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!

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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.

Drive by Exposure II

Exit stage left?

Drive by Exposure I

There can be some very interesting subjects around my neck of the woods, just lurking about. So this week I have decided to post a series of drive by exposures. Although I wouldn't recommend photographing while driving, but right before you take off at a stop light might prove to hold a curious and unexpected scene. Since these sorts of images are so spontaneous I think it's a very nice exercise to practice for reaction speed.

Sentinell Dome Overlook

This is the view from the top of Sentinell Dome. This image shows the back of Yosemite Valley. It was the first time I observed the valley from above. This still and silent environment gives off an energy so inviting and pleasant you can sense the peace flowing through your body. A short hike to the top and you feel pretty small among these immense formations. The colors bled more vibrant as the last minutes of the sun's light crept behind the horizon. It was definitely worth it, although I had forgotten a flashlight. The mile and a half back gave my eyes a nice test.
It made me realize that we take for granted the convenience we are so heavily associated with. Weather it's a flashlight, GPS, a lighter or whatever. It seems most commonly looked past and not even important enough to wonder how these tools even work. I watched the attentive hikers gingerly saunter their way back with the guide of glowing gadgets, I thought to myself: that strolling through in the darkness was a nice experience. I don't think I would have had it any other way.

Bandon Sunset

The was an image made in Bandon, Oregon. My Dad and I went on a trip completely unaware of our exact destination, traveling up the coast of California and Oregon. There were many nights camping but this happened to be the view from a small room we got together probably for the sake of hygiene. One of my favorite trips, especially because of the fact we didn't know where we were going, we just knew we were going. Humbolt, Medocino, Crater Lake and the Lost Coast Brewery where some of the spots we ended up at. It was originally shot on the discontinued Fujichrome Velvia 50, at least I think it's discontinued, if anyone knows of a return I would love to know. When I used to shoot a lot of film, this my friend, was the primo of primos. It didn't get any better than a cold roll of 50!. One of my favorite shots, quite a bit old, but here it makes it's comeback in the ol' 2009.

Satori

Satori is a brief step toward enlightenment. A zen phrase used to express the amazing potential that exists in any given moment . That instant when we are fully present, we're capable of creating an inner space separate from the cluttered and incessant flow of thoughts . The mere act of observing something so natural can bring about the ease of connection with ourselves and nature.

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Red Moss

Found this red moss on a fairly level surfaced granite rock one day while strolling along. Can anyone tell me what plant this is?

Upward

Broadway Blues Man