Ed Cooley - Photographer
Fine art nature and travel photography
POTD: Falling Waters
Falling Waters
Location: Ozark National Forest, NW Arkansas
Camera: Phase One P65+, Cambo RS, Schneider 35XL
Settings: f/16, ISO 100, 4 sec, 2 shots stitched
When: October 2009
Falling Water Falls is a popular swimming hole in NW Arkansas. From this point until Falling Water Creek empties into Richland Creek is a wonderful area to explore and photograph. There are countless pools, cascades and waterfalls along this short stretch of paradise.
October 2009 was an incredible time in NW Arkansas. Spring rains in this area create literally thousands of waterfalls in the Ozark Mountains. We also have fantastic fall colors from all of the hardwoods. It is very rare for us to have good water and color at the same time. It happens once every 10-15 years and has not happened since 2009 so every fall photographers in this part of the country hope “this year” will be that year.
This image of Falling Water Falls was taken just as the fall colors were starting to change. A week later I visited again and there was so much water this entire area was filled with a raging torrent.
All my images are available as limited edition artwork. Click here for more information or to purchase a fine art print.
POTD: Moonglow
Moonglow
Location: Beaver Lake, NW Arkansas
Camera: Phase One P30, Mamiya 645D, 75-150mm
Settings: f/16, ISO 100, 1/125 & 1/2 sec
When: September 2009
I found this scene quite by accident one evening as the moon was rising over the Earth’s Shadow a day or two before the full moon. I didn’t have my camera at the time because we were boating with friends. I returned the next three months until conditions were right to photograph the full moon over this small island with narrow causeway to the mainland.
All my images are available as limited edition artwork. Click here for more information or to purchase a fine art print.
POTD: Beaver Lake
Beaver Lake
Location: Rogers, Arkansas
Camera: Phase One P45, Cambo RS, Schneider 35XL
Settings: f/11, ISO 100, 5 Sec, 2 exposures stitched
When: August 2010
An afternoon storm has cleared leaving a serene and colorful evening. The air was clean and crisp which is rare for Arkansas in August. Beaver Lake is a reservoir in NW Arkansas providing drinking water and flood control of the White River.
With a wide angle lens I was able to record the beautiful gradient of colors framed by the dark blue clouds. In the distance the thunderhead is just about exhausted and if you look closely you’ll see a crescent moon peeking through the clouds to add a bit more interest.
This scene was preceded by yesterdays image of a spectacular sunset call “Evening Jewel”.
All my images are available as limited edition artwork. Click here for more information or to purchase a fine art print.
POTD: Evening Jewel
Evening Jewel
Location: Beaver Lake, Rogers, Arkansas
Camera: Phase One P45, Cambo RS, Schneider 72L
Settings: f/11, ISO 100, 1/25
When: August, 2010
In late summer, the Canadian Geese near my home go into their moult which lasts about two weeks. During that time of renewing feathers they cannot fly and congregate on the waters of Beaver Lake.
In “Evening Jewell” the geese provided foreground interest for a clearing storm at sunset. The warm light of sunset caught both the clouds and virga for a spectacular display of jewel tones.
Photographically this image is a lesson in magical light. You want to seek out times of transition. This can be from night to day or vise versa, approaching and clearing storms, etc. If you can combine these transitions like this clearing storm at sunset it can be even better. As a photographer, you never know when the magic will happen so it’s a numbers game. The more you are in front of interesting scenery at these times of transition the better your chances of capturing something incredible.
All my images are available as limited edition artwork. Click here for more information or to purchase a fine art print.
POTD: Forgotten
Forgotten
Location: Somewhere in Missouri
Camera: Phase One P65+, Cambo RS, Rodenstock HR32
Settings: f/16, ISO 50, 2.5 sec
When: Winter 2011
The job of a nature photographer is combining subject, light and weather into a 2-dimensional scene the expresses a mood or tells a story. While I enjoy photographing scenes that tell a happy story or brighten spirits, some of my most rewarding images are those that evoke an emotion in the viewer. “Forgotten” is a special image that folks in my part of the country really relate to.
Almost every person native to the midwest either lived or had a relative who lived on a small farm. A simple lifestyle of hard work, home cooked meals and family was predominate not that many years ago. Unfortunately, this style of living has almost disappeared from the fabric of this area but not the good memories.
Faith and I flew past this location on our way home from a failed outing scouting a prairie in southwest Missouri. The fantastic oak tree caught my eye and I turned the jeep around to investigate. After scouting a half-dozen compositions I waited an hour or so for the light to become golden then exposed two 3×4 images by shifting the back 15mm from side to side creating this panoramic view of a lifestyle long “Forgotten”.
All my images are available as limited edition artwork. Click here for more information or to purchase a fine art print.
POTD: Little Hawksbill Crag
Little Hawksbill Crag
Location: Calico Rock, Arkansas
Camera: Phase One P30+, Mamiya 645D, 35mm
Settings: f/11, ISO 100, 1/100 sec
When: November, 2008
The White River is truly an Arkansas original with headwaters in the Boston Mountains. Most of the White is contained within the state as well as its confluence with the Mississippi River. The White River is a working river which has been dammed into several lakes to provide water, power and flood control for communities nearby.
The White River National Wildlife Refuge located in South Arkansas is home to large populations of mallard duck and snow geese during the winter months. The refuge also has a large population of black bear and some of the most dramatic swampland scenery in the state.
“Little Hawksbill Crag” was photographed on City Rock Bluff near Calico Rock during the last of the autumn colors. I return to this beautiful spot as often as I can and have a summertime sunset image releasing soon.
All my images are available as limited edition artwork. Click here for more information or to purchase a fine art print.
POTD: Dark Shadows
Dark Shadows
Location: Upper Antelope Canyon, Page, Arizona
Camera: Phase One P30+, Mamiya 645D, 55-110mm
As you have probably noticed, I enjoy photographing in slot canyons and have several in my portfolio. This shadowy image was photographed in Upper Antelope Canyon.
While the lower canyon is anything but flat, the upper canyon is completely flat with all the sculptured sandstone above you. My camera was literally pointing straight up. The upper canyon is also extremely busy. During a 20 second exposure, you may have 10 or 20 people squeeze past you in the narrow canyon walkways. I reshot this image nearly a dozen times before I got an exposure without someone bumping into my tripod.
The deep shadowed figure is known as monument valley because it resembles a butte in the desert. To me it looked like “Batman” so I used a longer focal length to highlight it in my composition and lowered the exposure to leave it almost black.
All images of the day are available as limited edition artwork. Click here for more information or to purchase a print.
POTD: Au Naturelle
Au Naturelle
Location: White Mountains, California
Camera: Phase One P30+, Mamiya 645D, 28mm
Settings: f/8, ISO 50, 1/80
When: September 2009
Bristlecone pines are nearly 5000 years old and the oldest trees on the planet. They grow high in the White Mountains at elevations over 10,000 feet. Strong westerly winds turn these slow growing trees into contortions making them all different.
Recent fires had raged through central California destroying large swathes of land and raced through this ancient forest. Fortunately the strong winds and sparse groundcover sent the fire through so fast most of the trees were damaged but not killed. On this tree the bark got so hot it popped off into small pieces of coal at the base. The raw wood with attractive patterns was left exposed to the elements (and my camera).
As I looked through the viewfinder composing my image I suddenly noticed the shape of a nude female. Nature is full of surprises and I have to tell you I was both amazed and amused as I finished photographing “Au Naturelle”.
This image is one of only a few I sell as “Collector’s Editions”. This portfolio is artwork so unique the edition size is extremely limited to protect the investment value for collectors. As each edition is sold the price doubles for the next.
Click here for more information or to purchase a fine art print.
POTD: Angel Heart
Angel Heart
Location: Lower Antelope Canyon, Arizona
Camera: Phase One P65+, Cambo RS, Schneider 35XL
Settings: f/16, ISO 50, 15 seconds, 2 shots stitched
When:October 2010
Can you find the angel photographed in Lower Antelope slot canyon? Notice on the left 1/3 of the image the hole in the sandstone looks like a heart on it’s side. Around this heart is an angel flying to the right with her hair flowing behind to the left.
The Navajo have named hundreds of shapes in this slot canyon and if you ever visit get a good guide to show them to you. There are many slot canyons in this area all with entirely different personalities.
See my first slot canyon post for a description of the colors.
Click here for more information or to purchase a fine art print.
POTD: Triplets
Triplets
Location: Tremont area of the Smoky Mountains
Camera: Phase One P65+, Mamiya 645D, 45mm
Settings: f/16, ISO 50, multiple exposures, 2 shots stitched
When: April 2010
These three boulders reminded me of little boys wrestling. Actually you wouldn’t call it wrestling but maybe “Whoever ends up on top wins!”. Early morning sun shining through the background foliage almost looked like autumn. Maples are colorful any time of the year and this park is full of them and almost every other hardwood.
As a new photographer, I found this image a challenge. The light coming through the foliage onto the water was difficult to expose without blowing out the whitewater. I took extra exposures at a faster shutter speed and blended those in where the brightest light was shining.
Click here for more information or to purchase a fine art print.
POTD: Secret Garden
Secret Garden
Location: Smoky Mountain National Park, Tennessee
Camera: Phase One P65+, Mamiya 645D, 35mm
Settings: f/11, iso 50, 1/250
When: April 2010
A panoramic view of White Oak Sink in the Smoky Mountain National Park. An easy two mile hike and you find yourself in beautiful, open forest carpeted with blue phlox. The bright light backlit the young leaves and gave a nice side lighting on the tree trunks.
If you see phlox blooming along the road to Cades Cove you might ask a ranger or photography guide to take you to White Oak Sink. They usually bloom at the same time around the second week of April.
This was the first photography trip I took after my accident. The two mile hike would be a snap now but back then I wondered if I could make it. I would love to find myself back here with flowers in bloom. (Actually I would love to revisit all the locations I have photographed. As you would expect, my photography technique and artistic vision has improved over the last 7 years.)
Click here for more information or to purchase a fine art print.
POTD: Smoky Mountain Stream
Smoky Mountain Stream
Location: Smoky Mountains near Townsend, TN
Camera: Phase One P65+, Mamiya 645D, 35mm
Settings: f/11, ISO 50, 1/2 sec
When: April 2010
An iconic Smoky Mountain stream photographed along the middle prong of the Little River. On the road to Cades Cove you’ll see a turnoff for Tremont Educational Facility. This short drive is one of the most iconic in the park and it is beautiful almost anytime. This dirt road follows the river the whole way, park anywhere and point your camera. On the weekends this spot will be busy with photographers shooting the horseshoe shaped cascade.
The maples in early spring have a nice bright color that contrasted well against the rhododendron foliage in the background.
Click here for more information or to purchase a fine art print.
