DANCING TREES

Entry Description: The image DANCING TREES was photographed in early morning when the sun's warm rays of light blended with the foggy mist, surrounding these beautiful oak trees, creating a kind of mystique or aura. the curved entwined shapes of the trees gave a look as if they were dancing, thus DANCING TREES was born. I used the Canon Elan 7 SLR Camera with Provia professional slide film and the Tamron 17-35mm f2.8 Wide Angle lens on a Bogen Tripod with Manfrotto Head.
About the Artist: My name is Linda Caldwell and I am a local photographer from the Santa Rosa, CA/Sonoma County Wine Country area. Photography for me became a passionate art form after my four children left the nest, giving me my own time to expand my creativity. Elements in my photographer's palette include light, mood and substance, with subjects of nature, landscape and creative art. For me, photography is comprised of unique moments of inspiration whether I'm shooting on a foggy morning, when the sun's warm rays blend with a hazy mist to surround beautiful oak trees, or capturing a single flower through the lens in beautiful soft focus. Taking my work into the digital darkroom of Photoshop allows me to add my own expressive interpretation as well. By using various tools and techniques I can unleash images from their once natural state to a totally altered creative design on my digital canvas. By using professional and custom equipment, I am able to complete my photographic experience from capturing the image to producing the fine-art print. I am a self-taught photographer who seven years ago began shooting with a Canon SLR film camera using professional slide film. A few years later I switched to the Canon 10D Digital camera and currently use the Canon 5D Digital camera with a variety of interchangeable lenses and filters. I print all my own work from image prints to note cards and postcards on my Epson Stylus Pro 3800, anything larger I use specialty fine art printers. I have been a member of the Santa Rosa Photographic Society since 2002 and exhibit and sell my work in several gallery showcases, various group exhibits, craft fairs, call to artists contests and photography publications as well as local fairs where I have collected several winning ribbons. I have produced and sold my personal calendar of selected images 2005-2008 to local stores and businesses. I was a California State and National Photography Winner in Kennedy Promotions of Williamsburg, VA, Best Of Artists Contest in 2007, and had 3 images published in their Best of Artists Book. I have been selected as a finalist for 4 consecutive years (2005-2008) for Photographer�s Forum Magazine, winning Honorable Mention in 2006 and 2nd Place Grand Prize in 2008. I went live in 2008 launching my new website and currently have 145 images for preview and sale. We all journey through life on a path, ever changing and growing along the way. My path has evolved to include a depth of spiritual, personal and creative growth, all intertwined together, to bring me to where I am today. My photographic perspective is not to limit myself to one style, but rather to look through my lens for mixtures of tones, textures or shapes that will create an unforgettable image with one spontaneous click of my camera. If I can bring others a sense of peace, serenity and/or a positive feeling of appreciation from my work, then I will ultimately have achieved my goal as a photographer.