Winter Through the Eyes of a Photographer
By Danny Hart
Erie Canal - Photo copyright Danny Hart (click image to see larger)
There is something magical about a cold winter morning. The crackle of snow under your boots and the crisp feel of the air as you breathe in deeply. Recently, I visited family in Upstate New York for the holidays. It has become my ritual during these trips to take a morning escape to the outdoors for a photo adventure.
The call of the outdoors runs strongly in my genetic material. Fishermen, hikers, snowmobilers, snowshoers, outdoorsmen (and women) of every ilk are we. Growing up, the New York winters were long, so we constantly found ways to embrace Mother Nature in all her glory.
Out of a cozy warm bed and into air which registered 12 degrees. I quietly stepped out from my sister’s home, and into the morning adventure. First a stop at the nearby lock of the Erie Canal, less than a mile away, to capture the rising sun shimmering off the Canal ice while 2 ducks stared with knowing grins across their beaks. It was just the ducks and I this frigid morn. Then taking my leave from my feathered friends I headed 25 minutes west to the shores of Otisco Lake.
Otisco Lake Sunrise - Photo copyright Danny Hart (click image to see larger)
To be out in the environment, and to be open to the beauty of the moment and looking with an artist’s eye is something I likely will never be able to explain with words. And it is that feeling that keeps me coming back time and again. When folks ask me about a photo I’ve taken I try to describe emotions or light or composition but realize it’s just best to let the photo do the talking. For me it’s all about the moment of connecting with the beauty all around us. Pausing…for just a moment.
So, whether you’re a photographer or not, finding time to get outdoors; even when the temperature drops lower than you’d like, is worth the effort. It’s one of the reasons my work here at EPA is so fulfilling to me. I feel each day I work to help preserve my favorite subject.
About the Author: Danny Hart has been with EPA since 2006. He’s the Associate Director of Web Communications. Danny spent eight years in the US Army as a Combat Photographer.
Editor’s Note: The opinions expressed in Greenversations are those of the author. They do not reflect EPA policy, endorsement, or action, and EPA does not verify the accuracy or science of the contents of the blog.
Editor's Note: The opinions expressed in Greenversations are those of the author. They do not reflect EPA policy, endorsement, or action, and EPA does not verify the accuracy or science of the contents of the blog.
Those are actual pictures? They look like paintings! Breathtaking!
Lina
Great Post. Let us click those pictures and see them full screen. They look worthy of exploring…
Thanks for the suggestion Ray! I updated the post to link to larger versions.
::Danny
I agree with Lina. The photos have a beautiful painterly quality. Thanks for posting them to Greenversations, Danny.
Indeed, these are inspiration that even in the depths of winter there can be beauty found in any season!
Wow … what a great description of our area. We sometimes take the beauty for granted.
Great article we sometimes take the beauty of this area for granted.
OMG this has got to be heaven I love these photo’s
My friend Chef Ryan Boudreaux shared your amazing pics on Facebook a moment ago and I didn’t know if they were painted or what…but they were AMAZING!
I would love the artist behind the camera to share these photos and any others you would care to in my new feature called “Share Your Country”
I would love to see more of these and hear the full story behind the pictures.
I am a writer, editor, photographer & marketing consultant in Orange County, CA.
Paulette Le Pore Motzko
Danny Hart ! You are the great artist.
These are great photos. Every season and every time of day is great for picture taking because atmospherics, sun angles, cloud formations and etc. change constantly. But early in the morning around sun rise and in the afternoon around sunset and twilight seem to be best. Best wishes, Michael E. Bailey.
Amazing!!! Now people will understand that winter has more to itself than just dreadful cold!!1
seriously great blog ..
just subscribed for rss feeds from
google reader
Breath-taking pictures and great narration. Each time you come up for a visit, while we are all still asleep, you sneak out and take advantage of the early morning light. Usually we are still having our coffee when you return. I feel honored that I am one of the first to view your new masterpiece from that morning!
By the way, right now it is 3 degrees, but the sun is brilliant on the fresh snow, and I am heading out to snowshoe. I may go down to that pretty Erie Canal or out in my own rolling hills back yard.
Next month-St. Lucia! Hahaha.
Danny,
I knew you were an incredibly talented photograher, but your also an incredible writer! Such talent- I could look at these all night.
Thanks for sharing!
The photographs in the post give us a good feeling of winter and I can recapitulate the winter season that just passed. I enjoyed the snowfall and even I saw the frozen lake. Its just really wonderful and there are no words to describe those feelings.
I love photography and your photos especially. I also like to go outside for photo shooting session after a hard working day at my web design office. Anyway, I never get such pictures like yours…
Thanks to everyone for the kind words. I’m so glad you enjoyed the images…and the story. And thanks to my family for putting up with these morning excursions.
this are very beautiful, thanks a lot .
please set more pictures.
Gorgeous!!!! I have a feeling this’ll be the background for my work computer for some time!
Jon
Simply awesome. The photos are extraordinary.. I now a big fan of blog.epa.gov
i think these pictures is really very beautiful.the winner is different.i like it.
I really love HDR like photos. It gives a punch to the colors on it and adds more contrast. Great post!
Great photos and also great photographer! All the pictures are so beautiful! Congratulations!
Regards,
Alejandro Garcia
wow…this pictures are look like someone’s perfect editing
Some lovely photos you’ve posted there. I would love to see some more. What time of day where they taken and with what equipment?