Ray McMullen Fine Art Photography

     Entering a Photography Contest was a hard thing for me to do. This meant I would be going head to head with other photographers to see whose final photo would be the judged, "The Best".      I found out quickly that doing this is more about the experience, than the win.  It gave me the chance to appreciate different photography styles and techniques.  After seeing the winning photo, I felt quite honored knowing that I was judged at the same level.  I like to  study the winning shot to find out why it won and captured the judges eye.       The above shot was my first entry into a contest. It didn't make much of an impression on the judges. Looking back, I see a lot of things I could have done better-- under exposed wrong angle for that time of day should have had less sky dust specs on the actual waterfall burn out on the top of the waterfall     ...and the list could go...

     Recently the phrase, “Look outside the Box” has been stuck in my head. I've been trying to figure out how I can relate this to my photography. But, I'd have to do something while shooting, that I would not normally do.       Typically, I like my photos a bit under exposed. I really like that dark quality the image takes in these types of shots, as seen below. I wanted to look outside the box and remember that there are no rules to taking photos. I really didn't want to do it but, I  intentionally  over exposed the below image. I knew it wouldn't be a keeper. When I got a chance to look at it on the computer, I liked what I saw. So, remember... ... never limit yourself or your photographs.  

      M aking a list of the places you want to photograph this year is a must do for every photographer.       There are times when I wake up and I have no idea where to go shoot. Making the list would be a great tool. This list isn’t a "wish list", it’s a list of local spots in your town that would be good to photograph, and you just haven’t made it there yet.  Maybe 10 or even 20 different spots.        The point of this exercise is to keep thinking of places that you could shoot, even if you already have shot there before. Think outside the box. Maybe, a different perspective, angle, or time of day. I shoot a lot in the same places but each time I go, I shoot a different angel then the time before. I want to come away with a different perspective each time. Below are 4 shots I took at the same waterfall. 4 Different angles and different times of the day or year.  So get your list together and ...

    Ever wonder how your favorite photographers capture those magical moments? Those shots were planned days, weeks, months, and in some cases years in advance. In may instances a photographer will keep a journal of conditions or times to revisit certain locations.      For me I plan my shots out to the next season. In the Spring, when I go to a particular location, I try to imagine what the Summer, Fall, and Winter scene will look like from that spot. I write it down and set reminders in a calendar a week or two in advance, to revisit that area. And, depending on the weather conditions this may even be a year or two away. Have you ever anticipated the bright colors of Fall to only wake up to a heavy rain fall? The leaves disappear almost over night.       Below are a couple of shots that it took me some time to get just the way I wanted them. From the type of light to the amount of water flowing over the waterfall. I by no means...

     I wonder if I am the only person that must take photos on a regular basis. If there is a day that I don't hit the shutter on a camera, any camera, I just don't feel like my day is done. I love it. I am addicted to it. It calls my name. It's like a drug. It is my passion.      So I find myself carrying my Nikon D3 around with me all the time. Given the size of this unit, not an easy thing to do for the past 3 years. My friends have given the camera a nickname… “Precious”. They know that she comes before a lot of other things, and she is very important to my sanity.      Precious and I have been through a lot. We get out on a regular basis and explore. I can hardly tell she is on my back when we are out there away from civilization. That is, until I get back home and my backs stiff from carrying the extra weight.      She and I work like a team, and she is a great partner. The photos that we...

In the below 2 photos, I wanted to see what would happen if I changed the F stop. The first shot is done with an F stop of 2.8  The second is done with an F stop of 22 To give a feeling of movement, longer exposures are needed and the F 22 makes this happen. From now on when I take a shot, I will decide what I want the photo to be. 

I love my color photos, but I have to say that I really like the emotion that the Black and White photos have. I took these photo wondering around Pensacola, Florida. You never know what you have until you get back home.

Today was one of those days that I wanted to go shoot, but did not want to deal with all that Spring Break craziness. I chose to just stay at the house. I found myself going to the garage a few times with no purpose, and not sure why I had even gone out there. The last time I did, I took my Nikon with me and decided to snap a few shots. I actually like the way that they came out.  Just having some fun around the house. It's been a good day.

This print is available in my Etsy shop. Ray's Perspective Etsy Shop Thank you for visiting.

Well, the weather has started to warm up. It will be a matter of time before all the Snow Birds will be returning to their sumer nesting grounds up north. That can mean only one thing...  those crazy adolescents will soon ascending on us, to create havoc and fun. This is the start of the Spring season on the Gulf Coast. 

I took this photo in Tennessee. My Dad found a great waterfall and wanted to show it to me. So we left his house at 3 am and headed for this fall. After arriving to the park, it was another hour hike in to the hills. Suddenly there she stood, I was speechless. After watching this thing for about a half hour, I took my camera out set up the tripod and started shooting. I owe a lot to my Dad for this. He planted that seed of passion for photography, that I still have to this day.

Well, today I took a foray to the Zoo. Our Zoo is really good and there are 2 species that I must visit every time I go. The Barn Owl, and the Giraffes. 

This was my first attempt at a Panoramic shot, and I though of no where that this would be appreciated more that a water shot of Pensacola Beach. I know that this is not a perfect shot, but given time I will get better at this.

I had often wondered what a firework detonation looked like the moment the shell went off. Last 4th of July I had the chance to find out. I wanted to capture the launch and the explosion in one frame, and freeze it. The above shot is what I got.  Prints of this photograph are available in my Etsy shop.

This was captured as I was going to put a parcel in the mailbox. Some times you just never know what surprises await around every corner. The goal for me is to be ready for these surprises all the time. This print is available for purchase in my Etsy shop.

I took this shot in Kentucky, with my trusty Nikon at my side. I was walking along the banks of a river and out of the corner of my eye, I saw it. Upon my return to civilization, I wanted to know what the name of it was. I located it on a map, known only as Eagle Falls. So there you have my accidental discovery of Eagle Falls. Prints are available in my Etsy shop.

I stepped out the front door and took this shot today. The computer has been going on and off for most of the afternoon. It must be a sign. That's all for today.