First Visit to Moab and Arches National Park

After 40 years of thinking about visiting the Colorado Plateau, I signed up for a photography workshop in Moab, Utah in early May. Organized by Bruce Hucko, this workshop, part of the Moab Photography Symposium, was a great way to get a running start there, with folks who really know this area well, as well as a honed, artistic eye. The three day workshop was led by veteran outdoor photographers Jack Dykinga and Jeff Foott.

I'm not an early riser, but one of the first realizations is the need to get in place before sunrise (and sunset). In the morning, especially when clear, it was amazing how quickly the first light lost it's warmth and became harsh right before your eyes. Naturally, clouds could rapidly modify this scenerio and were always a welcome addition.

A flowering Yucca Plant at sunrise with The Organ as a backdrop

Another aspect that was apparent was how well this landscape rendered in monochrome. This led to more exploration in the digital darkroom of Adobe Lightroom capabilities as well as a relatively new tool for me, Nik Silver Efex Pro.

First Light hitting Turret Arch with cirrus clouds

When the sun was out in full glory, the shaded cliff sides were often bathed in a beautiful light reflected off of the surrounding red rock, as well as the light from the blue sky.

After the workshop, it was time to explore on my own. Rising early, with it windy and clear, I returned to places that we had visited. Although Arches NP is heavily visited, once you are away from the main places and trailheads, you can easily find yourself alone with the starkness and beauty. Starting at 5:30a, I explored and photographed until 11:30p.

After sunset, one is treated to a celestial show. With the relatively high altitude and dry air and without the moon, stars are easily seen right down to the horizon. The camera shows many more stars, and meteors. Although the Lyrid meteor shower was probably over, nearly every photo had at least one or two meteors streaking through. The quiet serenity at night, with the rock formations and stars was something one does not soon forget. In May, the Milky Way lies along the horizon after sunset, but there were still plenty of celestial beauty to behold. 

A star show at The Organ

It was enchanting to work here, and I will definitely return. Jack and Jeff were great guides, critics and, most of all, engaging and humorous company.

To see more (and larger) photographs, please click here>

Columbia Hills/Eastern Gorge Flower and Scenics Workshop

After a week of rain, the weather Gods smiled upon our April workshop and bestowed some fine weather for us to dry out a bit and get some photography done in the beautiful Washington Columbia Hills area of the Columbia Gorge. It wasn't a free ride however, as the wind really kicked in, with gusts at times well over 30 knots. 

First stop was an area along the Columbia with a beautiful field of Camas flowers and wind swept trees. Wind swept it was, so we settled for higher ISO settings and also handheld shots to stop the action and get really low and close to the flowers.

Talking about possibilities and framing. Courtesy, John Camp

John Camp getting low to get close and personal with the Camas. Courtesy, Joanne Nelson.

Next we headed to the Horsethief Butte area, finding just a little shelter from the wind at the east end of the Butte. The Arrowhead Balsamroot was blooming, as well as other wildflowers, including Death Camas. We then drove to The Dalles for lunch at the Petite Provence and afterwards a review/discussion session. 

Following lunch we visited the rolling country side of the Columbia Hills and the Dalles Mountain Ranch. With hillsides covered with flowers, we enjoyed mostly sunny skies and some beautiful clouds to the west, with a subdued Mt. Hood in the distance.

Clouds, flowers sun and a strong wind were our companions. Courtesy, John Camp

We made our way to the high point on the Dalles Mt. Road, then headed back, making a few stops when the light was right in certain areas. All was clouds to the west, so it was nice to have some sun, beautiful flowers and scenery the entire day. Thanks to all for a fun outing. 

Taking a break and taking it in

You can view a small collection of the participant's many fine photos here>>

Cape Kiwanda Reminising, Summer, 2012

Having planned a workshop in August, 2013 in the Cape Kiwanda area, I was reviewing some of the beauty there before the workshop and also my trip to the red rock in the Colorado plateau near Moab, Utah. The wind and water sculpted sandstone here reminds one of other areas of the west. Another fantastic feature is the unusual wave patterns that form and disappear. Caves, sand, shore birds and trees make for a photographers crayon box.

These photographs were all taken within 3 hours of each other. Sunshine and blue skies were quickly inundated by fog and cold, not an unusual occurrence when it's hot inland.

Just before the fog rolled in

Fog for subdued shadows and a neutral density filter make for longer exposures of the water. Tripod essential here.

Unusual waves at sunset with Sea Anenomes waiting under a rock for their next meal

Where sandstone and the Pacific meet

Waves and Rialto Beach Beauty

Sometimes, it's not a simple walk on the beach at high tide in winter here on the Pacific. Thankfully the sun graced the skies for another day of exploration and photography, this day at Rialto Beach. Rialto Beach, Olympic National Park, is just north of the Quileute Tribe's village and fishing harbor of La Push. From Rialto Beach, there is nothing but wild beaches 40 miles north to Cape Flattery.

 James Island was a refuge for the Quileute when attacked by other tribes

Rialto Beach consists primarily of stones of various sizes. The water is also quite deep close to shore, so the roar of crashing waves from the west, pounding and pushing massive amounts of stones, makes quite an intense and powerful sound. Waves were washing up into the huge debris field of driftwood. This is no ordinary driftwood, as many of the trees here were old growth beauties, now worn down, sometimes thrown on top of one another during the big storms and waves at high tide.

The beautiful sea stacks and dark beach near Hole in the Wall (far right)

It was high tide as I made my way dodging waves and driftwood to the sea stacks at the north end of the beach. The waves keep me close to the shore, but it was a pleasant, slow walk with just one creek to ford. Sunset was imminent as I approached the sea stacks.

 "Split Rock" sea stacks at sunset

 Last light on the sea stacks with a short-lived ethereal sky

The walk back was gratefully easier, as more beach opened as the tide retreated. The light was quickly retreating as well. If I can see stars, the camera can capture many more. This time of year the summer Milky Way is in the WNW, with Cygnus pointing down to the horizon. A 30 second exposure captured the scene. In the far lower right, you can see the glow of crab boats as the crab season was just opened.

 Sunset Glow and The Milky Way

If you would like to view more images from this collection, and at a larger size, please visit my Website/Recent Work> 

Mountains of Snow

 The weather Gods smiled again this year in allowing a visit to Hurricane Ridge for the New Year. The winds howled last year, but there was a limited amount of snow. This New Year Day we were greeted with stillness and mounts and drifts of snow everywhere. The trees were beautifully coated with snow.

Subalpine Fir coated in snow

The landscape had a near black and white tonality, which contrasted well with the warm tones in the sky, created from the sunlight's low winter trajectory filtering through the altostratus clouds.

Mt. Olympus (left) and Mt. Carrie

Looking South, the peaceful Elwha Valley and the Bailey Range

Happy New Year!