Bill Leyden's Blog

My neighbor called and burst out, “Look outside to the north.” When I did I said my thanks and apologies for hanging up and grabbed a camera. This scene is typical of the next 30 minutes.

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I never get tired of visiting the Joshua Tree Retreat Center. I guess in part because it was here that the Native American flute first appeared in my mind’s eye. John Stillwell is nearby this place, making the magic wands that are his flutes. Through the years, I have tried to capture the magic that is here. The following video attempts to do just that:

Joshua Tree Retreat Center – Inspiration in the Mojave Desert. from Bill Leyden on Vimeo.

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I have been intrigued with Shaina’s masks and have been asking for a chance to photograph her. She makes these herself and I assume that she has an active Halloween season. On of my favorites is the one with whiskers:

Shaina with Whiskers

Her best friend, Shannon came along and I couldn’t help getting her in from of the camera too!

Thanks, ladies!

What these images don’t show is that we are at the “Top of Winnetka,” famed lover’s lane spot in the San Fernando Valley in Los Angles. (I did not pick the location). May future lover’s beware that the location is now peppered with security cameras.

The image was made with Canon equipment, in 100 degree weather with fire ants rushing up my leg.

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Can I be more humbled listening to a good man from a slightly sooner time? Not often.

People Who Care, Prescott, Arizona from Bill Leyden on Vimeo.

Video made in support of People Who Care, Precott, AZ.

Music:
Song: Remembering Eire
Album: Grandfather Mountain Bear
◙ by Bill Leyden. All Rights Reserved.

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I love to make images of people who say, “I hate my picture taken. The results never look like me!” Maybe because I am one of those people. So I have tried to approach portrait-making from a slightly different angle these days. There is not a week that goes by that I do not think of my late photographic mentor, Monte Zucker. His timeless lighting and posing techniques are the holy grail of his students.

I have tried to take that appreciation for the light and look for the light emanating from people in love – to approach the portal of sentiment that made partners partners. This is a manifesto of the “Beloved” movement.

So I was grateful when Murry and Emma agreed to sit with me to explore their relationship. Murray was pumped; Emma was apprehensive. “I hate my picture taken,” she said on cue. (Usually it is the man who would rather be doing something else than making images).

Undaunted, I proceeded to invite them to explore the timeless nature of their love. I am glad we did. But I must admit that I got so wrapped up in the story, that I forgot that I had a camera with me, and more importantly that I was supposed to be using it!

Murray and Emma

After telling Murray where he and Emma could review the images, I arrived home to find this email:

“Bill, I don’t know what to say. All the words I can think of seem trite. They are beautiful. I think that 4,11,14,15 are particularly effective. The fragment of Emma’s full smile and twinkling eye in 14 are heart-stopping. In 15 you have captured the image that has lived in my heart for the last thirty years and more.

By the way, “Beloved” is something we often call each other, even if somewhat tongue-in-cheek when we are exasperated.”

"My 30+ Year Dream"

I love it!

My heart-felt thanks to Jesh De Rox and members of the Beloved Collective for sharing the pathways to the Portal.

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It should come as no surprise to anyone that Bruce Dorn is a Canon Explorer of Light. He is one of those truly magnificent image-makers who needs no instrument to find the light. Ask him for assistance in any lighting situation, and he will instantly say something like, “why don’t you try ISO 160, F 4.0 at 1/1000 sec.”

And of course it will be perfect.

While shooting in interesting light with just your typical Sedona subject matter, I couldn’t help noticing that whatever I was shooting must not have been as interesting as what was going on upstream, for the two men my senior in the background could surely trump my wisdom. So I made this image to remind myself to try to keep a wide perspective.

Must be great haps upstream!

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What a treat to be invited to Willits, CA to spend some time with Kitty and Creek. These are two fascinating people, that make a very special pair. I was honored to be in their home to make an image that fills me with emotion:

Kitty and Creek Norris

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Wow! What a gorgeous day at Hermosa Beach!

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Some of my favorite images of healers, healing and the healed.

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One of the unique places in the Western States:

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