I feel so blessed to have been able to photograph Wyoming's Henry Ranch gathering of their Corriente cattle and calves! And create images like this!
Woot! Such an incredible family and their friends!
Can't wait to show the rest of what I captured of these incredible Cowboys and Cowgirls!
Amanda Smith Western Photographic Artist of the American West.
Wyoming Photographer
www.AmandaSmithWesternArt.com
Wednesday, September 14, 2016
Tuesday, March 8, 2016
Behold! A photographic surprise by Amanda Smith Wyoming Photographer
While out with our faithful and ever inquisitive Heifers on this cold winter's day, I
decided to get down to ground level with myself and my trusty camera, and snap a shot of them showing off
their inquisitive ways. Just as I focused in....this happened. She
walked right up through the middle of them, and just stood there.
 |
| "Behold" by Amanda Smith Wyoming Photographer © |
I was so surprised that I wasn't even sure what I was seeing at first! Needless to say this little peewee lamb got her own personally chauffeured ride back to her rightful owners on a ranch not too far from ours. Our Heifers had become her greatest protectors. What a beautiful lesson learned today, knowing that even while we are a frail little lamb on a cold winter's day, He will always help us find our way. :) ♡ ♡ ♡ Have a Blessed day, and stay safe and warm! :)
God Bless!
This is Amanda Smith Wyoming Photographer, Keeping you in the loop. Here's how we created Mystical Beauty.
This is Amanda Smith, Wyoming photographer of Amanda Smith Photography, and Editor of The Glenrock Bird Central Wyoming News, member of the Associated Press. The Bird Central Wyoming News, formerly known as The Glenrock Bird, brings you eight years of an incredible journey of reporting the news to you, the people.
I thought I'd log on here and give everyone a heads up as to where I'm headed and what I've been doing in my outside life. Its still an amazing journey in the news world out there and I hope you are enjoying it as much as I have been.
So for my little jaunt off to the side of things, I've ventured into a great world of creating. From candles to western photographic art, a rescue horse, a rescue pig and more. My husband and I are having an incredible time on this venture together west. :) Speaking of my husband, I wanted to thank him profusely, and from the bottom of my heart for always being there to help myself and my staff report the news to Wyoming, and the emergency alerts throughout the entire state, and for the countless nights and early mornings he spends with me gathering information, getting that information validated for accuracy and facts, and in assisting in making sure it gets reported on time. Thank you so much, Professor. I love you with all my heart.
Here is a little something that my husband and I created together, and I'd like to share it with all of you!
Here goes:
Once upon a misty morning a few weeks ago, my husband and I ventured out onto the back property of our ranch in Wyoming, where a reservoir had filled up completely from the the night's previous rain shower. The coolness of the Wyoming morning combined by the warmth of the night, and moisture from the much needed rain, created a mystic ambience, to an already gorgeous morning. And this photographer was ready to capture something amazing.
Grabbing my camera at o' early thirty, out we trekked. Off in the distance we could hear the soft nickering of our four horses coming down off the sage covered hill above the reservoir. It was a sight that moved both of us completely, and our creative juices began to flow. Quickly my husband took off his red t-shirt and moved towards the inquisitive and slow moving animals that once worked these very lands as cattle movers. Placing his shirt around the neck of Whip, his quarter horse, he gently walked him over to the island that sits just adjacent to the reservoir. The other three horses; Josh, Beggar and Blackie, all lumbered along behind Whip, lining up in sequence behind their faithful leader. It was as if each of them knew we were about to create a masterpiece, and in the early, beautifully diffused, sunlit light of this softly fog layered morning, we did just that.
With a quick removal of his t-shirt and a snap of the red material in the air, with no other sounds to be heard, all four horses moved into action running full speed ahead across the sand covered island. With Whip in the lead and all four horses heads held high, it was a sight to behold that absolutely took our breath away. Across the island Whip ran, farther and farther away from the other horses, who, as if knowing, slowed down their speed while watching the beauty of the chocolate and marshmallow colored majestic being that is Whip.
I knelt down while simultaneously pulling my camera up to my eye in one fluid movement, and as I looked through the lens, following the majestic movements of this incredible animal, I felt that familiar emotion in my heart. A wild beating as though someone had plunged a needle of adrenalin deep within me. SNAP! One shot... SNAP! two shots... my breathing quickened as this beautiful animal made his way towards the edge of the reservoir and SNAP! I felt it... that "Knowing I just got the shot" feeling that only a photographer who shoots from the heart, can experience.
Hoofbeats drowning off into the distance of the sage prairie he ran on, Whip continued on his race towards the horizon, head high and black mane and tail whipping in the lightly misted, morning breeze. Josh, Beggar, and Blackie following lightly behind as though they too, were aware that a masterpiece had just been created.
wyoming, horses, fog, amanda smith, photographer, mist, morning, nikon, zoom
Mystical Beauty © 2013by Amanda Smith, Professional Photographer, Wyoming All rights reserved.
I photographed this incredible and surreal scene with my Nikon D700 using a Nikkor 24-70mm f2.8 lens set at an ISO of 200, a range of 70mm zoom, 0 exposure (I just left it alone) at f7.1 and 1/200 of a second. It was the perfect setting to capture this incredible moment. I didn't want a lot of light to come in, as I really wanted to still be able to capture the details of the scenery through the mist. So even though the morning was dimly lit and the light was diffused by the fog, I went with 1/200 of a second so that I could let less light in, and chose f7.1 to allow enough time for light to enter my lens while still maintaining a good amount of clarity (sharpness) in my image. I do think I could have gained a bit more clarity (sharpness) had I set the f stop to 11 and the timing of light entering my lens at 1/100 of a second ... F11 would have allowed an even sharper image. But I was concerned about my shutter at 1/100 of a second being open too long to cease the movement of Whip as he ran across the sand (I could be wrong, its just my experience and my humble opinion, not any unwarranted advice.)
I think the final creation turned out excellent and the only thing I would have changed was to have been much closer (about another 25 yards closer) and backed off the zoom some, which would have allowed a bit more sharpness to the image once I blew it up to 20x16. Either way it was a great shot, and studying the settings afterwards, and comparing them to what I could have done, was a great way for me to better understand a unique setting such as this dimly lit and diffused, early morning sunlight combined with a fairly dense fog.
And that my friend, is the key to becoming a better photographer. So let today's banter remind you that this is a great way for you to "study" what masterpiece you've just created, and understand exactly why it worked.
Doing so will ensure you are always at the ready no matter what setting you find yourself shooting in.
Consequently, as it turned out, had we waited another 15 minutes we would never have been able to create this shot the way we did. And there hasn't been a foggy morning since. And in this part of Wyoming, foggy mornings are few and far between. And therein lies the lesson that I learned this morning, always be ready because time runs out, and it runs out faster than you think. And as the old adage for me goes, a really good photographer can't recreate a really great shot, that was missed.
Happy Shooting and GOD BLESS!
Amanda Smith
Professional Photographer, Wyoming
www.amandasmithphotography.com
Shooting for Christ, Focusing on God ©
I thought I'd log on here and give everyone a heads up as to where I'm headed and what I've been doing in my outside life. Its still an amazing journey in the news world out there and I hope you are enjoying it as much as I have been.
So for my little jaunt off to the side of things, I've ventured into a great world of creating. From candles to western photographic art, a rescue horse, a rescue pig and more. My husband and I are having an incredible time on this venture together west. :) Speaking of my husband, I wanted to thank him profusely, and from the bottom of my heart for always being there to help myself and my staff report the news to Wyoming, and the emergency alerts throughout the entire state, and for the countless nights and early mornings he spends with me gathering information, getting that information validated for accuracy and facts, and in assisting in making sure it gets reported on time. Thank you so much, Professor. I love you with all my heart.
Here is a little something that my husband and I created together, and I'd like to share it with all of you!
Here goes:
Once upon a misty morning a few weeks ago, my husband and I ventured out onto the back property of our ranch in Wyoming, where a reservoir had filled up completely from the the night's previous rain shower. The coolness of the Wyoming morning combined by the warmth of the night, and moisture from the much needed rain, created a mystic ambience, to an already gorgeous morning. And this photographer was ready to capture something amazing.
Grabbing my camera at o' early thirty, out we trekked. Off in the distance we could hear the soft nickering of our four horses coming down off the sage covered hill above the reservoir. It was a sight that moved both of us completely, and our creative juices began to flow. Quickly my husband took off his red t-shirt and moved towards the inquisitive and slow moving animals that once worked these very lands as cattle movers. Placing his shirt around the neck of Whip, his quarter horse, he gently walked him over to the island that sits just adjacent to the reservoir. The other three horses; Josh, Beggar and Blackie, all lumbered along behind Whip, lining up in sequence behind their faithful leader. It was as if each of them knew we were about to create a masterpiece, and in the early, beautifully diffused, sunlit light of this softly fog layered morning, we did just that.
With a quick removal of his t-shirt and a snap of the red material in the air, with no other sounds to be heard, all four horses moved into action running full speed ahead across the sand covered island. With Whip in the lead and all four horses heads held high, it was a sight to behold that absolutely took our breath away. Across the island Whip ran, farther and farther away from the other horses, who, as if knowing, slowed down their speed while watching the beauty of the chocolate and marshmallow colored majestic being that is Whip.
I knelt down while simultaneously pulling my camera up to my eye in one fluid movement, and as I looked through the lens, following the majestic movements of this incredible animal, I felt that familiar emotion in my heart. A wild beating as though someone had plunged a needle of adrenalin deep within me. SNAP! One shot... SNAP! two shots... my breathing quickened as this beautiful animal made his way towards the edge of the reservoir and SNAP! I felt it... that "Knowing I just got the shot" feeling that only a photographer who shoots from the heart, can experience.
Hoofbeats drowning off into the distance of the sage prairie he ran on, Whip continued on his race towards the horizon, head high and black mane and tail whipping in the lightly misted, morning breeze. Josh, Beggar, and Blackie following lightly behind as though they too, were aware that a masterpiece had just been created.
 |
| wyoming, horses, fog, amanda smith, photographer, mist, morning, nikon, zoom Mystical Beauty © 2013by Amanda Smith, Professional Photographer, Wyoming All rights reserved. |
wyoming, horses, fog, amanda smith, photographer, mist, morning, nikon, zoom
Mystical Beauty © 2013by Amanda Smith, Professional Photographer, Wyoming All rights reserved.
I photographed this incredible and surreal scene with my Nikon D700 using a Nikkor 24-70mm f2.8 lens set at an ISO of 200, a range of 70mm zoom, 0 exposure (I just left it alone) at f7.1 and 1/200 of a second. It was the perfect setting to capture this incredible moment. I didn't want a lot of light to come in, as I really wanted to still be able to capture the details of the scenery through the mist. So even though the morning was dimly lit and the light was diffused by the fog, I went with 1/200 of a second so that I could let less light in, and chose f7.1 to allow enough time for light to enter my lens while still maintaining a good amount of clarity (sharpness) in my image. I do think I could have gained a bit more clarity (sharpness) had I set the f stop to 11 and the timing of light entering my lens at 1/100 of a second ... F11 would have allowed an even sharper image. But I was concerned about my shutter at 1/100 of a second being open too long to cease the movement of Whip as he ran across the sand (I could be wrong, its just my experience and my humble opinion, not any unwarranted advice.)
I think the final creation turned out excellent and the only thing I would have changed was to have been much closer (about another 25 yards closer) and backed off the zoom some, which would have allowed a bit more sharpness to the image once I blew it up to 20x16. Either way it was a great shot, and studying the settings afterwards, and comparing them to what I could have done, was a great way for me to better understand a unique setting such as this dimly lit and diffused, early morning sunlight combined with a fairly dense fog.
And that my friend, is the key to becoming a better photographer. So let today's banter remind you that this is a great way for you to "study" what masterpiece you've just created, and understand exactly why it worked.
Doing so will ensure you are always at the ready no matter what setting you find yourself shooting in.
Consequently, as it turned out, had we waited another 15 minutes we would never have been able to create this shot the way we did. And there hasn't been a foggy morning since. And in this part of Wyoming, foggy mornings are few and far between. And therein lies the lesson that I learned this morning, always be ready because time runs out, and it runs out faster than you think. And as the old adage for me goes, a really good photographer can't recreate a really great shot, that was missed.
Happy Shooting and GOD BLESS!
Amanda Smith
Professional Photographer, Wyoming
www.amandasmithphotography.com
Shooting for Christ, Focusing on God ©
Thursday, March 3, 2016
Does anyone really know how hard it is to rise above, and battle through the nay-sayers? I do. Took me awhile. Amanda Smith Wyoming.
Some people lack in courage to speak up, stand firm, or maintain their own opinions. They live and breathe to make sure they side with those who intimidate the most, so as not to stir conflict for themselves. Lest they too end up in the endless judgements of uneducated people conversing in small, but boisterous circles.
I mean, who wants to stand up for someone if it means they themselves might be looked down upon, right? Wrong.
You are allowed your own opinion, you do not need to make excuses for it, or downplay your own feelings just so you can stay within your comfort zone of the nay-sayers. They are not as strong as you think they are.
You do not have to distance yourself from people who are truly your friends, just because you fear being looked down on by the nay-sayers. They are not as loyal as you think they are.
You are not expected or even asked to forgive AND allow the forgiven act to continue to happen, and then forgive again and again and again. You, after forgiving, are allowed to distance yourself from that which you are continuously expected to forgive.
You do not need to let the expectations of others, weigh you down. You do not need to live your life for anybody else's approval but your own, and God's above.
If you are hiding just to keep the nay-sayers at bay, then climb out from behind your hiding place and raise your chin up to God, knowing that He is what matters, knowing that You are already perfect in His eyes, no matter what anyone else says, thinks or does. Come out from your hiding place knowing that He has your back, and start concentrating on YOU and the people around you who love you with consistency, loyalty, and without condition; and forgive (and then distance yourself from) those that can't, don't and won't.
Then take a deep breath, move forward with your day, and live your life!
I mean, who wants to stand up for someone if it means they themselves might be looked down upon, right? Wrong.
You are allowed your own opinion, you do not need to make excuses for it, or downplay your own feelings just so you can stay within your comfort zone of the nay-sayers. They are not as strong as you think they are.
You do not have to distance yourself from people who are truly your friends, just because you fear being looked down on by the nay-sayers. They are not as loyal as you think they are.
You are not expected or even asked to forgive AND allow the forgiven act to continue to happen, and then forgive again and again and again. You, after forgiving, are allowed to distance yourself from that which you are continuously expected to forgive.
You do not need to let the expectations of others, weigh you down. You do not need to live your life for anybody else's approval but your own, and God's above.
If you are hiding just to keep the nay-sayers at bay, then climb out from behind your hiding place and raise your chin up to God, knowing that He is what matters, knowing that You are already perfect in His eyes, no matter what anyone else says, thinks or does. Come out from your hiding place knowing that He has your back, and start concentrating on YOU and the people around you who love you with consistency, loyalty, and without condition; and forgive (and then distance yourself from) those that can't, don't and won't.
Then take a deep breath, move forward with your day, and live your life!
Thursday, February 4, 2016
Wild Wild West Contemporary Art by Amanda Smith and Laurie Justus Pace
Experience the power of the west as it brings together two unique artists in their first
annual Wild Wild West Contemporary Art Show. Worldwide acclaimed
photographer, Amanda Smith Wyoming, is hosting the show at her gallery/studio in
Glenrock, Wyoming; introducing to the west, internationally collected
Texas Equine Artist, Laurie Justus Pace.
The Show captures the heart of the west featuring the cowboy, the horse and the land. Through her photography, Amanda explores simple compositions woven throughout the west as well as the portraits of those living the life. Laurie reigns in the energy and passion of the story with colors bursting across her canvas. Her exceptional approach to express the movement and beauty revolves around her use of the palette knife with thick buttery oils.
http://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/wild-wild-west-contemporary-art-amanda-smith/1105796243#productInfoTabs
The Show captures the heart of the west featuring the cowboy, the horse and the land. Through her photography, Amanda explores simple compositions woven throughout the west as well as the portraits of those living the life. Laurie reigns in the energy and passion of the story with colors bursting across her canvas. Her exceptional approach to express the movement and beauty revolves around her use of the palette knife with thick buttery oils.
http://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/wild-wild-west-contemporary-art-amanda-smith/1105796243#productInfoTabs
Amanda Smith Wyoming Photographer on Photographing Winter in Wyoming
Photography in winter can be, lets be honest... COLD..., as in frigid cold.... especially in Wyoming. The winds blow on a regular basis, and that means the snow moves, a lot. This isn't really a bad thing for photography, save for the brown spots that are quickly uncovered when the snow is moved around. Having said that, there are still beautiful moments that can and should be captured on "film." I happened upon these Wyoming Snow caps while assisting my husband with moving our cattle. I always try to bring my camera along, even though circumstances that arrive with moving cattle, might not allow me to take it out and shoot. The cattle were moving so beautifully in a fabulous straight line that morning, that I decided to scout out a draw that we were near. That's when I saw these magnificent snow caps!
As my husband rode on up ahead, ensuring that the cows all stayed together, I stole a few precious moments and dropped down into the draw, so that I could quietly photograph the snow caps above me, from down below, at an upward angle. They were amazing, and the winds were blowing wisps of snow at the tippy tops of each snow cap in such a fashion, that it was absolutely mesmerizing!
I hope you enjoy these photographs as much as I enjoyed creating them! They are also available in my newest calendar for 2016 titled Winter in Wyoming, by Amanda Smith Wyoming Photographer.
www.AmandaSmithWesternArt.com
As my husband rode on up ahead, ensuring that the cows all stayed together, I stole a few precious moments and dropped down into the draw, so that I could quietly photograph the snow caps above me, from down below, at an upward angle. They were amazing, and the winds were blowing wisps of snow at the tippy tops of each snow cap in such a fashion, that it was absolutely mesmerizing!
I hope you enjoy these photographs as much as I enjoyed creating them! They are also available in my newest calendar for 2016 titled Winter in Wyoming, by Amanda Smith Wyoming Photographer.
www.AmandaSmithWesternArt.com
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| Snow Cap in Black and White by Amanda Smith Wyoming Photographer |
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| Snow Cap Mid-Drift in Color by Amanda Smith Wyoming Photographer |
Sunday, January 3, 2016
Wyoming photography and fine art by Amanda Smith
I love photographing anything, and everything that has anything to do with the American West. Striving for capturing moments as they are happening, I love being in the midst of a branding, cattle drive, rodeo event, you name it. Cowboys and cowgirls on the working ranch inspire me, so much so that I can feel a shot as I'm depressing the shutter button on my camera. Taking that shot to another level, I add an element of "Fine Art" to each of my images, making them not just a real, honest to goodness, authentic capture, but turning my photographs into art that even the most eclectic art collectors would love.
I travel as much as possible, across the western and southwestern states to capture the west as we all know and love it. The romantic part of it, per seh. I love walking into a restaurant and hearing someone yell my name out of familiarity from a previous visit, "Amanda! Welcome back!" And then to be shown a wall with a new art piece on it, screaming the west with an artistic flair. It makes me feel accomplished, and it makes me happy that someone out there loves my art.
I guess I'm writing this so that any of you who might think that they can't make it to a level of hanging art on walls of clients, you can. Take your art seriously, do it for YOU, the way you like it, the way you feel it. Don't do it for anybody else,create what's in your heart. Don't be afraid to put yourself out there, and don't forget to learn from your past, live beyond your mistakes, but learn from them. Ignore those who wish to destroy you, and last but not least embrace the Almighty Father, and have a keen understanding that He gave you this skill. Don't chase your dreams, if God gave the skill....capture them and turn them into works of art.
Good luck and God Bless,
Amanda Smith Wyoming Photographer
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