2024 was one of the most unique years since since I've been photographing the in the Pine Barrens and the Franklin Parker Preserve. Among the misty mornings, wildflowers and beautiful light, there was a solar eclipse, a comet and the northern lights. It was a year that included a heavy snow storm, floods, extreme temperatures and an epic drought. To say the least, it was a very interesting year.
Instead of hanging up my gear and waiting out this dry spell, I decided to photograph it. One reason is to document this unfortunate, but historic event. The other reason is to challenge myself to make at out of these conditions.
When Ordinary Becomes Beautiful Cold Winter Light by Richard Lewis 2017 It doesn't snow much in the New Jersey Pine Barrens, so when it does, it's time to head out to find something to photograph. This old bog in the Franklin Parker Preserve seemed like a nice place to look. Usually the stumps of these old cedar trees look like abstract designs, however [...]
Hiking the New Jersey Pinelands for Therapy and Art I had a knee injury from a bicycle accident a few months ago and have been walking as part of a physical therapy program. On a recent Saturday afternoon, I decided to do some therapy by hiking in the Franklin Parker Preserve, one of my favorite New Jersey Pinelands spots. It ended up being more of a spiritual [...]
Finding peace in a place known as the Pine Barrens Summer Sunrise by Richard Lewis 2015 3 Cedars in the Early Evening by Richard Lewis 2015 Life has kept me from this blog recently. The one overwhelming event was passing of my Mother-In-Law. She was 92 and in poor health so it was not unexpected. Still, it is always a [...]
The Franklin Parker Perserve near Chatsworth, New Jersey is an interesting place. It part natural Pinelands and part old Cranberry Bogs. Hiking through the old bogs you get to see the transformation back to a natural state. Some bogs have become little lakes and attract eagles and herons, others are becoming meadows. This once ordered and orderly arrangement of rectangular depressions is becoming [...]