Landscape, Nature and Travel Photography

I’m not sure what the odds are that I would see complimentary patterns aligned so well at just the perfect time. I’m not a statistician, but perhaps its ten thousand to one… a million to one… a billion to one or maybe even a trillion to one? Who knows. As photographers we often focus more on the outcome than reflecting on the experience and appreciating the odds of finding the proverbial needle in a haystack… magical high impact photo.

While I’m quite happy with how I was able to align, expose and compose this image I can’t seem to shake the thought of how I or any other nature/landscape photographer so often take for granted the very unique environmental phenomenon we photograph. Even photographers need to be reminded to stop and smell the roses now and again.

On that note this will be my last post for the week. I’ll be traveling, but will undoubtedly have more to post when I return this weekend.  Have a great long weekend for those in the U.S. and for those bringing their cameras with them this weekend take the time to appreciate what you photograph.

Technorati Tags: sunset, landscape, photography, stock photo, crepuscular rays

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View More Sea Otter photos…

This was taken just after an over amorous male was trying to force himself on the mother of this pup. The fray that ensued was quite dramatic. The aftermath was this brief moment of comfort between mother and pup. Can you see the sense of security in the eye of this sea otter pup?

We’re now with in 2 weeks of the September 7th Sea Otter Photo Tour and 3 weeks to the September 14th  tour. There’s no time like the present to register and hope to see some blog readers there.

Technorati Tags: sea otter, enhydra lutris, photography, stock photo, workshop, photo tour

Bush Administration Moves to Gut Endangered Species Act
With months left in the Bush presidency an effort is underway to undermine and severely weaken the Endangered Species Act. If this is as unacceptable to you as it is to me then I urge you to take action and write your U.S. Representative and Senators urging them to oppose this legislation.

The Economics of Conservation

“Gretchen Daily wants to protect the planet by convincing governments and big investors there’s money to be made - or at least saved - in preserving nature instead of exploiting it.”

Stanford biologist sees money in preservation - SFGate

On The Topic of Copyrights
This week a huge decision was made that should put all photographers on alert:
Judge: Copyright Owners Must Consider ‘Fair Use’ Before Sending Takedown Notice - Wired
Commentary on this decision that is a must read:
A Weakened Copyright Thanks to Old Fogel - Photo Business News & Forum (John Harrington)

Is It Protected By Copyrights? - LibraryCopyright.net

A Savvy Way to Copyright An Image - Derek Powazek

The Difference Between Americans and the British When It Comes to Photographers Rights
Press photographer sues Oakland over arrest - SFGate
A MAN was held for five hours after he photographed a cop reversing the wrong way up a one-way street and gets apology - The Sun

Photography of the Summer Olympics
Amazing Photography of the Summer Olympics by Vincent Laforet

World-Wide Photowalk
Photos from this weekends World-Wide Photowalk put on by Scott Kelby - Flickr

Podcast Episode of Note
PhotoNetCast #10 - It’s all about Books

I have to admit it is very difficult for me not to photograph Seal Rock in San Francisco. There is something magical about the heart shaped arch that keeps me coming back over and over. This was taken while out photographing the Sutro Baths area with Richard Wong and Greg Lato. I’m late to the game in posting some teaser photos from this outing, but Richard and Greg both posted a few photos some time ago on their blogs.

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I have to admit that I was rather frustrated being hampered with a broken toe during this outing. This is a great location to explore… just not with a broken toe. Anyhow I still had fun photographing the sunset and hanging out with Richard (photo left) and Greg (photo right)

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Technorati Tags: Seal Rock, Sutro Baths, San Francisco, Seascape, Landscape, photography, stock photo, fine art

As a follow up to PhotoNetCast #9 - Inspiration the PhotoNetCast crew focuses on photography books that inspire either creatively or technically. No matter what your skill level this discussion should prove to be informative and put you on the path to some great reading and photography viewing.

PhotoNetCast Podcast Episode #10 - It’s all about Books

Know of other Photography books that are worthy of recommendation? Feel free to share. I’m always looking for great photography books.

Technorati Tags: PhotoNetCast, Photography, Podcast

A few weeks back while in Utah I had the good fortune of being introduced to Randy Ramsley, an unlikely environmental hero, who is a farmer in an unlikely location… the Caineville Badlands. Randy Ramsley’s Mesa Market and his organic farm are situated between Highway 24 and the Caineville wash. While driving through you wouldn’t think it, but this small greenbelt in the heart of the desert produces incredible food no less a result of the incredibly hard work put in by Randy and his staff.

Not too far off in the distance from Mesa Market is Factory Butte and a wide stretch of desert wilderness. This area is filled with amazing formations created over tens if not hundreds of thousands of years and a unique ecosystem filled with a variety of plants and animals that have evolved to survive the harsh arid climate. This beautiful yet arid land has been under pressure from off-road enthusiasts who use the sandy flats and high banking ancient buttes & dunes as 4×4 fodder.

Photographed: Factory Butte in the distance with 4×4 tracks marring the landscape in the foreground

Randy has been involved in trying to work with local and state government agencies in addition to environmental groups to help preserve this unique ecosystem from destruction by recreational motorists. As with most environmental battles the ongoing battle to preserve this land has been fought for sometime and is often reminiscent of a “David and Goliath” type battle. Randy who is on the front lines due to the location of his home and business has stepped up to face the odds and fight for what he feels is right. After you talk with him about the subject you can’t help but feel charged to make a difference. It is that facet of Randy’s personality that is most infectious.

Randy personifies the difference an individual can make, but it takes a lot more than an individual willing to publicly stand up for what he believes is right. The Southern Utah Wilderness Alliance (SUWA) is an organization that works with Randy and other like minded individuals to fight for the preservation of wild lands and endangered plant & animal species in Utah. The Southern Utah Wilderness Alliance (SUWA) website is a critical resource for those interested in helping preserve this and other wilderness areas in Southern Utah.

Off-Road Vehicles - Searching for Balance and Quiet in Utah’s Wilderness

With very recent news of the Bureau of Land Management proposing 2 million acres of land including the Factory Butte area to be opened for oil exploration and off-roading it is critical for those who value our environment to step up and help individuals like Randy Ramsley and organizations like SUWA.

BLM proposes 2 million acres for oil exploration, off-roading - Salt Lake Tribute

While enjoying a cinnamon roll at Mesa Market, one of Randy’s signature pastries, I was pointed to his copy of Thrillcraft: The Environmental Consequences of Motorized Recreation. This book details photographically the impact of motorized recreational vehicles not just on the Coyote Buttes area, but other fragile desert and mountain environments. If there is any doubt to the lasting impact these vehicles and activities have on the environment this book clearly put them to rest. As if it wasn’t enough to discuss this book with Randy and Guy Tal, who introduced me to Randy, by the time I got home I had a book review of Thrillcraft by Roger Kaye in my mailbox via the June Wilderness Watch newsletter.  This was hardly coincidence. Those that are fighting for the protection of this area are working hard to raise awareness to this issue. Given all their sacrifice and effort it raises the questions, “What can you do to help?”

If you can’t join Randy in his local fight then consider taking action via the Southern Utah Wilderness Alliance (SUWA) Action Center. To find out about issues impacting wilderness in your area consider joining and supporting Wilderness Watch or Earth Justice. It goes with out saying if you’re passing through the Capitol Reef National Park area via Highway 24 stop by Mesa Market to support Randy Ramsley

Additional write-ups to check out:

Factory Butte and Off-Road Vehicles
An interview with Randy Ramsley - by Guy Tal

Technorati Tags: Randy Ramsley, SUWA, Southern Utah Wilderness Alliance, Caineville, Utah, environment, BLM, conservation, Caineville, Utah

This is one of the few large panoramic photos I took while out at The Wave in Arizona. As some might recall I covered elements of my time at this location in my aptly titled EXIF and Beyond podcast Landscape Photography: The Wave.  This particular photo is a 22 image vertical image stitch with a net resolution equivalent to 300+ megapixels.

Those that were with me when I took this panoramic thought I was a little nuts. I’m finding that is a more common reaction than not when out in the field. For better or worse I can’t stop myself from pursuing ultra-high resolution photographs of the locations I travel to.

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The Wave - Paria Canyon-Vermilion Cliffs Wilderness

More Wave Photos… and The Wave photo gallery

Technorati Tags: landscape, photography, panoramic, photo, The Wave, Arizona, Utah, Paria Canyon, Vermillion Cliffs Wilderness, photography, podcast

Copyright News That Seemed To Go Unnoticed - Ruling Is a Victory for Supporters of Free Software
Although this focuses on “free software”, rather open source licenses via Creative Comomons, photographers should take note. If you use Creative Commons licenses for your work that are Attribution Only you’ll breath a little easier knowing that the licenses are indeed enforceable. Had this ruling gone the opposite direction Creative Commons licenses would have been substantially undermined.

In a ruling Wednesday, the federal appeals court in Washington said that just because a software programmer gave his work away did not mean it could not be protected.

The decision legitimizes the use of commercial contracts for the distribution of computer software and digital artistic works for the public good. The court ruling also bolsters the open-source movement by easing the concerns of large organizations about relying on free software from hobbyists and hackers who have freely contributed time and energy without pay.
- New York Times

Photosynth the next development - Finding Paths through the World’s Photos
This demonstration is eye opening and a good look into the window of development applying realworld application to this technology. If you missed what Photosynth is there was another demo previously mentioned in my post Photosynth the future of socially networked images or something bigger?. For those who want to cut to the chase here is the video link: Photosynth demo by Blaise Aguera y Arcas at TED

Amazing Womens Fencing Photos from the Boston Globe
Amazing Women’s Fencing photos from an amazing week at the Olympics. It’s a shame this sport among many others aren’t getting coverage on TV.

Faces of Beijing photo essay by photographer Kris Krug
I was made aware of the Faces of Beijing photo essay of by Kris on Twitter and was very much taken by the unique perspective of the people, city and atmosphere. Very much worthy of checking out.

PHOTO PROJECT: The $50 Film Camera - Epic Edits
Brian Auer is running a photo project titled The $50 Film Camera. The project is sponsored with prizes to be given out. If you’re an old film shooter looking to brush the dust off your old camera or a new photographer looking for a reason to experiment this is the project for you.

Making a Photo Flipbook
A fun alternative to showing photographs or at least a series of photographs. How to make Handmade Flipbooks via The Curious

Photographers I Like a series at Marvin’s World
The first in this series highlights fellow PhotoNetCast‘er Martin Gommel
Photographers I like - Part 1