Landscape, Nature and Travel Photography

Dark descending on Los Angeles is always a sight to behold. As noted in earlier posts the view from Griffith Observatory is always a favorite. My next trip to LA will be more beach focused, but I still can’t help but think of this view every time I visit.

Griffith Observatory Sunset, Los Angeles II

View more photos of Griffith Observatory

Technorati Tags: Los Angeles, California, Griffith Observatory, sunset, photo, photography, stock

ASMP (American Society of Media Professionals) held the first of its four weekend conferences Strictly Business 2 this past weekend in Los Angeles. In fact I just got in from the airport and decided that it was such a valuable experience that I’d immediately write a review about it. The last time the “Strictly Business” event was held was roughly 10 years ago and many of the then attendees have become “Strictly Business 2″ presenters including John Harrington and Judy Herrmann. Other presenters included Leslie Burns-Dell’Acqua and Blake Discher.
See the Strictly Business 2 site for more presenter information.

As for the review I’ll cut to the chase… Read more… »

One of Los Angeles’ most recognizeable landmarks is the Griffith Observatory in Griffith Park. A recent remodel has restored the observatory to show off its art deco features and enhance its public exhibits. The observatory, on a clear day, is the place to be to take in a view of the downtown Los Angeles skyline. Unfortunately this weekend while in Los Angeles the views will most certainly be obstructed due to the powerful storms rolling through.

Technorati Tags: Los Angeles, California, Griffith Observatory, Griffith Park, downtown, skyline, observatory, landmark, art deco, sunset

It’s been a great year for photography and as the year closes out I thought it would be fun to select my favorite photos from the year. I had a tough time narrowing things down so here they are…

Honorable Mentions:

	Honorable Mention #6: Los Angeles Sunrise This was one of the most dynamic cityscape I took this year, but as much as I liked it compared to some other photos taken this year it didn’t make the top 10. Mentioned in Dueling California Sunrise Photos
	Honorable Mention #5: Last Light On Half Dome, Yosemite This was one of the few super-telephoto landscape photos I took this year. The dramatic atmosphere and lighting made this a standout for me. Mentioned in Last Light on Half Dome, Yosemite and EXIF and Beyond: State of the Podcast
	Honorable Mention #4: Out of the Gloom II Strangely this photo caught my eye the second time looking through the results of my photo shoot. In retrospect for the year its nearly one of my top 10 favorites. Mentioned in Always Check Your Seconds: Out of the Gloom II: Golden Gate Bridge and Fog
	Honorable Mention #3: San Francisco Oil Spill This was the last thing I wanted to photograph this year, but this photo struck a nerve with a lot of people not just myself. It’s been picked up by the Sierra Club and couple of other local publication. Lets hope 2008 is a better year for the environment. Mentioned in Rodeo Beach Sunset, A San Francisco Oil Spill Casualty
	Honorable Mention #2 San Francisco With the right combination of weather and lighting I was able to capture this view of San Francisco just after sunset. I still can’t believe this didn’t make the top 10, but it’s still one of my favorites from the year.
	Honorable Mention #1 Refinery I As soon as I started to drive past this refinery I knew the exact shot I wanted to capture. I didn’t quite get it the first time out, but the second time passing through the area I got it thanks to the perfect weather and lighting conditions. Mentioned in Photographer’s Rights: Know Them When In The Field

My Top 10 Favorite Photos of 2007:

#10: Rodeo Beach Sunset

Mentioned in Rodeo Beach Sunset, A San Francisco Oil Spill Casualty

#9: Reflecting Art, Crown Fountain

Mentioned in More From Chicago - Reflecting Art

#8: Speed - Blue Angels, San Francisco Fleet Week 2007

Mentioned in Blue Angels, San Francisco Fleet Week 2007 - Part III

#7: American Kestral (Falco sparverius)

Mentioned in American Kestrel in Flight

#6: Aspen Canopy & Horsetails

Mentioned in Horsetail and Aspen Fall Color View

#5: Chicago, A Beans Eye View (Cloud Gate Reflection)

Mentioned in Chicago, A Beans Eye View

#4: Snowy Trees Yosemite

Mentioned in Snowy Trees, Yosemite National Park

#3: Between You, Me and the Trees

Mentioned in Morning Sunlight & Fog - Between You, Me and the Trees

#2: Coyote (Canis latrans) III

Mentioned in Coyote Encounter

#1: Yosemite Sunset Breaking Light

Mentioned in EXIF and Beyond: Yosemite Winter Photos
and Yosemite Sunset Breaking Light

Thanks for checking in on my Top 10 Favorites for 2007. The photos are only half the equation of what has made this a great year for photography. The other and most important half has been everyone’s support whether you read my blog, like you do, or have to put up with me on a daily basis like my friends and wife have… this year wouldn’t have been nearly as great with out you. Thanks and have a great 2008!

Technorati Tags: photography, landscape, nature, wildlife, cityscape, travel, photos, Yosemite, coyote, fog, snow, trees, Chicago, cloud gate, aspen, fall color, kestrel, birding, blue angels, fleet week, San Francisco, crown fountain, rodeo beach, environmental, environment, refinery, oil spill, smokestack, Golden Gate Bridge, Los Angeles, skyline, cityscape, Half Dome

The beautiful thing about California is that there are so many amazing places to take in and photograph sunrise. I’m impartial to nature and landscape subjects such as Yosemite National Park, but even catching sunrise over downtown Los Angeles can be dramatic. I couldn’t decide which sunrise photo to post, so I posted both. Here’s to a beautiful sunrise near you.

Yosemite Valley Sunrise
View More Photos of Yosemite National Park …

Los Angeles Sunrise, taken a little over a week ago

Technorati Tags: sunrise, California, Los Angeles, Yosemite, National Park, cityscape, downtown, stock photo

This weekend I was back in Los Angeles visiting family and couldn’t help myself in going out to photograph some areas I’ve long been meaning to. Being a little rushed before flying out I forgot to bring freshly charged batteries for my camera. The result was a weekend of shooting on a batteries 1/3rd fully charged and another 1/8th fully charged. Yes, I’m embarrassed to say I fell prey to a variation of #5 of the 5 Most Common Digital Photography Mistakes.

Los Angeles City Lights

In the end it all worked out and I got most every shot I wanted, but only after I employed a trick of the trade for freshly dead batteries. Even after my batteries first died I was able to get another 20 or so shots out of them. The trick, at least when in cold weather, is to warm your batteries.

Shooting on a cool winter evening in Los Angeles putting my batteries in my pant pockets for as little as a few minutes would extend their life. I was able to do this a few times, but eventually I succumbed to the inevitable… dead batteries.

The best solution of course is to plan appropriately when it comes to battery power, but if you’re in a bind try the battery warming method to squeeze out a few more shots.

Technorati Tags: Los Angeles, photo, California, battery, trick, battery life, photography