When it comes to gorgeous colors and beautiful contrasts, the Big Island of Hawaii may take the prize. I went for a quick-strike trip last week and this is what I learned. First, lava …. [click to read more]

Lava is one of nature’s most dramatic and powerful shapers of land. The ocean, of course, is the other. One gives and one takes away. When these two meet, there is drama galore. Now, I didn’t see any active flows, but rather a landscape shaped by thousands of years of molten drama. The newer flows are a deeper black than the older flows and the texture, bubbles, and fissures in both are just amazing. Now imagine that stark, black force contrasted with a brilliant blue sky and clear blue/green waters!

It is such an expansive landscape, I initially struggled to figure out how best to photograph it. But then I took a walkabout during the Blue Hour – that time right before the sun rises. Walking in the dim light helps one focus on shapes and here the palm trees rose to the occasion, both figuratively and literally! Reflections became my go-to as I was mesmerized by the changing colors in the sky and water. The image above I now call “Sunrise Palms.”

This final image, which I call “Morning Palms” was taken with the sun just rising over my left shoulder as I looked due west. The clouds were picking up the light and looked like cotton candy floating through the sky! I shot this image one inch above the ground to get this amazing reflection.

All these images, and more, are now featured in my Ocean Art library and are available on fine art paper, acrylic and metal.