Journal (Articles)

My old journal/blog commenced in 2006 and was retired in early June 2021. Fifteen years worth of posts - articles, gear reviews, announcements, trip reports, photographs, environmental issues, and much more - can be found here. Please subscribe to my Journal to stay tuned (I recommend Feedly). Thank you for reading.

Categories:

Strange Worlds

June 29, 2026

A monochromatic departure from reality - not merely in subject content but in the photographic concept itself - can allow a viewer to establish a deeper and more immediate connection with the essence of the image.

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Breaking it Down: Refining Photographic Composition

November 19, 2025 | Chiricahua Mountains, Arizona

“When you approach something to photograph it, first be still with yourself until the object of your attention affirms your presence. Then don't leave until you have captured its essence...

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Rayleigh Scattering in Nature and Landscape Photography

November 13, 2025

Many photographers have likely never heard of Rayleigh Scattering or considered its impacts on their own photographs. In short, Rayleigh Scattering is the scattering or deflection of light by particles with a size much smaller than the wavelength of the radiation...

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Print Your Legacy in On Landscape Magazine

October 21, 2025

In an age where most of our images live, and disappear, on screens, what does it mean to create something lasting? In our latest article, photographer and educator Michael E. Gordon reflects on the power of the printed book...

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Voxpop #6: “On Variations”

September 2, 2025

Voxpops (presented by Hintology magazine) are experiments or interviews in which abstract photographers related to the abstract photography community of Hintology either have their work engaged with specific audiences or come to discuss particular topics with regards to their artistic practice...

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For What Else It Is

May 5, 2025

Equivalents was a photographic concept and body of work developed by the godfather of modern photography, Alfred Stieglitz, around 1925, based on his series of abstract cloud photographs. New York Times art critic Andy Grundberg said that Equivalents offer an "existence of a reality behind and beyond that offered by the world of appearances...

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Published: Elements Landscape Photography Magazine #47

January 16, 2025

ELEMENTS Landscape Photography Magazine #47 contains a special feature on iconic American photographer Eliot Porter...

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Outside Magazine: A Driver’s “Reckless Joyride” Damaged the Eureka Dunes in Death Valley

January 15, 2025 | Death Valley National Park, California

Because of my long connection to and expertise on Death Valley National Park, I am often contacted by media to provide information on happenings and incidents in the park. On Monday, January 13, the National Park Service revealed that a motorist (aka asshole) had illegally driven onto Eureka Dunes sometime in late December or early January...

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Published: Nature Vision Magazine #7

December 1, 2024

My article Print Your Legacy, along with eight of my photographs, appears in Nature Vision Magazine #7, a publication of Nature Photographers Network. In this article, I provide a practical guide to self-publishing affordable photo books...

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Published: ELEMENTS #34, Special Black & White Double Issue

December 15, 2023

It's an honor to have my article Strange Worlds and thirteen of my images appear in the December special double issue of Elements Landscape Photography Magazine, dedicated exclusively to Black & White photography...

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Published: Nature Vision Magazine #2

October 2023

My article Perseverance and eight of my images appear in Issue #2 of *Nature Vision Magazine*

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Published: Outdoor Photographer Magazine

November 2022

My article and images appear in the November 2022 Special Black + White Issue of Outdoor Photographer magazine

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Elements Landscape Photography Magazine - Featured Interview

02 October 2022

It is an honor and thrill to have the cover image and featured interview in the October 2022 issue (#20) of *Elements Landscape Photography Magazine*.

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On Juried Photo Competitions/Contests & Juried Exhibitions

20 August 2022

Make no mistake about it: most photographic competitions and exhibitions exist to grow the business and bank account of the host/sponsor(s). With few exceptions, they rarely exist as an altruistic enterprise for the advancement of photographer's careers...

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Staying Alive

Summer 2022

It’s that time of year when the body count rises with ambient air temperature.

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"Green" Energy?

24 June 2021

"It is horrifying that we have to fight our own government to save the environment" Ansel Adams

If you’ve followed my photographs and words long enough, you’ve seen and heard me speak about the California desert and renewable or “green” energy, and perhaps not necessarily in the friendliest of fashions...

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Published: Elements Landscape Photography Magazine #4

22 June 2021

My article Home along with nine of my photographs appears in the June 2021 issue of Elements Landscape Photography Magazine. It's an honor to share the pages with photographic luminaries such as Bruce Barnbaum, Nick Brandt, Michael Frye, and Christopher Burkett...

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You are visiting the Journal of fine art landscape photographer Michael E. Gordon. Please follow the navigation links at the top of this page for additional photographs and information. The old blog (2006-2020) has been retired but is archived and all articles remain available for reading. You can also find Michael on Facebook and Instagram.