Category Archives: Recent Shoots

places I went for shoots

Catching up

Aug
11
2011
by Corinna Stoeffl | 0 Comments

It has been quite some time since my last post. As you can see, my blog is now integrated with my web site, which has a completely new look and new galleries. Despite using a template, it still took time to create the new galleries and tweak everything. Here is a quick overview of what I have been up to and some new images.

In April, I visited family. Naturally, I had to try my rotational technique on the local subjects. Houses or villages in the landscape as seen from a high point will take some more experimentation. Sunsets, though, worked out well a few times.

Alpspitze 1.jpgWaxenstein 2.jpg

Then beginning May, I went to Moab to attend the Moab Photography Symposium. The old masters like Edward Weston and Ansel Adams were the subject of several presentations. Seeing the untouched original and the way Ansel Adams edited them was an incredible learning experience. I gave myself some extra days to photograph in the bigger area. Despite my enjoyment in creating the photographic mandalas, I still delight in ‘straight’ photography. Here are a few images of that trip:

Natures Rock Art.jpgNorth Window, Arches NP.jpgMill Creek 1.jpgWest Mitten 1.jpg

I just returned from a trip to California where I visited my children and some friends. One of them invited me to visit the Monterey Aquarium. I could not help myself and had to try some fish mandalas. Here are 3 images that I feel worked. It was not easy to pull off. The fish tend to moven, even if just a bit. And then, have you ever tried to take a photo with your camera upside down!

_-2-2.jpg_-2.jpg_-3.jpg

During my times at home, we had some incredible sunsets. With all the mandalas I have created, it is getting more difficult to have a new and better one. Here are two that I kept:

Sunset Colors 14.jpgSunset Fire 17.jpg

Last, but not in the least, I would like to hear from you what you think about the new look of the web site. Also, I would like to get back into writing about items, which are useful for you, the reader. So please let me know of your interests and questions. I have posted 2 articles, one about the technique and one about my creative journey under About and I plan on writing some more. This creation of the photographic mandalas and getting them out for others to see has been and will continue to be an interesting journey for me. I have begun to work with Mary Virginia Swanson, a consultant. Her comments and feedback led to the new design of the web site and the joining of organizations I would not have known about. I am curious to see where it all will lead me.

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New subject – new learning

Mar
08
2011
by Corinna Stoeffl | 0 Comments

On the way back on a recent trip, I stopped by the Grand Canyon. Since it was still February, it was my hope that I could drive the road to Hermits rest with my car instead of the shuttle bus. But the two days before my arrival, they had a blizzard with 14″ of new snow. Therefore that road was closed for snow removal. Somewhat disappointed, I ventured to 2 of my favorite spots: Mather Point and Yaqui Point. At least I had some snow along the rim, so there was the possibility to take new images.

Walking along the rim looking for compositions, I decided to try my new technique too. Since this was a new subject, I took a regular shot as a reference. This is now proving to be very helpful. There were some incredible surprises and also a good many duds. At least I can look at the images (regular shot – mandala) side by side and learn what the reasons might be for both success and failure.

I spent the night in the campground and then left early to get some sunrise images at Lipan Point. Before I could leave, though, I had to clear the windshield, but from the inside. With 16 degrees, the moisture in my breath created a layer of soft ice. I sure was glad that their bathrooms were somewhat heated 🙂

Enjoy the images. As always, let me know your thoughts.

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New Mandalas

Dec
03
2010
by Corinna Stoeffl | 0 Comments

As I play with creating mandalas, I am continuously surprised at the outcomes. About 2 weeks ago, I was at it again. This time, I had some of the landscape in the image and a completely new ‘look’ was the result. It took me a while to figure out what had happened. With the help of someone not knowing more that the very basic info on how I do it, a fresh way of perceiving the process came.

This week, I visited some friends and tried to apply the insights / understandings. Now the choice of location for the center point greatly influenced the images.

I am still oscillating between Burst 1 and 2 in regards to which one I like better. The same goes for Burst 5 and 6. So I would greatly appreciate any comments you have in regards to your preferences. Also, I would like to hear about your reaction to seeing these images. Are these Mandalas something that appeals to you?

I am looking forward to comments and thank you for sharing your perspectives.

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Fall Mandalas

Oct
15
2010
by Corinna Stoeffl | 0 Comments

With all the colorful aspen leaves around, I could not resist to take some more Mandala pictures. This time it was more difficult because I had to deal with all the little stems of the leaves. Let me know which one you prefer.

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Time flies

Sep
04
2010
by Corinna Stoeffl | 0 Comments

I can’t believe how much time has past since my last entry. Mid August, I visited some friends in California, among them one along the coast. We went out for a whale watching tour. Here are some images. There was some sun just along the beach, otherwise, it was solid overcast. Never the less, we had a great time. It is special to see the humpback and blue whales. They are such majestic animals. Although I never saw a blue whale at full length, the fact that in choppy waters, there was a completly flat surface where they went on a dive gave me an incling of their size.

Here are some images from the tour.

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Learning

Aug
02
2010
by Corinna Stoeffl | 0 Comments

Last week, I participated in a workshop taught by Eddie Soloway at the Santa Fe Photographic Workshops. It was an incredibly intense week with early starts (get up at 3am to be at a location for sunrise) and late nights. On the last evening, we got to see images from all 6 workshops that were going on that week and I was highly impressed with the quality of the images.

Out of all the possibilities, I chose to train myself in using only manual metering. I have to say, it will probably pay off very quickly since I need to do so much less editing in front of the computer. Then, there are all those ideas of how to take images, that I feel will take me a while to integrate. My plan of action is to go out and work with one of them , the next time with another. So over time, I hope to eventually have them all in my ‘tool box’.

Here are some images from the week.

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Mandalas

Jul
13
2010
by Corinna Stoeffl | 0 Comments

I have been working more with the multiple exposures in camera. The 2 images with the daisies intrigued me and the reaction of people to them was very positive. So I took many more images and am learning how the placement of the flowers in Nature impacts the final image. I tried to figure out a way where I could keep the central flower in focus, i.e. not have any camera movement there. I have not yet been able to do that. I may need a fancier ballhead for my tripod to accomplish this.

Here are a few images. Seems like I am working on a series of in camera madalas. 🙂

Let me know what you think. I am looking forward to hearing your comments.

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Multiple Exposures

Jul
07
2010
by Corinna Stoeffl | 0 Comments

As I said in my last blog, I am learning multiple exposures. This is not that easy and I am beginning to think that the 2 great shots were the proverbial beginner’s luck. There is so much that plays into it. If I want just the stippled effect that many exposures over each other give, the number is not playing that big a role, I just need 5 or more.

The images with the flowers are interesting. I rotated the camera while taking the images. I can see why a tripod is important for those kind of shots. It is difficult to hand-hold and keep the same flower exactly in the same place. I will have to figure out how to do this, since I have only about 25 seconds between shots, otherwise the camera turns off the multiple exposure setting.

I figured I try it also without me moving the camera on something that is moving. The effect is interesting. I am posting 2 images for comparison: one a multiple exposure, the other a long exposure.

Please let me know what you think about the images. Is something like this appealing to you? I’ll keep on shooting.

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Last week’s shoots

Dec
31
2009
by Corinna Stoeffl | 0 Comments

After all the hectic with the Christmas Fairs, I finally had time to go out and take pictures. I got one Christmas wish fulfilled on the 24th with a wonderful day of a snow covered landscape. On the 25th, I got a surprise present in the form of being the first person in Plaza Blanca: no human tracks!

I wish all of you the best for the New Year; plenty and successful photography

Here are some of the images:

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Winter is here

Dec
07
2009
by Corinna Stoeffl | 0 Comments

Last week, we had 2 days we did not break freezing and a low of 3 and 7 Fahrenheit. Naturally, I went to the creek and here are some of the shots I got.

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