These landscape photographs and photographs of Ithaca waterfalls are centered on the beauty of Upstate New York, near Ithaca, New York. The forests and waterfalls offer ample subject matter for art in photographs. The Ithaca landscapes reveal wonderful abstract qualities of form, texture and color. The abstract photographs are based in these natural forms.

A.S. Hnatko -

Photographs


ASHnatkoDesigns Fine Art landscape photography centers on the beauty of the landscapes around Ithaca, New York and the many waterfalls which add to the variety of the Giclée landscape photographs to be found in these galleries. The Ithaca landscapes reveal wonderful abstract qualities of form, texture, and color. The abstract Giclée

 

Autumn storm brewing at Robert Treman State Park.The Landscape Photographs

These galleries contain photographs of landscapes captured on countless rambles through upstate New York, especially around the Fingerlakes region near Ithaca, New York. The landscapes around the Fingerlakes allow for making fine art Giclée prints of photographs at all seasons. The contrasting palettes of the changing seasons add to the beauty of the Ithaca landscapes. In Landscape Gallery 1 there are mostly the spring and summer photographs, while in Landscape Gallery 2, the brilliant colors of autumn are followed by the gentle cloak of winter. The thumbnail photograph to the left shows the beauty of an autumn storm gathering in Robert H. Treman State Park (in Ithaca) just below Lucifer Falls. The fine art photographs in these galleries show a variety of upstate New York landscapes, from long-distance views to close-up details that express the essence of the Fingerlakes region. The landscapes around the Fingerlakes region invite the taking of photographs as a fine art.


Taughannock Falls on Mid-Summer's Day.The Waterfall Photographs

These galleries of waterfall photographs display the special quality of the Fingerlakes region, especially near Ithaca, New York. As well as waterfall photographs, there are landscape photographs showing the approaches to the waterfalls, which can be as breathtaking as the waterfalls themselves. This photograph is of Taughannock Falls on Midsummer's Day - the only time the sun actually shines on the waterfall. The various galleries contain photographs of Buttermilk Falls, Ithaca Falls, waterfalls in Cascadilla Gorge, Taughannock Falls State Park, Robert Treman State Park (also known as Upper Enfield Glen) along with other waterfalls around Ithaca, New York, and some a little farther afield. Some of the topography surrounding a particular waterfall can make difficulties in taking an effective photograph of it. Buttermilk Falls is a prime example of a difficult landscape in that it flows toward the west-northwest with a high hill to the south, leaving the waterfall in deep shadow most of the day. It takes persistence and skill to capture, but once accomplished yields a piece of fine art to grace your home. It seems almost too obvious to say, but capturing a good photograph of a waterfall is my passion.


Alert for New Giclee Vignettes

Click the link for a series of lovely small Giclée prints that arrive ready to hang almost anywhere without the need to frame. These can be framed like an oil painting if that would look best on your wall.

ashnatkodesigns.com/GicleeFineArt10.htm


My newest Giclée prints represent another reality created from the landscapes I have photographed. I am using my Facebook page to display them.

Facebook.com/AshGiclee


Please "Like" my Facebook page by double clicking the "Like" under the banner photograph. Thank you.


Silhouette of two trees, in black and white.The Muted Palettes Galleries

This contains a group of photographs, either in black-and-white or Sepia, plus a number of other photographs so muted that they belong in this category. Many consider black and white photographs to be the only photos to be considered as fine art photography, depending entirely upon the clarity of line and form. This landscape photograph, "Two Trees in Winter," was taken in Ithaca, NY, on the south end of Cayuga Lake. The aspect of black and white photography that most appeals to me is the interplay of negative space with positive space (the subject matter). Although not strictly a black-and-white photograph, Snowstorm off Buck Road, lets you see how the negative space of the white sky flows into the positive space of the snow-covered barn roof. Another landscape, Pearl Grey, allows the foreground snow to flow up into the pale sky. Both of these landscape photographs were taken early one morning on the way to the Ithaca Farmers Market where I sell my photographs in the summer. Depending mainly on line and form, they fit nicely into even the strictest definition of fine art photography.


 

A photographic portrait of daffodils against a black background.The Flower Photographs

This gallery seems self-explanatory, but you may find surprises here, especially in the studio portraits. The flower photographs in these galleries exhibit a somewhat different approach to a beloved subject. In the first gallery the photographs are presented as if the flowers were being shot in a portrait studio. Care has been taken in the arrangement of the "bouquets" and the lighting has been severely controlled to present a formal composition reminiscent of a still life painting. I used backdrops of silk cloth which complements the delicacy of the flower petals and gives a subtle texture to the backgrounds. These flower photographs fit perfectly into either the traditional or the contemporary home. The "In Your Face" Gallery, as suggested by the name, has close-up photographs of some of my favorite flowers. This concentration on the details of the flowers opens a new appreciation for both the flowers themselves and the art of nature.

 

A photographic portrait of daffodils against a black background.Giclee Canvases

Giclee is a French word pronounced "dgee-clay," and should have an accent aigu on the first "e." These photographs (often landscape or waterfalls) are printed on fine art canvas. They are either self-framed by wrapping the image around the edges of the canvas stretcher, or framed in a unique method I developed that complements the image. The photographs are printed with a fine art printer and treated with a UV-blocking finish that allows them to be hung without glass. The Giclee process produces a wider gamut of color gradations than other printing techniques. The result is a brilliant photograph that invites the viewer to enter the scene. This process is exceptional for bringing out the best qualities of photographic art. Art galleries use Giclee printing to reproduce their collections for the public. For further information on the process, click here.

 

The Long View Photographs

Here you will find a number of panoramic photographs of both landscapes and waterfalls. The horizontal photographs look stunning hung above a couch or desk - or as one collector did, over a fireplace mantel. The vertical panoramas can give the illusions of a doorway open to the magical view of a waterfall or woods scene.

 

In viewing the various galleries you will find that many overlap each other in subject matter. Some spring photographs could fit into the waterfalls category and flower photographs would be appropriate in the landscape area. Just as in life, it is difficult to draw hard lines.

 

The Prints

These photographs are printed on fine art paper, artist's canvas, or archival photographic paper using the newest pigment-based ink technology. These Giclee prints exhibit an exceptional spectrum and depth of color that has not been available until the past year. As well as brilliance of color, the purchaser will receive a work of art that will last for generations. The Giclee prints on canvas receive additional UV-blocking coatings and can be hung without glass protection giving a more intimate view of the art print.


Fine Art Photography

The very phrase, "Fine Art Photography," can start an extended debate that will touch on each of those words. The phrase may well come from a past attempt to differentiate certain items from other items produced for utilitarian purposes - art versus craft. I tend to think that every man made object has a combination of the two elements. The major difference is how close the object comes to either end of the continuum.

 

The question of whether landscape photography qualifies as "fine art" is usually answered as "It depends . . " The majority of the interested public, however, agrees that certain categories of photographs can be classified as fine art. But when you consider that many photographs coming from newspaper or magazine assignments are considered so excellent as to be art, I guess it all boils down to quality.

 

For a more extended discussion of photography as a fine art click here.

 

On the side, I also get involved with helping friends to make web sites for their own
artisan businesses. The one I'm working on now is quite interesting. The owners have a sheep dairy and sell their cheese at the Ithaca farmers Market. I plan to go uot there to photograph the farm and their work horses to add to my booth at the Ithaca Market.

 

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