For this essay of mostly photos I turned to my favorite photographer, a transplanted Californian who has made his name standing in the muck of the Everglades with a huge old fashioned camera on a tripod. The results are worth it.
Butcher came to Key West not so long ago and I couldn't be there so my wife did me proud. My camera is not the old fashioned tripod mounted machine,obviously. I don't get $38,000 for my mural pictures either. 
It is no surprise that he is compared to Ansel Adams but what I prefer about Butcher's pictures is that for some reason they exude more warmth than the famous Adams pictures of the West. Perhaps it is the subject matter, or Butcher's technique but I like his photos far more.
I started thinking about Butcher one morning when i was walking Cheyenne and found myself taking pictures with no essay subject in mind. 
Dawn is a great time on my street in the summer. The exercise obsessed snowbirds are Up North and year round residents are resting from their daily labors. 
My home silhouetted by the sun "coming up like thunder..." (Kipling, Mandalay) 
Butcher coined the term "Florida mountains" for Sunshine State clouds. 
Mourning doves are doing well on our street. 
Salt ponds. Rainwater fills these mineral mud flats in summer and they come alive with crabs and birds hunting them. 
Cheyenne is busy. She always finds things to sniff. 
She is not the only creature on the prowl: 
Here come people:
A one lane street is a test of driver's manners. Imagine how often they fail the test.
8 comments:
Brilliant post as always. The pictures of the morning are great. Morning is my favorite part of the day - not completely light, cooler and less humid, fresh coffee. Mmmmm.
Having come to photography appreciation via Adams, Butcher was pleasant leap, having adopted Florida as my new home state.
If I had an artistic bone in my body, I wish I could combine my other favorite artist of MC Escher with Butcher photography.
That would be something new.
Years ago I was briefly acquainted with a photographer who took pictures much like your friend. He had a very old fashioned box camera, took black and white only and exposed things for minutes rather than seconds. He took mostly scenery pictures and would blow them up to huge mural sizes and then sold them for lots of bucks. Even at mural size, the details were amazing.
Clouds like those in your pictures are not what I would rather see for the next 2 days. The forecast is iffy, but may just add to the adventure a bit. We'll see.
Great pictures today. I really like them.
Jimbo
Premeditated Scootin'
I want to get down and do one of his swamp walks, not because I like traipsing through swamps, but I want to be able to say that I met him. He's going to be a missed treasure when he's gone.
Yes, but remember the overwhelming number of people who do pass the test on a one lane road. Civility is still common enough to be expected.
Beautiful pictures today. Thank you sir. I love early mornings in the keys, especially during summer. The sunrises are always so dramatic. My San Diego mornings are foggy, gloomy and cold.
I didn't know one could go along with Clyde Butcher. Not that I much fancy standing up to my arm pits in the Everglades, thanks.
According to this person ...your pictures are every bit as good or better than your man Clyde...maybe its time to give up dispatching....
Buffalo Bill
I must agree! I love these photos! You have a good eye sir! The light and morning colors are superb! Loved your trip essays and pictures, by the way, so glad you are all home safe and sound!
Post a Comment