Brett J Donnelly Photography

Temple of the Gods was captured on an early morning in Utah as the sun was peaking over the La Sal Mountains in the distance. An hour before the sun rose the underside of this amazing arch began to glow a bright red from the warm sunlight slowly illuminating the horizon. It was an unusual experience for Brett as many of his photographs feature such rare light but are unnoticable to the naked eye. Photographing this moment seconds after sunrise allowed Brett to capture the soft glow of the sandstone while maintaining awesome clarity and definition in the distant valley.

Photographed on a clear, calm evening in the soutwest desert of the United States Brett captured Circle of Life.  Sitting high above the canyon below, tucked under an alcove carved into vertical cliffs rests this secret Indian ruin.  The purpose of the site is still debated among archeologists along with the age but one thing is certain… the view from this secluded balcony is breathtaking.  Brett sat patiently by his camera for hours as the light in the distance shifted and slowly illuminated the canyon in warm hues and soft light.

Brett has taken long exposure photography to a new level with Infinity, a rare photograph of famous Delicate Arch in Arches National Park.  “I was patiently watching a magnificent sunset fall upon the arch” recalls Brett.  “But I wasn’t there to photograph a sunset.”  As light turned to dark the stars began to paint the sky.  The Milky Way shifted from left to right as Brett aligned his camera on the sandstone slope below.  Taking only a 30 second exposure and pushing his camera aperture to the limit to reduce the effects of the Earth’s rotation, Brett captured Infinity when the Milky Way was framed by this iconic landmark.

This secluded slot canyon located on sacred Navajo land is rarely photographed.  Brett was thrilled to have the opportunity to visit this incredible wonder of Mother Nature.  Carved by flash floods and relentless wind, the red and purple hues of this tight canyon are only illuminated during the summer solstice and at high noon.  The fleeting light shifted quickly as Brett layed flat on his back underneath his tripod waiting for the moment to capture the perfect light.  The sky above was perfectly clear and creates a rich contrast to the pastel hues of the sandstone.  Brett was nearly one hundred feet underground when he captured Earth and Sky.

Hiking through a narrow slot canyon on sacred Navajo land, Brett and his guide approached a brightly lit section where the sandstone opened to the sky and the sun above illuminated a lonely plant.  “The bush offered such great contrast to the sandstone canyon” recalls Brett.  “It was an easy decision to photograph it.  The light was perfect and the moment was fleeting so I had to act quickly.  I setup my equipment, adjusted my settings and came home with a great shot.”

Early mornings are Brett’s favorite time to photograph and Alpenglow shows why that is.  “The light is simply magical before sunrise” explains Brett.  “I remember framing this shot and watching the rock catch fire with light.  It was a wonderful experience to witness the landscape wake up like that.”  The bare rock illuminated by the rising sun is a perfect contrast to the lush valley below.

Waking up early to photograph this magnificent sandstone Arch, Brett captured Rare Light nearly an hour before sunrise.  His camera, stabilized from wind and vibrations by a heavy tripod, spent over five minutes collecting the faint light refracted off our Earth’s atmosphere and falling upon the desert floor.  Brett has mastered the difficult task of long-exposure photography and Rare Light is one of his greatest achievements.  For years he has wanted to capture the rare purple hues of a desert morning and now he has.

Brett photographed Land’s End on a warm summer morning along the rugged coastline of the Atlantic Ocean.  Previously hidden by white sand, these unusal rock formations were revealed after a hurricane battered the shore.  An ever changing landscape is why Brett constantly visits rugged beaches in search of new opportunities to photograph Mother Nature’s beauty.

As the sun set upon Monument Valley, a special land to the Navajo people in southern Utah, Brett wanted to capture the simplicity of this vast and amazing landscape.  He first saw Monument Valley as a young child and had come back several times to experience this peaceful place.  Although the nearby town had changed considerably and it has begun to turn into a tourist attraction, Monument Valley is still a place where if you venture off the beaten path there are new landscapes to discover in every direction.

Exposure was filmed on the rugged beaches of the Gulf of Mexico and is a true artistic expression of Brett’s passion for long exposure photography and pushing the limits of our perception on the world around us.  Utilizing advanced equipment that can capture such detail during several minutes, the calm ocean in front of Brett’s lens magically painted this image on film.  Exposure will surely become a classic and is one of Brett’s favorite prints.  It is available in a limited edition of 250 prints.

Rocky Shore is another masterpiece by Brett Donnelly that showcases his skills as a long exposure photographer.  Captured on the Gulf of Mexico, Rocky Shore took years to perfect including waiting for the perfect atmospheric conditions to produce such beautiful colors in the sky, the rocks, the trees and the ocean.  “I spent years going to this secret location along the shore of the Gulf of Mexico waiting for Mother Nature to give me the perfect light” recalls Brett on his journey to capture Rocky Shore.  “One day I showed up and the weather was perfect and I was able to capture my vision on film using long exposure techniques on a sturdy tripod.”

Craftsman captures the rich history of the American spirit.  The barn was built in the early 20th century as a supply shed for the cattle pasture that is still in operation today.  The character and charm of this Appalachian barn caught Brett’s attention as he was hiking the area in late summer.  “It instantly captivated me… I had been looking for the perfect, unspoiled barn for years.” recalls Brett of his experience capturing Rustic.  “The timing was right too… the fall colors had set in offering the perfect backdrop for the image.  I knew I wanted to make the barn’s rustic details the focal point so I spent extra time ensuring proper exposure of the barn itself.”

Limited Edition: 250

Hidden Hammock portrays the peaceful solitude of the Gulf of Mexico shoreline. Taken during the summer months on the coast of Florida, Brett traveled to this site a dozen times before finally capturing this final print. “I wanted it to be just right” explains Brett about his quest to capture Hidden Hammock. “The shot was difficult because there were many shadows to contend with and a bright ocean in the background. In order to get my exposure dialed in, I waited until sunset when the shadows were at a minimum and the light was soft. Using a semi-long exposure I was able to pick up the subtle, golden hues in the tree bark and still maintain the ocean in the background.”

Yellow Leaf Road is a look into the mountain roads of Virginia during the peak of fall color. Utilizing a long exposure soon after sunset, Brett was able to capture the intense colors of this lush vegitation.

“We followed a small forest service road for several miles” recalls Brett. “It was a magical place full of colorful trees, waterfalls, valleys and boulders. As the sun was quickly setting behind the mountains in the distance I decided to capture one more image on film for the day. We came upon this cluster of yellow leaved trees with a bend in the road. It was perfect. I setup my tripod and camera, carefully aligned the shot and took about a 45 second exposure. The result is Yellow Leaf Road.”

Limited Edition: 250 // AP: 10

Brett captured Sacred Falls on film in early autumn in the hills of North Carolina.  This beautiful waterfall is relatively quiet during the late summer and early fall which gives it a tranquil feeling surrounded by golden leaves and the debris left over from the floods earlier in the springtime.   “When I came upon this waterfall I was instantly captivated by it’s setting” recalls Brett.  “It was framed on both sides with steep slopes and fallen leaves which gave peace to the chaos of the debris pool below.”

Sacred Falls is part of Brett’s Fall 2010 Collection and is available as both a limited edition print and an exclusive artist proof.

Limited Edition: 250 // Artist Proof: 10

Nestled deep in the Appalachian mountains is a small, one lane forest road.  It has no name and is not marked with any signs.  It winds back and forth from the top of a mountain to the base of a small stream that carves its way through a valley full of colorful trees and large boulders.  Brett was fortunate enough to find this hidden gem and capture the tight corners and lush foliage that is Silent Turn.

“I remember driving down this one lane road as dawn was quickly approaching” recalls Brett. “We had no idea where it went but I wanted to capture the slope and tight turns that made it such a charming little road.” The result is a unique photograph full of adventure and beautiful scenery.

Limited Edition: 250

America the Beautiful captures the true spirit and essence of the American dream. The freedom to roam the open road is both a right and privelege and Brett set out to capture that feeling on film in the Appalacian Mountains of North Carolina. There, along the back roads full of color and grace, he found expansive landscapes, small towns thick with character and the cleanest air imaginable.

“Roaming the Smokey Mountains during the fall has been a dream of mine for many years.” recalls Brett. “We set out with the hopes to capture the true essence of America and came home with a warm appreciation for the beauty and grace of our country.”

America the Beautiful was the defining image of Brett’s journey to depict the heart and soul of America in a single shot.

Limited Edition: 250

Enchanted Forest is a view into the complex, yet elegant structure of the eastern American ecosystem. Captured in the Appalacian Mountains early one autumn morning, Brett came upon this perfect oasis of color while hiking along a stream he was looking to photograph.

“The scene immediately captivated me.” recalls Brett. “It was just too perfect. We had hiked for many miles looking to capture all of the colors we were experiencing and this was the moment that it all came together.”

Enchanted Forest depicts both the grand beauty and intricate details that our amazing environment has to offer. The wide variety of colors and textures are only visible for a few short days before falling to the ground and waiting for winter to come.

Limited Edition: 250

Rustic captures the rich history of the American spirit.  The barn was built in the early 20th century as a supply shed for the cattle pasture that is still in operation today.  The character and charm of this Appalachian barn caught Brett’s attention as he was hiking the area in late summer.  “It instantly captivated me… I had been looking for the perfect, unspoiled barn for years.” recalls Brett of his experience capturing Rustic.  “The timing was right too… the fall colors had set in offering the perfect backdrop for the image.  I knew I wanted to make the barn’s rustic details the focal point so I spent extra time ensuring proper exposure of the barn itself.”

Limited Edition: 250

Marsh Island demonstrates the fragile and diverse ecosystem of the Florida coastline.  This mudflat plays an important role in the hunting and breeding of over one hundred different species of birds including herons, storks, pelicans, eagles and more.  Alligators, fish, foxes, bobcats and other large animals also call this area home and are protected by state and federal park systems.

Limited Edition: 250

Morning Calm, perhaps Brett’s most famous image, is a dynamic photograph taken on the Florida coast before sunrise one calm spring morning. Brett travelled to this site many times over the course of several months in search of the perfect conditions to capture his vision.

“It was the perfect morning… exactly what I had been waiting for. The air was dry and warm which provided ideal conditions to capture a brilliant sunrise.” recalls Brett. Using a long exposure to capture a wide range of colors and to emphasise the stillness of the water, Morning Calm displays the power and grace of natural light by displaying every color of the spectrum… from the cool blues and greens of the water to the warm reds and yellows of the horizon.

Limited Edition: 250

Southern Light is the result of a year-long quest to film this dramatic pier in the perfect light. Brett’s determination to get the perfect shot paid off. “From the moment I found this site I knew it had the potential to be an amazing image. I came back again and again and finally got the perfect sunset I had been looking for.” recalls Brett about the April evening he took this image. “It was a magical night on the Gulf of Mexico.”

Utilizing sturdy equipment to hold his camera perfectly still, Brett composed the shot and used a very long exposure to capture the fleeting light as it took refuge behind the horizon. It was nearly dark by the time the camera completed the exposure which is what brings such dramatic color to the sky, water and sand.

Limited Edition: 250

Filmed early in the morning, prior to sunrise, Midnight Pier is a dramatic image full of color and life. This dreamy landscape was captured in Brett’s camera using a long exposure and a very sturdy tripod. Working with his camera on this beach in the dark, he opened his shutter for several minutes allowing the subtle light to slowly fall upon the film. Using this technique, Brett is able to photograph a world not seen by the human eye… a place full of colors that goes beyond the boundaries of our vision.

Limited Edition: 250

The calm, tropical nature of palm trees has captivated Brett since his early childhood. After all, growing up in Florida he has seen his fare share of them. So he set out to capture the hidden Oasis of a palm canopy through the lens of his camera.

Traveling by boat to the subtropic region of Southeast Florida he came upon this hidden gem on a small island about thirty miles from the metropolitan city of Miami. “I was surrounded by palm trees in every direction” recalls Brett of his experience. “I found a small clearing in the center of this little island and there in the middle was a cluster of palms. The background was full of greenery and the texture of the palm trees captivated me. It was a very enjoyable experience filming in this lush habitat.”

Limited Edition: 250

Quiet Storm is a breathtaking look into the heart of Mother Nature’s power and grace. The image, captured in springtime along the Gulf of Mexico, is the product of 10 months of hard work filming this rugged coastal shore. “I kept going back to this beach over and over again” recalls Brett reflecting on the challenge of capturing Quiet Storm. “I knew from the moment I found it that it had the potential to be an amazing shot. That night I traveled there during a calm afternoon and for some reason as the sun began to set two storms collided overhead and all hell broke loose!” Brett’s experience on that beach nearly turned disastrous. The secluded beach offered him little coverage to avoid the intense lighting that crashed around him only minutes after capturing Quiet Storm. He took refuge in nearby mangroves for 45 minutes before the storm moved on and he could hike down the coast back to safer ground. “I’ll never forget my experience filming Quiet Storm… it was definitely worth it.”

Quiet Storm has been added to Brett’s collection of Limited Edition Prints. This magnificent image comes in multiple sizes up to 36×90 and is exquisitely framed using only the finest, museum-quality materials. Each of Brett’s Limited Edition Prints are hand inspected, signed and numbered to insure your investment will last a lifetime. Quiet Storm is an edition of 250. Once all 250 images have been sold this image will never be printed as a photograph again.

Limited Edition: 250

Autumn Dunes is a tribute to the rugged coastlines of the Atlantic shore.  Brett photographed this majestic image on a warm autumn morning using a long exposure to capture the subtle hues rarely seen by the naked eye. The contrast between the dry dunes and the expansive ocean sheds light on the diversity of this fragile environment.

“It is becoming increasingly difficult to find unspoiled beaches along the East Coast.” recalls Brett when reflecting on his experience filming Autumn Dunes. “Over-development of our beaches is a major concern of wildlife experts and environmentalists.  If it continues our future generations will never get to enjoy the unspoiled beauty that I was lucky enough to experience when shooting Autumn Dunes.”

Autumn Dunes represents years of work mastering the technical and aesthetic signature of Brett’s photographic style.  His advanced knowledge of the science of light allows his images to be both dynamic and realistic in the viewers eyes.  This print is an edition of 250 and is expected to sell out quickly.  Be sure to visit your nearest gallery to view this piece in person.

Limited Edition: 250

Limited Edition: 250

Earth highlights the intricate, yet powerful forces of the Atlantic Ocean. Photographed on an early spring day, Brett traveled to a secluded beach where he was overwhelmed by the shapes and forms in the sand. “It was just one of those mornings where everything glistened as the sun rose over the horizon.” recalls Brett. “It was just… perfect. I was captivated by the colors and shapes carved into the beach by the outgoing tide. Mini sandbars were everywhere and it was difficult to pick just one subject to film.”

Earth was Brett’s moment in time when he came to the realization that not all landscapes are shot from a distance. Sometimes they are right under our feet.

Limited Edition: 250