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Landscape – Page 2 – Bill Swartwout Photography

Category: Landscape

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Catching the Sun in Her Arms

A solitary driftwood tree embraces the rising sun in her outstretched “limbs.”

The eastern coast of Georgia is home to some of the most beautiful beaches in the United States. One such beach, Driftwood Beach on Jekyll Island, is a stunning coastal paradise that will take your breath away. This secluded beach is surrounded by ancient oaks draped with Spanish moss and the salty air gives way to a unique landscape. Driftwood Beach, itself, features sun-bleached driftwood strewn along the shoreline, giving visitors an otherworldly experience like no other.

Catching the sun in her arms on driftwood beach.
Catching the Sun in Her Arms on Driftwood Beach

Welcome to Driftwood Beach at Jekyll Island, GA! Whether you’re a resident of the area, or visiting from afar, this spot is not one to miss. With its stunning views and unique landscape, Driftwood Beach is perfect for a day in the sun. The shallow coast and tidal flats are an ideal location for wading and exploring the shoreline. Enjoy the beautifully weathered driftwood that lines the beach, creating a breathtaking atmosphere. Driftwood Beach at Jekyll Island, GA is a little-known gem. The beach is covered with light brown, smooth driftwood that looks like large, intricate pieces of broken shells. It’s a photographer’s paradise!

photographing on drifwood beach, jekyll island, georgia
Here I am photographing one of the most fascinating of places – Driftwood Beach on Jekyll Island, Georgia.

Driftwood Beach is located on the northeastern end of Jekyll Island, Georgia. To get to this secluded paradise you must first drive through the main recreation area of the island. The beach does not have any access from the main road but there are a few parking areas along the road and paths leading to the beach.

The iconind lone tree on Driftwood Beach at dawn
The Iconic Lone Tree on Driftwood Beach in the Pre-Sunrise Light of Dawn

The beach on this island is now covered with driftwood in all shapes, sizes, and shades of brown and gray – creating an ethereal atmosphere for any visitor. It’s easy to get lost in the beauty of nature as one strolls along Driftwood Beach and encounters amazing examples of driftwood – from small pieces to entire trees.

With its unique landscape, this beach serves as an ideal setting for peaceful contemplation or exploration.

driftwood beach rowboat
The hull of an old boat that has turned to driftwood is silhouetted in the morning sunrise.

To browse wall art and home decor items with Driftwood Beach photographs, you can click the images above or the links below.

Link to: Catching the Sun in Her Arms

Link to: Iconic Lone Tree of Driftwood Beach

Link to: Driftwood Boat

Link to: Bill’s Driftwood Beach Collection at Fine Art America

Link to: Bill Swartwout Photography Gallery

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For Purple Mountain Majesties

Above the Fruited Plain – an “America the Beautiful” rendition in Digital Art.

As a foray into abstract digital creations based on some of my existing photographic themes, I offer up the following.

purple mountain majesty
Purple Mountain Majesty

Travel through the mountains of the east coast provides some spectacular images during the transition from light to dark and dark to light, that is dusk to dawn or sunset and sunrise. It is not always possible to be there in person at exactly the right time to capture the scene photographically but it is possible to re-create Mother Nature’s beauty in a digital form.

Colors can be digitally rendered to re-create a scene as it may exist in memory – or in imagination. The shapes themselves can be blended and smoothed to create an “abstraction” of the original

Purple Mountain Majesty Abstraction
Purple Mountain Majesty Abstraction

These scenes do not have an exact, or a real, location because they are digital creations (and might have been done anywhere). However, YOU can decide to place them in the Ozark Mountains, the Smokies, somewhere in the Appalachian Chain or anywhere you envision them to be.

Artificial Intelligence as an aid to creating art…

The use of artificial intelligence (AI) in the art world is a rapidly growing field. Computers can now be used to create works of art that not only look aesthetically pleasing but also generate meaningful conversations about the nature of human creativity and its relationship with technology. AI has opened up a whole new realm for artists who, until now, relied solely on traditional forms of artistic expression.

Artificial intelligence has allowed us to create some incredible pieces of art. Many of the world’s most celebrated artists are now using AI to explore a variety of styles and techniques in their work. While I am not a “celebrated” artist, I did deem it necessary to explore the opportunities for my own creations. My “Purple Mountains” did originate as one AI-generated piece but they required digital manipulation to get them to appear as I envisioned. I spent as much time in post-production as I do with many images I download from my camera. Maybe more…

These pieces are available as wall art (on a variety of substrates) and/or printed on a selection of home decor items.

Link to: Purple Mountain Majesty

Link to: Purple Mountain Majesty Abstraction

Link to: Bill’s Gallery at Fine Art America/Pixels

Link to: Artificial Intelligence Gallery

Link to: Bill’s Gallery at Pictorem

artificial intelligence art

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City Lights or Neon Streaks

When the darkness of night falls, a stunning sight is often unveiled.

“When the darkness of night falls, a stunning sight is unveiled in cities around the world. The city lights bring to life a magical display of neon streaks against the dark backdrop of a night sky. From towering skyscrapers to smaller city blocks, these lights can create a dazzling spectacle that captivates the eye and awakens the soul. Neon lights have long been associated with bustling nightlife and urban living, becoming an iconic symbol of cities everywhere.”

city lights purple rain of neon streaks
City Lights and Neon Streaks

An unintentional abstract photograph…

Actually, this light display is not as described in the opening paragraph. While that is what can be seen in a large city with a camera on a tripod, this display was shot handheld at a Christmas lights display and created with intentional camera movement.

The result came out surprisingly effective but I was at a loss of ideas for a title. To alleviate that “situation” I turned to Facebook friends for suggestions of a title for this photograph.

Here are several of their title suggestions…

  • Linda – Confetti Lights
  • Susan – Winterfest Fairy Lights
  • Cindy – Sir Lights-a-Lot
  • Nick – Should Auld Acquaintance
  • Christina – December Fireworks
  • Brad – Meteor Gawking on Acid
  • Bob – Luminous Galaxy
  • Paula – Kaleidoscope of Lights
  • Sandi – Neon Nancy
  • Paula – Kaleidoscope
  • Judi – Celebration!
  • Mike – Dispersion
  • Chris – And then, it happened.
  • Mary – Lines of Color
  • Tom – Purple Rain
  • Bob – Colorful Camera Jitters (Close to being a good description)
  • Kathy – Parade of Colors
  • Ric – City Rain
  • Christina – Fireworks in December
  • Doug – Colorful Scribbles
  • Renata – Stars Fell from the Sky
  • Mary – Cosmic Flutter
  • Peggy – Neon Rain
  • Cindy – Crazy Little Thing Called Lights
  • Curtis – Acid Lashes, Trip the Lights Fantastic, Light Motion Dome, Color Amphitheater, Fireworks, Gun Powder Flower, Night Lights, Spectrum Wheel, Array of Lights, Array Awry, Awry Array, Speed oFlight and Chaos in Motion
  • Judy – The Abyss
  • Kathy – Abstract Fire Flies
  • Richard – Speed of Light

Whew, what a list of suggestions. Nearly all of them would fit – at least by my way of thinking. I like to keep it simple but I have not yet uploaded this to my gallery – but I will soon. Then I’ll have to make a choice – or – maybe mash up a simple idea or two. Many thanks go out to those who responded to my simple plea on social media. I appreciate your contributions and are hereby giving mention to all our your input.

To visit my full gallery, click here: BillSwartwoutPhotography.com

Or to visit just the abstract collection, click here: Abstract Collection.

OK – a decision has been reached. As a twist on the popular song “Crazy Little Thing Called Love” by Queen – I’m going with “Crazy Little Thing Called Lights.”