Joseph Gaines Photography

"Shibumi IV" Elegant simplicity. Effortless effectiveness. Understated Excellence. Beautiful imperfection.... This is the fourth in my series of images that invoke feelings of what I understand to be, "Shibumi".

"Nature is an Artist" This is another photograph from my trip to Lone Pine, CA, in December 2020. When I made this photograph, I felt a sense of calm and peace. It was cold but I didn't feel the need to hurry back to my car and get warm. I was completely immersed in the moment.

"Excuse Me, While I Kiss the Sky" I made this photograph in December 2020 in Lone Pine, CA. This mountain range is east of Lone Pine. Keynot Peak is part of this mountain range. My good friend, Heidi Short was with me on this trip. The title of this photograph is a part of the lyrics from the song, "Purple Haze" by Jimi Hendrix. It seemed appropriate for this photograph. Be well and stay safe.

"In the Middle" I made this shot during a trip to Lone Pine, CA in December 2020. We stopped along Ca State Route 136 near a narrow bridge that passed over the Owens River. I was on the South side and Heidi Short was on the North side. This is what I saw, I liked the contrast between the orange colored reeds with the snow resting on top, and the barren trees in the background. Be well and stay safe.

"Dr. Martin Luther King Jr." Given that today is a National Holiday in honor of Dr. Martin Luther King Jr., I feel that posting a photograph that I made during a trip to Washington DC in 2019 is very appropriate. One thing I know for sure, he would say that we have a lot of work to do in this country that I love. We must do better. Be well and stay safe.

"Layers and Depth" In this photograph, my hope is that you can see what I saw. Feel what I felt. And appreciate the beauty that can be found in nature.

"Quiet Symphony" Everything was coming together for what I expected to be a vibrant and colorful sunset. I had my composition and my camera set up as I desired. Then nature showed me who was in charge. Shortly after this, the light and color faded away. Still, I'm glad that I was able to make this shot. Its very good to be back in San Diego.

"Serenely Smooth" I made this photograph on Bowens Island, South Carolina. I hope you enjoy this photograph as much as I did in making it. Be well and stay safe.

"Calm" Especially during these times of strife, it's important to be mindful and find a sense of calm. That is what I felt when I made this photograph. Be well and stay safe.

"Holding On" I wanted to show Cypress Gardens from a different perspective in making this photograph. I noticed this small tree among tall Cypress, resolutely holding on to the few leaves that retained fall colors.

"Clarity" This is another photograph from the Cypress Gardens in South Carolina. The yellowish patterns on the surface of the water is actually floating moss as well as shadows. I used a shutter speed of 20 seconds to get the smooth glassy look. Enjoy.

"Dream a Little, Live a Lot" I made this photograph while on a row boat at Cypress Gardens in South Carolina. It isn't easy dealing with the boat wanting to drift away from where I wanted, but I managed to get it done.

"First Rays of the New Rising Sun" I finally got up early enough to photograph a sunrise here in South Carolina. I made this photograph at Folly Beach. I hope you enjoy this photograph as much as I did in making it. Be well and stay safe.

"Stoic Motion" Movement and stillness are polar opposites and yet they work so well together. I made this photograph at Folly Beach in South Carolina.

"Arthur Ravenel Jr. Bridge" As you can see in this photograph, the sunset on the evening of October 5th didn't disappoint. Upon arrival at this location, the sky didn't look like it was going to do anything special. Shortly after the sun dipped below the horizon the light show began and the whole sky lit up with vibrant orange. The clouds did their part in adding needed texture and depth.

"Immersive" There is so much to see in this photograph and even more that we can't see. Everything you see and can't see, is inter-related and dependent on each other. There is a message in what I wrote. I made this photograph at Old Santee Canal Park in South Carolina.

"Beautiful Turmoil" I made this photograph at Safe Harbor, Charleston, South Carolina on 09/25/20. I hadn't seen a combination of clouds like this before.

This dramatic sky was an unexpected gift that I wasn't going to neglect. I made this photograph at Safe Harbor in the City of Charleston, South Carolina.

"Deliverance" I see rocks covering the beach that make it difficult to walk on. Leading to larger jagged rocks that can be very precarious. Beyond them, I see smooth, peaceful inviting water that would guide you to deliverance from all of the darkness, illness and fear that we are experiencing.

"Morro Bay State Park" I made this photograph during a week long road trip to Santa Barbara and Morro Bay. The unusual color in the sky was caused by smoke from the fires in Northern California that had drifted south

"Shell Beach Bluffs" I made this photograph from the Bluffs above Shell Beach in San Luis Obispo earlier this month. The view is certainly something you should see in person, if you're ever in the area.

"Allure of Morro Bay" Patience was rewarded in the making of this shot. Initially the clouds weren't in this position. They were located in the distance to the left of Morro Rock. We noticed the wind was moving them in the right direction. We decided to wait and hope they would be in the right place before the sun was below the horizon. It all came together nicely.

"Memories of Morro Bay" I just got back from a five day trip to Morro Bay in Central California. The morning, I made this photograph was influenced by the fires in Northern California. The smoke mingled with the mist on the water. I decided to embrace what the elements presented me and use it in a manner that suited my vision. This shot is from Bayshore Marina Park in Morro Bay. #MorroBay, #California, #Sunrise, #Clouds, #Reflections, #BayshoreMarinaPark

Sometimes, the photographs that I make, need to be left alone not processed or shown until the time is right. Over time, how I see a given scene has evolved over the years. How I would process a photograph has also evolved. I made this photograph a little more than 3 years ago during a trip to the State of Washington with my good friend, Carri Schlade.

"Nature is an Artist" I see all of the elements in this photo are united in not the most obvious manner. Sometimes unity is easily discernible other times, it requires introspection, context and deep contemplation. What do you see? I made this photograph at the tide pools at Cabrillo National Monument on 08/03/20. This is an exposure of 20 seconds.

"Lake Cuyamaca Blues" I made this photograph at Lake Cuyamaca on 07/23/20. Remembering how I felt as I stood there looking at this scene, I felt calm, serene and in a good place.