The World at Our Feet

Over the years, for some reason, I’ve gotten into the habit of looking at the ground when I size up a would-be photography site, particularly (but by no means exclusively) when I’m in a wooded setting.  This has produced approximately zero “trophy” shots; it has, however, generated a collection of what I consider to be intriguing images of the intimate variety.

Spring Forest Floor, Forty Acre Rock Heritage Preserve, South Carolina

Forest Floor Intimate, Coastal Trail, Del Norte Coast Redwoods State Park, California

Beach Stones, Au Sable Point, Pictured Rocks National Lakeshore, Michigan

These images, often filled with details and/or patterns, can produce a remarkably evocative picture of a place despite directly displaying only a tiny portion of it.

Fall Forest Floor, Morton Arboretum, Illinois

Driftwood & Beach Stones, Ruby Beach, Olympic National Park, Washington

Dunes Abstract Black & White, White Sands National Monument, New Mexico

I don’t often visit a location with this sort of image specifically in mind.  (An exception would be those occasions when my goal is to photograph what I term “flowerscapes.”)  And yet it’s remarkable how often I find myself indulging this secondary inclination.

Aspen Leaves and Grasses, Preacher’s Point, David Thompson Country, Alberta

Forest Floor, Auxier Ridge Trail, Red River Gorge, Daniel Boone National Forest, Kentucky

Fallen Maple Leaves Close-up, Blackwater Falls State Park, West Virginia

Perhaps the best thing about this sort of subject is that it’s almost literally always present.  You simply have to be aware enough to consider the possibility.

Leaves and Roots, San Miguel County, Colorado

Whirlpool black & white, Great Smoky Mountains National Park, Tennessee

Coos Canyon Intimate, Oxford County, Maine

I don’t think there’s a place I’ve visited for photography over the years where I haven’t at least considered a subject of this genre.  And more often than not I’ve followed through and produced the image…or images, plural.

Lichen Wall, Acadia National Park, Maine

West Rim Florals, Zion National Park, Utah

Ice Abstract Black & White, Dalton Highway, Brooks Range, Alaska

Clash of Seasons, Eagle Creek Park, Marion County, Indiana

What I’ve found is, once the idea of a ground-level intimate pops into my head, I become awash to the plethora of possibilities that exist all around me.  And that’s when the creative part of the photo experience really comes to the fore.

Seashells Black & White, Coral Cove Park, Palm Beach County, Florida

Olivne Pools Intimate, Maui, Hawaii

Sand Ripples and Beach Stones Black & White, Myers Beach, Pistol River State Park, Oregon

Just remember to look down every now and again.  That’s likely all you’ll need to do to immerse yourself in this wonderfully rewarding type of landscape photography.

Pink Canyon Abstract, Valley of Fire State Park, Nevada