Lauren Curtis Art - Journeys in Black & White and Beauty of Nature (35mm Photos) (c)1990-2009

After the Rain #10 (c)2008

Mon, 27 Apr 2009 22:55:20 UTC

This photo has an almost Asian-art feeling to me...kind of calligraphic. It really shows how the water drops cling to the entire plant creating a network of shimmery light. I also like the contrast of the bright purple-pink flowers with the deep green of the stems and background.

After the Rain #9 (c)2008

Mon, 27 Apr 2009 22:55:19 UTC

These last 2 images from the "Natural Abstractions" 35mm color film series are not double exposures, but close-ups of wild-flowers right after a rain shower (this part of the series is called "After the Rain"). The way the light glistens through the beads of water makes it look like the plants are covered with tiny jewels.

Canal Mystery 5 (c)2008

Mon, 27 Apr 2009 22:54:22 UTC

In #5 of the series, you can see the decay and re-growth that takes place in a healthy, natural environment.

Canal Mystery 4 (c)2008

Mon, 27 Apr 2009 22:54:21 UTC

#4 in the series centers around the beautiful, wild tiger lilies that can be found scattered along the path.

Canal Mystery 3 (c)2008

Mon, 27 Apr 2009 22:54:20 UTC

#3 in the series focuses on the large lily pads and the algae covering parts of the canal.

Canal Mystery 1 (c)2008

Mon, 27 Apr 2009 22:54:19 UTC

The next few images were taken while I was walking along the historic D&R Canal that runs through NJ and PA. It's a gorgeous, peaceful trail that leads through swamps, small ponds and, of course, the huge canal. There's such a variety of local plant and wildlife to be seen here as this path winds through woods and historic communities. I decided to shoot a series of 35mm color film, in-camera double exposures to capture the variety of wild plants juxtaposed over each other and to give a natural, abstracted composition (hence the name "Natural Abstractions" that I gave to a whole series of nature shots taken in this manner...these are the "Canal Mystery" photos within that body of work.) I love the element of surprise when shooting film this way! It's always exciting to see how randomness plays out after the film has been developed.

Canal Mystery 2 (c)2008

Mon, 27 Apr 2009 22:54:19 UTC

The 2nd in the "Natural Abstractions; Canal Mystery Series". This photo was accepted into the annual juried art exhibit hosted by Adkins Arboretum Gallery in Maryland in 2008.

Passageways1&2 (Entry & Exit) (c)2004

Tue, 21 Apr 2009 16:59:49 UTC

When walking through this NJ bamboo forest, I was transported into another world! The way the sun was lighting up the entryway drew me in but once inside, there's darkness with only beams of light coming through the thick stalks and dense leaves of these giant grass-like plants. I wanted to give the feeling of the entrance and exit of a magical place!

Solitude (c)2004

Tue, 21 Apr 2009 16:59:47 UTC

This giant "bush-tree", standing alone in the grassy field, really gave me an impression of solitude and peace. It almost has a surreal effect, especially with the ambiguity of the actual size of this tree. It's actually very large but this photo leaves that perception to the imagination.

Pinedrops (c)2005

Tue, 21 Apr 2009 16:59:46 UTC

The delicate raindrops clinging to the pine needles are a beautiful example of nature's beauty. I loved the way the light was reflected through each drop making them look like jewels.

London Tears (c)1990

Thu, 19 Mar 2009 19:50:57 UTC

I couldn't help but notice this melancholy statue when I was walking down a busy London street years ago. The weathering of this huge statue made the figure appear to be crying as she gazed down upon the city streets.

Guardian Angel (c) 2004

Thu, 19 Mar 2009 19:50:57 UTC

There's an old cemetery in central NJ that has an abundance of beautiful angel statues. This was the perfect site for a series of in-camera double exposures. I love how the statue seems to be floating down from the heavens.

New Orleans Street Musician (c)1998

Tue, 17 Mar 2009 03:09:35 UTC

At any given time in the magical city of New Orleans, you can find musicians and a variety of other street performers doing their thing! Here, a wandering guitar-playing minstrel was strolling through the French Quarter entertaining all who would listen.

San Fran Palace Diptych (1990)

Tue, 17 Mar 2009 03:07:19 UTC

Here are 2 more external views of the San Francisco Palace of the Fine Arts. This was a tranquil place located in the heart of the busy city. I felt like I was photographing ancient Mediterranean ruins!

Budapest Towertop (c)2008

Tue, 17 Mar 2009 03:07:05 UTC

I climbed endless steps to reach the main castle buildings in Budapest. This gothic-looking structure was made even more ominous by the cloudy sky behind the tower. I love the ornate details of the architecture and B&W film brings out the contrast of the forms.

Budapest Fiddler (c)2008

Tue, 17 Mar 2009 03:07:05 UTC

While strolling through the Budapest Castle grounds, I came upon this fiddler, playing for money from the tourists. He had such as old-world feel as he played against the huge columns of the entrance. You can also see some tourists looking down from the top of the archways, enjoying the music and some gelatti (sold EVERYWHERE in Budapest & it's delicious!).

Budapest: Column View (c)2008

Tue, 17 Mar 2009 03:04:56 UTC

Recently I traveled to the beautiful city (well, 2 cities) of Budapest. One of my favorite sites was the ornate Parliament building, which sits regally on the banks of the Danube. This shot was taken looking out between 2 columns located at the Budapest Castle. I loved how the columns framed the architecture across the river.

Budapest: Danube View (c)2008

Tue, 17 Mar 2009 03:04:56 UTC

The Danube, running through Budapest, looks as it must have hundreds of years ago. I felt this photo captured that almost timeless look of this historical area, and has an "old-time" postcard type of feel. Buda & Pest are connected by several majestic bridges and this image was taken standing on one of the highest points in the city.

New Orleans Street Musicians (c)1998

Tue, 17 Mar 2009 03:04:56 UTC

New Orleans is one of my favorite cities in the world! No place has it's mystical, magical feel, and the people are so creative and friendly! This shot was taken in 1998, obviously before the tragedy of Katrina. You could always find musicians, street performers, tarot readers and just plain fascinating folks linking the streets of the French Quarter. I only hope that this amazing city will soon be restored to it's former glory!

Mon, 25 Jun 2007 22:36:17 UTC

The interior of this bamboo forest in NJ transports you to a remote Asian location without leaving the US. There were NO special lenses or flashes used...the abstracted lighting appears because of the way the sun was shining through the stalks in the dense patch of bamboo, making an almost cage-like setting. This photo won an Honorable Mention award in the Highland Park (NJ) Annual Juried Art Fest.

Lauren Curtis Art - Journeys in Black & White and Beauty of Nature (35mm Photos) (c)1990-2009

After the Rain #10 (c)2008

After the Rain #9 (c)2008

Canal Mystery 5 (c)2008

Canal Mystery 4 (c)2008

Canal Mystery 3 (c)2008

Canal Mystery 1 (c)2008

Canal Mystery 2 (c)2008

Passageways1&2 (Entry & Exit) (c)2004

Solitude (c)2004

Pinedrops (c)2005

London Tears (c)1990

Guardian Angel (c) 2004

New Orleans Street Musician (c)1998

San Fran Palace Diptych (1990)

Budapest Towertop (c)2008

Budapest Fiddler (c)2008

Budapest: Column View (c)2008

Budapest: Danube View (c)2008

New Orleans Street Musicians (c)1998

Bamboo Abstract 1(c)2004