Golden Hour over Spring Valley Wildlife Area No. 2

The Story:       Just a few miles from home, Spring Valley Wildlife Area offers quiet beauty across its wetlands, woodlands, and prairie. Near the southern edge of the preserve lies an 80-acre lake where years ago park managers felled shoreline trees to repair the earthen dam and improve fish habitat. Today, a handful of weathered branches still emerge from the water, their graceful forms creating unexpected focal points against the ever-changing reflections.

On this morning, colorful light transformed one such remnant into a study of simplicity. Using a longer focal length, I isolated the branches and their reflection, allowing texture, color, and stillness to become the true subjects of the composition.

 

The Rest of the Story:  When the shoreline trees were first removed, I was disappointed.  The familiar landscape had changed, and it felt as though something had been lost. Over time, however, I came to appreciate the stewardship behind the decision.  The work protected the lake, strengthened the dam, and created habitat that would benefit generations of wildlife.

Ironically, the remaining branches became some of the park’s most compelling subjects. Standing quietly above the water, they no longer represent what was taken away… they symbolize resilience and renewal.  It’s a reminder that nature often finds beauty in transition, and that even the simplest forms can invite us to pause and look a little longer.

I’ve shared this print in two places on my webpage:  Spring Valley Wildlife Area Art Prints and Reflectionscape Art Prints.

 

Sublocation:   Spring Valley Wildlife Area

City, State:      Spring Valley, Ohio

Year:                2022

Accolades:

2023  This print was selected for the 2024 Ohio Artist Registry exhibition.  The jury received 717 submissions and only accepted 33 works.  This is one of them!  It will be exhibited at the Carnegie Gallery at the Columbus Metropolitan Main Library from 7 Feb to 23 Mar 2024.

2023  One of 98 prints juried into the 2023 Middletown Arts Center Annual Photography & Digital Art Exhibition (Still Life).  The juror lauded the print with an Honorable Mention!

 

A canvas art print simulation of a peaceful waterscape capturing twilight's rich colors

A room demonstration generated through Pictorem using my image titled: Golden Hour over Spring Valley Wildlife Area No. 2. The image is rendered as a framed giclee canvas print.

 

My Ohio fine art photography print of Golden Hour over Spring Valley Wildlife Area No. 2 on exhibit at the Carnegie Library.

A framed giclee canvas print of Golden Hour over Spring Valley Wildlife Area No. 2. This print was 1 of 33 prints selected from 717 submissions at the Ohio Artist Registry Exhibition, hosted by the Ohio Arts Council. The exhibit was held in the Carnegie Gallery, Columbus Metropolitan Library Feb to Mar 2024.

Price range: $75.00 through $440.00

Product Description

Ohio Fine Art Photography where a submerged tree's branches create interesting silhouettes and composition during a fiery sunrise.

Just a few miles from home, Spring Valley Wildlife Area offers quiet beauty across its wetlands, woodlands, and prairie. Near the southern edge of the preserve lies an 80-acre lake where years ago park managers felled shoreline trees to repair the earthen dam and improve fish habitat. Today, a handful of weathered branches still emerge from the water, their graceful forms creating unexpected focal points against the ever-changing reflections.
On this morning, colorful light transformed one such remnant into a study of simplicity. Using a longer focal length, I isolated the branches and their reflection, allowing texture, color, and stillness to become the true subjects of the composition.
The Rest of the Story:
When the shoreline trees were first removed, I was disappointed. The familiar landscape had changed, and it felt as though something had been lost. Over time, however, I came to appreciate the stewardship behind the decision. The work protected the lake, strengthened the dam, and created habitat that would benefit generations of wildlife.
Ironically, the remaining branches became some of the park’s most compelling subjects. Standing quietly above the water, they no longer represent what was taken away… they symbolize resilience and renewal. It’s a reminder that nature often finds beauty in transition, and that even the simplest forms can invite us to pause and look a little longer.

Additional Information

Weight N/A
Dimensions N/A
Size

12" x 18", 20" x 30", 30" x 45"
Media

Framed Giclee Canvas, Metal, Photo Paper

Framed Giclee Canvas Prints

My canvas prints originate from the highest quality equipment and techniques which produce an impressively vibrant and sturdy print.  Features of My Framed Giclee Canvas Prints include:
 

  • Light Weight:  Lacking the need of glass and matting, these canvas prints are light weight
  • More Print for Your Money:  Avoiding expensive glass and matting lowers costs
  • Archival:  The pigment inks are archival rated at 95 years
  • No Gallery-wrapped Hazards:  My framed giclee canvas prints avoid the hazards of traditional gallery wrapped canvas prints (print edges easily mar and the canvas tends to relax and warp).  My canvas is mounted to a solid surface so it will never warp and the outer frame protects the print’s edges.
  • Ready to Hang.  Your canvas print comes ready to hang with single wire fastened to two sturdy D-ring hangers (quality D-rings resist wire tension vice eye hooks).  We employ a plastic-coated wire which mitigates corrosion, prevents stray strands from puncturing a finger, and permits easier leveling of frame.  In paying attention to details, we also properly wire frame with some tension which ensures canvas hangs close to wall.
  • Optional Z-bar:  For larger prints (if requested), we employ a two-piece mounting cleat in lieu of a hanging wire.  In this option, the cleat attached to the back of the print fits securely over the reverse cleat that you attached to the wall.
  • Watermark:  The final print you receive will not have a watermark.
  • Documentation:  I attached a certificate of authenticity to the back of each print.
  • Large Canvas Prints:  Though I can produce prints up to 40 x 60 inches, shipping in sizes 30 x 45 inches and above is expensive.  If you live in the Miami Valley, reach out to me about obtaining access to these larger print sizes.
  • Shipping Times:  Creating the print takes about 2 weeks and can be ready for immediate local pick up.  For those outside the Miami Valley, I have dedicated boxes and shipping takes an additional 3 to 5 days.
A front and back image of my framed giclee canvas print presentation

Metal Prints

People are amazed by these metal prints…from the reactions I witness at art shows and exhibitions, I call them “eye candy”.  Dye sublimation prints offer the following characteristics:
 

  • Incredibly vibrant:  My prints start with a white gloss substrate which produces vivid colors and enthusiastic comments 
  • Extremely durable:  Our printer employs verified archival materials, so if handled properly the print will last over 100 years.  
  • Cleans easily:  If cleaning is required, owners can employ soft cloth.
  • Saves money:  Unlike paper prints which require protective glass, there is no need to cover the metal surface.  With no glass, there’s no longer a need for the expensive framing, matting and labor which drives up the cost for traditional paper prints.
  • Ready to hang:  We attach mounts to the back of the metal prints which provide gallery-preferred hang points, and elevates the print off the wall producing a floating effect.  
  • Optional Z-bar:  For larger prints (if requested), we employ a two-piece mounting cleat in lieu of a hanging wire.  In this option, the cleat attached to the back of the print fits securely over the reverse cleat that you attached to the wall. 
  • Watermark:  The final print you receive will not have a watermark. 
  • Documentation:  I attached a certificate of authenticity to the back of each print.
  • Large Metal Prints:  Though I can produce prints up to 30 x 45 inches shipping is expensive.  If you live in the Miami Valley, reach out to me about obtaining access to these larger print sizes.  
  • Shipping Times:  Creating the print takes about 2 weeks and can be ready for immediate local pick up.  For those outside the Miami Valley, I have dedicated boxes and shipping takes an additional 3 to 5 days. 
A front and back image of my metal print presentation

Photopaper Prints

People are amazed by these metal prints…from the reactions I witness at art shows and exhibitions, I call them “eye candy”.  Dye sublimation prints offer the following characteristics:
 

  • Archival:  Our printer employs verified archival materials, where the pigments are rated at 95 years provided the print is protected from UV Rays. 
  • Flexibility:  Ordering a print on photopaper allows clients to make their own framing and matting decisions for the ultimate customization experience. 
  • Watermark:  The final print you receive will not have a watermark. 
  • Documentation:  I include a certificate of authenticity with each print.  Once you frame the print, your framer can attach it to the rear of the print.
  • Final Product:  I have dedicated shipping tubes to hold the print until your framer is ready to mount and frame the print.
  • Shipping Times:  Creating the print takes about 2 weeks and can be ready for immediate local pick up.  For those outside the Miami Valley, I have dedicated shipping tubes which take an additional 3 to 5 days for shipping. 
A cardboard tube with white paper on top of it.

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