Michael Frye (Yosemite)
During the day, it's difficult to see beyond the surface
beauty of nature. But when the sun sets, and the forests, mountains,
and deserts are enveloped in darkness, nature reveals its hidden
power. At night, the wilderness offers a chance to experience
something that has become truly rare in the modern world: a
sense of mystery.
In order to capture this sense of mystery in my photographs,
I've ventured out at night into wild places throughout the
American West, taking with me electronic flashes and powerful
flashlights. By adding colored filters to the lights, I can
“paint” elements of the landscape different colors.
I also often combine the man-made lights with natural light
from the stars, the moon, or a twilight sky. Some of the more
complex photographs may take several hours to create, as I
move lights into different spots, or wait for the moon or
some other celestial body to slide into position.
The resulting photographs are not literal representations
of reality. Instead, they're meant to convey the mood of the
nighttime wilderness—- the sense of mystery, wonder,
peace, and awe that can overtake you when you venture into
wild places at night.
Biography
Michael Frye is a professional photographer who specializes
in creating innovative and artistic images of wildlife and
wilderness. He has written numerous magazine articles on the
art and technique of photography, and produced two books:
The Photographer's Guide to Yosemite (author and photographer)
and Yosemite Meditations (photographer). His images have been
published in over thirty countries around the world; magazine
credits include National Wildlife, Outdoor Photographer, American
Photo, Sunset, and Texas Highways. Michael lives with his
wife Claudia and son Kevin in Yosemite National Park, where
he has made his home since 1983. Visit his website at michaelfrye.com. |
