have a few minutes without a breath of wind. Very
grateful indeed.
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| Autumn Canvas, Black River at Methals, N.S. 2021 |
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| Wild Apple Tree and Snow. Wolfville, N.S. 2023 |
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| Autumn Accent, Coastal Forest at Cape Split, N.S. 2024 |
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Festive Pond Grasses, Wolfville Watershed Nature Preserve. 2024
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One should not only
photograph things for what they are but for what else they are.
- Minor White
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| Apple Orchard and Snowstorm. Wolfville, N.S. 2023 |
I visited an old overgrown orchard near my home during the morning of our first "snowstorm" of the season. The heavy snowfall created a winter wonderland. Every twisted branch weighed down with snow. Difficult conditions to work in but absolutely beautiful!
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Misty Fall Morning, Wolfville Watershed Nature Preserve. 2023
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| Psychedelic Seaweed. Ells Brook at Scots Bay, N.S. 2024 |
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| Gaspereau River Spring! Gaspereau River Trail. 2024 |
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| Wild Apple Tree, Blomidon Provincial Park, N.S. 2023 |
This photograph was made on a cool, early morning at Lower Blomidon when I had developed a bit of an obsession with wild apple trees. They still fascinate me and I find them an excellent subject to work with.
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| Corn Field at Twilight. North Grand Pré, N.S. 2023 |
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| Forest Floor and Light Frost. Methals, N.S. 2023 |
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Gnarly Birch. Blomidon Provincial Park, N.S. 2023
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I love the form of this birch. I have visited it before on hikes at Blomidon and enjoy observing it in different seasons. Especially with the rich textures and colours of Autumn. I feel the character subtly emerging from the chaos of the steep hillside, reaching in all directions from the shadows.
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| A Painterly Scene. Black River, N.S. 2023 |
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| Forest Light, Gaspereau Mountain, N.S. 2024 |
Just after sunrise I explored the woods near the Wolfville Watershed Nature Preserve and came upon this small clearing that gave me space to make a photograph of the dense woods glowing in the early morning light.
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| Summer Water Lily. Harriet Irving Botanical Gardens. Wolfville, N.S. 2024 |
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| November Canvas. Black River, N.S. 2024 |
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| Pond Reflection at Sunrise. Wolfville Watershed, N.S. 2024 |
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| Autumn Canopy in Light Rain. Black River, N.S. 2023 |
Thank you!
Thanks for having a look at this selection of intimate landscapes and details. I hope you enjoy this more subtle type of nature photography! Please tell me what you think. I'd love to hear your thoughts. Feel free to "share" this post with your friends. I greatly appreciate the support.
Chris Sheppard
Background
I was born in Wolfville, Nova Scotia, in the beautiful
Annapolis Valley. I graduated University Medalist in Theatre Studies from
Acadia University and studied at Circle in the Square Theatre School on
Broadway in New York. I currently reside in my hometown of Wolfville preferring
to raise my daughters here in a small-town community. I have worked as an actor,
chef and currently as a counsellor with adults that have intellectual
disabilities.
My self-taught journey into landscape photography evolved from
documenting rockhounding adventures on the shores of Cape Split and
Blomidon. The years of intense rockhounding gave me an outstanding
collection of gems and minerals but with the treasure hunt came many risks I
could no longer ignore. I turned my attention to the landscapes and seascapes I
had become intimately familiar with, seen at dawn and dusk in every season and
variety of weather imaginable! The desire to capture these scenes became far
more important to me than carrying rocks. I quickly felt the benefits of simply
being outside with my camera, the perfect remedy for the stresses of every day.
I have other interests including collecting records, vegetarian cuisine and meditation
but photography of the natural world is my means of artistic expression and
passion.
I consider myself in essence a fine art photographer more by
approach than the content of my work. I don't pretend that all of the images I
make are fine art photographs but my goal is to share an image that reflects me
as an artist with an emotional message to give and vision to share.
The oldest photograph in my portfolio is from way back in 2013. I still enjoy
studying photography, the technical process, creative development of digital
negatives and immersing myself in the art of landscape photography. My
photographic Journey is ongoing as I study what works and learn from my many
mistakes and experiments.
I am at some of my healthiest and happiest when I can be out
with my camera engaged in the dynamic process of making photographs. I see
great value in visiting local places frequently and in all seasons as my
portfolio illustrates.
I hope you enjoy the work and I am grateful for the
opportunity to share these photographs with you. They represent adventures and
truly unforgettable moments. I remember capturing each image with vivid
clarity. Feel free to “share” this post with your friends. I appreciate the
support. I occasionally make larger prints of my work and if this interests you
send me a note!
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| The Edge of the Forest. Wolfville Watershed, N.S. 2024 |
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| Quiet Reflection. Wolfville Watershed, N.S. 2024 |
Notes on the Process
Every photograph I make, whether from a spontaneous discovery
while on an adventure or patient planning, is the result of careful observation
of my subject, the light and strict attention to details. I am after a quality
that is subtle and difficult to achieve. I want my photographs to have a
personal effect. I’ve certainly developed my own style in the past decade. The
act of making photographs is a practice in total mindfulness for me. I'm an introvert. That is
why I prefer to work alone. Some of my favourites are large prints in my home.
Making photographs is time consuming and at times frustrating
beyond belief. I hike solo in the dark
over difficult terrain in all weather and seasons trusting in my knowledge of
local tides and conditions. I will sacrifice comfort and sleep to put
myself in a location that might offer up a glimpse of the sublime if all of the
elements come together. This has happened a few times in my photographic
journey and the rewards are incredible. With these photographs come
memories that will last a lifetime. The potential to capture something special
keeps me going and trying.
A familiar landscape or seascape can be transformed by a
fleeting moment of extraordinary light, the right weather or tidal conditions
or everything at once! This process only begins with the capture. If I have
visualized a final image in the field, I will certainly have an idea which
direction I will take the negative in post processing to create a final
photograph I feel is worth sharing.
My tastes are constantly evolving and I will favor using
different lenses at times and change the way I shoot and process my images to
keep things fresh and interesting. I rely on modest Nikon and Manfrotto equipment
that I know extremely well so I don’t get at all bogged down by the technical.
Cheers,
Chris
Wolfville, Nova Scotia
November, 2024
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| First Freeze. Wolfville Watershed Nature Preserve, N.S. 2023 |
