Perhaps the more we like an artwork or any object, the less the reason lies within the work itself.

There is a picture of me when I was a kid in a yellow slicker on a boat (Maid of the Mist) getting soaked by the spray of Niagara Falls. I like that picture because it reminds me of so much: my family, our vacations, the hotel, the pool, the fear, the long line, the thrill, the smells, the roar, the coolness on a hot day, etc.

I like these photos because I can think of you: alone on your bike, a long-ride in the cold. The dimension of Life.

To respond rather late to your query, the last photo is definitely the one that makes me feel like I should duck out of the way. And admire the change in texture between the water and the rock. And also admire the astute comments of others about this blog.

Birgit, Steve’s photos are the exact opposite of your dune path leading over the hill to the lake — that photo leads us right into the depths. Steve’s makes us jump back out of the way.

Ah…that kind of book.

I don’t remember about the first one (I can check later), but the last three were all with the standard kit lens, 18-55mm. The focal length must vary, but it’s not telephoto or very wide angle. The second one, unfortunately, was with telephoto. The creek was pretty high, fast, and cold. I took my pants off and started to ford it, but it looked like I’d have to take off everything and risk ruining my camera if I lost my footing.

Jay,

Like the Beatles, I’ve got no book and it’s breaking my heart. But I’ve got a writer and that’s a start. Baby, …

And what book might that be?

Reminds me of a Rauschenberg book that came out some time back. Robert had disapproved of the text, but must have lost out to the publisher. The compromise was to print the text in gray ink on gray paper and with the busiest prints interposed as a backdrop.

By the way, the image of the snowbound ravine interrupted by the drop off is terrific. The effect of gravity on water is inferred very nicely.

At what distance do you shoot your waterfalls?

In ‘Basic Perspective Drawing’ John Montague claims that a normal view is achieved with a 60 degree cone of vision. Do you use telephoto or wide angle lenses or do you aim for a ‘normal view’?

After J. M.’s illustration of how objects are flattened out using a telephoto lens, I will be more alert to that issue when I shoot the dunes.