Ever have a moment where you’re out with your camera and you think to yourself that there isn’t anything to photograph? I’ve had my moments in the past where this thought has crossed my mind, but over the years such notions have disappeared from my thought process. There is always something to photograph. Always! Enter my world of nerdy thoughts… zero. The number zero. Did you ever stop to thi

One of the many things to love about Yosemite valley is that once you get past those big grand landscapes the valley starts to speak to you in subtle ways. Heading home on my way out of the valley this reflection caught my eye.  This scene could have easily been overlooked for a view of a near by waterfall or a dramatic valley wall photo, but it was the slow meandering flow of the Merced river that caught my eye. Not

A little over a week ago I was working with a great client in the Owens Valley on a private workshop at Mono Lake Tufa State Natural Reserve. Our session was timed perfectly after a large storm passed through the area and we were treated to great star trail photography conditions. At the time the moon was at 20% visibility which provided just enough light to give the tufas some needed side lighting and made them a gr

Fitting quote for the week as we wrap up a week here in the United States commemorating the life of Martin Luther King Jr.: Darkness cannot drive out darkness; only light can do that. Hate cannot drive out hate; only love can do that. – Martin Luther King, Jr. If you ever show up to a location you’ve had your heart set on to photograph only to find that the weather isn’t up to your expectation this

2011 was a fun year to be behind the camera. I was very lucky to witness some breathtaking moments and round out some projects that made their way into my eBook. As was the case in 2010 it is impossible to rank my best photos like I had been in years past (best photos of 2010, best photos of 2009, best photos of 2008 and best photos of 2007).  So in no particular order here are my 10 favorite photos taken in 2011. En

It seems like only yesterday, but it back in October I had the privilege of taking some great folks out to the Racetrack in Death Valley National Park. We had a blast even considering temperatures were unseasonably low, dipping well below freezing. The trip was timed to take advantage of the new moon in order to get in some great night photography. Those who joined me took full advantage of the dark skies to take som

The surreal scenery of Death Valley offers some great photo opportunities, but no more so than at night. During a new moon the skies above Death Valley unveil every star in the sky. It’s really breathtaking to see how many stars can be seen less any light pollution. The sky lights up so much from the stars in fact my clients on this night kept asking me if I was sure that there were no other light sources. Trul

This past month I had a great time out on the Racetrack in Death Valley. I took a group of clients out for some night photography under a pitch black sky… oh and of course to take classic photos of the Racetrack as well. (Highlight photos to be shared this week so stay tuned.) Being in a star trails kind of mood I didn’t make it long into my drive to Death Valley from San Francisco without the itch to pul