Salute

WORLDWIDE

Pinhole Photography Day

Pinhole image of sign on the Madison River.  Sensor dust and all!

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.. For the moment, we have dispensed with the arcane accouterments of fly fishing for the even more tedious tools of pinhole photography.

Aluminum Pinhole on Digital Camera

.. The slow pace, deliberation and preparation is, on occasion, good for the soul.
.. Be it a digital sensor, film, or paper that is exposed, the image is soft and often ethereal. Certainly it is not in keeping with the contemporary aesthetic of super sharp, violently colorful, and post processed to the point of crisp sterility.
.. There is a small resurgent community of photographers that are exploring the limits of the "portable camera obscura." Cameras range from beautifully made precision instruments to such items as Altoid tins, Oatmeal boxes, Sardine cans, and other 'everyday items.'

4x5 pinhole film camera. Photographed with a pinhole camera.

.. The pinhole camera phenomena are parallel to but separate from the toy camera craze that is sweeping the world, (other than the U.S.A., Japan, and a few other gadget-oriented cultures.)
.. Recognizable images of social events are produced and cherished for their spontaneity, crooked framing, soft focus, and idiosyncratic nature of poor or shifted colors.
.. For many aficionados the images are far more engaging than the postcard sterility of most of contemporary photography.
.. There is even a growing body of artists and "serious" photographers that has taken the form to extremes. Large prints and original images on paper are making their way into art galleries and salons around the world, (including the U.S.A.)

Pinhole Soup Can

.. The Museum of Modern Art engaged German artist Michael Wesely to capture the new building with a 34-month-long pinhole image of their new building, (LINK.)
.. Perhaps it's not too surprising that some of the same things that attract some people to fly fishing also attract some of them to pinhole photography.
.. No matter how good the caster of the fly, there is a certain indeterminacy about it's landing and result; the same for pinhole photography. No matter what the speculation about the fish on the end of the line, the same indeterminacy exists until it is landed; the same for pinhole photography. Etc.
.. Pinhole photography is frequently dismissed as: faux photography, gimmicky, diffuse, ethereal, poorly focused, or aimless - so too fly fishing.
.. For now, we're continuing our exploration of the technique. We've dabbled in it, (and fly fishing,) for over half a century - no need to stop now.
===> Pinhole Resource
===> Pinhhole Gallery
===> Handmade Photographic Images

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Firehole in Midway Geyser Basin in Yellowstone National Park - Pinhole Image.

Let There Be . . .

ANTS !!

Fine Crop of Formica obscuripes Forel, the Western Thatching Ant - Madison River

Edict

NO QUESTION ABOUT IT

Firehole River - Park Opening

a seldom mentioned location

The Transmogrification

AWAKENINGS IN THE PARK

Waters Flowing Cold & Clear

the very same but different

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.. As winter's mantle lifts from the west side of Yellowstone National Park the waters look the very same as we left them - but different.
.. A couple of snags have shifted slightly, some banks have fallen in. a tree or two has been uprooted, a thermal feature has encroached into the Firehole River, and not a few boulders are in different places, OR GONE. Yet, on the whole, it's comfortably familiar.
.. Spring, so far, has been cool and the waters are clear. Visibility is easily as much as ten feet on the Firehole River. It's just a little less on the Madison River, and maybe just five feet on the Gibbon River.
.. As the weather warms changes will respond to the increased flows and there will be more to note. Already there are changed weed beds and new sand bars. The dynamics of the rivers ensure that change will be constant. Over the long winter the changes are are noticeable, but boarding on the insignificant. On a day to day basis they often go unnoticed. By the time a decade or two has been tucked under our belts, (if memory serves,) the waters are new and fresh and foreign.

.. We spent the weekend, on and off, cruising around the west side of the park.The low snow pack has given us access to the water's edge in more places than usual for this early in the year. Green is already spreading along river banks at the water's edge. The Artemesia, never completely buried in most places this winter, is already past the gray-green stage and moving toward the light olive color of Summer.
.. Fish were rising along most sections of the rivers. Midges and some big mayflies were on the menu. We watched for quite some time as the Spring Smorgasbord was devoured. The bugs seem bigger and earlier than usual - but then we wanted them to be.
.. The two-toned ants have already built hives as tall as a foot and two feet in diameter. Blue birds and cranes have taken up residence. The geese have consorts and some have nesting spots. As cool as it's been, Spring seems well along on the west side of Yellowstone National Park.
.. The bison have moved down to the fresh blades of grass along the roads and out to the periphery of Hebgen Reservoir. The sparse herd of elk is loosely scattered in the yet unflooded meadows along the Madison River. They look good with very few ribs showing.
.. Eagles and the first of the pairs of ospreys are already in place. No robins yet. very few visitors as well. The raimbow of spandex has sprouted and bicyclists are as numerous as the cars - more so perhaps.
.. We'll keep an eye on the park waters for the next month or so and then go a catching: runoff permitting.

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Previews Of Coming Attractions

LOST WEEKEND

Slow Cruising

we'll let you know

Speingtime In The Neighborhood

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.. We're in Yellowstone National Park for the next three days. Checking on the waters - they're still there.
.. It's tough work but we're compelled to do it. Reports as time allows.

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Retreat

Quick - Read This

NPS RESCHEDULES OPENING DATES

Just Three Days To Go

revise your plans

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.. Due to low snow and a warming trend in the weather, Yellowstone National Park will open the roads on the west side of the park on April 19, 2013. That's a week earlier than previously scheduled. To say the least, we're pleased. Fishing is starting as regularly scheduled.

Read the official news release HERE.

.. Expect some rain and snow and hail, and wind, and bison, and elk, and bears. It should be grand.
.. Restrooms will be open. Pay at pump gas at Old Faithful. Regular services, (such as visitor centers, etc.) begin on or about April 26, 2013.

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