22. Magic

In his early work Alfred Stieglitz was one of the first photographers to take photographs in extreme weather conditions because he felt that it created the perfect pictorial approach. It was all in the name of atmosphere... to record the idea of suggestion and mystery rather that clarity in the image. Later his style did a 180 as he embraced the modernist aesthetic. He threw out the soft and fuzzy and concentrated on form and abstraction.

I was out photographing in extreme weather conditions the other night - a very rare instance for a LA native. It was late at night in the San Bernardino Mountains, just after a storm, and the full moon just broke through the darkness for a few moments. I was lucky to be in the right place at the right time... with an adjustable camera... and a tripod. This tree is illuminated solely with ambient moon light. The result is so surreal and magical. A blend between Stieglitz's two favorite styles. I am so pleased that I was able to make several photographs of the area before the moon was once again swallowed up by the storm clouds.