Landscape, Nature And Travel Photography

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.

Break in the Storm, White Sands National Monument - New Mexico

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 photo is a reminder to clear your mind of preconceived ideas and start fresh. Mother Nature always has a way of revealing a facet of her beauty, you just have to be open minded enough to see it.

Technorati Tags: landscape, nature, photography, New Mexico, White Sands National Monument

Nothing says White Sands National Monument in New Mexico like the iconic Soaptree Yucca plants that litter the dunescape.  The photo below was taken just after sunset in the blue hour under a rising full moon. Surprisingly it is quite a challenge to find a nicely isolated Soaptree Yucca plant in the dunes. While searching for the right yucca, in the right orientation and at the right time I discovered many cool features of the desert including amazing dunes, yardangs (eroded dune formations), textures,  more textures, and rediscovered it all again at night and then resumed my search the following day.   Fortunately Yucca plants are but one of numerous subject in White Sands. If you’re interested in exploring White Sands I’ll be returning there in mid-October to make use of the full moon once again in my White Sands Phototour. Personally I can’t wait.

Iconic White Sands National Monument Landscape with Soaptree Yucca plants (Yucca elata)

Technorati Tags: photography, New Mexico, White Sands National Monument, Soaptree Yucca, plant, Yucca elata, stock photo, stock picture, fine art

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: 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

So many times I’ve read that photography is the art of light, but in my experience first and foremost photography is an art of observation. Observation of light and shadow, color and texture, pattern and shape, and of course subject. What has most energized me creatively over the years is the charge I feel when I see and create something that so many others look past with indifference.

Submerged Grass - Yosemite National Park, California

I’m a firm believer that great photos start with great observation skills. Technical knowledge will only take you so far.  Improving your observational skills is akin to removing mental filters. Once you discover how much of your surroundings you mentally filter out creative doors begin to open. Removing mental filters is a learned process for most, but with regular practice looking for subjects and elements of a photograph, whether you have a camera in hand or not, you’ll find that new visual opportunities begin to appear.

Emergence - White Sands National Monument, New Mexico

Technorati Tags: photography, intimate portrait, observation, creativity, stock photo, fine art

You might not think photographing a picnic table would be all that interesting, but at night White Sands National Monument looks like a moonscape. The gray and blue tones look very moon-like and in combination with the Frank Lloyd Wright inspired picnic shelters you feel like you’re awaiting a shuttle back to Earth. Fortunately for me there were no run ins with Marvin the Martian.

Rest Stop on the Moon - Picnic Area at Night, White Sands National Monument

Technorati Tags: photography, stock photo, new mexico, travel, stock picture, White Sands National Monument

If you ever want to see the desert come alive just spend some time there at night. This is true in relation to wildlife activity and finding a new take on landscape subjects.  We are diurnal by nature so it is very easy to look past what unique lighting can be found at night. The desert offers so many great subjects rich textures, wildlife, expansive landscapes, unique plant life, etc. and all of it looks completely new after the sun sets.

Camping Under a Full Moon - White Sands National Monument

When I’m not exploring under the light of the moon I’m apparently taking photos of my tent. Well you might think that from the photo above, but this was the last photo of the day before I hit the sack. Below is a photo more exemplary of my efforts in the dark. By day the sand is pure white and by night it’s a lunar gray. Again the change in color highlights the unique qualities of the white sand at White Sands National Monument, it reflects the available light. White by day, orange-red at sunset, turquoise at dusk and cool lunar gray at night. Truly a feast for the eyes and a great place to explore & hone ones creative eye.  I’ll be heading back in the fall to hold a very small White Sands National Monument photo tour. If you’re interested in joining me at White Sands  or on my Death Valley photo tour check for details on my Photo Tour page.

Moonlit Dunes - White Sands National Monument, New Mexico

Technorati Tags: photography, photo tour, White Sands National Monument, Death Valley, National Park, stock photo, fine art

In 2010 I had a great time behind the camera and I was fortunate to have been present for some amazing moments including the  birth of my son (the ultimate experience).  While I’ve ranked my best photos in years past (best photos of 2009, best photos of 2008 and best photos of 2007) this year I’m finding it impossible to do. In fact by doing so I may just end up in the dog house as you’ll soon discover. So in no particular order here are my 10 favorite photos taken in 2010. Enjoy!

Untitled Color Study
Just a photo that resonates with me and my exploration of light and color. This is part of a larger collection of work that I’ll be releasing so stay tuned to see more. Taken at sunset not far from my home.

Untitled Color Study

Foggy Forest
Since moving to San Francisco I’ve embraced the days the fog rolls in while most curse it. I really enjoy seeing how the fog adds atmosphere to a scene whether I’m photographing it or just walking through. Of all things San Francisco, strangely, the fog is what I enjoy most.

Foggy Forest

Golden Gate Bridge Sunrise
The morning I took this photo I drove over 70 miles to catch a unique view of the Golden Gate Bridge at sunrise. Thinking my morning was a bust after being fogged in I returned home to find this view waiting for me. Why did this photo make the top 10 of the year? It’s a rare and nearly impossible view of the south tower of the Golden Gate Bridge enveloped by fog. I say “nearly impossible” not because the bridge was 4 miles away, but because San Francisco is normally under fog when the bridge appears like this.

Golden Gate Bridge Sunrise

Taken with a Canon 1Ds Mark III and Canon 800mm f/5.6

Ion Banner Wipeout at the 2010 Mavericks Surf Contest
As you’d imagine witnessing the huge waves of Mavericks is quite a rush, but nothing compares to what the surfers actually experience.  I’m not sure people realize exactly how athletic these guys are. Most just think of them as crazy, but they’re incredibly fit. Anyhow photographing this event was an incredible experience made easy with a Canon 7D. Having photographed this event in years past with my Canon 1D Mark II I decided to try out the latest and greatest. No complaints.

Ion Banner Wipeout at the 2010 Mavericks Surf Contest

Zen – White Sands National Monument
Exploring the pristine beauty of the dunes with in White Sands National Monument was one of the best experiences of the year. New Mexico has some of the most impressive light in the lower 48 and the white sand mirrors that light in amazing ways. Amazing things happen in White Sands. I look forward to returning again in 2011 (join me on my  White Sands by Moonlight photo tour).

Zen - White Sands National Monument, New Mexico

Taken with a Canon 1Ds Mark III and Canon 24mm tilt-shift lens

Untitled Color Study
Just a photo that resonates with me and my exploration of light and color. This is part of a larger collection of work that I’ll be releasing so stay tuned to see more. Taken on a trip down the California coast near Santa Barbara.

Untitled Color Study

New Addition to the Family

Being there for the delivery of my son is by far the most amazing experience of my life. Portrait photography has quickly become a regular activity. For the first 6 weeks I made constant use of a Canon 85mm f/1.2 and it paid off with photos like this.

New Addition to the Family

Serenity – White Sands National Monument
I can’t say enough about White Sands National Monument. Standing atop a 60 foot dune and witnessing this scene took my breath away. The dunes are so complex in shape and the randomness at which the light falls across them makes finding exceptional compositions a real challenge. No location challenges my eye like White Sands and I can never get enough of it.

Serenity - White Sands National Monument, New Mexico

Taken with a Canon 1Ds Mark III and Canon 70-200mm USM IS f/2.8

Lunar Layers
This was a photo that almost never happened. Unpredictably clouds moved in the weekend I was reviewing a Canon 800mm f/5.6 lens, but Mother Nature gave me a 45 second reprieve on this particular evening to compose 3 images of a full moon veiled behind clouds kissed with sunset light. It pays to be patient and prepared. As to what attracted me to this image in my year end review of work… its the abstract nature of it. Even still I see an eye in the sky when I view this photo.

Lunar Layers

Dusk at White Sands National Monument

Some things just have to be experienced and this was one of those moments. No focal length lens or camera sensor could do this scene  justice.

Dusk at White Sands National Monument, New Mexico

Taken with a Canon 1Ds Mark III and Canon 70-200mm USM IS f/2.8

Technorati Tags: best photos, best of 2010, photography, pictures, fine art, stock photo, white sands national monument, Mavericks, landscape, nature