This short video, made from one of my photographs, is part of an ongoing process. The original frame was taken at the Salton Sea, with a six-foot-tall model whose presence matched the stark, surreal landscape. What once felt complete becomes reimagined. A new creativity emerges when a photograph is no longer the end point but can be the beginning of something else.
AI is not replacing photography, it is perhaps the next step in its evolution. Just as the darkroom once blurred the line between truth and manipulation, and just as digital editing expanded what could be done with an image, AI now pushes photographs beyond the instant they were first captured. A single frame no longer even has to remain fixed.
Photographers have always revisited their work. Returning to old shoots reveals overlooked images. Advances in editing software, like once with chemicals and light in the darkroom, allow us to reshape and refine what we thought was finished. AI continues that tradition—yet it also introduces something entirely new: photographs can now be recreated with words, or even imagined out of words alone. Perhaps a photograph is no longer just what we saw, but what we can imagine.
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Just one of those times I was flying in the backseat of a P-51 Mustang at the Salton Sea and happened to end up next to a B-29 Superfortress. Lucky for me I had a camera.
It was a beautiful day to be flying around the Salton Sea. Perfectly clear and warm out, and the Sea was very blue.
However being familiar with the Sea since 2003, I can see the changes. The small lake, just one year ago, was an outlet to the Salton Sea. In prior years at the height of the popularity of the Sea, it had a busy boat ramp and even a fishing supply and bait shop. The shrinking of the Salton Sea continues at an alarming rate and poses a significant ecological disaster. 01-06-2024
The 5,000 ft runway and a hangar at the airport near Salton City at the Salton Sea (KSAS). The airport is owned by Burrtec Waste Industries which operates a nearby landfill. The elevation is -84 ft. From my photo archives.
I was nominated by Michael Newler to present a picture of my work for 10 days. One image, no explanations needed – and then nominate another artist to do the same. The goal is to promote positivity, our passion for creativity and the healing power of art.
I would note that Michael Newler is the person who conceived of, created and for many years directed the Canon “Explorers Of Light”. The program included some of the most famous photographers of our time.
Ski Inn II, an art installation at Bombay Beach on the Salton Sea. The real Ski Inn, bar and restaurant, in Bombay Beach is 223 feet below sea level making it the lowest bar in the western hemisphere. A real throwback to the 1950’s it has been featured by Anthony Bourdain and John Waters. Photographed at sunset.
The Salton Sea is 15 miles wide and 35 miles long. With so much shoreline and interesting places, there is always something wonderful to photograph. By example I happened to find this random model on a pole at an abandoned gas station and store.
Well maybe not so random. Nora from NYC came out and shot with me for the day all around the Salton Sea. Makeup and Hair Styling and Styling by the Estee Lauder featured artist Blanche LeBeau.
Photographed on a Hasselblad digital camera system.
Is this the exit or the entrance? And if it is one, coming the other way is it still the other? Doorway art installation on Bombay Beach at the Salton Sea. I understand that it was originally complete with an actual door. Fujifilm X-T3 camera.
Many have seen this. However it is new since my last trip to Bombay Beach. I had to see it. Bombay Beach at the Salton Sea is truly becoming dedicated to the arts. Fujifilm X-T3 camera. I would like to fly over and photograph it from the air next.
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