THIS BLOG RETIRING TO THE LIBERATED PHOTOGRAPHER.COM

I have bitten the bullet and decided to build a dedicated website for this blog. I think it will be a better and more interesting site for you to visit. I will be offering the ever popular stories behind the taking of individual images, essays and interviews with interesting and talented people.

You are invited to mosey over to www.theliberatedphotographer.com and subscribe via e-mail. I'm thinking that there will be exclusive benefits for subscribers but I haven't figure that out yet. Heck, I've barely figured out how to build the site but it is up an running with 2 posts so far.

The next post will explain why The Liberated Photographer. 

So, hasta la vista and hope to see you there.

Kinsey Barnard

AN INVITATION

If you are coming to visit the great state of Montana this summer, or more precisely Glacier National Park, come see me at my gallery whilst you're here. Would love to meet and show you my work.

KOOTENAI SPIRITS

In 1972 Libby dam was completed forming a body of water that is today known as Lake Koocanusa. Before the dam there was the once beautiful Kootenai River Valley. In days gone by the Kootenai Indians spent summers camped along the river’s shores fishing, hunting and gathering what would be needed for the harsh winter ahead. It must have been an extremely lovely valley in those times.

The reservoir runs some ninety miles from the dam in Montana to the Canadian Border and into British Columbia. In order to maintain travel Highway 37 was blasted out of the shear granite mountainsides high above the reservoir leaving literal walls of stone. Over the years nature has wielded Her paintbrush on this great wound of stone creating, at least to my mind, works of art.

I freely admit I am a romantic when it comes to remembering days gone by and I further admit I have a very active imagination. What I see painted here are the spirits of the Kootenai Indians who once roamed and lived upon this land. Maybe some of the stains are from the spirits tears? Things change. Life is hard. That is just the way it is.

I wish for you to see what I see but even if you can’t it doesn't matter. I think you must agree this is truly a work of Nature’s art.

You might want to push back from your screen to get a better view.

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©Kinsey Barnard

BIG CREEK-2

You can either click on the above image or follow this link to the gallery view which is quite a bit nicer.

In Montana we have four distinct seasons. Three of the four seasons are magical to me. The exception is summer. I'm not a very big fan of summer. It's too bloody hot. Most of my friends love it. I run for cover. Summer is also the time when the greatest number of people come to revel in the many treasures of Montana which works out just great for me.

Spring is my second most favorite season, fall is the first. After the short, dark days of winter most of us are ready to get out and about. In spring Nature starts to shed Her winter mantle and new life abounds everywhere you look. The mountains begin to relax their tight hold on the winter snow and the creeks and rivers swell.

The above image was taken of Big Creek during spring melt. The water was racing down the mountain at an incredible speed and the roar that it let out gave me goose bumps. After dumping into Lake Koocanusa and passing through Libby Dam this water would rejoin the Kootenai River and ultimately end up in the mighty Columbia River. If you stop and ponder on it, it is an amazing thing.

"Big Creek-2".  Not a very imaginative name but I gave a different filter treatment to 3 images I took that day and numbering them was the best I could come up with. Number two just happens to be the one I like the best.

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©Kinsey Barnard

HAPPY NEW YEAR RAZZLE DAZZLE

 Well, another year has flown by, they really do go quicker the older you get. It's been a happy year and it's been a sad year. I lost my beloved Lakota Sunrise in February. Shortly there after I found a new joy in little Miss Molly Montana. I have much to be grateful for; I live where I want, in the wilds of Montana. I do what I want, chase the wonders of nature with my camera. All in all it doesn't get much better than this. If 2014 can be just as good as 2013 I will be a happy camper.

"Razzle Dazzle", the above image, was taken at Yellowstone National Park. It's one of the many geyser pools you can find there. What makes this image so special is the light. It looks like something from a fairy tale. Shooting rays maybe illuminating the way to a pot of gold or some other treasure? Just being present for this moment is treasure enough for me.

As 2013 fades into history I wish one and all a Happy New Year full of Razzle Dazzle!

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©Kinsey Barnard

WINTER GATHERING - A CHRISTMAS CARD

"WINTER GATHERING" is to me a Christmas card. Here at the ranch I feel as though I live in a Hallmark card, particularly in winter. This image is a perfect example.

It was just after a fresh fallen snow and I was slogging through my forest just looking to see what I could find. A forest is a living breathing thing and it is never the same from one day to the next. Even though you often can't see it, the forest is always in motion, always changing. My thrill is looking for the more subtle, often overlooked changes.

As I was pushing through the snow I looked up and the image you see is what I saw. Nothing subtle about this. It was one of the most beautiful sights I have ever seen. A band of mule deer does and their babies, one in repose, the others standing watch. You can see they are aware of my presence but seem to sense I was no danger to them. They looked right at me and we connected in peace an harmony.

At moments such as this I am lucky to even get an image. The pure beauty and simplicity envelopes me in such exquisite emotion I am nearly powerless to do anything but absorb it. In this case I was able to get a hold of myself and take the photograph. I'm sure glad I did.

So, this is my Christmas card to my clients and friends, my extended family and anyone who may stumble upon on this site. I wish you all a very Merry Christmas and prosperous New Year.

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Kinsey Barnard

KEEP ME CLOSE

It's the holidays and if ever there was a time to become maudlin this is it.

The above image is of a Big Horn ewe and her baby enjoying the warm sun, high up in the craggy peaks of Japser National Park. If you've not been, Jasper is a wonder. It is my favorite of the parks in Alberta. The opportunities to see wildlife are just the best.

For me, this photograph is the embodiment of the love between mother and child. I lost my mother in 2002. That was when I lost her physical presence. I had really lost her several years earlier to Alzheimer's. My mother was my best friend. We shared a wit and humor that I've not known with anyone else. She used to love to listen to stories of my adventures. I wish I had asked more questions about hers. I now have so many questions that will never be answered.

I was her youngest child. I think there is a special bond between a mother an her youngest. There certainly was between us. Until the day she died she was able to recognize me as her "baby". Despite the Alzheimer's she would sometimes reach up, hold my face in her hands and with all the love in the world say "You are my baby". If that's not proof love can transcend just about anything I don't know what is.

When I look at this photograph I don't see a Big Horn with her baby. I see my mother and I and I whisper softly"Mama,  Keep Me Close".

I will be using this blog to introduce "new" images , along with stories and musings to go with them. I will also revisit some of my favorites. If you're interested you can subscribe by e-mail. There is a box top right for the purpose.  Not to worry, I never see the addresses nor know who has subscribed. I value your privacy as much as my own. Enjoy!

©Kinsey Barnard