A NW Sense of Place

It is really good to be back in the Pacific NW. It has been over 9 years since we have lived full time in the region. In honor of being back, I have been spending time reading and reconnecting with the "lay of the land." An excellent book on the natural history of the region is non other then The Natural History of the Puget Sound Country by Arthur Kruckeberg. This is a wonderful and exhaustive volume on the Natural world and really gets one to think about the macro and the micro of the region.

In reading Kruckeberg's book, I also became familiar with the NW photographer Mary Randlett. Mrs. Randlett is apparently well known for her portraits of NW artist such as Graves, Toby, and Tsutakawa. She of course also does landscape photography and many of her images are included in the book. In an internet search for her work, I came across a recent book of landscapes entitled befittingly "Landscapes." I am going to ask the local library if they will get a copy. A quote she mentions that is important to her process is " Those who are willing to be vulnerable move among many mysteries"-Theodore Roethke

In the past, I have generally shied away from big glossy books of color landscape photography. Now that I am back in the NW, I cannot seem to get enough books on the region. The Cascades: A Natural Heritage by Scott Ziegler is a tasteful book documenting the Cascades. The photographs were done primarily from 1979 to 2003 (or so) and were shot in 4x5 and 8x10 chrome. The book includes text that is educational in learning about the various regions and history of the Cascade Mountain Range.


My 2 year old son Asher and I have been learning about our own natural history in our immediate neighborhood. We have been collecting plants and labeling them. Many of the plant are familiar, while others are new. So far we have identified over 8 different species of trees within 100 yard of our house, and some 20 plus other plants including Asher's personal favorite, Salmon Berries.

DeHart and Sons, Photo of Plant Identification chart, 7.2008

Summer Reading

Over the past few weeks I have been reading, or re-reading Ansel Adams book The Negative. It is an exhaustive technical guide on producing negatives using the Zone System. I have been learning and re-learning a good deal from it. One of my projects this next year is shooting black and white landscapes and what better source then to go to the master for technical advice. I suppose in many circles, Adams is not in vogue these days, and yet his influence on both the art and craft of photography is insurmountable.

Ansel Adams, The Negative

I only first heard of Adams series of books after undergrad (1994) when I was working at the Pike Place Market in Seattle. I briefly worked for a photographer, peddling his tasteful black and white photos of the region. I was not so good at selling his work, though Robert Bennett was a good guy and he loaned me one of his Adams books on the print. I have not seen nor talked to Robert in many years but I did notice that he is focused full time on his woodworking business. http://www.whidbeywoodworkers.com/artisans/rbennett.html

Ansel Adams, The Print (thanks Robert)

Unlike most photo graduates ( I did not get a degree in photography, until my MFA) I did not learn about nor fully understand the Zone System until I was teaching a large format photo course, designed by photo faculty Paul Mckee, at Prescott College in Arizona. Paul studied with among others, Frederick Sommer (who lived much of his adult life in Precott). Teaching large format in Arizona was inspiring and memorable, though like many things in life, did not turn out the way I had envisioned.

I am getting primed to begin shooting here on Orcas and in the San Juans. I have almost pieced together a makeshift developing room and am putting the final touches on updating my photo gear for landscape shooting. There is plenty of inspiration on the island and now I just need to find the space to begin, or should I say, continue, our adventure here. I have actively been shooting on Orcas for over 6 years now. During the summer of 2002, we spent 5 weeks on the island and I began shooting black and white with a view camera. Since then, we have returned every year for at least a few weeks or more. For several years I shot color with my medium format. This last year I returned with field camera. Most of the work I have generated on Orcas thus far has not stood the test of time, though I was happy with some of the images from the last visit in Jan. of 08.

Obstruction Pass, Pigment Print, Edition of 10, 16"x20", Edition of 5, 24"x30", Jan. 2008, Dennis DeHart