One of the more iconic aspects of New Mexico, almost no matter where you are in the state, are the amazing clouds that take shape. This photo best exemplifies how these beautiful clouds can enhance the already amazing landscape of White Sands National Monument.
Soaptree Yucca plant (Yucca elata) and New Mexico Clouds
Photo Details:
Canon 1Ds Mark III, 70-200mm f/2.8L IS USM, f/13, 1/125 sec, ISO 200, Gitzo tripod
Unlike my previous post Yucca Shadow – White Sands National Monument this photo takes on a more classic view of the iconic Soaptree Yucca (Yucca elata) plants that dot the landscape. Late afternoon light provided side lighting to enhance the texture of the beautiful White Sand and add depth to the clouds. Unfortunately these clouds didn’t hang around long, but they were mesmerizing while they lasted.
I can’t put my finger on it, but there’s been something eating away at my free time… Photo Details:
Canon 1Ds Mark III, 85mm f/1.2, Â 1/80 sec, f/8 and ISO 1600 under natural light
The past couple of weeks I’ve been taking it upon myself to ramp up on baby portraits. I’ve been doing this with my iPhone quite regularly and with my Canon 1Ds Mark III. My wife who normally is not the most patient when it comes to photography has been eager for me to take “professional” baby photos, but still can’t handle photo setups that take more than a few minutes. As you can imagine it’s an interesting experience getting baby photos. Baby’s seldom cooperate, my wife goes out of her skin during the shoot and we’re still sleep deprived with our son waking us up often during the night. Â It all makes for a great photo adventure and hopefully the photos captured will provide years of enjoyment.
Wondering why there hasn’t been a blog post here in sometime?
There are multiple reasons some good and some bad. First the good…
As you might have been able to tell from the photo above a new member of the family has finally arrived!
Blake, my first child, was born on June 8, 2010 (6/8/10 cool ay?). As of this post he’s now 12 days old. My wife went into labor the evening of the 7th and I’ve been up ever since. Ok well maybe it’s not that bad, but at times its seemed like it. Most importantly I am very relieved to report that Blake and his mom are in excellent health. We’ve been having tons of fun with him and soon enough I’ll be sharing some videos that were made for sheer goofy fun.
If you’re looking for good news on this Monday look no further. If you’re curious as to why this time turned out to be so trying click for more. Read more…
The Gulf Coast oil spill has really grabbed my attention as of late. While disturbing on multiple levels (particularly seeing the horrific wildlife photos via Boston.com’s The Big Picture) I grow increasingly concerned that people will start to filter it out and lose their empathy for the devastation that is happening and will continue to happen for years to come.
Last Friday on Twitter I recommended that others follow the sharp witted spoof PR site of @BPGlobalPR who has been very creatively raising awareness to the horrors of this oil spill. The person behind the account, Leroy Stick, has been selling T-Shirts and donating money to @HealthyGulf the twitter account for the Gulf Restoration Network.
Why? Think criminal activity not politics. Director James Cameron put it best…
“The government really needs to have its own independent ability to go down there and image the site, survey the site and do its own investigation,” he said.
Know of other organizations or actions others can do to help in any way or form with the Gulf Oil Spill? Share links and information by adding a comment.
With that being said here are two biting statements made via the bigcaption.com that speak volumes to our own culpability (more after the jump) Read more…
It’s that time of year again. July 24th I’m going to be leading a photowalk here in San Francisco as part of the Scott Kelby Worldwide Photowalk mega-event. Last years photowalk through North Beach was a lot of fun with lots of great photos taken, but this year I’m going to be sharing a favorite spot of mine… Sutro Baths and Lands End. Â We’ll be meeting in front of Louis’, a small restaurant, and then exploring the Sutro Bath ruins, walking on the Lands End trail for great views of the Marin Headlands and the Golden Gate Bridge and returning to the ruins for sunset dusk shooting.
If you’re in town on July 24th join me by signing up. Space is filling up fast. At last check the photowalk was half full after 1 day.
Tell me a location has no more unique vantage points and I’ll find one. I love a good challenge. While there are an infinite number of Soaptree Yucca plant (Yucca elata) photos from White Sands National Monument in New Mexico it is still possible to create something new and unique. I truly cannot get enough of exploring White Sands and I look forward to returning sometime soon. In the meantime I have intimate portraits such as this photo to remind me of the natural beauty found here.
The video below “Chladni Singing” is exceptionally cool where by an artist sings certain tones to create patterns in salt on a Chladni plate. Beyond the cool factor of this what struck me is that this is a great visual example of an artist not just creating art, but imposing an impression of themselves in their work. If it were a computer generated tones the patterns would snap to exact formation, but this is inexact human tone where it is unique to the singer. Transitions between tones are inexact, pitch of tones vary and sequences of tones vary based on artistic choice. Now think of this in terms of photography where this is also true, but in a less obvious fashion. More after the video…
Let’s take a common photograph of Tunnel View in Yosemite, arguably one of the most common photographs of Yosemite you’ll find. The great thing about taking photos of this view is that its clearly amazingly beautiful, but every person who takes a photo of this view captures their own unique version. Capturing a unique version is not just a reflection of weather variation, seasonal differences, different camera gear, different photographic experience levels, etc. By definition we as photographers and artists place an impression of ourselves in our photographic work. We do not capture a clinically sterile view of the world around us. We inject our own unique perspectives, styles, areas of focus, life experiences and personalities into our work.
Yosemite Sunset Breaking Light, Yosemite National Park
Artistic styles or subject niches may be the more obvious forms of an artist’s impression in their work, but an artist’s impression can also be very subtle. As you view the work of other photographers see if you can observe the impression of the artist in their work. A finer eye or perhaps a longer term familiarity with the photographer’s work may be necessary to detect their impression. Conversely as an artist/photographer be aware even the photos you take from the most intensely crafted to the generic always contain your impression. What passions stir in your creative mind that are leaving an impression of who you are in your work?
Today’s guest post is by John Wall, an avid & dedicated nature photographer, who loves exploring California. I first saw John’s work on Naturephotographers.net and after several years of online interaction learned he lives just 3 blocks from my house. Be sure to check out his blog John Wall’s Natural California and John Wall’s Flick photostream for some inspiring images taken across California.
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I feel like I’m about to write an obituary for a place I hardly got to know, the Antelope Valley California Poppy Reserve. I first stumbled on the Poppy Reserve in 1994 but was a little too early to catch the poppies gone wild. Still, my girlfriend and I had the place to ourselves, and the solitude, as always, was excellent. When I passed by ten years later I was even earlier, and although I got skunked on poppies I was pleased to spot a donkey standing in the middle of the road, in the middle of nowhere.
California Poppy Reserve 2004 by John Wall
It probably won’t be the middle of nowhere much longer. The Fairmont Butte Motorsports Park is going to pave a 3.6-mile racetrack through the landscape and attract a much speedier breed than wandering donkeys and people looking for peak wildflower action. The Los Angeles County Planning Department has finalized the environmental review and will take it to the Planning Commission for approval this Saturday (June 9). As racetrack opponents continue their uphill battle, their next stop after Saturday’s meeting will likely be the Board of Supervisors where the project could receive final approval — or not.
I heard the poppies were great this year. I hope I haven’t missed my chance to enjoy them in peace.
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