Landscape, Nature And Travel Photography

This Weeks Friday Freebie iPad Wallpaper: Memorial Day Flag
Friday Freebie features an image to liven up your iPad display with images from my travels… all for free.

Today’s photo is not my typical iPad wallpaper photo. This coming Monday is Memorial Day and I thought I’d share a photo that fit the holiday. My sister in-law is overseas at the moment in Afghanistan serving with the U.S. Air Force and like many other families who worry about their relatives serving in the military we worry about her a lot.  While our immediate attention focuses on her well being we never lose sight of the countless soldiers that have fallen in the line of duty to protect the United States. To all past & current serving U.S. military, Thank You. To all who have lost a loved one in the line of duty my condolences for the ultimate sacrifice your family member has made.

Click here to download your free iPad wallpaper. Have a great weekend!

Note: This image is distributed for personal use only and all rights are reserved. If interested in using this photograph commercially please contact me.

Technorati Tags: Photography, Free, Friday Freebie, iPad, Wallpaper, Memorial Day, flag

Transcendence - White Sands National Monument, New Mexico

If there ever was a photographers playground to learn something about yourself creatively White Sands National Monument is the spot. Every time I visit I find new landscape opportunities and more importantly I expand my ability to see creatively. 100,000 acres of wild dune fields might seem monotonous or overwhelming, but once you venture out into the void the isolation allows you to focus in a new ways.  An added bonus is the amazing southwest light that transforms the terrain in rather dramatic fashion.

For this particular photo after walking deep into the dune fields, late afternoon light allowed more and more texture to be visible as the sun set. The side lighting in this scene allowed me to capture not just the dominant leading line of the steeply sloped dune to the lone cloud, but the contrasty texture of the sand making up the dune.  In addition the changing slope of the dune shows differing amounts of texture based on the angle of the light hitting it allowing me to capture a gradient of texture in the foreground to none at the dune/sky transition. Given the amount of sand, the number of dunes, and constant changes in lighting conditions I think White Sands must have an infinite number of unique compositions waiting to be discovered.

If White Sands National Monument is on your list of  places to visit join me on my  White Sands by Moonlight photo tour in October 2011.

Technorati Tags: Photography, White Sands National Monument, fine art, stock photo, landscape, nature

This Weeks Friday Freebie iPad Wallpaper: Channel Islands Sunset
Friday Freebie features an image to liven up your iPad display with images from my travels… all for free.

California sunsets can be quite amazing. On a recent trip to Santa Barbara, California I was reminded of this with an amazing light show. For 8 years I lived in Santa Barbara and as much as  I hate to admit it I often took them for granted. Taken from campus point at UC Santa Barbara this particular view of the Channel Islands, Santa Cruz Island to be specific, with under-lit clouds really took my breath away. If you enjoyed this photo be sure to check out more of my sunset photos. Thanks for checking in and enjoy this Friday’s Freebie.

Click here to download your free iPad wallpaper. Have a great weekend!

Note: This image is distributed for personal use only and all rights are reserved. If interested in using this photograph commercially please contact me.

Technorati Tags: Photography, nature, landscape, Free, Friday Freebie, iPad, Wallpaper, Santa Barbara, Channel Islands, Abstract

This spring I’ve finally made it around to exploring Alcatraz Island here in San Francisco. Even though my camera and I were pooped on by birds during my visit I’m aiming to go back again in the next couple of weeks… as long as the weather cooperates. Alcatraz is an incredibly fascinating location rich in history and legend and really captured my imagination. While I’ve often photographed Alcatraz from afar, actually being on the island was an even better experience.  As soon as I have my photos finalized I’ll be sure to share them. In the meantime enjoy this aerial view of Alcatraz at sunrise.

Alcatraz Island Sunrise - San Francisco, California

Technorati Tags: California, San Francisco, Alcatraz, travel, photography, stock photo

This Weeks Friday Freebie iPad Wallpaper: Yosemite Abstract
Friday Freebie features an image to liven up your iPad display with images from my travels… all for free.

Abstract photography, one of my favorite photographic genres, as it is a reflection of how a photographer sees versus what he literally sees. Abstracts are a great form of creative escape as well, as they often break traditional photographic rules. This particular abstract might surprise you in that it was taken in the heart of Yosemite Valley. I like to think a good abstract can be found most any where and in any weather. To see a sampling of a few of my abstract photographs view my Abstract photo gallery. Thanks for checking in and enjoy this Friday’s Freebie.

Click here to download your free iPad wallpaper. Have a great weekend!

Note: This image is distributed for personal use only and all rights are reserved. If interested in using this photograph commercially please contact me.

Technorati Tags: Photography, nature, landscape, Free, Friday Freebie, iPad, Wallpaper, Yosemite, Abstract

The Big Sur coast is an amazing site to behold with its turquoise water, monolithic spires of ancient rock eroded by constant pounding of surf. Truly an inspiring place for all, but especially for artists.  Watching sunsets here is akin to witnessing the unveiling of a new masterpiece every day. The more I review my Big Sur photos the more I want to return. As for this photo it was taken after my Primitive Coast III and Big Sur Crashing Surf photos just as the last light of the day illuminated  the coast. That last glimmer of light is always special, but very much so in this location with the vibrant colors in the rocks, water and sky.

Last Light on Big Sur, California

Technorati Tags: photography, Big Sur, California, landscape, seascape, nature, travel, picture

If you’ve seen a Hollywood film these days you’ll know that a truly original film is tough to come by. Remakes, sequels, reboots, TV programs made into movies, etc. are the safe plays for movie studios. The most original and daring films come from artists bootstrapping their films and taking them to independent film circuits. The underlying component to this dynamic is of course risk, who shoulders the risk and what is the cost of failure.

In a similar fashion the more I travel the more I see photographers clustered together aiming their sights on the lower risk shot. The shot that people are already familiar with and/or the shot that likely takes less effort to get.  This of course is a generality, but it reminds me of a quote from John Lubbock:

What we see depends mainly on what we look for.
- John Lubbock

Photographers Yosemite Valley - Yosemite National Park, California

If we’re familiar with the popular work of another artist we’re very likely to be influenced by it and take comfort in it. As a result it takes some additional effort to not fall into reproducing the same photo and finding one’s own perspective. For a select few that can be accomplished with ease and for others it is an elusive task. When you free yourself of the things you know  and venture into the unknown new perspectives arise. Sometimes that requires a long hike out of the way or taking the photos you know before you find the photos you want. Personally I take no shame in photographing familiar compositions.  I do so in knowing that it is the first step of a longer creative process. Photographing the familiar is comforting and inspiring, but once I’ve honored those of influence I move on to explore my surroundings and look for my original photograph.

The photographer with one of the biggest shadows to step out from behind, Ansel Adams, put it well…

Millions of men have lived to fight, build palaces and boundaries, shape destinies and societies; but the compelling force of all times has been the force of originality and creation profoundly affecting the roots of human spirit.
Ansel Adams

Technorati Tags: photography, Yosemite, National Park, photographer, travel, California, stock photo

This Weeks Friday Freebie iPad Wallpaper: White Sands Detail
Friday Freebie features an image to liven up your iPad display with images from my travels… all for free.

White Sands National Monument is a truly special place. The gypsum sand not only creates a beautifully unique landscape of white sand dunes it reflects the ever changing color of the sky during dusk hours. The resulting hues that make up the landscape look unreal. For being such an arid place there it surprises many that there are numerous species that call the dune fields home from reptiles to mammals. White Sands National Monument is also a great place to hone ones creative eye as well allowing a photographer to explore textures, patterns, color and more. This October I’m heading back here and if you’d like to join me you can find out details here about my White Sands Photo Tour.  To get a better idea of what natural beauty is found here view my White Sands National Monument photo gallery. Thanks for checking in and enjoy this Friday’s Freebie.

Click here to download your free iPad wallpaper. Have a great weekend!

Note: This image is distributed for personal use only and all rights are reserved. If interested in using this photograph commercially please contact me.

Technorati Tags: Photography, nature, landscape, Free, Friday Freebie, iPad, Wallpaper, New Mexico, White Sands National Monument