 |
| Lake Mills, Rock Mountain National Park taken by George Abeel, circa 1927 |
Great landscape photographs
really need no caption, no description, no context
to invoke wonder, awe, or reverence for the Earth.
Yet they are the product of a human eye
looking through a camera lens
focusing on the subtle details
of haze and sharpness,
lines and curves,
light and shadow.
really need no caption, no description, no context
to invoke wonder, awe, or reverence for the Earth.
Yet they are the product of a human eye
looking through a camera lens
focusing on the subtle details
of haze and sharpness,
lines and curves,
light and shadow.
<< Click the images to enlarge them. >>
 |
| Lake Mills, Rock Mountain National Park Source: The Internets, circa 2020 |
In the 21st century
technology has given photographers
new tools that produce images
with color, movement, density, and realism.
But it still requires a good eye
to see the play of reflections,
anticipate the movement of sunlight,
and frame the moment.
technology has given photographers
new tools that produce images
with color, movement, density, and realism.
But it still requires a good eye
to see the play of reflections,
anticipate the movement of sunlight,
and frame the moment.
 |
| Mount Assiniboine, Banff, Alberta, Canada taken by George Abeel, circa 1926 |
In earlier times a photographer
used cameras with limited focus
and film that could only capture
a narrow spectrum of light.
Most people only knew of exotic places
through pictures in sepia or black and white tones.
used cameras with limited focus
and film that could only capture
a narrow spectrum of light.
Most people only knew of exotic places
through pictures in sepia or black and white tones.
The locations were often so remote
that few humans had ever seen them.
These pioneer photographers
interpreted what they saw
and arranged their camera
to record a brief moment
in the Earth's fullness of time.
that few humans had ever seen them.
These pioneer photographers
interpreted what they saw
and arranged their camera
to record a brief moment
in the Earth's fullness of time.
_(14763358032).jpg) |
| Mount Assiniboine, Banff, Alberta, Canada by Walter Dwight Wilcox (1869–1949), circa 1900 Source: Wikimedia |
If they were successful the images of faraway places
inspired amazement, curiosity, and respect for the world.
Every new photo expanded our knowledge
of geography, geology, and natural environs
of an unfamiliar place.
inspired amazement, curiosity, and respect for the world.
Every new photo expanded our knowledge
of geography, geology, and natural environs
of an unfamiliar place.
Today I wish to introduce a photographer
whose work I have collected.
His name is George Abeel.
He was a talented musician
who played the piccolo and the oboe
good enough to earn a position
in John Philip Sousa's band.
whose work I have collected.
His name is George Abeel.
He was a talented musician
who played the piccolo and the oboe
good enough to earn a position
in John Philip Sousa's band.
I believe music was George's first love,
but his passion was photography.
As a young man he traveled the country
and hiked in some of North America's grandest parks
taking brilliant photos of their majestic mountains.
but his passion was photography.
As a young man he traveled the country
and hiked in some of North America's grandest parks
taking brilliant photos of their majestic mountains.
These samples of his camera work
are from his trips to Banff, Alberta, Canada;
Rocky Mountain National Park, Colorado;
and Glacier National Park, Montana.
are from his trips to Banff, Alberta, Canada;
Rocky Mountain National Park, Colorado;
and Glacier National Park, Montana.
 |
| Jackson Glacier, Glacier National Park taken by George Abeel, circa 1927 |
George developed and printed
these three photographs himself.
They are roughly the size
of a postcard, 5¼ x 3¼ inches.
But I have scanned them to enlarge the detail
and they are extraordinary beautiful photos,
the result of a fine camera
and a very skilled photographer.
 |
| Jackson Glacier, Glacier National Park Source: The Internets |
Unfortunately I don't have time this weekend
to tell the full story of George Abeel, the musician,
so this is more of an introduction
to George as a photographer.
to tell the full story of George Abeel, the musician,
so this is more of an introduction
to George as a photographer.
Stay tuned for the complete story
of George Abeel,
of George Abeel,
The Camera Fiend, Himself.
This is my contribution to Sepia Saturday
where a road trip can take you to amazing places.
