Peter J. Crowley

Fine Art Photographer

Community, Humanity grow well at the Olympia Farmers Market

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People blooming in my rectangle at The Olympia Farmers Market.

A bowl of Pozole just delicious and a great subject at Los Tulenos July 16th 2021.

Spinning wool at Iron Wool Works June 24th 2021.

July 16th 2021 These two were sparkling laughter raining on all as I made the images.

July 16th A warm story she is telling me as her mind is fills with memories. We share a moment. 

Pausing for a portrait in between laughs and memories. A tough decision what to post?  The answer was use 3 of the many shots I made. 

Me you want a photo of me. Yes I do an image made. I’m pleased and hope he will see this and feel the same. The image always the image no longer shooting for publication I neglect to get names. 

July 31st this man and I struck up a conversation Jazz, photography, art, life. There is a bit of ham at the market he laughed as he was “Styling.” We chatted as friends picking up the banter from the last time we spoke. Like an old friend who I had never met. 

Eyes isn’t that what it is all about? My first visit to the farmers market June 24th after a long cold winter of no travel out side my apartment it was spring. I could go out and make portraits of people, portraits of life. Evan in a mask these eyes have so much to say.

July 16th Emily Jack at OlyKraut.com. The light at the market is low but my subjects burn brightly.

Across the street he stood and he played real good on his flute for free. Altered quote from Joni Mitchell. Basking is a hard way to share your talent we stood and listened he was very good.

Be it 1968 in my youth or this summer the mating ritual is the same. A bad composition cutting the feet without negative space but I was lost in my feelings of youth. The image happened quickly and was gone much like youth. 

Entering the market are bricks engraved with the names of market supporters. Those who back this island of humanity and peace. Thank you everyone my creativity grows with each visit and the food is grand. peace

Elma Washington a Summer Afternoon

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A trip to another Mill town. Walking new streets I have seen before.

This one being a Lumber Mill. Two towns actually Elma and McCleary. This on the road out of Elma but I found more compelling images in Elma. 

Reflections of days gone by suit my seeing.  Stories seen in the layers of downtown. In both towns tales of boom and bust told by residential homes sections that were built at the boom time all very similar. Then another group built 10-20 years later. 

Downtown repurposed store fronts some with false fronts like a western movie. But here it is life past and present. Thrift shops pot shops and wood pellets. Friendly people 90% wore masks and greeted us as we strolled through town. 

Eloquent detailed mosaic speaks of better times. 

Peace can be found among the Goldenrod’s, the sun and the breeze. Breathing well Nikon in hand strolling. Seeing  a blend of  memories, emotion a moment happens when I depress the shutter. The moment, the emotion is complete to share with you. 

The Bank of Elma sits waiting for the next boom, restoration life. Many moments this day present, past,  joyous, sad woven into humanity.

Seek the highlight as I do but also see the shadows without which there would be no highlight. 

peace

 

March, April and May Quarantine Walks in Carlyon North

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Spent seventy three days in the neighborhood could not even ride with my caregiver to the market and wait in the car.

Here is a sample of what I saw.

March

March 23rd Safeway in the rain. Last trip to the market.

There is this tree on Carlyon on the right in this image on March 25th. That tree that I see an image there but I have yet to bring it out. My friend Arnold Prince a Sculptor used to say the figure is there in the stone you just have to bring it out. 

April

April Third my basil was a subject to study and eat. 

April 10th another tree this one more operative. This from the first time I saw this tree. I had not been here at this early hour as the sun crept around my image.  The image jumped out no pondering.

Tulips April’s delight this from the 13th in Tumwater. 

Shadows dance in the breeze. April 15th as I learn my new camera. I have been a B+W artist for most of my creative life. In 2017 my eyes started to not work as well manual focus didn’t work. Since then I have been trying to get the emotional feel in a digital image there is an edge to film. I’ll get it soon enough.

The beginning of new growth spring new life. April 25th 

May

Shot as an image to convert to B+W why? The green background has plenty of tonal range getting these subtle variations to hold in B+W. May first that was what I endeavored to learn. Every day the strolls are a self taught class.

May 8th I walked over to do the dishes, plan canceled. The twins next door were playing in great light! A half dozen images  download to computer post process. Smiling I start something else but three hours later I get up to make dinner and oh those lunch dishes.

Poppies back light May eighth. These also a neighbors her flowers are often my first stop out the door. 

The Fence is another subject with maybe 200 images made. Stretching around the corner always with a tale to tell. Will the restored or replaced fence speak to me time will tell. There are many unspoken  stories to hear. May 17th 

My Columbine May 16th on a dark misty morning. A great time to try my 70-300 very heavy slow lens. So it’s just a test I will learn a bit more about this tool. A shutter speed that by rule of thumb says will show my shake. Okay rule broken, a younger self I broke this rule often but at 70 bending down I was thinking the rule will win. It did six times but I made seven exposures. For this 1 out of 7 works for me.

White flowers hover over a Blue Plane saturation contrast creating the flight. May 22nd  an alternate reality.

So I have been released so June for now will have to wait. It is almost seven and there are lunch dishes to to before dinner peace