Soul Food
I’m quite sure that if you ask any outdoor photographer if he has a favorite place to shoot, he undoubtedly will tell you the name of the place, but also that he or she has a special “connection” to the area. One of the most obvious examples of this would be Ansel Adams. While all his work was brilliant, there was something extra special about his Yosemite images. You can almost “feel” his “oneness” with the park.
I actually have two different “favorite spots”, the first of which is Mohican State Park in Central Ohio. I don’t have a large amount of photos or paintings from there, but there is just some sort of peaceful connection with the park. When things get kind of crazy at home, that is usually the first place I’ll head to unwind.
The second spot is more photography based, and it is the Holden Arboretum in Kirtland Ohio. I have more photos and art from here than anywhere else. Yes, there are many beautiful gardens there, but also wetlands, forests, and even a river gorge. The Rhododendron garden is especially beautiful, and peaceful when sitting on a bench and taking it all in. A lot of my Holden shots have an empty bench in them, as if I’m inviting the viewer to share in the serene beauty of it all. After all, what good is self expression if you can’t share that feeling with someone else?