Welcome to Fire Girl Photography! This is a static post to welcome you to the site; all content below is current and updating.
I’m a young mountain girl starting my journey in the photography and photojournalism worlds. The outdoors and travel is my passion; in my free time I write and take pictures. The concept of combining the two had been nagging me for some time, bothering me in the quiet moments. Finally one day it literally hit me – bam! – and I decided to take a chance.
That chance has paid off and odds are it will in the future as well. The drive to explore and learn is strong, and what better way to experience life than by ‘doing’ and then helping others to see and learn? Photography captures a moment in time, an expression, a thought, a movement… and freezes it forever.
My goal as a photographer and writer is to help others experience and understand what they might otherwise not. I look forward to the journey… welcome aboard!
As promised, here are a few more shots from Sunday’s trip up the Gallatin Canyon with the Dry Fly Media crew. Spring is evident along the upper portion of the river, and locals are all holding a bated breath for green to start appearing. It seems quite far off, though, as here in Bozeman we woke up to a few inches of snow, with more predicted throughout the next few days.
by Editor on March 8, 2010
in Scenes
It would seem that spring is finally making its appearance in southwestern Montana (although I may be a bit premature – we are due a winter-like weather system tomorrow!). I spent the majority of yesterday afternoon up in the upper reaches of the Gallatin with Mark and Jake from Dry Fly Media here in Bozeman. Mark and I photographed and Jake fished. Temperatures ran to nearly fifty and while a stiff breeze added a chill to the air, we all shed our jackets and enjoyed the sunshine.
I am just starting to download and sort through images this morning and will have some more from the trip posted on Wednesday. As you can see from the scant snow at the base of this sage, spring is indeed well on its way!
This was an experimental picture from last summer. I had just gotten the new camera rig and spent an afternoon/evening up the Gallatin Canyon with my dad and brother. They fished and I fished a little… then played. The summer air was clear, the river running at ideal flow, the grass green and tall. After the sun set behind the canyon hills, a gorgeous full moon came up and cast a glow on the Gallatin.
I had stretched out in the grass trying to get a decent picture of Jake while he was casting. One stubborn stalk of grass refused to get out of the way, and finally ended up being part of the pictures. While I did get some more traditional shots of the guys fishing that night, this one stands out for the vibrant colors and unique focus.
by Editor on March 3, 2010
in People
One of the best things about having a library of images is being able to look back through said images and re-discover ones you have not looked at in a while. I was looking back over a file of images from the first-ever fashion show during the Master’s Tournament at Spruce Meadows in Calgary and dug up some fun ones.
I often end up making virtual copies of an image I either particularly like (in order to see what I can tweak to bring out the nuances of the image just a little more) or those that I don’t really care for (hoping that a change of color or perspective will bring out some interest in the image).
This picture of the swirling GPA jacket was an experiment that turned out well. I was familiarizing myself with a new camera and getting used to settings in a dim light environment. The model walked to the edge of the runway and swirled. Click. And while the image is decent in full color, the motion of both the model and the jacket become all the more apparent in monotones.
The picture of the yellow jacket gains a new dimension by zooming in just far enough to crop off the top of the model’s head and the waist down. The concentrated view allows for the yellow of her jacket to command the image, and then allows the eye to travel down the length of her scarf and across the wooden ceiling beam in the back.
Digging through old images can be dangerous – I tend to begin a project, then look up at the clock half a day later and wonder where the time has gone. Ah, the joys of digital photography!
As we move into the month of March, it’s clear that spring is on the way. A gorgeous full moon greeted early risers this morning, settling majestically along the Tobacco Root Mountains before disappearing as the sun rose. (And I could enjoy the full moon without wearing arctic-rated winter gear!) The forecast for southwestern Montana shows temperatures in the 40’s for the coming week – could it be we will have an early spring?
All I can say is welcome, March! We’re all ready to see some green peeking up through the snow!
by Editor on February 26, 2010
in Reviews
Whether you are a photography neophyte, an expert of several decades, or just enjoy viewing quality work, be sure to read Chris Orwig’s book “Visual Poetry.” Chris, a talented author, photographer, and teacher at the Brooks Institute of Photography, breaks down the basics of photography for readers of all skill levels.
Part I, titled ‘Getting Started’ takes readers through the philosophical bit of photography and then leads into more technical matters. Orwig gives provoking thoughts on what gear to use and why, but is careful to allow readers plenty of leeway to customize their kit. He encourages thoughtfulness, creativity, and open eyes.
Part II, ‘Let the Adventure Begin’ contains chapters on portraiture, weddings, and found objects and subjects. Inspired by his two young daughters, Orwig focuses often on children and the family unit – and how to steer clear of the typical “snapshot” images that seem to plague households across the world. More chapters also cover travel photography, action, and outdoor photography.
Part III, ‘What’s Next’ covers photography gear and equipment in more depth and discusses what it is like to be a professional photographer. “Visual Poetry” is not be missed regardless of your photography skills – or lack thereof. Chris Orwig’s easy, conversational tone and brilliant images make the book a pleasure to read even for one with no interest in photography at all!
by Editor on February 24, 2010
in Quotes
“Beauty can be seen in all things, seeing and composing the beauty is what separates the snapshot from the photograph.”
– Matt Hardy
by Editor on February 22, 2010
in Events
Who hasn’t dreamed of riding through a frosty winter night on an old wooden sleigh pulled behind a pair of strong black steeds? For many children the dream came true at Bozeman’s Christmas Stroll this past December. Santa rode through town on a sleigh pulled by a team of sharp-looking Percherons, joined by a smiling group of Bozeman youth. The steeds did their job well, calmly pulling their charges through the crowds to celebrate the lighting of the downtown Christmas decorations.
Softening the focus of this image allows for a bit of an “olde-tyme” feel to the picture and draws the focus from the busy background to the pair of horses. Temperatures had dropped well below freezing the night of the stroll and the horse’s breath fogged beautifully in the cold air. Take away a few “modern” bits of the image and you very well could be transported one hundred years back!
Pick up an issue of American Angler’s newest March / April edition and turn to page twenty. The folks at American Angler were kind enough to publish an article of mine titled “Ghost Fish” – the story of the Big Hole Arctic grayling and their fight for survival.
The last adfluvial (river-dwelling) Arctic grayling in the continental United States, the Big Hole Arctic grayling population has been fighting for survival for many decades. Despite the hard efforts of many agencies and individuals, the future of this unique species does not look bright. Current estimates place the Big Hole population at just 1,000 individual fish – certainly not enough to grow or even sustain the population numbers.
Pat Munday, professor of science and technologies at Montana Tech in Butte has taken to calling the Big Hole Arctic grayling “ghost fish.” Conservation efforts to aid the grayling have brought together a truly unique and sometimes divergent group of individuals with one thing on their minds – to help save the Big Hole Arctic grayling population.