Scott Papek is a self-taught Fine Art nature photographer who was born in Omaha, Nebraska, the current base of his gallery and business. Although his previous life in the music business first prompted the flow of his creative juices and took him to California, Scott eventually recognized his calling to an alternative outlet that permitted him to share his creativity through a camera lens.
Scott began a disciplined self-education in La Jolla, California, where he would rise early each morning, grab his camera, and head to capture the natural beauty of the coastal area into frequent inspiring reproductions. Occasional setbacks only seemed to motivate Scott, and nine months of persistent through-the-lens devotion was rewarded with his first gallery shot. Since then, Scott has been living a life of adventure, freedom, and fulfillment where he has made it his mission to mentor others to do the same.
When he is not spending time with his lovely wife and their young twins, Scott’s curiosity and drive to explore new places fuel his travels around the world where images await capture.
West Glacier Hiking
Bridge over Calm Water
Glacier National Park is one of Scott’s favorite locations due to its gorgeous scenery and abundant water. This capture reflects his first visit to West Glacier, a less-populated area of the park. Realizing he had the entire location to himself, Scott enjoyed a cup of coffee, watched the sunrise, and then decided to stay longer. He will never forget the wow factor, pure joy, and Zen he felt each time he snapped the shutter. The photography opportunity is endless. Go Explore and get your hiking and camping in. Click here for more info.
Kennebunkport Maine
There are several reasons why Maine is a dream location for Scott. Its diverse landscape offers natural beauty that includes mountains, rivers, lakes, streams, and the Atlantic Ocean. On a recent photographic journey, Scott was returning from a 4:43 a.m. ocean sunrise when he drove through Kennebunkport and noticed three boats in the distance. Once he found the perfect spot to shoot, he became mesmerized by the boats and their reflections in the glass-like water. As the boats slowly drifted in different directions, they continuously offered different perspectives. Blessed with a low tide and calm seas, Scott spent two hours capturing a moment he will never forget
The Drift is a limited edition of 15 images and can be viewed here.
Antelope Slot Canyons
Scott Papek releases, “Angel Heart”
Within the ever-changing landscape of Northern Arizona’s Navajo land lies two popular slot canyons, Upper and Lower Antelope Canyon. No one knows exactly when the Antelope Canyon was first discovered. According to older Navajos, entering the canyon was once like crossing the threshold of a cathedral. In order to be in the right frame of mind, they would most likely pause before walking I, preparing for protection and respect. This moment of reflection probably allowed the Navajo to leave with uplifting insight into what Mother Nature has to offer all of us, and to be in harmony with something greater than themselves. Please click here for more info
Explore Utah in a week
DISCLAIMER: It’s sneaky hot and the altitude is as high at 10k. I got myself in a little trouble not having enough water on one of my hikes. Please have backups of water and protein bars! I don’t know everything so please just use this part of your research.
If you fly into Phoenix, Las Vegas or Salt Lake I would use the same route.
This is based on a 5-7 day trip.
Start in Page, Arizona.
Famous slot canyons. Upper and lower canyon.
Note: There are no unguided tours. The canyons are located on Navajo Nation property.
Best times to shoot. Upper Canyon 11am-2p, Lower Canyon, early morning. If you have the choice to start at north or south choose north.
Upper canyon can be really crowded. I paid for the photography tour which definitely benefited me when the light started to pop through. There were people actually fighting behind me trying to get closer. For upper, the light only pops through the canyon in the summer months when the sun is at it’s highest peak. Please call the guides to make sure your trip lines up with those time lines.
Don’t forget to get up extra early and head to Horseshoe Bend.
Next head to The wave: Vermillion cliffs.
It’s impossible to get in if you don’t book a reservation way in advance.
Bryce Canyon:
Well worth the visit. Get there for sunrise and do the hike in the hoodoos before it gets warm.
Willis Creek Slot! I loved this canyon. I hiked it an never saw a human.
Willis Creek Trailhead – From Mount Carmel Junction, follow US Highway 89 north, to Glendale, Utah. Make a right turn on 300 North, also called the Bench Road. It’s directly across the highway from the Buffalo Bistro. Travel the graded dirt Glendale Bench Road (road #600) for 15 miles to a marked junction in the road. There is a kiosk at the junction with a map and other information. The road goes in two directions from the Glendale Bench Road. One road is the Johnson Canyon Road and the other is the Skutumpah Road (road #500). Take Skutumpah Road. It’s 14 miles on Skutumpah Road to the Lick Wash Trailhead. To find Willis Creek continue down Skutumpah Road 11.8 miles past the Lick Wash trailhead. There are two parking areas for Willis Creek. The trail starts on the opposite side of the road from the registration box.
Escalante:
Where the locals like to go to get away from tourists.
There are a few slot canyons such as Zebra, Peek-A-Boo and Spooky. It’s endless what you can hike and see here.
Always be aware of the weather conditions and never enter a slot canyon during stormy weather. Although flash floods can happen anytime of the year, hiking in July, August, and September carries the greatest risk. Do NOT drive the road in the rain, it can be very sketchy. Clay and mud on this road are a major issue if it rains, and ya you’ll be 26.2 miles from the pavement if you do get stuck, the identical distance of a marathon.
Always hike with plenty of water in the desert and keep an extra supply of water and food in your car. Let someone know when you leave and when you are to return. Watch for rattlesnakes!
Ocean Art
Scott Papek releases: Seabed La Jolla Shoreline, San Diego, California
It has been said that the best art is created from pain. I never followed that path. My art comes from things I seek. When I first started this journey, photography provided a path to escape a stressful, energy-draining job and stay creative. While on this chosen path, I learned much about myself, ultimately transforming my life forever. Although time continues to go by, the feeling has never changed. Photography is my safe spot, and the place where I feel most at home. To buy ocean art please click here
Interior Design and Human Behavior
Do you think of interior design as a science or an art? Well, it might be a quiet difficult question; but in fact a combination of both. Interior design can be defined as an applied art where creativity skills and technical knowledge provide solutions. These solutions are applied to achieve a more convenient habitat.
Interior design provides answers that are both functional and attractive and enhance the quality of life. Interior design reflects and interacts with the cultural background and traditional heritage of the occupants.
The design process itself runs through a systematic and interactive methodology to create an innovative and functional design solution whereby the needs and resources of the occupants are satisfied.
To achieve a well designed environment many elements contribute together thus innovating the overall theme e.g. color, light, texture…etc. interior design provides solutions for residential, commercial, educational, healthcare, office and hospitality projects consequently affecting our daily way of living or in other words; our behavior.
However interior design leans on our cultural heritage, yet it still can directly or indirectly shape our behavior and definitely it influences our reactions. For instance a room painted in red feels warm than another painted in blue! However it’s the same environment but the color which is an important design element has altered our behavior and way of thinking. The same color itself can trigger different emotions depending on its reference to either symbolic or psychological functions considering the linkages that vary with time, place and cultural background. While white color is worn at weddings and may represent purity, sterility, virginity and peace for some nations, it was the color worn at funerals for others during certain periods in history.
Another noteworthy proof of how interior design can affect our behavior is light! It has to be customized according to the function performed by the occupants. That major element can ensure and highlight a certain frame of mind! For example in a work environment an inadequate light amount would cause annoyance and discomfort. On the contrary you would enjoy a nice dinner or a romantic movie on a dimmed light.
I do believe that the relation between mass and space creates the greatest impact on human behavior. Minimalism where the work is stripped down to its most fundamental features and the subject is reduced to its necessary elements was an approach for better living environments. A cluttered habitat is definitely irritating while fine organized minimal but yet function environments promote serenity and comfort. A good design coordinating mass and space can elevate the sense of creativity and innovation.
Again cultural variations transform occupant’s vision to surrounding space. For instance a minimal designed interior seems less and for some nations less reflects poverty.
The influence of interior design on human behavior is apparent while working for instance on educational projects like nurseries where children experience a phase of mind shaping. Color, light and texture integrate together to encourage creativity. Safety is another dimension that could be enhanced.
From my point of view a global standard design code for interior environments is not applicable since occupants respond in a different way in accordance with several factors such as cultural background, social heritage or climate conditions. Interior design could effectively develop the quality of life in accordance with formerly mentioned factors; focusing on the basics of creating an ideal habitat for living.
Tips on Framing Black and White Photography
“Zen Movement” Click here for pricing and sizing.
Black and white photographs have remained popular since their inception roughly 150 years ago. The ability of black and white images to fit many decorating styles has contributed to their increased popularity. As such, people have become more open to alternative, more sophisticated framing designs for these items.
How to best frame a black and white photograph is a subject for much conjecture. Plain and simple to take nothing from the art, or more ornate to complement the subject matter? Add colour in the frame design to help draw the eye to the picture, or stick with a rigid two-tone approach to ensure dramatic elegance?
So where does that leave us? Well to be honest somewhere in the middle. The fact is that there is as much variety in black and white photography as in any other art form. Think of it this way, if we asked everyone to dress in the same way the look would suit a few but be terrible for most. However, there are some simple rules and techniques you should keep in mind when framing black and white photographs.
– Some framers believe a pristine white mount is best for all black and white images, on the basis that it does not detract from the picture itself. However, for pictures with a white focal point, a pristine white mount can be too bright and will compete with the image for attention.
– Another common mistake is to try to ‘lighten’ dark art by surrounding it with a light mount. In reality, a light mount border causes the dark colours in the photo to look even darker.
– Mounts should be black, white or grey. Any other colour adds an element that isn’t present in the picture. If you have a customer who insists on a colourful mount, a common suggestion is to go for a white mat with a small accent of colour as a second mount. However, this accent actually pulls the eye away from the photo. A better solution is to use the colour as the predominant top mount and place the accent of black or grey below it to work as a transition into the photo. With all that colour surrounding the photo it isolates the image, in affect, drawing attention to it.
– When it comes to the moulding, consider the era, style and location of the photograph. As in framing any art piece, each frame must enhance the style and mood of the photograph itself. Many framers believe you should stick to a narrow, basic frame for black and white photographs, but this may not co-ordinate with the subject of the photo. For example, a picture of an ornate piece of architecture may look better with a more classical moulding design.
– Elongation is often a good treatment for portrait photographs, images with vertical subjects or strong vertical lines. By making the top and bottom borders wider, it dramatises all those vertical elements.
– A mountslip which matches the moulding can create a strong, classic outline around the photograph. This helps pull the viewer’s attention in from the frame to focus on the picture. Mountslips can also help enhance the customised appearance of the design, adding character and perceived value.
When any item is framed properly the frame design should add a sense of value to the finished product. So a good frame design will help a mediocre shot look good and an unimaginative framing job will bring even the best picture to the level of a cheap poster.
Remember, just because the subject lacks colour doesn’t mean the framing should lack imagination.
For more help or to discuss any of the points raised above please do not hesitate to contact us or visit us in person.
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