The Lyme Land Trust is pleased to announce the Photos of Distinction for the Fall 2023 session of Imagining Lyme. We are delighted to see all the beautiful photographs that are now displayed in our showcase gallery. This is a place to share your favorite photos of nature in Lyme. Please visit the gallery of all the submissions and to submit your photos. The next deadline is March 31, 2024 for photos of Winter.
The judges have chosen three photos that stood out to them in the Fall 2023 gallery. The judges for this session were Wendolyn Hill and guest judge, Angie Falstrom. Here is the list of the those photos with judges’ comments.
Winter Solstice by Kristina White (private land in Lyme)
In pursuit of an experience that has been celebrated by humans for thousands of years, Kristina White viewed the sunrise on the winter solstice, December 21, at a site that, as she describes, “had many significant stone formations and some I believed were connected to the winter solstice. It was exciting to see I was right!!” For this photograph, Kristina arrived before sunrise, carefully chose her position and waited. Wonderfully, she was able to capture the burst of light right at the moment the sun rose and shone through the opening in the stone structure set on the edge of a dramatic slope. The overall composition of the photo enhances this vision of a cosmic wonder, as a viewer discovers many reasons to spend time looking around the image. Two pieces of a broken fallen branch form lines in a triangular frame around the focal point, while overlapping trees and intricate branches form a pleasing background of mostly vertical lines directing the eye to the slope and focal point, and then receding back to the soft glow on the horizon. Sharply focused lichen covered rocks and leaves in the foreground add texture and emphasize the sense of depth. All of these elements combine to create a spiritually compelling photograph. Spectacular!
Sunset over Connecticut River from Gillette Castle by Jim Arrigoni (Gillette Castle State Park)
This is a particularly beautiful image of the iconic scene of the Connecticut River at sunset taken from the terrace of Gillette Castle. Jim’s capture of the diagonal line of the wake of the ferry pointing toward the glow of the setting sun distinguishes this scene, by adding an element of contrast and movement across the calm river. The warm reflection of the light in the clouds and water add to the feeling of awe and wonder. One feels a strong sense of expansiveness and depth when viewing this photograph because of Jim’s artistic decision to include the foreground detail of the brilliant red foliage of the sumac and the lichen covered rocks. This photo was taken on a late afternoon photography walk with Joe Standart on October 25, 2023, during which Joe shared his aesthetic insights and technical advice on taking photos. Jim mentioned that he “definitely benefited from Joe’s session before — such as settings & artistic framing! — & was lucky to be at that location & time when the light was so magical!” And we are thankful that he shared this beautiful photo with us!
Fall Day in Banningwood by Rochelle Davis (Banningwood Preserve)
Rochelle has captured the quintessential fall day in a Lyme preserve; one which imparts a transcendent feeling of peace, a feeling we all hope to find on our seasonal walks in the preserves. As she states, “The brightness of the fall sun on the various colors was joyous, along with the hidden life in the pool.” This photograph is beautifully composed with leaning trees balanced on either side of the pool providing a gateway into the scene. The blue reflection of the sky in the pool stands out in contrast to the many shades of orange yellow foliage. Your eye is drawn there and then back along the meandering channel of Roaring Brook as it recedes into the background. Rochelle has used overlapping elements in the foreground, mid-ground, and background to create a strong sense of depth and expansive space. Wonderfully done.
Honorable Mention: Sunrise at Johnston Preserve by David Luke.
We would like to give a mention to David Luke for his beautiful photograph of the December sunrise at the overlook at Johnston Preserve. The layers of shapes and colors receding back toward the glow of the sunrise, on the ground and in the clouds, truly impart a feeling of “early morning peace” for a long distance.
Check out the tips from Joe and guests on the Imagining Lyme website to learn more about using the concepts of light and depth in your photos.
Guest Judge, Angie Falstrom is an award winning local artist. In her delicate watercolors, Angie explores the effect that light and atmosphere can bring to a landscape, interior, or still life. Specializing in miniatures, she finds much of her inspiration in the rural landscape of Lyme. Her paintings can be viewed on her website, Perennial Designs. She has been an Elected Artist Member of the Lyme Art Association since 1999.
Wendolyn Hill is an artist, award winning photographer, and former professor of art. Learn more about Wendy.
