Nature Art Photography
What feeds my soul and my art are the untouched, open spaces of nature…
...these are the places where one finds respite and restoration and feels connected to something larger than ourselves — the open space that encourages us to breathe deeply, look closely and listen intently to the roar of the ocean and the silence of the forest; the natural landscape that speaks of the ever-changing seasons and reminds us of our own cycles that are part of this ongoing, remarkable transformation.
I seek places like this each day as I hike the coastline and mountain trails, taking photos of the beautiful Northern California terrain and bringing them back to my studio as inspiration for my art. It is my hope that these images will “take you away” for a brief moment… and in the moment, you’ll catch a glimpse of the mystery and magic and peace inside yourself.
Thanks so much for stopping by.
— Diane Varner
Additional Information: Online Interviews | Awards - Press | Camera Gear & Post-Processing Software
Please Note —
All images are under the ownership and copyright of Diane Varner. If you wish to duplicate a photo or any content, please contact me to discuss it. Thank you!
Blog About Art: Varner Daily Walks by Viola 2015
The Photo Argus: Amazing Fine Art Photography by Diane Varner 2014
My Photo Treasures: Diane Varner by Florian Freimoser 2014
Diane Varner Interview by Marcie Scudder Studios February 2012
Creative Liberty - Liz Massey: In the Studio With Diane Varner, May 2008
Photoshop Support: Diane Varner of Daily Walks Photoblog, December 2007
2019: Outdoor Photography Magazine, UK
Had the honor and privilege of having my photography work published in the February 2019 issue. Many thanks to the editor, Steve Watkins for the invitation and to Nick Smith who took my thoughts and wove them into an beautiful expression of my work.
Visit Outdoor Photography UK website for all issues and information on their gorgeous publication.
2017: An excellent comprehensive list of photoblogs and photography information. Honored to be included among many talented photographers.
2013: International Garden Photographer of the Year Competition - 2nd Place - Portfolios (6 images)
I also had the honor of having one of my portfolio images from my Immersed Memories Series used for the cover of this beautiful book:
International Garden Photographer of the Year: Collection 6
2012: International Garden Photographer of the Year Competition - 3rd Place - Beauty of Plants
OTHER HIGHLIGHTS:
2010: BEST AMERICAN PHOTOBLOG: A heartfelt THANK YOU to each of you who made this award possible many years ago. Being voted in by fellow photographers made this all the more rewarding. A special thanks to Cool Photoblogs, the sponsor of this award.
2010: WINNER OF PX3, Prix de la Photographie Paris - Second Prize in Nature - Domestic Animals: "Already Consumed"
2009: Life and Learning Through the Lens by Darwin Wiggett: Photographer of the Month
2009: Smashing Magazine - 50 Wonderful, Inspiring Photoblogs
2008: Photoblog Awards - Best American Photoblog Finalist
2008: Photoblog Awards- Most Popular Photoblog Finalist
2008: Garden Photographer of the Year - Plant Portraits - 2nd Place
2008: Top Yachts Magazine - "The Spirit of the Ocean" by Alberto Brigidini — Featured Daily Walks' Ocean Images - 4-Page Spread | Poem by Federico García Lorca
2008: Seattle Post Intelligencer - Ten photo blogs by Regina Hackett
2007: Photoblog Awards - Best American Photoblog Finalist
2007: Telegraph.co.uk - Damien Noonan reviews the "Best Websites for Photography"
2007: National Post - "Wasting Time is Good for Your Soul" - by Robert Fulford
2007: John Nack on Adobe - "Urban Decay, Pigs on Mopeds, & Other Good Photos"
2007: VFXY Photos - Weekly Pic by Dawn M. Armfield
2006: Photoblog Awards - Photoblog of the Year Finalist
All my images are shot in camera-raw and post-processed in Adobe Lightroom and Photoshop. My goal with each image is to fully express the essence of the subject at hand. By exploring and experimenting, I post-process the image as far as possible while attempting to maintain the original integrity of the shot.
Camera Gear:
Canon 5D Mark II
Canon EOS 7D
Canon EF 100mm f/2.8L Macro IS USM (My Favorite)
Canon EF 70-200mm f/4 L USM IS (My Second Favorite)
Canon EF 55-250mm/4-5.6 IS STM (inexpensive, lightweight & good quality)
Canon EF 17-40mm f/4 L USM (Excellent Wide Angle)
Canon EF 40mm f/2.8 STM (Very Small, Lightweight - good quality)
Kenko Extension Tube Set (Enables a lens to focus closer)
Apple iPhone
Post-Processing Software:
Adobe Photoshop CC (Digital Art and Photography Dark Room Software)
Adobe Photoshop Lightroom CC (Photography Dark Room Software /Catalogs / Bulk Processing)
Corel Painter (Phenomenal Digital Art Software for Artists)
Imagenomic Noiseware (Plugin for Photoshop - Reduces Camera Noise)
Topaz Plugins (Plugins for Lightroom and Photoshop)
iPad Pro and Apple Pencil (Digital Art & Post Processing Images)
Procreate App (Incredible Art Software!)
