I'm Back...

Let's see if it lasts...

I love a good geyser....even if I don't know it's name.

I was helping my uncle get together a blog, and in order to do that created a new article. Picked this picture at random. It's of a geyser of course from my favorite place on earth, Yellowstone National Park (thanks Teddy). After a bit (a very, very little bit) of research I think this is Jewel Geyser in the Biscuit Basin, but don't quote me. I remember it to be a fun geyser. Very beautiful, mostly because of how the air took the steam (which is captured here.) I may have said before that one of my goals when I visited this grand park the first time was to see all the geysers. Well, that didn't happen, but we came as close as one can hope during a three day stint in the park. My dad thought all geysers look the same. Well they don't. They each have their own character. Their own unique attributes. I came back to this very spot three years later in 1997 to try to recreate this picture. The day was overcast and while the picture I took that day could have been something special on it's own.....I didn't do a very good job of working my equipment that day and ened up with a less than stellar picture. I like this one though. For years I felt this picture needed something to make it more interesting, to me mostly. Well a couple months ago I cropped it and I really like how it turned out. Hope you do to.

Hey Look.......A Wild Animal!!!!

I spoke on an earlier post about how I love taking pictures at the Zoo, Wild Animal Park, and Sea World. I have read old curmudgeon photographers write and speak about how this is not "Real" wildlife photography. Anyone can do it. Well, that may be true. Taking a picture of an animal in a cage is not the same as taking one of an animal in the wild. I mean, the animal in the cage can't get away from you. I still believe though it is a great way to take pictures of animals for those of us who can't travel the world in search of the Green-Headed Topiary Spider Monkey of lower Peru.

But I do catch myself saying this when I am at the Wild Animal Park......"Hey Look......A Wild Animal!!!!!!" I have run across deer, road runners, snakes, and all sorts of other creatures just wandering through the park.....and I get excited whenever I see them. It is true; taking pictures of animals in a cage is not the same. I must admit that those pictures I have of animals in their "natural habitat" or more important to me then the ones of the caged variety. Probably because I will never be able to recreate that moment. It's there, and it's gone. This little birdie landed on a tree as I wandered through Condor Ridge at the San Diego Wild Animal Park. He a cute little fella (or fellet.) It was there just a moment. I snapped about 5 pictures as fast as I could. This is the best because I caught the eye (see previous posts).

Random thought. Do you ever wonder where the animals are now that you have taken pictures of??? How they finally met there end??? I do..........but I am weird that way........as well as other ways.

Enjoy

Random Thoughts

I have read the magazines. A lot of them. I have read the photo books. I have heard "The Rules" many a time. Nothing wrong with the rules, but don't stop there. They are good place to start, but from there make your own rules. Chart your own path. See things the way you see them, well photographically speaking. At the end of the day, when you are an amateur photo guy like me and not taking pictures for anyone else, the only person you have to please with your pictures is you. They are yours, so take the picture you want. I also think it's important to be a part of the scene. If you get out of the car and just start taking pictures, well the picture can come across as distant. On the other hand if you become a part of the scene you help the viewer become a part of the scene. Walk around, get into the surroundings, get your heart into the picture. I took this picture after walking around Joshua Tree for a while. It is truly amazing how different each of these trees are.

I love this picture. I hope you do as well.

NOW IS THE TIME!!!!

One of my favorite photographers, Galen Rowell, talked about pre-visualizing a picture. Seeing it before it happened. Seeing all the elements in your head before hand and then going out and making it happen. Well, you just can't always make the elements happen when you want, but when the elements are there, you are ready..........because NOW IS THE TIME!!!!! Many of my best pictures are ones I saw in my head long before I opened the shutter. Photos I saw in my brain long before I saw them through the view finder. Well, this picture is one of them. 3 years in the making it was. When I was just out of college, I was part of a college group that every summer would go down to Mexico and camp on the beach. For 3 years, I walked by this rock, knowing that I had to have a picture of it. 3 years I tried to make it happen, but it just was not happening. It wasn't what I saw in my head. That was until day 3 of year three. As I sat on a dune and ate dinner one night, I watched as the sun began to descend into the ocean. And then I knew..........IT WAS THE TIME!!!!!! I ran, I mean ran, full speed, grabbed my camera, and sprinted down a dune to the beach in order to capture this moment. The moment I had pictured in my head for 3 years had finally come. This is one of my most satisfying and special photographs. I hope you enjoy it as well.

Photoshop Trickery : What is Reality???

It's a fine line. Even more so now. We live in a world of amazing technology. But at what point do you have to ask the question "Just because I can does that mean I should?" I believe there is a place for all this cool stuff in photography. Photoshop and other items like it allow photographers amazing possibilities. We can take photos and add amazing new life to them. We can bring out all those elements that a camera at times can fail to capture. But at what point are we messing with reality. Above are a few pictures enhanced with something called "photostitch." An amazing way to put multiple pictures together to display the majesty of a landscape. Each of these pictures is actually three pictures stitched together into one picture. I think this is really fantastic as it allows me, the photographer, to show you what I saw as I took the picture. If you sat where I sat, you would have seen this. So what you see is reality. But what about when you replace a part of a picture with something from another picture??? What about when you take a face from one picture and put into onto the face of another picture. Well I suppose it depends on what your purpose is. I have seen some clever things. My head placed on the body of a member of "The Fantastic Four." Really funny. But of course no one would ever really believe I am a member of the Fantastic Four. But what about when you take a face from one picture and use it to replace the face from another picture in an effort to make it look like something that really happened. For example, what if I took a picture with some friends or my wife and in an effort to make it a "great" picture I take the head of one person from one picture and use it to replace the face of that same person on another picture to "create" the perfect picture. Well, I can't say this is wrong, but for me, that's a picture I wouldn't want because it represents a false reality. It is not real because it doesn't truly capture "The Moment." Like I said, if someone wants to do this, that is there business. It is their picture and if it works for them, then fine. But for me, I want what really happened. I want to see what I really saw. I want the moment.

It's a fine line.........

A Different Perspective

I think the thing many of us like about art is that it is more than just art. It is a perspective. Someones perspective on the world. Art says a great deal about the person who is doing the creating. A slight window into the soul. I love the sky. I love that big blue. Perhaps it is because I am a person who loves the possible. I don't really know. Anyone who spends anytime at all looking at my pictures will realize this is true. A blue sky on a sunny day........it's sheer beauty. I took this picture in, of course Joshua Tree. Devyn and I went walking along a river bend that took us beneath many a tree. Something about the way the sun shone through these branches made me stop and take it all in.

Enjoy
:)

Fruit of the Tree

Took this over the summer. It is from our apricot tree. We had quite a few on the tree this year. Well, when you consider that during the first 5 years of the tree we got a grand total of maybe 10.....the 20-30 we got this year are quite a bit. They were delicious.

Disneyland : A Great Place for Photography

Disneyland is a great place to take pictures. Don't ask me why, it just is. Since I was young, I have always found Disneyland a wonderful place to capture things on film. This is the Pirate Ship that travels the Rivers of America.

Arrgghhhh!!!!!

More From Joshua Tree

Nothing to say here.......just wanted to post a pic.

Been Too Long............

About 2 months ago, I got a new job.....well actually, I added a new job on top of my day job as a 2nd grade teacher. I am now also the Junior High Pastor at my church. I love doing both, but it has left little time up until now for blogging about pictures. Well, I have things pretty under control and a good schedule set up for myself, so I may have time to throw a few picture your way. I don't think I have shared this one yet. Flowers from Alaska. I doubt you will find anything more beautiful than summer time in the 49th state.

Save the Clock Tower!!!!

I couldn't help it but to use that now famous quote from the first Back to the Future film, but it's true. I love clock towers. Don't ask me why. A friend of mine is convinced that time and order are important to me. That may be true. I think I just like the look of a clock tower. They are so very cool. Perhaps I should seek out all the clock towers I can this next year, and compile them into a book. I think I will call it "Too Much Time on My Hands." (Wait, that sounds familiar, like i heard it in a song once...........oh well.)
Anyway, getting back to it, I do think all clock towers should be saved. All of them should right now, and I mean RIGHT NOW, be given landmark status, whether they have been hit by lighting or not. These are pictures of the clock tower at the University of Redlands. I was there last week attending a training for school. A colossal waste of tax payer money, resources, and of course......TIME......but at least I got these pictures. I suppose all was not lost.

So I say to you again.......SAVE THE CLOCK TOWER!!!!

Always Be Ready to Capture the Moment

I think a great deal of Photography is about being ready. You are a sniper of sorts, waiting for that moment when you have "The Shot". But part of the job of the sharp shooter is to be at the ready. Or as the Boy Scout motto goes "Be Prepared." Here we have three pictures that speak to that motto. The first is of the mighty lion. Taken at the Wild Animal Park, the family and I had just completed our journey around the park of the new tram. As we approached our final stop, I saw this grand creature sitting on top of a truck in the enclosure. Many times on hot days you find the lions sleeping, head down, so when I saw this fellow sitting, head up, in all his glory, I jumped of the tram and ran to capture the moment. Not a minute to soon, for no more than 30 seconds after I took this picture he put his head down for a little nap. I was lucky.

The next is of this crane. I love cranes!!! I had taken a few pictures of this crane, not bad, but all of sudden, as I had the crane in my camera sights, the crane turned his head ever so slightly, allowing the sun to glint off his eye. It was only for a second, and then the head went back to subtle shadow. The eye was gone. Always be ready.
The final is a sunset last Saturday at a friends house. I had my camera in the car only because we had come straight form the Wild Animal Park. I saw the sun and ran to the car to get my camera. I was a little late to get the sun in it's full round state, but Still, it captured the moment beautifully. The point is, you never know when a magical will present itself..........

.........SO BE READY

New Articles Coming Soon.......

I have been on a bit of vacation for a variety of reasons. Not a literal vacation, but a blogging vacation. My time has been consumed in other areas. But here is a picture to please all three of you that have been longing for more photos. I will write a more in depth article on Monday, and more thereafter. This was taken in Alaska last summer. I am trying to post as many different pictures and places as possible, but with the fact that I have had my digital for only a year, and still so many of my pictures are trapped on slide......well.....hope you are still enjoying the pics.

More to come.........

Dodge and Burn

What is the point of photography??? Well, I suppose it all depends. I think that each person has a different reason and purpose behind each of their pictures. When I capture a picture, most of the time I try to create something that best represents the beauty an order displayed in nature. Of course beauty can be found in things outside of nature as well (i.e. The Lincoln Memorial). The point is, I try to share with the viewer that which I experienced. Early on in my photographic journey, I took a picture and that was it. All of the creation was done prior to the shutter being opened and shut. I was able to create a lot of very satisfying images that way. Still to this day when I take a photo, I try to do as much work as possible before I snap the shot. But I am just now learning how I can now do some work after the fact. I do not think you can make a bad picture a good one after the fact. Most of work should be done up front. But, there are some things that can be done to turn a good picture into a great picture. I have just begun to toy with the "dodge and burn" tools in Photoshop. They either darken or lighten an area of the photo. The above was taken in Alaska ( at about 11:00), but because of the lighting and the way a camera perceives that light, originally all the foreground of the picture was dark. Just one big shadow. Well, I went into Photoshop and using the dodge tool, I lightened up the foreground to reveal what my eye actually saw as the sun set that day. I am not by any means an expert using the tools of Photoshop, but I am learning. I am pretty pleased with the picture at this point. I will keep working though. Below is another example of what I just mentioned. The rocks in the foreground were originally shadowed. The dodge toll helped bring them "back into the light" so to speak.

Thunder Head over Joshua Tree

One of the really cool things about living in and near the desert are the thunderheads that form on certain summer days. Awe inspiring things they are. Last summer in Joshua Tree, the day started off with nothing but blue skies, but by around 12:00 the thunder clouds began moving in. Monoliths of moisture. By the time I left at about 2:00 that day, they had opened up allowing their liquid cargo to fall and quench the dry earth. I got this shot about an hour before it began to rain. This cloud just gives me goose bumps everytime I look at it. There is something so darn majestic about clouds like this. They look mountains floating in mid-air. Also, originally a color picture, it was turned black and white thanks to photoshop. I think Ansel Adams would have loved this brave new digital world of photography.

Random Pictures : Water in the Pool

Random Picture today is water in the pool. Looks so refreshing, maybe I should go swimming.

We All Have a Favorite

Whether you take pictures or not, I think most of us have a "Favorite" photo. It is either our favorite because it is aesthetically pleasing or it captures the essence of a memory of an experience or moment (or both). Well, this is my favorite picture. Why you ask??? Well, my favorite place on the planet is Yellowstone National Park. It is beauty personified. It, for me, represents the glory of God's creation. I have visited this wondrous location on two separate occasion. Once with my parents during the summer of 1994. I almost didn't go on that trip. Boy am I glad I did. The other trip was in 1997 by myself. This picture was taken on that first trip. It is of White Dome Geyser. It was a beautiful day, I had not a care in the world, and I just sat by myself next to this beauty. The shame of Yellowstone is that most people that visit the park simply drive through, stop to watch Old Faithful, and then go on their merry way. Those that do are missing out. Missing out on all Yellowstone has to offer. I just sat and watched this geyser erupt more than once. It was amazing. This is still my favorite picture because it represents for me simplicity, calm, peace, stillness. All those things we search for in moments of chaos. If you have never been to Yellowstone......GO!!! I look forward to the day when I am able to return to this, my favorite place, Yellowstone National Park. We all have a favorite. This one is mine.

(Picture below is not mine, but it gives a idea of where I was. I was sitting on the boardwalk you see. The day looked very much like what you see in the picture)

Peaceful Rivers

A few days ago my good friend Rich Kirkpatrick wrote about a place of serenity. Well, I love rivers. There is something so neat about a river. The look, the sound, it brings me peace. Last summer when I was in Alaska I wanted to go fishing. My cousin's husband asked me where and what kind of fishing I wanted to do. I said I didn't care as long as I was near a river. Didn't care if I caught anything. Just get me by a river. I wish I lived closer to a river. I would go hang out there often. But I live in a desert, and there aren't many rivers anywhere to be found near my house. I guess that's why I appreciate those moments I get by a river.

"Let the rivers clap their hands in glee! Let the hills sing out their songs of joy."

Psalm 98:8

Side Note : If you are ever in Soldotna, Alaska on the Kenai Peninsula, go and visit the wonderful folks at Kenai River Brewing Company. Great people.

Sunset in San Diego

This is one of my favorite pictures. The colors are great. I remember this sunset so very well. I just sat and watched the sun go down. The colors just appeared.........and WOW!!! Color after color, hue after hue, they just appeared. From bright orange to deep red. The vivid blues to the deep purples. It was amazing. If you have a chance, find yourself a beach, a rocky beach, one covered in tidal pools, and just sit and watch the work of the almighty.

"The heavens declare the glory of God; the skies proclaim the work of his hands."