More on the Farm

The busy'ness of holiday time has kept me away from the farms; I am anxious to return (hopefully this week) for each visit reveals a new secret. Here's one from the Farmer's Market a few Saturdays ago.

Onion Skin and Scale             by Sarah Brown

REURBANISM-a visual exploration into the social landscapes of urban neighborhoods

I have started a new body of work REURBANISM-social landscapes of how our society (many times my family)interfaces with our urban landscape, which often appears a suburban style. There is a cross over of lifestyles where once the Topographic Photographers  illuminated the suburbs, I see the melding of suburbanism into our inner city districts. This is especially poignant as we witness the struggle of our municipalities and the affects of the real estate market. I expected that as an adult I would witness evolving places, increased efficencies helping us adapt to social complexities, and illuminating progress. Somewhere on the road ahead, we will listen to Einstein, "We cannot solve our problems with the same thinking we used when we created them." 

On the Road Ahead                                                                    by Sarah Brown

Post Thanksgiving Thoughts

I had the opportunity to photograph a family over the holiday. Here's a favorite of mine that reminds me of love's unlimited energy to inspire.

Bert and Tilly Talking                                                                                                                                           by Sarah Brown

Bean Blossom-hidden beauty down on the farm

Bean Blossom on Green Cay Farm                                                  by Sarah Brown

One thing I love about documenting local farms are the hidden moments of shaded beauty. I saw this blossom leap off the vine at me. Delicate but strong to have shaken off the rain (it had rained all morning). The higher contrast helped the blossom leap off the paper. I shot this at 400ISO, 100mm fixed lense, fstop 2.1 (to really blur out the background). My conversion was to desaturate the image all the way, use the dropper to find the white balance, and adjusted the curve to push the shadows and darken the darks.

Early Mornings are for Farmers

There is something to be said for being up early(I was driving west before 5am) before anyone else. Quiet roads, artificial lights from overhead, and the darkness all seem to hold a special secret. For farmers, the early morning is just the start to feeding and gathering things in order for the day.
A big thank you to Martey for letting me shadow him through is morning before Saturday Market.
If you know a farmer, be sure to thank them for their long hours and devotion to feeding us well.

Under Orion's Belt

By Flashlight, Grapes for the Goats

Short Pause to Check Truck

Waking the Hens

Early Morning Walk Before Breakfast

In between rains at Green Cay Farms

Squash Blossoms on Green Cay Farm

Dragonfly Drying Wings

Even though the rainy weather slows down growth, Green Cay Farm was full of interesting life.

Doing it natural....

Eggs are produced according to season, sunlight, and food foraging. I was sure to be thr first in line for eggs this morning at the Delray Green Market. Heritage Hen- Eggs Lay'd in Delray are the best eggs I have ever eaten. I can no longer have any egg breakfast at a restaurant.  My taste buds are spoiled.

Here is a photograph from Heritage Hen farm, where free range truly means free to roam and forage. No de-beeking, no overcrowding, and no artifical feeds or lighting. How would you like to be crammed in a small house that has lights that go on when its dark out? I would move out right away.

I'm busy~Heritage Hen Farm, Boynton Beach                     by Sarah Brown

This hen is looking at me with that mothering eye. I used the natural light pouring in from the open doorway and windows. I shot this at 400ISO, 15sec at 4.5 on a tripod using a wide angle lens.
Remember I strive to do all my photographic manipulation in camera and the computer for printing.

Down on the Farm

Coming for Muddy Belly Rubs

Every Farm has a dog. This Shepard was cooling off his paws in mud, and then began playing with the hose. Everyone needs some cool mud.

Duck Eating 

This male duck was a quacker until the lunch wagon came around. Just like anyone, food pacified him. I am amazed by his beak and was able to get close enough as to not disturb him.

Farming in October

Heritage Hen Farm            Boynton Beach, FL

Brunch at Heritage Hen

Lunchtime under the Seagrape 

Free Range Rocks

All Goat

Florida's growing is season is well underway. My new work on local farming here in South Forida has official started. Last week, I was out on Nancy Roe's farm, Green Cay http://www.veggies4u.com/, and this week I visited with Marty at Heritage Hen Farm www.heritagehen.com.
I look forward to documenting their season and sharing the beauty that goes into farming.

Green Cay Farm    Boynton Beach, FL 

Corn Maine, Green Cay Farm

My Outdoor Office, Green Cay Farm

New Image

The rain has kept me still and at the computer writing. Good thing since the cooler weather will bring some great mornings photographing. The next few weeks will still be work from the Everglades.
My new work is in "processing." I hope to start posting the farming work soon.

Hidden Trail on the Lox River                                                  By Sarah Brown

Photographic Work

My personal goal for the remaining months of 2011 is to just post recent work. Sometimes when we working artists need to pay more attention to the buisness aspects of daily office work, we neglect why and what it was that inspired us to become working artists.
I hope to post a new image every week.
Special thanks to all my supporters, collectors, and collegues for their continued support.

Sunset over the Gulf of Mexico                                              by Sarah Brown

The Lox is Running Fast

I managed to squeeze in some me time on the Loxahatchee River last week.  I have never seen the water so high and running so quickly. Returning back up stream in a canoe certainly warranted the chile rellenos I had later. I am reminded about the extremes South Florida's weather brings with extreme drought that we had for most of the summer to lots of rain; although I hesitate for any celebration, the rain will begin to fill the aquifer again. We have a long way to go to get out of the red.

Swirling Water, Loxahatchee River                                                                           by  Sarah Brown

Here's a quote from the article link below:

"Developers and local governments no longer have to prove that there’s a financially feasible way to supply roads, sewers, parks and schools to new exurban developments. The legal definition of “urban sprawl” has been watered down to make it harder to prove in court that a project is sprawl."


http://blogs.orlandosentinel.com/news_politics/2011/09/how-floridas-new-growth-management-law-shifts-the-legal-playing-field.html?utm_source=feedburner&utm_medium=feed&utm_campaign=Feed%3A+news%2Fpolitics%2Fpoliticalpulse+%28Central+Florida+Political+Pulse%29


Check out some good news! Conservation easements benefit everyone and the land.

http://www.npr.org/2011/09/12/140403285/agency-takes-new-approach-to-save-everglades-land

Before the Storm

I was able to spend some time at the beach before Hurricane Irene blew by us. The colors were very blur and green this morning.

Lone Boat on the Atlantic                                                                                          by Sarah Brown

Local Small Farms are Florida's Legacy

Red Bib Lettuce, Green Cay Farms                     Sarah Brown

Did you know, in 2000, that about half of the land in Palm Beach County was still farmed? That's a lot of local produce. So why does my grocery cart seem to fill up with things from California?
My new work photographing local small farms begins in September. I always wanted to live on a working farm and am anticipating the project will be a satisfying addition to Wilds of My Home (my ongoing series of South Florida's remaining lands). Farming or even just a small backyard garden reduce our carbon foot print. Want to do something to help the earth and tastes good? Check our your community agricultural programs at your local farm, buy some containers and start growing your favorite things.
I am a longtime subscriber to Green Cay Farms in Boynton Beach, as well as, a backyard gardener myself.
Even though I can't grow everything that my family eats, we eat as local as we can. Although it is a green choice for me, the rest of my family will say it just tastes better. I hope you follow my year into the agricultural culture that remains in Palm Beach County and the farmers that feed us.

Rich in History, A Double Sided Treasure of Photographic and Cultural History

Lawrence E. Wills and his Flint 1927    Belle Glade, FL 

Since I am elbow deep into the Belle Glade Historical Society's photographic collection, I can unequivocally state that there is both the intrinsic value for the actual negative and print (or tintype, etc) as well as the historical record of Florida's native landscapes, the cultural illuminations, and the focus on agriculture. I am staring to feel that a return to agricultural as a sustainable food means(South Florida has 2 growing seasons and a long history of providing food through out the country.) and a sustainable economic industry. We all need food, every day. Palm Beach County was once a king agricultural mecca leading the economic trail to prosperity. I saw the photographs of inventions, acres of fields that probably fed some of us, and communties that started it all.

This is all leading to a new collection of historic photographs. I am beyond words over the collection that is both full of significant history of the land and settlement, but the actual collection is a photographic treasure.

If you would like more information about the collection, the Belle Glade Historical Society, and our mission; or you would like to assist with a donation please contact me for how to proceed:
sbrownimages@gmail.com

Here are some glimpse into the past(I captured using daylight bulb lighting and a copy stand):

Early 1900's view of the landscape around the southern part of Lake Okeechobee

Seminole's sailing their boats (dug out canoes with homemade sails)

Special Thank You to Steve for his continued efforts to care and over see the collection, and letting me a part of the process.

Vote for Clean Water in Florida

https://secure3.convio.net/nasaud/site/Advocacy?cmd=display&page=UserAction&id=1113

Click and Click for clean water....don't let the House of Reps vote away the Clean Water Act.

Florida needs our help.

Local Historical Society by Lake Okeechobee

The heat causes all kinds of cognitive therapy for my soul. With the wildfires causing a hold on my work out on Lake Okeechobee, I am collaborating with my friend and colleague, Chris Davenport, to assist Belle Glade's Historical Society with their historical archives. As a historian at heart, examining, archiving, cataloguing (OK this is tedious, I admit), these amazing photographs and negatives is very exciting. I find this exploration exceptionally profound since I have spent the last three years photographing the Lake.
Belle Glade is a small community that once thrived in the early years of farming and development of the Everglades Agricultural Area. The area is overlooked at a great spot for learning about early Florida and great fishing. The archives of photographs are evidence of a prosperous time with in the community, as well as  a glimpse of what the Everglades once looked like over the past century. And for those photographers-the archive is an amazing collection of photographic history, complete with negatives of all sizes, equipment, and boxes (and files) of photographs not yet examined.

I am asking for some assistance in acquiring archiving materials that are acid free-meeting museum standards. We need a dehumidifier, plastic sleeves, boxes, and canned air. All sizes are needed. General office supplies would also be helpful, but the archival materials are paramount. We are also seeking sponsors for the archiving process, which includes creating a catalogue database, scanning, and storing the materials. Additionally, we are looking for display cases, stands, etc for exhibits. A building to house the collection and display exhibits, both permanent and rotating, is in the works.
Please send any ideas or inquiries directly to me. In the coming months, we will have set up a website and a social media site for the Historical Society to take donations.

Sarah's email: sbrownimages@gmail.com

Travel Host Feature!

"Skyscrapers on the Loxahatchee" is featured in the current issue of Travel Host.
You can click on the link below and find the towering cypress trees in the table of contents, page 4.



http://www.travelhost.com/palmbeach-clubhouseliving/magazine/current-issue/#/4/

SBI Portraits is getting a new website

After some serious creative processing, my portrait website is undergoing some changes. This construction includes a new host site! While we are working on the new look, please email or call the studio for any samples. We will also be adding a page to the blog just for portraits. See what the heat does to our social media and websites!

Great Reasons for a Portrait:
1. Family visiting from out of town
2. Realizing how fast those children are growing
3. A new addition to the family
4. A new look for your self, for your business
5. Need an updated headshot for social media
6. A special occasion or event


Or even just because the memories are worth remembering.

We appreciate your patience as we spruce up and let our creativity shine.

Ocean Landscapes-samples from the portfolio

Fluid Movement, Gulf Of Mexico-NCaptiva Island                                              by Sarah Brown

This is one of my favorite prints. I love the way the water feeling slipping up over my toes and gently back into itself. I was highly influenced Mondrian, Rothko (an all time favorite), and even underpinnings of abstract reaslism. Summertime always sends me back to the painters...and the museums since Florida's summers are hot!

Office Buisness Photos

 I was out in the land of finance capturing these women at their best. I still feel the capture is my favorite part because I love the creating and act of portraiture.

Summertime in South Florida

I don't know about you, but I am ready for summertime. Yes, South Florida becomes a hot and humid environment, and the sand is so hot you can burn the bottom of your feet. BUT, the ocean comes alive beckoning me to cool off. The tourists and snowbirds have all returned home. The locals roam. It is almost as if the seasonal change brings an entirely new part of the tropical life. My summer field work can be buggy; although, I value my alone time with little interruption. Maybe I just enjoy the slower pace heat brings. There is something to be said for being still or at least moving slower. I think we become more present when we are not stretched in a zillion directions. Of course, mindfulness is my consistent antidote.

As I am looking forward to the swimming weather, my Oceanana portfolio is really coming together. Since I am such a stickler for presentation, I am creating 15 BW's and 15 Color prints that will be for sale individually and as a portfolio encased in a bound linen book(10 editions) . This has been a great portfolio to work on since I wrote a new course curriculum for those advanced tween and teen artists wanting to create a body of work, use as an application portfolio for the local Art Schools/programs, and for those wanting exposure into the process. I do offer this for adults as well.

HERE'S TO SUMMER:

May is here....

I am amazed by how fast the Spring went by. The summer humidity and heat are encroaching.
I always get a little melancholy around this time of year before mother's day, my sister's birthday, and summertime. My Pompano Beach exhibit is this Friday night from 6-9 at Grieght Spaces. Pompano throws a huge street party closing off the East Atlantic Blvd for walking and mingling. I heard they also have fabulous music. I'll be sure to post some photos from the evening.

We are prepping for summer with some late Spring cleaning. For all you photography collectors, I am cleaning out my drawers with some amazing prices. I have a lot planned of field work planned over the summer and need to make space for new work. Oceanana, my Ocean Landscape work, will continue to be exhibited locally. I am currently working on a book to accompany the printed work.

More to come of course so stand by for exhibit announcements and news!

Looking out over the Atlantic Ocean 

Talk Postponed: Join Me for a Talk on Family and Kids Portraits!

FYI: My Portrait talk is postponed due to scheduling conflicts. Please note I am available for short lectures on Family and Children Portraits as well as Portfolio Courses for students preparing for a review, school/Prof Association application, etc..

I am also preparing to teach a Woman's Workshop, Contemplative Photography for Kids, Project Design, and a few more still in the works. You can always host a course in your home or community room...




Hello to all! Spring is in the air, which means South Florida is getting us ready for the summer.

I have a few things happening in May to welcome summertime time!

Tuesday May 3rd at 11:30am at PB Tots at Downtown at the Gardens in PGA: www.PalmBeachTots.com
Topic: "I've got everyone together, what do I do now?" How to get those great portraits of friends, family and the  kids
I will give a short techinical advice and humorous tips on keeping everyone in check long enough to capture a wonderful moment. Bring your questions and let your frustration melt away!
Call Jaana at 561-366-7449

May Exhibit in Pompano Beach!

Check out Grieght Spaces (Like them on Facebook): Phone 954-788-9044 Website http://www.GreightSpaces.com
Location	2611 East Atlantic Boulevard, Pompano Beach, Florida 33062 Friday, May 6 · 6:00pm - 9:00pm

Greight Spaces Interior Design presents our 7th ‘Art on the Boulevard’ in correlation with East Village Uncorked Neighborhood Street Art Show. Our indoor venue will exhibit local artists and display works to be sold commission free. 
Live Piano music by the talented Christopher Siren owner of Siren Music School. We are grateful to have this studied & talented pianist partake in our event! 
Featured Visual Artists in May’s exhibit : Anne Marie Brown, April Beauregard, Carrie Bennett, Cesar Barroso, Daniel Lee, Glen Mayo, Jeremiah Jenner, Jessie Trinchard, Kathy Hunt, Katya Ostheimer, Reuven Ohr, Sarah Brown, Stacie Jordan-Warner and more.
We invite local art enthusiasts, community and businesses to come and enjoy an enchanting evening full of art, live music & light refreshments. Our mission is to assist local artists in exposing their work. This is a free event -- no door fee -- a non-commission venue for artists on display.
We look forward to seeing you at the Greight Spaces open gallery reception Friday, May 06, 2011 from 6:00 pm to 9:00 pm.
East Village Uncorked Neighborhood Street Art Show will take place Friday nights only, between the Intracoastal Waterway to Harbor Drive the First Friday of every month






I am pleased to be part of this upcoming show. Check out Grieght Spaces in Pompano Beach! 4 Photographs from Wilds of My Home will travel to the exhibit!

New Ocean Landscapes

I have been enjoying the work this past month. I needed a little Contemplative work after all the work putting Wilds of My Home together-which is going south for an exhibit venue. More to come. 

As you might remember, in my last posting I did break down my workflow since I do get a lot of inquire to my flow. If you missed it, be sure to check it out. 

And I have to mention that I will giving a short lecture on family portrait/children photography:

Tuesday May 2nd at 11:30am at PB Tots at Downtown at the Gardens in PGA: www.PalmBeachTots.com

Topic: "I've got everyone together, what do I do now?" How to get those great portraits of friends, family and the  kids

I will give a short techinical advice and humorous tips on keeping everyone in check long enough to capture a wonderful moment. Bring your questions and let your frustration melt away!

Call Jaana at 561-366-7449 to Register. 

Early Morning Fish

Early Morning Wave

Atlantic Fishermen

Sailboat on the Atlantic

Had to include this one color just to show how the light was that morning.

Sunrise over the Atlantic Ocean 

Ahhh Editing and Workflow

Seedpod Heartfelt Opening

What the heck do I do with all the images I have and how the heck do I go through them? Editing is crucial to creating a cohesive body of work. I include the amateur to the pro-no one is exempt. I load my images in Lightroom. For my personal and portrait work, this is the easiest route for me. I organize by date, which somehow my brain remembers when I was where photographing what. I suggest you ask yourself how to best organize for your brain. In Lightroom, you have an option to create catalogues or mini portfolios. I tend to create a new one or go right to an ongoing one, simply dragging and dropping the images. I premise this all by saying I have already set up a template for my metadata and keyword upon downloading. This makes my editing time significantly faster. I evaluate my images first by quickly going through the images-ranking as I go. Once at the end of the roll, I filter to only see those images I ranked. Again, I go through evaluating  each technical aspect of an image from composition to visual meaning to useage. Once I get down to the keepers, I process through Lightroom's Develop module. I set the correct White Balance (WB) using the dropper. Although I do have a series of steps, I experiment with all the options provided in the development tool until I feel I have reached a printing point. Often I will go into Photoshop (CS3 for BW and CS5 for color) to create layers using a combo of curve adjustments, gradient tool, and the history brush. My goal is to create visual depth with light and shadow and reveal or dim texture. I am for the preservation of my pixels and have non-destructive development techniques. This is very significant for me as I am a photographer, not a digital artist. Once I cross over into destructive techniques, I create a (beautiful or not) piece of digital art. I have some friends who are amazing digital artists. For me, I find my place is in photography-both within the capturing of a scene and through the process of printing.

Just a side note: I use CS3 for printing all my black and white images because I use a Quad tone Profile that has had some issues with compatibility in CS5. Otherwise, I use Lightroom to print my color work even if I do make adjustments in Photoshop. Believe it or not that is my work flow process. Some images take hours while others perhaps just one hour of processing. I will also add that as I begin to put a cohesive body of work together I print on a variety of papers to find the 'right' one. I do use luster or enhanced matte paper for proofing.

Next article: Preparing to make a photographic print....some old school rules applied to the digital work flow

Field Work days in Dupius Wildlife Managed Area

I hitched a ride out to Dupius Wildlife Area managed by South Florida Water Management. Great access roads and tons of areas to explore. Hunting season is on right now-so there are some time restrictions.
Special thanks to my friend Chris, his intern-Katey, and Jim Chutte for listening to my rambling questions and constant whoah's. Here are some images from the adventure of exploring the edge of the Everglades,where Lake Okeechobee once met land flowing easterly. Yes, we did discuss the different theories of the Evergaldes orig. hydrology and flow. Between looking at land scars via google earth and tramping through dry slough beds, I know we all had a great time.

Edge of the Everglades (Eastern most portion)

Rare Florida Iris (Lucky Find)

Deer Skeleton 

Jim and the Roots 

Ritta Island, Lake Okeechobee: prepping for field work

Ritta Island, Lake Okeechobee-all that remains of the Pond Apple Forest Belt that once ran from Port Mayaca to Clewiston (almost 2.5-3 miles of forest on the southern area of the Lake that was destroyed during the 1940's)



Since I am heading out for some field work next week, my mind has been pre-visualizing some of the photographs I know that are important scientifically and personally. I find I get so excited once I am emerged in the natural landscape that I need to bring a small list with me. I just tuck it in my pocket and am sure to write with a ball point pen or sharpie (both water proof). I also review the edited images from previous trips as a reminder of things I missed or technical settings I want to experiment with. Sounds like a little work? Don't let the ease of point and shoot cameras or even moderate DSLR's fool you. Preparing for field work is extremely important not only to ensure you have charged batteries and CF cards, but also to mentally prepare for any lighting/weather situation, animal encounter, and have a good list as previously mentioned.
The digital technology has eased almost anyone into photography. To be a pro, one needs to have the photography skills, confidence, and vision on a consistent basis with images that are dynamic. As I have stated before, we are lucky to have Photoshop, but in camera is where I make my decisions. The software is just there for white point balancing, curve adjustments, and sharpening. These are all basic overall corrections. When I make my prints, (yes, I still do my own, but that is soapbox I'll save for another blog) I still examine and correct as I did in the wet darkroom with burning and dodging using the history brush. I choose this method of workflow to maintain the integrity of my pixels and not destroy what's there.
More to come on workflow....

Moonvine Flower

Here's a Moonvine Blossom. Only a few were just getting ready to open. 

I hope the next time I am out on Lake O, the flower will still be open. 

The Studio is back to normal today. We enjoyed the preparations for the exhibit, and a couple days of some well deserved R&R. 

Gallery Opening a Great Success!

My gallery opening was a great success! Thank you to my friends and family for all their help. I had wonderful feedback and was so glad to meet some new friends.
I wanted to say a special thank you to Chris Davenport and Boots Boyer for going with me into the interior and sharing the wonders of Lake Okeechobee. I certainly could not have done the work without you both!

And here are the gallery views: Remember the show is up until the end of April at Pine Jog Envt Center off Summit Blvd in WPB.