My photographs are primarily macro/abstract, landscape and seascape.
I use various sites in the Hawaiian Islands as subjects, including Maui's Hana Coast, various reserves on Moloka'i, the Big Island's Hamakua coast, O'ahu's Ka'ena Point and Waimea Valley, and the Ko'olau Mountains. Additionally, I shoot in Japan, Taiwan, China, Mexico and Canada.
I only use natural light. I believe that natural light, especially the light of early morning or late afternoon, provides the most gentle and subtle balance of color, more interesting shadows and unique angles of illumination. I especially like to capture the unusual in the play of light found in the juxtaposition of various natural elements; the solitary ray in a forest illuminating but a single plant; the setting or rising sun backlighting waves or leaves; reflected light and refracted light.
The use of only natural light requires patience and persistence. It is often necessary to return to a spot many times before capturing exactly what I am looking for. Natural light can also present serious photographic challenges related to depth of field, contrast and loss of sharpness due to natural motion.
I have been asked if I shoot some of my photography in a studio. I do not. I use only the arrangements nature provides. I don't think I could improve on the opportunities provided in the wild. I make all of my own photographic prints, subscribing to Ansel Adam's philosophy that taking a photograph is like writing a musical score, the making of the print is the performance.
Most of my shots focus on a single element in a natural setting. It is my intense interest in and perspective of this element I hope to share with the viewer. We all move through life too quickly, with too much noise around us. By concentrating on isolating some of these elements I want to entice my audience to stop a little more often, look at the world around them, and see… really see what is there.
~Bruce Behnke
Pearl City, Hawaii
April, 2008
