normhalm

[normhalm]

FROM THE VAULT: Top- Skull Detail, 1999; Bottom- Ram’s Horn, 2000 ©Norm Halm

I can't believe that it was over 20 years ago that I made these pictures, up all night on in-love and inspired evenings at a historic and beloved photography studio in San Francisco's Hayes Valley.

Film and hot lights. Dynalite strobes. Wet darkroom prints.

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Happy Autumnal Equinox

Turtle Creek, Dallas Texas

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Visitation Stone

Kaddish; A Prayer For The Dead

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   A couple of geometric florals from the archives. Years back. Both were unplanned stumbled upon “gifts of the commonplace” moments, as one sage photographer put it. Both pics were made with one iPhone or another. I love them. Photography for myself if nothing else. The “benevolent pleasures of sight” as another sage photographer once put it.

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A hedge within Texas Blackland Prairie, after rain. 

12 Hills, Oak Cliff, Texas

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I walk under this sycamore tree everyday. The light show is particularly good in late afternoon. Happy summer solstice.

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Ostara 2020

Happy Spring Equinox from Dallas TX

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Orb & Scepter, Mojave Desert

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Joshua Tree Bones

Mojave Desert Entropy

found; not arranged by the photographer

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Throwback: Christmastime In The Mojave Desert

some lonely road on the Nevada California border

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Anyone who’s gotten too close knows that the cholla cactus is as pernicious as it is beautiful. Precisely like the Mojave Desert itself.

This little sphere of barbed spines, dropped from a full-size cactus and bound to eventually create an entirely new cactus, did indeed attack my model. But @sergio_escobar_ig, toughed through it and remained gracious with me so we could get this picture made 🖤

I’ve been coming back to this picture a lot lately. It’s one of my favorite photos I made living in the desert. I hope that prickly nugget found the right spot to hunker down and grow.

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G R O T T O 

Mission San Xavier Del Bac, Tucson AZ

"Bac" is the Native Tohono O'odham word for "place where water appears."

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LEAVING LAS VEGAS

Before being offered a work transfer, I never would have guessed that I’d ever move to Vegas. Exactly four years to the day that we arrived in this desert city, we’re leaving for another city I wouldn’t have guessed would ever be my home: Dallas, TX.

Las Vegas has so much more to offer than a lot of people give it credit for. It was a good home for a time but like a lot of folks here, it turns out we were just passing through. The strip, casinos, clubs etc were never really my scene but I accept Vegas for what it is- at least it’s far more honest about its true nature than my previous home city was when I lived there. Dear Las Vegas- THANK YOU for everything.

Even the locals who avoid the strip have no choice but to interact on some level with what Las Vegas is famous for. I did enjoy it certain ways; driving Uber between jobs in this town was an AMAZING experience that I’ll miss very much. It softened my judgemental tendencies... a little, lol. I’ve had around 3,000 people in my car, both locals and tourists, every single one was so interesting! Everyone has a story.

But what really gave me life every single day living in Vegas was the surrounding desert wilderness. I didn’t get out into the wilds everyday but just seeing the mountains in the distance beyond the Vegas lights, every moment from every street always put me at ease despite the nonstop frenetic energy in this town.

I love this desert, distinct from the Great Basin Desert to the north and the Sonoran Desert to the south. The Mojave has my heart forever. I’m going to miss it so much; it hurts to leave but goodbyes are the only things guaranteed in life. So I’m good with it. Besides, there are more adventures on the horizon. #MojaveDesertLove

Thanks to my stunning and fabulous model @sergio_escobar_ig for enduring hours of dusty photo sessions in the desert sun. Gonna miss you honey!

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N E V A D A

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Canyon Grape, Vitis arizonica.

Indigenous to the Southwest and Mexico, it thrives in deserts near springs and riparian zones especially within canyons. In the Mojave, it's a vibrant harbinger of oasis and reprieve in an otherwise parched place.

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Mojave Yucca

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California's Golden Hills