Paintnig With A Camera - Psychotropic Trout

Click to view larger image of "Psychotropic Trout"

This past week was a very special one for me. I created a new "painting" with my camera. For me, nothing is more exciting. Perhaps I should explain.

I believe the human urge to communicate through the creation of art is primordial and irrepressible. When I was younger I would have given anything to be able to draw or paint but even stick men were beyond my ability. It was very frustrating. But I got lucky. As a journalism major in college I was required to take a year of photography classes and that was when I found my Muse.

Back in those days (early 70's), photography was a very different medium and considered an art form by few. And, to prove the point, the curriculum was housed in the Journalism Department. I could not understand why photography was art's stepchild. To me it was nirvana. I learned a couple of years ago when I was invited back to speak that had changed and photography is in the Art Department where it belongs. The college, for those interested, was Cal Poly San Luis Obispo.

As photography evolved so did I. Eventually, I was no longer satisfied with taking pretty or technically correct images. I still yearned to paint. So my ambition became to "paint" with my camera. By this I mean create images that look more like paintings than photographs. I must be having some success as more and more people are referring to my images as “your paintings”. Monet without doubt is my inspiration as far as painters go. I like all the impressionists, but Monet, he’s my favorite. His use of color is beyond beautiful.

My other passion is nature. Eight years ago I fulfilled a life long dream and moved to Montana where I could endlessly pursue both my passions. I live in a national forest and Alberta and British Columbia are literally at my doorstep. In addition to trying to create paintings I try to show nature in ways not commonly seen. There is so much beauty in this world and much of it would go unseen if it weren’t for intrepid trekkers such as myself

“Paintings” are not easy to come by. In a year’s time, if I create 15 to 20 new works of art it has been a very good year. My “paintings” are my photographs, the rest are pretty pictures. Nothing wrong with pretty pictures, I like them too. In fact I have started a little online gallery at Imagekind precisely for those pretty pictures. I will be adding to those galleries as time allows. But, the “paintings” those are what excite me and inspire me.

Now to why this was a great week. Mother Nature allowed me to create a new “painting”! It’s titled “Psychotropic Trout”. What inspired me to inpired this post was a recent blog post at AVA by interior designer Lori Wawczak What's Hot and What's not for 2010. In it Lori talks about “modern contemporary” and paisley. It got me to thinking about my trout and how it seems to fit right in with those trends. Nature and wildlife photography doesn't have to be traditional.


For more information or to view more of my "paintings" please visit Kinsey Barnard's Fine Art of Photography.

Please Note: This an actual digital photograph of a rainbow trout swimming under water, not a digital creation.

Life is short ... be inspired!



©Kinsey Barnard Photography

Every Image Has A Story

For the past couple of weeks I have been immersed in a new project and when I get into something I am as a woman possessed. I have started a new blog. That's just what I need a new blog but there you have it. The title of the new blog is Every Image Has a Story.

When I decided to have an Internet presence for my limited edition photography Kinsey Barnard's Fine Art of Photography I was planning on writing the story for each photograph. Well, I have fallen down on the job badly and the majority still are without their story. It's so very easy to procrastinate.

But, one thing I have never been able to avoid is commitment. If I make one I am honor bound to respect it. I am obsessive about it. So, I think I have come up with a way to trick myself into writing down all the stories. By starting a blog I have a natural feeling of commitment to put something in there.

Then I got to thinking it could actually be something very nice for people and that was even a more motivating thought. These are very stressful times to be certain. We are skimming through life at such a prodigious rate we are not giving ourselves permission to savor life. There seems to be a collective obsession to dart from one thing to next as quickly as possible.

Nowhere is this more true than with viewing images. It's just boom, boom, boom and on to the next thing. Believe me am as guilty as anyone. But, my photographs are not meant to be glanced at they are natural works of art that should be really looked at in order to get the maximum enjoyment and benefit.

I have a theory. That will come as no shock to people who know me. I have a "theory" for just about everything. Anyway, the theory is this; A few moments contemplating a beautiful image, especially something in nature, can lower your blood pressure a point or two and increase your sense of well-being. And, when that image is accompanied by a short story it becomes even more of a momentary escape.

It struck me that I could motivate myself to get those stories written and provide something very pleasant for people to experience at the same time. What I have discovered is that I love writing these stories because it allows me to re-live these precious moments.

So, stop in for a visit Every Image Has A Story . It doesn't cost anything but I think you will find it has real value. If you agree sign up for my private e-mail notification.

Whilst I was writing this the lyrics to an old Simon & Garfunkel song kept playing in my head. It's from their song called "59th Street Bridge Song". The lyrics go like this "Slow down you move too fast. You gotta make the morning last." So, I say, slow down, take a deep breath and savor the good things in life. The other stuff will wait.


©Kinsey Barnard Photography

Courage and Connection

Courage. Dictionary.com defines it "the quality of mind or spirit that enables a person to face difficulty, danger, pain, etc., without fear; bravery."

The above photograph is called "Lily Pad Hunter". It speaks volumes to me about courage. In it a tiny American Pipit hunts for food on a carpet of undulating lily pads. The little bird was intrepid and fearless as it hopped here and there searching for morsels. I remember being moved by such a tiny creature all alone in such a great big world. I was so fascinated I nearly missed the shot. This is not uncommon for me. I often get so wound up observing I forget my mission as a trapper of moments.

Some would say that the pipit, being a bird, is not displaying any such thing as courage. It is simply doing what it does instinctually, mindless of any danger hence no courage required. I beg to disagree. We humans have an arrogance about us that, for the most part, denies our kinship with the animal world. Yet, my years of observation have led me to believe we are connected in ways yet to be fully understood or appreciated.

Many years ago I had the privilege of watching a pair of hawks come to the same nest five seasons in a row. It was like live theater. I was able to observe the complete cycle from nest refurbishment to departure. What I remember most is the utter amazement I felt, that first year, when I realized birds have to learn how to fly! I had always assumed they just knew how "instinctively".

The baby hawks would hop up on the edge of the nest, teeter back and forth and scream their little heads off in what could only be described as terror. It took quite awhile before the first chick had the "courage" to make the leap. Soon the others screwed up theirs and followed.

I'm uncertain that I know where I am going with this other than to say we are so much more connected to the natural world than most of us are willing to admit. I believe we are particularly connected to animals. Ask any marketing expert how to reach people and they will invariably say through emotions. Why? Because our emotions are who we are as individuals and animals are no different. I have observed in them love, tenderness, joy, terror, pain, jealousy, anger all the very same emotions we humans express.

It is said that we are more intelligent. This may be true although I sometimes have my doubts. But, on a fundamental basis we are more alike than different. Our so called intelligence is the very reason I believe we have a responsibility and obligation to treat all animals with kindness and care.

©Kinsey Barnard

Photography: An Art Form

As one might imagine, I am passionate about Nature. To be able roam this great land and observe Nature in all its magnificence is a gift beyond measure. If there were no cameras I would do it anyway. But, there are cameras so I try and share with you that which I see.
I see the natural world as one huge canvas filled with living art.

When I started out in photography, some thirty-five years ago, it was pretty much considered a science not an art. I have never wavered in my belief that, in the right hands, the camera is the equivalent of a paintbrush and every bit an art form. I continue to try and prove my point with my own camera.

The above photograph is a very simple picture of a loon floating on Pyramid Lake in Jasper National Park. From my point of view the image is not so much about the loon as it is about the water. Don’t get me wrong. Loons are incredibly beautiful creatures and their call is one of my three most favorite sounds in the wild. (The others being the howl of the wolf and the bugle of an elk.)

I don’t know if you can really see it in this photograph, you might want to view it here Canada Loon. Make it as large as you can. The color and the texture of the water make this photograph appear is if it were a painting. The rich blue and gold colors swirling on the water would often be missed by the casual observer. It is very exciting for me to be able to capture this with my camera and share it with those who appreciate the artistry of nature as I do.

©Kinsey Barnard