8 thoughts on “Saragun Photo Gallery by Christopher J Ananias”

  1. Christopher

    These are breathtaking. There’s something mystical about an Owl and the Bird at the top reminds me of Grace Jones (or Patti Smyth as “The Warrior”). They all seem aware of you and willing to pose. Great work once more!

    Leila

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  2. Ananias

    You have an indigenous, truly mystical way of connecting with your subjects and you show that making pictures is about MUCH more than snapping photos – the artist must be in tune with the creatures or things he or she is focusing on, for starters.

    And that sense of “being in tune” comes through strongly in these classic pictures.

    All of these are great but perhaps my favorite is the young rogue raccoon. His gaze is “worth a million words” and it speaks of more than simple curiosity and caution, although those are there too.

    The way you’ve captured the birds’ eyes here, too, is amazing! We always think of birds having wings, feathers, and voices, etc., but perhaps less often do we think about their eyes. And yet, the fact of a bird having eyes is utterly amazing. You capture that lifeblood here, the connections on the tree of life.

    The good photographer needs at least two other main qualities: Persistence and Profusion (that’s one) and Selectivity; or, the Passion to be excited enough to take many pictures; and the Artistic Sense to understand (and see) which are the best of the best.

    You have it all! Exciting work! Kinda like a modern day Johnny Appleseed for the Ages, say I! Your sympathy with God’s creatures comes through and you’ve captured their beauty for sharing with the world.

    Barrigar

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  3. chrisja70778e85b8abd's avatar chrisja70778e85b8abd says:

    Hi Dale

    Thanks for your perceptive comments!

    Glad you like the raccoon they are pretty cute. He or she does have a kind of bristly pose. It does seem rogue with his bandit stripes. lol.

    That’s a great observation about the birds’ eyes! That’s how we value a lot of pictures. How clear the eye is, or if it’s even open. They have an almost translucent membrane like a third eyelid that looks like a cataract. I just looked it up and it’s called a nictitating membrane. It sweeps horizontally across the eye removing dust and dirt. The wind I think is the problem.

    Yes their eyes can be spectacular. It’s impressive that you pointed this out! They move around so fast a person may go their whole life and not really know what they look like with the naked eye. Especially these days with people drowning in texting or phone watching.

    Yes it takes a lot of persistence. And it’s true without a passion to get out for any kind of outdoor photography the skill can lose its sharpness. Like gauging the sun and which way the shadows are lying.

    I hear what you are saying about The Tree of Life in their eyes. If anything convinces me besides the Bible, there is a God. it’s his creatures and nature.

    Thanks again! It’s great you and Leila are so connected to nature!

    Christopher

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    • CJA

      Wild about their eyes!

      I once had a writing instructor who told me my story sucked because all it did was describe the eyes of all the characters in the piece. I thought he was right at the time but later I realized he might have been wrong. Wish I hadn’t destroyed that rough draft! His name was and is Robert Olmstead and he was and is a well-known writer.

      See Literally “Eclipsing Indy” too for a response to your latest over there whenever ya can!

      DWB

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      • chrisja70778e85b8abd's avatar chrisja70778e85b8abd says:

        Hi Dale

        You know I’ve heard different opinions about describing eyes in writing. I think it’s a hazel area. lol. Great discussion point.

        Iv’e noticed how (maybe it was Carver) who uses his characters to look at someone then they look back with some expression. These seem like great times to describe what kind of eyes these characters have.

        Are eyes concrete details or are they just conduits for feelings? I rather like letting people know what color a character’s eyes are.

        Thanks I’ll check it out!

        Christopher

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