Landscape, Nature And Travel Photography

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 great foreground element. . Utilizing the star trail photography techniques discussed in my recent ebook we walked away in the dark dodging sagebrush with the images needed to make this final photo. Cold, a little smellier thanks to the sagebrush and picking up a few minor scratches here and I’d say the effort of was well worth it.

Mono Lake Star Trails - Mono Lake Tufa State Natural Reserve, California

Photo Details:
Canon 5D Mark II, 16mm, ISO 3200, f/3.2, 66 minutes [(132) 30 second images, stacked]

Technorati Tags: photography, star trails, fine art, night, mono lake, Mono Lake Tufa State Natural Reserve, California, photoshop, ebook, photo art

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. Enjoy and feel free to let me know if you have a favorite!

Portrait of Blake
Technically this is my 11th selection, consider it an honorable mention. I had to include a picture of Blake with a big smile for reasons you’ll later understand as you scroll down.

Portrait of Blake

Ecliptic Star Trails – Nature and Landscape Photography by Jim M. Goldstein
I took several star trail photos in Death Valley National Park this year, but this is one that really stood out for me. Being able to photograph the curvature of the stars as they approach both poles was a real highlight of my October Death Valley Photo Tour. I’m looking forward to sharing the incredible night skies here with those in my February Death Valley Photo Tour. I still have room if you want to join me..

Ecliptic Star Trails

Road to the Sun View, Glacier National Park
Being atop the northern Rocky mountain range always yields dramatic views. Wafting clouds through a glacially carved valley made this view extra special from the Road to the Sun in Glacier National Park.

Road to the Sun View, Glacier National Park

Lunar Rainbow (Moonbow) at Lower Yosemite Falls, Yosemite National Park
Water levels were at record levels during my visit to Yosemite in June. As a result the waterfalls were flowing at a greater capacity than I’ve ever seen before. This made photographing moonbows a lot easier. In this instance I was being drenched from the mist, but it was so worth it. In April and June I return to hunt for Yosemite moonbows during two phototours.

Lunar Rainbow (Moonbow) at Lower Yosemite Falls, Yosemite National Park

Racetrack Star Trails
The Racetrack in Death Valley is dramatic enough, but adding star trails takes it to a new level. This was a 4 hour exposure resulting in nearly 60 degrees of rotation in the sky.

Racetrack Star Trails

Trying Moments
Remember that smiling photo of Blake at the beginning of the post. I didn’t want you to think he’s unhappy all the time. He’s a super happy kid. That being said even happy kids have their unhappy moments. I thought this moment was very telling of how challenging it is to be a parent sometimes.

Trying Moments

Stormy Sunrise, Glacier National Park
This fiery sunrise developed as quickly as it vanished. This fleeting moment was magical, but fear not I also took a time-lapse of it (see below).

Stormy Sunrise, Glacier National Park

With a bonus time-lapse:

Sunrise at Wild Goose Island Lookout from Jim Goldstein on Vimeo.

Rendezvous – Racetrack, Death Valley National Park
The mystery of the moving rocks on the Racetrack always fascinate people. Seeing two rocks paths on the verge of intersecting was particularly cool as it left me wondering how long it would be before they meet.

Rendezvous - Racetrack, Death Valley National Park

360° View of Star Trails Above the Racetrack
Ever wonder what the entire visible night sky would look like as a star trail photo? So did I so I made this photo with a Canon 8-15m lens that Borrowlenses.com (the best online lens rental store) made available to me for my trip. At the top of the circle is the eastern mountains that skirt the Racetrack playa. At the bottom of the screen are the western mountains that skirt the Racetrack playa. The small version of this image doesn’t do it justice so be sure to click the image to see a slightly larger version.

360 Degree View of Star Trails Above the Racetrack, Death Valley National Park

Under the Rainbow, Maui
In mid-December we took a family vacation to Maui. This was one of the more magical moments. I couldn’t believe how gigantic this rainbow was.

Under the Rainbow, Maui

Milky Way Over Death Valley (180° Panoramic)
This is a 70 megapixel 180° panoramic photo of the Milky Way stretching from horizon to horizon above the Racetrack Playa. There is nothing more humbling than seeing an infinite number of stars in the sky. Again this has to be seen large so you may want to check in on my Google+ stream to see it.

Milky Way Over Death Valley (180° Panoramic)

Technorati Tags: best photos, best of 2011, photography, pictures, fine art, stock photo, White Sands National Monument, Glacier National Park, Death Valley, landscape, nature

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 some amazing star trail, Milky Way and light painting photos. Below you’ll find 3 photos from each participant.

If Death Valley is on your list of locations to visit and photograph join me on my next Death Valley Photo Tour (February 18-21, 2012). Space is still available.

From left to right: Rebecca R. Jackrel, Glenn Maslen, Maurice Moore, David Sharp, Tom Keenan, Russell Brown and Jim M. Goldstein

Russell Brown

Tom Keenan

Glenn Maslen

Maurice Moore

David Sharp

Click to Enlarge

Rebecca R. Jackrel (Co-Lead)

Click to Enlarge

Technorati Tags: photography, photo tour, Death Valley, National Park

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. Truly an awe inspiring scene and one that translates well in star trails photos. I’m looking forward to returning here in February on my next Death Valley photo tour with a new group. I still have openings so consider yourself invited to join the fun.

Technical Details
Canon 5D Mark II, 16 mm, f/9, 4 hours, ISO 3200

Racetrack Star Trails, Death Valley National Park

If you enjoyed this photo be sure to check out my new eBook Photographing the 4th Dimension – Time where its featured with other great photos and photography technique discussions.

Technorati Tags: photography, star trails, Death Valley National Park, national park, Death Valley, landscape, nature

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 pull over and get in some early photos of star trails. Being one to take in the scenic route I took Tioga Pass through Yosemite National Park over to Highway 395. Before exiting Yosemite I decided to take a 4 hour pitstop at Olmstead Point to get this and a couple other photos in. Note the boulder in the foreground is the size of a car and the small tree just to the right of it is the size of a medium Christmas tree.

The fun highlight of this pitstop was crossing paths with one other photographer who was as enthralled with the night sky as I was. The only difference being that he was smart enough to bring a pizza to eat from Yosemite valley. Unfortunately for him his pizza got cold pretty quick. Temperatures were in the low 20’s.

Seeing that Tioga Pass will be closed when I head to Death Valley in February for my next Racetrack photo tour I’ll have to find a new spot to stop for some star trails assuming the weather cooperates.

Olmstead Point Star Trails, Yosemite National Park

Photo details:
Canon 5D Mark II, EF16-35mm f/2.8L II USM, f/3.2, 90 minutes (stacked photos) at ISO 3200.

And before I forget…
Cyber Monday Special 11/28 ONLY – 25% Off Orders Over $100
This Monday enjoy 25% off all orders over $100. Redeem your discount by entering JMG-CYBERMONDAY when visiting the JMG Photography

Technorati Tags: photography, star trails, Olmstead Point, Yosemite, Yosemite National Park, stock photo

There is a lot to be said for immersing yourself in Nature. In this day and age it is just too easy to lose yourself in the day-to-day of life. Ironically life out side of our day-to-day routine is the real world and we have to remind ourselves to visit it. Once you step out to see the world without distraction you can’t help but bond with the land, sea and stars. It is… liberating, in the truest sense. (more below)

Ecliptic Star Trails, Death Valley National Park 2011

Beyond liberating us from routine, Nature is a great catalyst of creativity. Being witness to amazing scenery, weather phenomenon and wildlife it is enriching to document our world in a photograph. Documentation alone is not creativity. Creativity is hinged on our ability to interpret and express an otherwise intangible connection to our subject. As I photograph Nature I continually strive to feel that connection and share a unique perspective in the process. As I was happy to learn recently, photography legend Edward Weston held a similar philosophy.

In a letter to Ansel Adams dated January 28, 1933, the photographer Edward Weston said, “photography as a creative expression — or what you will — must be ’seeing’ plus: seeing alone would mean factual recording — the illustrator of catalogues does that. The ‘plus’ is the basis of all arguments on ‘what is art.’”

I’ve never been keen to label my creative efforts and/or philosophies, but if I were “Seeing Plus” is the term that would be most appropriate.
What’s your take on “Seeing Plus” and how does it fit into your photographic efforts?

Photo Details:
Taken on my Death Valley Photo Tour – October 27, 2011
Canon 5D Mark II, EF24mm f/1.4L II USM via Borrowlenses.com
3 hour exposure created from 300 exposures

Curious to learn how to take and make star trail photographs?
Sign up for my newsletter. I’ll be releasing an eBook shortly covering numerous techniques including the star trail technique behind this image.

Technorati Tags: photography, art, philosophy, Death Valley National Park, national park, desert, star trails

One of the most attractive features of Death Valley is it’s very graphical landscape. By day you’d likely miss the details that make Death Valley so attractive photographically, but just as the sun rises or sets it all becomes clear. Zabriskie Point is one of the most famous and popular lookouts to witness this transformation.  Famous as a sunrise location the eroded mountains pick up color and contrast. Much like Tunnel View in Yosemite I never grow tired of this view no matter how much it has been photographed by others.

Zabriskie Point Detail, Death Valley National Park

Technorati Tags: photography, Death Valley, national park, landscape, nature, geology, Zabriskie Point

The desert always brings time in to focus when I visit. Desert features are formed at such a slow pace that it is tough to imagine. Some features of the desert take decades, centuries and even millennia to form. With this in mind it’s always a treat to arrive and see something that is fleeting not just in relation to my visit, but to the larger span of geological time. Knowing that the formations I photograph take so long to be created by Mother Nature, it’s a pleasant reminder to slow down to appreciate them let alone photograph them.

When I stumbled across this scene of two rocks nearly intersecting at the Racetrack in Death Valley National Park I couldn’t help but wonder how long it took for them to reach this point and how much longer it will take for them to intersect. For now their rendezvous will have to wait, but for how long?

Rendezvous - Death Valley National Park

Photo Details:
Canon 5D Mark II, Canon 24mm f/1.4L II USM (courtesy of Borrowlenses.com)
Singh-ray 5-stop Graduated Neutral Density Filter (soft step)
f/13, 1/13 sec at ISO 160