Wings in Time
Digital Art Collection
Welcome to “Wings in Time” — my latest digital art collection!
This project has been thoroughly enjoyable for me during a time when my limited mobility has found me doing an extensive amount of sitting around. During this time, I have rediscovered my love of birds and birdwatching; in particular, their behaviours and capturing those special moments that are unique to each species.
By compositing many images into a single digital art piece, I hope to convey the spirit of a bird in action – something usually conveyed only in video – while at the same time retaining the artistic nature of a still image.
My inspiration for this collection comes from poetry and music.
Some writers are able to take ordinary words and combine them to create meaningful and lyrical poetry. Musicians have seemingly endless ways to combine sounds to create melodies and rhythms that can bring us to tears or bring us to dance.
Inspired by those writers and musicians, this collection is my attempt to combine single images to create visual poems that capture the spirit of a bird.
These tiny slices of time reveal details that we cannot see with the naked eye because they happen so quickly. Using high speed photography, I capture many frames of a bird in motion and then composite those into a single image to convey the essence of the bird: what it must feel like for a killdeer to come in for a fast landing, for a heron to gently touch down on a precise spot, or for a bald eagle to swim.
More than a single note, more than a single word, they have a rhythm that creates an experience. At least, that is my hope!
If there is a trick to capturing images like these, it is not in the making of the actual photograph. It is in the hours and days spent observing the behaviour of the birds. I have to know when these moments are going to happen so I can be ready with my camera when they do.
Like learning a language simply by listening, in all my time watching I have learned the language of birds. Like the way a heron makes a slight head movement right before it spears a fish, the way geese line up before take off, or the way a kingfisher announces his arrival before flying past at lightening speed. I have even learned the alert call of the sparrow – a warning that makes all the little birds leave the sky and take hiding before a hawk flies over.
These are just the first 10 digital art pieces in the collection. I have honestly enjoyed this process so much I don’t think I can stop!
Prints are available in my portfolio here
Oh, WOW and WOW again, Anne! You’ve hit the mark, Poetry in “motion.” Gorgeous backgrounds, too (I especially like the background for the blackbirds). These are works of art. Please make more!
Anne, your series ‘Wings in Time’ is exceptional to say the least! I found it very moving and am having difficulty in choosing a favorite. Of course I really like the colours and scenery of the Blue Herons but then I find myself mesmerized by the the Great Yellowlegs and Killdeer. Then you show Harris’ Hawk’s prowess landing on what appears to be a dead or dying branch to look for prey. Last but, certainly not least, the majestic Bald Eagle – capturing him at a time displaying such powerful dominance was so lifelike it gave me goosebumps.
Breathtaking art!
These are absolutely gorgeous, Anne! You’ve definitely captured and created poetry in motion. Well done!
Stunning Anne…I’ve loved your story from the beginning and your beautiful photography and the way your generously share of yourself in all of your offerings… but in the transition of a journey of grief and loss around your illness and limited mobility, a new creative birth has occurred and you are not limited by what you cant do but are blessing us with what has not been done before in photography. Thank you God, thank you Anne!
In silence, natural miracles unfold. Your sequences and compositing of the images is fantastic! Thank you for creating & sharing.
Anne, these are exceptional art and storytelling!
Anne, stunning images! They are truly art pieces.
Absolutely stunning! These are so different.
Anne,
Fantastic Photos!
Beautiful Art Work!
Unique! Creative!
JT
Amazing Anne, As a big fan of raptors, I especially enjoyed the Eagles and Hawks. Really beautiful!
Absolute poetry in motion, Anne! These are truly stunning. Wow.. even when your lifestyle is compromised, you do great!
Beautiful photos and words! Thank you, Anne! Happy Thanksgiving to you and yours.
Excellent collection
Well done Anne. Truly are works of art and very unique pieces also. Have not seen this technique anywhere before, to my knowledge. You have created a very strong and powerful niche.
Inspirational!!! Now this is Photographic Art at it’s best.
Anne, like everyone’s comments before me, you are an absolute master in what you. I have always enjoyed your bodies of work, no matter what you tackle.
These images are so breathtaking. You take me on a photographic journey of your world & surrounds that are so different to mine.
Keep doing what you are doing, I love it.
Gorgeous. Poetry in motion for sure.
Stunning photography and processing!! You truly showed the beauty of nature.
Happy Holidays.
All of you work is incredibly gorgeous. They are stills in time that demand our attention and marvel at their beauty. Thank you for sharing.
Jenny
Anne – I can only say – exquisitely beautiful. Thank you!
Sheila Macdonald
These are wonderful, Anne, and I definitely think you’re succeeding in capturing the motion and personalities of the birds. Can’t wait to see more!
I honestly believe that this is some of your best work! It is absolutely breathtaking!
wow love your work!