Shoot, Share & Celebrate!

Oct 30, 2023 | B&W Photography, Random Thoughts

Old Faithful captured by Z 8 / Z24-70f2.8

We are incredibly fortunate to be living at this time with the tools, techniques and passion we use to celebrate life! It seems really hard right now to turn the world off though in that pursuit. Not saying ignore it, but just turn the volume down or off by applying what it is we all do naturally. I’m suggesting that we find those moments that make us smile when behind the camera, one simple click, and share it and celebrate our good fortunes.

I’ve been incredibly fortunate to witness Old Faithful reach for the heavens hundreds of times. No two explosions of energy are ever the same. Last week, clouds on the western horizon darkened the sky in the background so the steam condensed in the cool air providing a natural drama. All that was required was to be there. It’s the perfect example I think of what we call should be doing with our photography right now. Shoot, share & celebrate!

Work it Baby, Work It!

Oct 25, 2023 | Wildlife Photography

Common Raven captured by Z 8 / Z70-200f2.8

The Common Ravens in Yellowstone Nat’l Park are smarter than the average Raven. And they know it! For example, in the winter time they have learned how to unzip the cargo bags on snow sleds to get sleeders lunches out. They know which windows in snow coaches are open and how to fly in and grab food and get back out.  And there are those who don’t read the signs and feed them outright. Then there is me. What these ravens don’t know is that my beautiful bride had a pet raven, Edgar who taught me a few things, one being the raven chortle. This soft speak is what pairs use to commuicate. Though I have no clue what I’m saying, the raven are totally confused to hear it coming from a human. So while it was looking for a handout which wasn’t coming, I made the chortle causing it to cock its head. If you look in the lower photo, you can see me in the reflection of its eye. With the little bit of snow on its mandible and that great background far off in distance, all I could say was, work it baby, work it!

Common Raven captured by Z 8 / Z70-200f2.8

Whata Lake!

Oct 25, 2023 | B&W Photography, Landscape Photography

Yellowstone Lake from Lake Hotel captured by Z 8 / Z24-70f2.8

It is so vast that coming up with a moody photography of it is often a huge challenge. Yellowstone Lake stretches further than you can see so either you have bald skies or clouds here or there, mere dots in the sky. The Park closes in a couple of days for winter and Mother Nature is doing here part with a little wx coming in and that brought for a short time, some dramatics clouds (the sun was out and skies clear about a hour later). Can’t make this stuff up, droved up and parked, open the door, the Z 8 set to Monochrome, clicked and was done. It was a gorgeous moment in this magical place, Yellowstone which of course is home for whata lake!

Philmont Fall Skies Magic

Oct 19, 2023 | B&W Photography, Landscape Photography

Philmont Scout Ranch sunset captured by Z 8 / Z70-200f2.8

October brings active skies to northern region of New Mexico and right over Philmont Scout Ranch. The sun greets Robin blue skies everyday as far as the eye can see. And just minutes after the sun kisses the land, the first little puffy appears. By later afternoon giant, dark battleships are floating overhead which soon let loose of their load. By sunset the energy is gone and the clouds rush to go back into the heavens. This daily show brings 360 non-stop shooting that is simply, delightful!

This evening was literally exhausting switching lenses and Picture Control as the sun went south. There was one great set of could to the north, another to the east (bottom photo) and to the south (top photo). The one thing that was constant was the WB was set to 10k. When I switched to the Z70-200f2.8 for the south, I dialed in Monochrome and -1. When I went east, I would go to the Z14-24f2.8 and start in Monchrome and then back to Standard. Then I might put the Z24-120 and Monochrome and shoot a pano starting east and continuing to the south. Then the Z70-200f2.8 and turn west for the God Beams coming through the clouds. And this happened EVERY NIGHT! It’s one reason I love going back to Philmont each October, Philmont fall skies magic!

Philmont Scout Ranch sunset captured by Z 8 / Z14-24f2.8

Movin On Down, ‘Tis the Season

Oct 17, 2023 | Wildlife Photography

Rocky Mtn Bighorn Sheep captured by Z 6II / 180-400VR

With late fall comes a general down slope migration by many of North America’s big game (other smaller critters do it as well). The reason is pretty simple, easier grazing and movement. Snow covers up and eliminates the food Moose, deer, sheep and other ungulates require at higher elevations. Simply moving down in elevation can bring a cornucopia of food sources. At that same time, the deeper snows are left behind making getting around and getting away from predators more effective. One of the great fall migrations happens in the northern region of Yellowstone Nat’l Park. Vast numbers of elk, pronghorn, bighorn sheep and some Bison move down through Gardner to Paradise Valley. It’s not like the dates are on a calendar to intercept them but if you can get there, you might find some really mellow critters that if you take your time, become the perfect house guests, they will literally come up right to you for some dramatic images. So keep it in mind when you’re out looking for big game. Movin on down, ’tis the season.

Fall at Philmont – Yummy!

Oct 10, 2023 | Landscape Photography

Philmont’s Baldie Town Aspens captured by Z 8 / Z14-24f2.8

It’s the time of year, my annual photographic adventure at the amazing Philmont Scout Ranch. The campers are like sponges soaking up the landscape while taking hold of the photographic concepts and techniques to take the memories home to share with others. 04:45 found us on the road up Baldie where we found gold at Baldie Town at 10,000 feet. The Aspens are just gorgeous and the views, they are the best! And the photography really couldn’t be funnier!

A simply walk up the road (well at this altitude a slow walk for some) put is in the heart of one grove. I took up just the Z14-24f2.8 cause I wanted to take it all in. I closed the lens down to f/22 and then swayed a tad to pinch the sun a little more around a trunk to create that star burst. Once that shot was made, walked ten feet and repeated the process. Just simply a gorgeous morning cause fall at Philmont – yummy!

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