Landscape, Nature And Travel Photography

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

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

I find it fascinating that one could be attracted to a location with death in the name as is the case with “Death Valley”, yet strangely I am. Death Valley is one of the worlds most extreme environments, but thanks to technological developments over the past century I can easily enjoy it. All it takes is a long air conditioned car ride and a decent supply of food and water if I choose to camp. Still it is an adventure visiting Death Valley as you can never underestimate Mother Nature. (more after image)

This weekend I’ll be returning to Death Valley to lead a photo tour and introduce a group of photographers to Death Valley’s most photogenic locations including the remote and world famous Racetrack. You might not think of hanging out in remote areas of the desert as the place to be with a camera, but the desert reveals its colorful beauty at sunrise and sunset. The desert truly is Mother Nature’s art canvas as the wind and rains create intricate formation and patterns. It’s a real treat for the eye, if you look for it.

Stay tuned for new images next week and if you’re interested in photographing Death Valley’s Racetrack I’m running another photo tour there in February of 2012.
Death Valley Photo Tour Info

Technorati Tags: Death Valley, National Park, photography, travel, landscape, stock photo

Of my time in Switzerland I really enjoyed the scenery in and around Grindelwald most. It is a beautiful town in a beautiful valley. The towering Eiger mountain that stands above the valley is a legendary mountain climbing destination. Tough to believe people climb straight up its steep cliff face. If you ever visit Switzerland I highly recommend exploring Grindelwald and taking the train to Kleine Scheidegg above Grindelwald for lunch.

Grindelwald Homes Under the Shadow of the Eiger, Switzerland

Technorati Tags: photography, travel, Switzerland, Eiger, mountain, alps, stock picture

One of the best places to take in the view of downtown San Francisco is Twin Peaks. Situated in the heart of San Francisco on a great day (like this one) you can see clear across the bay. I consider myself lucky as I live rather close to this great look out spot, but I don’t enjoy the view as often as I should. On the day I shot this time-lapse I opted to spend my lunch break here. It was time very well spent even if a little windy.

One last thing if you’re in San Francisco this weekend its Fleet Week and that means the Blue Angels will be flying over head. Be sure to check out my article 10 Essential Tips To Get Great Blue Angels Photos if you’re planning to photograph them this weekend..

Clouds billowing over downtown San Francisco, California

Technorati Tags: time-lapse, San Francisco, California, video, stock

Now that summer has passed and so many photographers are chomping at the bit to photograph Fall Color I thought I’d share a sight of summer I took in of Vernal Falls along the Mist Trail in Yosemite National Park this year. I can’t recall a time I’ve seen this waterfall flowing so heavily. It was a great day to bask in the sun and cool off in the iconic mist this trail is known for.

“Look abroad through Nature’s range, Nature’s mighty law is change.”
- Robert Burns

Yosemite Mist Trail Hikers - Yosemite National Park, California

Technorati Tags: California, Yosemite, Mist Trail, national park, stock photo, photography

The more I travel the more I see people taking photos with mobile devices (cell phones, tablet computers, etc.) Case in point while in Glacier National Park I spied a tourist photographing Logan Pass from a turnout on the Road to the Sun with an iPad 2. It’s very common to see people taking photos with their mobile phones, but the difference in this case is that the iPad 2 has a very weak camera by modern standards. The iPad 2 rear camera has a resolution of 1280 x 720 pixels, which adds up to 0.92 megapixel. By comparison most mobile phones now have resolutions on the order of 3-5 megapixels. I’m not sure this photographer will be very happy with his images when he realizes this. Bummer too as he was from Europe and I’m sure it will be a while before he’s back in Glacier National Park.

Are you seeing an increase in this trend on your trips?

Tourist Photographs Mount Clements with an iPad 2 - Glacier National Park, Montana

Technorati Tags: photography, iPad 2, stock photo, Glacier National Park, Montana, tablet

This coming Saturday I’m honored to be presenting in Utah at the Professional Outdoor Media Association conference on the topic of mobile applications publishing. If you’re a JMG-Galleries blog subscriber and will be there, do say hello. I look forward to meeting you.

After that if all goes well I’ll be aiming to re-explore Montana’s Glacier National Park during a very small window of time. Any chance I can get to visit Glacier I take. It’s one of the most amazing locations and a source of great inspiration.

I’ll blog as I can, but there is a good chance I’ll be off-line for much of next week.