Rising Water Levels at Millerton Lake

Started my day off today greeting the sun at Millerton lake. The road I expected to travel on to get to my spot was closed: naturally I walked to another park of the lake where a small inlet of water trickled in. Compared to my last visit the water levels had risen considerably, which is great, but my composition was completely different that I expected it to be. With time running short I fit nicely between two rocks with the water beneath. I made this image risking equipment and sacrificing a few peanuts to the lake but was well worth the trip. It goes to show that spontaneity produces interesting results even if you have to get all photo man split stance in the water to make it happen.

Wake Up!

I was going to wax poetic about how we are destroying this planet but I think it's kinda like beating a dead horse. So wake up! - It's Earth day again do something helpful!

Wild Flowers off the Highway 41

I noticed these fellows the other day driving home, I ultimately decided that a soft sunset would complement these colors and that I should go back. The photograph made here was the second trip, the first being much too windy to render the flowers sharp. It did take some time to choose a shutter speed with two dilemmas present: if it's too slow the flowers would blur from too much movement, too fast and the crawling clouds would look more harsh. Here the clouds win. Although there is a bit of movement in some areas with flowers, I am pretty happy with these complimenting colors. Keep your eyes peeled for exploding colors on the landscape! I'm stoked on color this spring!

What will you find?

There is always a plethora of photographic opportunities at our fingertips, everywhere we turn something beautiful is bound to be seen, especially in the natural world. John Muir once said: "When one tugs at something in nature he finds it connected to the rest of the world" I believe this statement to be pretty accurate. When I become an observer of nature, I am opening up to the channels of calming and spiritual benefits this earth has to offer (even if simply studying a flower) These channels are ones that we often can't tune into due to the busy schedules and chaos that is our modern condition. This image was made from a cluster flowers growing from what seemed to be a dead tree in our backyard. To isolate the flowers I underexposed them on a black background using window light. Being that it was a white subject, shooting in raw came in real handy when recovering harsh highlights: one of the reasons raw is absolutely essential at all times. It was nothing more than a wonderfully fragrant plant until I later discovered it to be a white lilac. Lilacs flower on old wood, and produce more flowers if unpruned. If pruned, the plant responds by producing fast-growing young vegetative growth with no flowers, in an attempt to restore the removed branches; a pruned lilac often produces few or no flowers for one to five or more years, before the new growth matures sufficiently to start flowering. A very interesting plant that is bisexual, with fertile stamens and stigma in each flower!. Symbolizing love and hardy character, this guy was unknown to me until I took a second to stop and open up my senses. So I challenge you to seek out something beautiful and learn more about it. Open your eyes, it's the greatest show on earth!

El Capitan and Merced River Monochrome

Succulents

I was inspired in my own backyard the other day by the shapes of these wonderful succulents. Natures designs are never ending and always pleasing to me.

Spring Colors at Pine Flat Lake

The Colors at Pine Flat lake last weekend were exploding. I would recommend to go sometime soon because this spring should be a bit more colorful this year and it's worth the drive even without a camera. So many various shades of purple and orange, enough to make a guy smile.

Blue Agave

Spotted this guy just after brief rain and really is (and I dont like using this term, but it's true) just a snap shot. I made just one exposure and realized it was what I wanted and moved on. Agave!

Celestial Body of Mist

Don't have too much to say on this one except that fog is probably one of the most fleeting moments especially along the coast. The scene had completely changed after I made the fourth exposure. Still not sure if I like the slightly blue tone or just straight black and white.

Rocks and Surf, Big Sur

Pfeiffer Beach Big Sur ll

Everything about Big Sur is mystical.

Pfeiffer Beach Big Sur

Everything about this beach is amazing!

Evanescent Purple Sand: 3,650 Days Well Spent

This Photograph is dedicated to my incredible wife Sara. At this spot, around 3 years ago I proposed to her, not knowing I was going to, but the moment called. We planned a trip last weekend in celebration of our time being together and this purple sand revealed itself. We have heard people talk about "the purple sand beach" before, but little did we know, it was under us the whole time. I guess it may be seen after strong winds or after a high tide. It goes to show that no matter how familiar you are with something or someone, new things will always be revealed with time accordingly. Look for more posts on Big Sur soon. Cheers to us!

"Big Sur is the greatest meeting of land and sea"

...as the wise american poet, Robinson Jeffers once said. I would have to agree, at least based on my limited travels thus far. Almost every beach I came into contact with had some sort of fresh water flow that would ease right in, peaceful and serene. Nothing short of breathtaking, these aquatic connections intrigue me deeply and speak as metaphors to a greater unity. As you can see in the bottom right corner of this photograph, there is a small stream making it's way to the oceans edge. I don't think I have ever seen so many various shades of blue in my life. This is another attempt like my early post: "Just In Time" to capture the moving beauty of Garrapata Beach.

Sixth Street Clouds

I realized these clouds today just before sunset looking out a shuttered window. The awe inspiring formations called out just as I have called out. Amusing but confusing, an alien friend, with spitfire kick: storm clouds above, I see another face that lives in me. What do you see?

Happy 80th Birthday Grandpa!

I think seeing my grandpa's excitement of exploring had a lot to do with my connection to nature. Although I didn't realize it when I was younger, I have to thank him for the important role he has played in my photography and spirit. Millerton lake fog and rocks just after sunrise. Happy Birthday to a thoroughly impressive man.

Portrait of a Leaf

I'm a big advocate of learning to enjoy the simple things nature has to offer. Recognition of it's perfection is a spiritual thing indeed. I saw a nice leaf and put it on a black background, opened the blinds and photographed it. I love this leaf like sun loves clover.

Once in a Blue Moon

Happy new year everyone! This last thursday a blue moon shed some light on the coming year. According to a few things I was reading online, the phenomenon of having two full moons in one month (or a blue moon) occurs on average every 2.7 years. This last time this happened on new years eve was in 1990 and it wont happen again until 2028. A great way to start the new year!

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."