RussDodge Loc: Beverly, NJ

Im endlessly fascinated by images that can be captured shooting the sky.

Bobber Loc: Fredericksburg, Texas

Rus, those are such evocative pictures and not just merely pretty. Together, the lot make a statement. That looks like a military cemetery. Is it? The sequence is effective in portrayal of the location.

The first in clear sunlight with winter tree mass balanced against the image honoring the sacred in female form, a motherhood standing high like our own towered their strength to shelter us when they physically towered over us. Blue and white stand behind as a field of purity to keep the feeling clean. Light eases through such opening as there is and sheds a glow to touch even the ribbed cloud structures amid the darkness.

Another sunlit figure arises and stands against the

Next the image comes closer and it perfectly held between the embrace of balanced clouds while the form is turned and faces aside. The dark shadow encompassing the figure makes a strong statement against the background drawing up the strength of the solid base, and its ultimate base, the earth, now appearing.

Now retreated, the figure still in silhouette stands alone leaving the viewer separated, and if not abandoned, at least distant. The dark form is held between a dark earth with dark, bare branches as in a palm as thickened clouds shelter above. The composition lines and masses create this evocation.

Another figure stands up against the encompassing back drop of clouds and sky nicely framed and poised aside looking to something across the way with its companion figure. One wonders what.

Finally it is apparent. Here lie the fallen in ranks. Descending or advancing, the hill side hides their direction under its turf. But, somehow they move all the same. Their cover is a pale green. Perhaps of spring. The distant earth is covered with the remains of winter's bareness. And the sky is a gathering of heavy mist of somber shade and hue. Not the purity of the sky but with a richness of moisture. It hovers tall, but not yet totally supreme.

For light falls from its remaining hold high in the sky. warm in tone and touches all with a hint of gold. it even touches the rims of cloud shapes in the growing darkness beyond.

Bobber Loc: Fredericksburg, Texas

Of the figures the second seemed a little unnecessary, and perhaps the least effective visually. But, that did not spoil the effect of the whole. I think it was not quite as well placed composition wise, and did not add or succeed in reinforcing the implied narritive. It was consistant in theme and feeling.

Excellent dipiction and technique. That's my opinion.