Melting Merced and Reflections

Yosemite seemed to have gotten a bit of rain just before Monday, which caused a lot of the snow to melt. Compared to the post below which was about a week prior you can see the changes. I had an excellent birthday Monday thanks to my wife and James, couldn't have had it better. Melting ice on the Merced river in the Yosemite valley.

Breaking Storm, Yosemite California

From the same trip as the post below. These clouds were gone in just a few minutes. An image I like very much.

Light on El Capitan and Merced river

It was amazing how volatile this scene was. Arrived about an hour and a half before sunrise and this was what I saw, but as I was heading back to my tripod as the sun was sinking further I noticed it was moving very quickly. I have never witness light change so fast. I was set up just within seconds time of the light I wanted to capture and it was gone like that, then back, then gone and again. I'm not sure why it happened that way, possibly clouds. However this is not that photograph, but one I like, actually the first one made of the batch. So thanks to Pat I was able to see these changes, because a Geo Metro is not good in the snow. If it was'nt for some of the people in my life (and they know who they are) I wouldnt be able to journey off as much as I do, so cheers!

Breaking Above the Fog

I took a spontaneous drive with a good friend of mine a couple days ago. I was stoked the entire time on how the weather we were having was changing so quickly. We would drive above the fog in awe and we had to to stop each time we saw that we were just above the fog line. It would rise above above us each time until we finally settled just into the Sequoia National Forest, where this photograph was made. The depiction here was about 20 minutes after the sun had gone down. I know I will definitely be going back to make more images. We didn't even get into the park (which the road was closed anyway) but still the landscape was just as beautiful. The original idea was to go to see some giant sequoias because my friend Sean unfortunately has never experienced them, but thanks Sean! and we'll see those grandfathers soon.

Desideratum Promenade

Just outside of the small town: minkler, a few bare poplar trees still hold a bit of a glow at the beginning of winter. I was very excited to see this composition yet I would have had to go into someones yard to photograph them any closer, I thought it would still be a nice image from the accessible vantage point I was at.

Would anyone like to take some oranges off our hands?

Just picked a good amount of oranges as referred to in the post below. We have a good 7 or 8 big bags full, so I'm actually serious if anyone would like to take some fresh organic oranges off our hands let me know. We just don't want them to go to waste and believe it or not, none of them were harmed during the making of this image. -Sara in a bath of citrus!

Moss and Lichen on Cedar

I noticed this moss today while harvesting a couple orange trees in my backyard. The area is pretty much shaded year round and pretty moist at that, being a good spot for these guys to thrive. I have always admired moss since I was a little lad, it grows in the best spots. And lichen is an organism that is often over looked in fact, it can grow in extremely acidic soil down to the most arctic temperatures or in other words all over the world. It spreads its spores and offers it uses for nutrients, floral arrangements, medicine and moss in the Appalachian mountains is a big part of the craft industry as well. So next time you see those little mossy friends under a rock or on an old fence give em' a little shout out for me!

Millerton Lake Sunrise: black & white or color? What Is your take?

Started my day pretty early on Tuesday in hopes to make a few nice images before the sun came up. I wouldn't say that I had no idea where I was going, I just knew wherever I was heading it would be nice to be there for sunrise. Catching the first light is an amazing way to start your day and I recommend to do it at least once a week. The vision for this photograph was color but after some adjustments in photoshop I started to doubt the original concept. Although I enjoy both, I wonder what some of you out there might think. Your opinion is important so let me know what you think!

Ever Sofened Skies and Stolen Breath in the Window of Her Aura

Here is another image made at Hensley Lake. Hope you all enjoyed your holiday and good day to you.

Hensley Lake Tree

This was taken at Hensley Lake California one fine day. Not the most photographic place but it is fun to interpret the simplistic and barren landscapes into something new and fresh. A polarizer is something that is very good to have around for a place like this. In fact, using it gave me more ideas and I think I might have another 1 or 2 to post in the future. I will definitely be going back soon and hope my fellow photographers will go out and push themselves make something out of the ordinary spots we overlook.

Last light on Half Dome, Yosemite National Park

This photograph was made from Sentinel Dome, there you will see a 360 degree view of Yosemite valley. Among the many panoramic views, lies the Jeffrey Pine or at least whats left of it. The poor withered guy died from drought and continues to be carelessly handled by hikers. The pine was made famous by Ansel Adams his photograph here depicting a once flourishing pine. Pretty awesome to be standing in the same spot when history was made in 1940 and not to mention the ever beautiful Yosemite valley. Also if you are there until just after astronomical twilight, I imagine the trail photography would be excellent.

Patience

I was talking to friend the other day who had used to dabble in photography. He was excited remembering some landscapes in Big Sur we stumbled upon and I asked him, why not get back into shooting again? The answer was simple: "I don't have the patience" This was intersting to me seeing as though I honestly never really gave much of a thought about patience in photography. The time it takes to photograph should never stand out as an obstacle, no matter how many trips back to your subject or hours in post. Maybe patience never occured to me because cause that idea leaves in the moment and in the remedy of nature. Even something so simple and obvious as patience never crossed my mind. I think Ralph Waldo Emerson summed it up best when he said: "Adopt the pace of nature: her secret is patience."

Merced River Impressions

In the Middle of June Lake Loop

What else can I say except the June Lake Loop is beautiful.

June Lake loop Fall Color

Fall Color at June Lake Loop

For those of you who have not been around the June Lake loop this time of year you should make it a point to go around the third weekend of october because it is unreal my friends. What an explosion of color!. Sara and I took a trip here this weekend and we were breathless in the presence of this amazing spectacle. I think I had enjoyed being there and taking it all in more than looking through the lens. It did prove to be quite difficult to render these leaves sharp with all the wind we were having. Quite a challenge between chasing the light and finding the right shutter speed while still having the depth of field I wanted. I also shot two rolls of 120 so there might be a couple images to follow. Now just go already, pack your items, these colors are best from now on to the next few days!

Rhubarb

Took a nice stroll through Big Creek with my main man, John O'Connor. He has a few nice shots of the subject as well. The guy was even kind enough to let me use his back up body and some gear for the trek. I appreciate things like that especially when I'm without a camera for a couple weeks. I asked him a while ago out of pure curiosity one day what he thought made a great photograph. His reply was simple: "vision" I will tell you that I think it is extremely important and I agree with him 100%. See I guess I don't really realize it that way, although every good photographer has a vision at least once in a while, I have always been a "connection" type of guy myself but in this photograph I had a problem. Since I didn't have my own gear I was out of a polarizer and thought of what John said and worked my way around it envisioning a black and white piece. Thanks!

Fern Detail

Some where green, some yellow, some where orange and some were just a bit faded looking, which I like.

Early Fall Ferns

I was wondering if it was going to be an early fall this year right before spotting these ferns. Unless it was just a fluke I think that these guys are proof enough. I say every year that I am going to catch the fall colors but it seems like something is always going on during that time and I never end up getting to the places I want to be. Fortunately this year I was caught by complete surprise. With the exception of a few lost images made in high school, this is my first real fall color image.

Where Are We Going?

Wait, what?

Rain on Lupine Leaves

Playing around in photoshop today and thought of John O'Connor's post: The Many Shades of Green and made me wonder how that was processed beacause I love it. After a lot of editing and feeling a bit stumped I was able to get kind of close, regardless, it's amazing how so much can go into a photo. An image can be completely different than the original file once it's processed. Sure; in our digital age we have it a lot easier, but there is now a whole different realm of processing with all of the software that's floating around out there. It's takes an incredible amount of learning to use these tools and I still do think composition is number one. But it leads me to a question I would like to get some feedback on. If anyone or in this blog's case: maybe someone would like to join. Let me know what you think.
-How much of being a good photographer do you think has to do with image manipulation or post processing?

Continuation

I have always been a big fan of aquatic scenes and I can say that water is probably one of the main reasons I photograph. Water flows: and that's simple. How that function happens is an extremely complex action that draws me in every time and inspires me to take out the camera. When I think of the material world, we have tons of different goals and destinations while my friend, the river only has one. Observing this flawless movement with nothing stopping it's course is a metaphor we can all learn from or at least admire. By the time the camera and legs are packed up, the section of water just photographed will be miles away and where it exactly originated from is anyone's guess. Just that fact alone is a heavy influence on me. With that in mind, I'll say that it is pretty difficult to not look back from whatever path you're on, possibly stumbling on conceptions along the way. It's impossible to never fail and it's unlikely to move toward one universal purpose. In other words, no matter how hard one can try, we can only dream of having the characteristics of rivers or flowing water. I guess opposites do attract.

Just in Time

A while back I took a nice nice photo trip down to Big Sur with a good friend. We were pretty overwhelmed as to where we should be for the magic hour since we only had one day. Upon driving around frantically, chasing the sun and almost crashing the car, we had to stop and clamber down to the beach to at least get something. To our surprise we ended up at this place, which I have seen in other photographs before and I would like to say it's Garrapata beach but I'm not sure. Just as luck would have it I was able to set up just before the sun went down to catch a nice highlight on the edge of these rocks. This image was made with Fuji Velvia 50 and could not have asked to be in a better location especially since we did'nt know where we were going in the first place. I have always enjoyed this photograph but never really considered the luck of it and indeed it was luck. Sometimes your planning just has to give way to adaptability and flexibility but if you can think quick enough, then you're in. So I took the luck when it offered itself. Probably not exactly what I would have wanted to get but enjoyed making the most of the situation in an amazing spot.

South Tufa at Mono Lake II

My first time going over Tioga Pass. The landscapes on the way up are enough to render a fellow like myself speechless. The massive granite beasts of mountains all around, left me overwhelmed as I tried to take it all in. I went on this nice day trip with my wife and mother in law and I will tell you everything about what we just did was awesome. Mono lake is a very terrestrial place indeed. Although I have never been to another planet, at least I don't think so, this is about the closest one might come to that without leaving Earth. Another thing I enjoyed about this trip was the small town of Lee Vinning. The vibes were right as well as the people. The little town seemed to be happening and humble high above the smog. One of the employees at the famous burger spot was even kind enough to give me a free drink (thanks). This panoramic was shot right before I would of had to use a bulb setting, needless to say the light was fading fast.What a challenge trying to time my exposures with the descending sun. I was in the right spot the only thing left to do was to wait for the desired light & I like that wait.

South Tufa at Mono Lake

This image was made about 20 minutes before the last.

Darkness Through Barkness

Decayed, withered & swayed . Played, watched then fade. A breath ceased but the beast will still preach to me & reach to me. I promenade in the shade as I address the crest: your a perch, an art piece, a home, a fuel, a silhouette inspecting crimson upon horizons. You reincarnate your energy through my lens to make a mends. So thanks bro!

Somber Symphony

I know it has been a long time since a new post, so here it is! Went on a camping trip with some friends to Iron Lakes had an excellent time. Thought a lot about how a place like this is very hard to capture, especially through a photograph. I have been there once a year for the last 7, but this time figured it would be nice to show at least a big chunk. There are so many words to describe this area: diverse, serene, strange, beautiful and vast. One of my favorite places on the list for sure. The view from the top of the trail at Iron Lakes put together with a series of 8 exposures.

Merced River

Aquadic Rush

Merced River.

Aquadic Brush

Merced River right before El Portel on the 140. Three image composite.

Elephant Ear Triptych

Original files: no Photoshop adjustments... Triptych

Wet Sunflower Leaf

Glen Alpine Creek, Tahoe Ca

John and I were briefly talking about how it's good to sometimes go back and take a second look at images that may have gotten stored away or forgotten. So this post and the next four have reemerged straight from the archives. This is the river that flows into Fallen Leaf Lake in Tahoe California. Went there on a family event and was able to sneak away for a bit to share this with you.

Lambent Life

These flowers were basically in the dark right after twilight so I exposed accordingly leaving the background with no detail. Taken on the way back from a hike in Big Sur.

Sunset Reflection on Hensley Lake

Took a drive to this lake once and snapped a picture of the water, I'm glad I did.

Ebb & Bo

Eustacy

Sometimes you just gotta shake your items.

Back Tail

Trying out the old screw on fish eye, the image quality is a bit low but it's fun seeing the results from such a wide angle. Sean Sullivan backside tail slid this thing first shot.

Sunset Madera County Looking East

Some strange weather we have been having. My friends mother told him that it hadn't rained on her birthday in the whole time they had lived in fresno, which was quite some years. This was the day to break that record. A little volatile, yes but it definitely creates a nice canvass to work with. I have always looked at this lone tree on the side of hwy 41 heading north. I have wanted to photograph it for a while now and lately I couldn't pass it up. Maybe not the way I would have visioned it but it's a start.

Clouds

Lupine leaves with rain drops

Made this image on a camping trip at Grey's Mountain just after the thunderstorm had cleared. John O'Connor was also there, and i'm sure he has some amazing shots you might see soon. A nice day day and a good rinse! sorry about your shoes pat!

untitled

My wife and I took a nice little stroll up toward Nelder Grove and this was taken on the shadow of the giants trail. Beautiful Dogwoods and giant grandfathers everywhere!. The colors and foliage we saw walking the trail were definitely worth going back soon. Happy A-day Sara!

Lewis Creek Rock Formations

This shot and the next, were taken off the trial at lewis creek. The trial had cut one way and I decided to go the other. Glad I did though, cause it was a nice spot away from the usual hikers. I waited here for a couple hours just enjoying the atmosphere until the sun crept it's way below the trees. The one small spot of sunlight mashing through, provided an interesting golden glow.

Lewis Creek Rock Formations II

Plant Detail

I was glad to capture this light while I could because it only lasted a few minutes. It's interesting to me to study how volatile the light can be at a place like this. It's easy when you just have a horizon, but when you throw trees, bushes and rock formations into the mix, you are left with some exciting changes. Although I had shot the light a few different ways, this happened to be my favorite. This plant also had pink, bell shaped flowers that looked to be near their end. I decided it's leaves were just as nice if not better than the actual flowers. If any one knows what this is I would love to hear.

Dogwood

What can I tell you about spiders, well first of all I was covered in them creating this image. It seemed everywhere I looked there would be a nice one looking right at me. So I had to just run through the crowd as quick as I could. If there were anyone witnessing this, It would have been a spectacle indeed. Besides the presence of the eight legged buddies, this shot has a interesting tale behind it. It was almost the end of my stay at Lewis Creek, so I was loosing light fast. I had spotted about four huge trees with blooms all over them, and it kind of was my mission to shoot some dogwood during this trip. So when I spotted them I had to be quick. It did seem almost impossible to get above the blooms. I probably should have just walked across the river but I decided to cross over a thin fallen tree which almost sent my gear down stream, luckily it did not. The only way to shoot from this angle, would be to get above, but there were no higher options with the lens I had. Long story short: I climbed up the tree and was still able to render the stream cloudy with a branch mounted 5 sec f22 exposure at iso 100. Thanks tree! Some of my favorite shots have been nature mounted. Rocks, trees, dirt, it all works. This was last Saturday and blooming was still happening so if you would like to shoot some dogwood: get up there!

Squash

A nice couple gave us this squash, started from seeds all the way from Argentina. Organic!

Blue Spruce

Just experimenting with a little black and white.

Drive by Exposure III

I know what you are thinking: choose another focal point location already. Well, it's not happening.