Photo Essay: Abandoned Route 66

Land Around the Corner

Hilltop View of  Caineville, Utah

Civil twilight had just begun. I crawled out of the bed of the truck, grabbed my gear and headed into the wide open space. What looked like attainable buttes at first, seemed endless once on foot.

 "Just over the next hill" I kept thinking to myself. "I just want to see what's over the next hill." 

 I was finally out of sight of the truck. The air was warm and still, and the sun slowly raised to wash over the desert barren land. I wondered how much further I could go before my fellow adventurer woke up and started to worry. 

"Just a peak over the next hill" I thought again, and I ventured off to see what else lay in the "land around the corner". 

Exploration is just as important an element to landscape photography as your tripod. Getting "lost" in the landscape or in nature can bring out images you never even thought were out there. Explore, get lost, and keep going around that last corner. Happy weekend everybody! Oh, and happy birthday Mom!

Canada: Lake Louise and into the Icefields

Lake Louise at Sunrise, Banff National Park, Canada

Lake Louise is one of the most famous locations in the Canadian Rockies. I don't think I have been to a sunrise location with so many people! Mesa Arch has some competition! Despite the amount of flash happy tourists, the scenery did not disappoint. I took a late morning hike up to Lake Agnes and really wished I had time to come back for some better lighting. Unfortunately, I had to keep going. 

Cracked Mud Near Mirror Lake, Banff National Park, Canada

Moraine Lake is possibly the second most famous location in the Canadian Rockies and for good reason. I was able to shoot both sunset and sunrise at Moraine Lake, surprisingly, with only a handful of people on either end. My plans of trying to make it to Consolation Lakes for sunset had been squashed by the "rule of 4" stating that a minimum of four hikers must stay within site of each other or be fined up to $5,000. The rule is in place because of the amount of bears in the region. I hung around the trail head waiting for three willing suckers, but most of those I tried to convince were put off by the mere possibility of bears and the fact that it would be dark on our return. I have to say, it took all of my self preservation not to take the chance and go anyway. Clouds were hanging around the peaks near Moraine Lake (which was right next to the trail head for Consolation Lakes) so I figured I'd play by the rules and stay at the more populated area for sunset. The possibility of a $5,000 fine didn't seem too appealing anyway. Moraine Lake is known as a sunrise spot, since the sun hits the peaks at first light, but with the clouds that night it turned out to be an excellent sunset spot as well. 

Sunset at Moraine Lake, Banff National Park, Canada

Tower of Babel at Sunset, Banff National Park, Canada

Pine and Sky, Banff National Park, Canada

Sunrise at Moraine Lake, Banff National Park, Canada

After a successful sunrise shoot at Moraine Lake, I headed into the Icefields which are between Banff and Jasper National Parks and consists of several (dying) glaciers. This point of the trip was perhaps my favorite. I had the most freedom and solitude here. There was a lot of time to explore and I was able to find some really cool spots. One spot in particular I ended up renaming, "My Lake". 

Layers of Mountains, Icefields Parkway, Canada

Taking a Moment to Read at "My Lake", Icefields Parkway, Canada

The Flow into Mistaya Canyon, Icefields Parkway, Canada

Mistaya Canyon, Icefields Parkway, Canada

I found a beat up, duct taped together, aluminum canoe at "My Lake" and used it as both an office and a prop. I came back for sunset and enjoyed one of my favorite light shows of the trip. Every direction offered incredible color and I was ecstatic and grateful to be in such a picturesque location with such amazing light.

"My Lake" at Sunset, Icefields Parkway, Canada

Bonneville Speed Week 2012

The Yankee Engineuity Express starts down the flats reaching 153 MPH.

Another day full of engines, salt, and speed! Bonneville Speed Week is like nothing else. Men and women spend the year building and perfecting their vehicles in hopes to squash land speed records on the fastest course in the world. Racers of all types lined up despite the wetter-than-usual salt this year. A storm had hit the night before, closing two of the three courses, but had not managed to dampen any spirits. Spectators, racers and photographers were as giddy as school children; something about loud and fast cars that gets people excited.

Those invested in the 'projectiles' wait anxiously while docked at the starting line, waiting for their signal. Large trucks peel out as they push the aerodynamic cars down the course until they can reach third gear pace. The crowd waits for the punch as the driver finally picks up his own speed and quickly disappears into the mirage near the edge of the horizon.

Many come to show off what they've been working on during the past year, revving engines and lifting hoods ready to share their life story to any passerby curious enough to strike up a conversation. Those who have been coming back since the beginning, however, are there for only one reason; to get some speed! 

This car waited hours at the starting line, only to pull off at mile 2 after reaching 161 MPH.

The salt flats are aptly named, as there is no shade to speak of. You have to make your own if you want to be out of the sun.

Some of the competitors have used their life savings to build the kind of car required to reach speeds of up to 400 MPH. 

Speed Week is a perfect time to show off your pride and joy, even if it never races for timed speed.

Photographically speaking, I kept my Singh-Ray warming filter on my 17-40mm and my Vari-N-Duo (warming filter and neutral density filter combo) on my 70-200mm. This allowed me to get shots that weren't completely blown out by the bright scene and play around with a slower shutter speed (see first photo). As all races are held during the day, the bright harsh light is always a factor when shooting Speed Week. It just becomes part of the scene. I would definitely suggest a warming polarizer of some sort. It make just that extra bit of difference in such harsh lighting.

People from all over the world come to see speed records fall at the salt flats.

Quickclips: Time-Lapse Medley

Hope you enjoy this random medley of time-lapse videos.  Happy Easter!

Time-Lapse: Taking Down Tent/Sad Story

I've been without my camera for almost a month now.  I thought I would be getting my camera back all clean and fixed pretty soon, but I was informed last week that the $300 repair they thought was going to fix the sensor turned out to be a $3,300 sensor replacement.  I'm sorry?  Did you say $3,300?  That's right.  I was devastated.  I still am.  However, there is some good news in this sad, sad story.  I ordered a Canon 5D Mark II and it's on the way!  I can't feel too bad, as my used 1Ds Mark II went above and beyond the call this past year.  Yes, I only had it a year, but I paid a fraction of what it cost new.  I don't regret buying it at all, but I had the thought of selling it to Adorama about two months ago and I can't stop thinking, "If I had just sold it then!"  It's too bad.  It sucks.  But I have moved on and I am stoked to get my hands on the 5D.  I've been wanting this camera for a while now, and since the 5D Mark III came out, and the Mark II prices lowered a bit, I had set my sites on it becoming my second body for a while now (so much for that plan).  Now it will serve as my one and only (at least for the time being) and I have plans of it serving me well.  I am really excited about the HD video, the insanely high ISO capabilities, and the overall image quality this camera promises to deliver.  

On another note, I made a time-lapse video of yours truly packing up my tent at the Salt Flats and wanted to share.  I hope to be putting up a few more of these time-lapse videos in the next few days.  Enjoy.

Location: Grand Teton National Park

Snake River near Schwabacher Landing

Sunrise at Snake River Overlook

Wind causing snow drifts along the road near the Tetons

I have returned from the Tetons with more than just photos, but a stronger friendship and greater photographic experience.  I was able to go with a very close friend, who is almost as crazy about photography as I am, which made it easy to drag her along in the wee hours of the morning.  We faced freezing temperatures, whiteout weather, and equipment failures, but came back with some really great photography.  

Snake River near Schwabacher Landing

Schwabacher Landing

Sunrise at Snake River access point

The first night we set out for sunset and managed to drive right into an oncoming storm which didn’t let up until the next afternoon, nixing both sunset and sunrise shots.  After attempting sunrise in the snow blizzard, only to retreat to our warm beds, we set out for some afternoon scouting.  We snowshoed down to Schwabacher Landing to get some views of the Tetons with the Snake River.  The light was great and we were finally getting some good weather.  I had gotten some good shots and was ready to move on to the next location.  I put my Gitzo tripod in the snow to set up another shot when, ‘snap’.  Two of the legs broke right at the top.  Clean off.  Like twigs.  I had the whole weekend ahead of me and I had just broken a crucial piece of my photo gear.  After the initial shock and disappointment, I realized I now had a perfectly good ‘monopod’ and would have to finish the trip with that.  Not ideal, but you do what you gotta do.  I could stick it in the packed snow and get it reasonably stable using every precaution to keep it from shaking; cable release, mirror lock-up with a 10 sec delay.  It worked out better than I thought, but I’ll be glad to get a replacement soon (future post to come).  We hustled back up to the main road and froze in 0 degree weather to catch sunset at Snake River Overlook and enjoy the last night of 2011.

Swans brave the icy ponds outside of Jackson Hole

Icy trees near Jackson Hole

Sunrise at Snake River Overlook

Alpenglow sunrise at Snake River Overlook

The next morning we got up extra early to snowshoe to a new location.  We headed down the snow blocked road, trudging through knee deep snow even in snowshoes.  We made it to the bottom clearing where it turned out the better views were back away from the river where the pine trees created some depth and foreground.  We had a much shorter hike up, but were met by a Park Ranger at the top.  He had seen our car at the top of the road and waited until we hiked out.  Apparently, river access is off limits in the winter at the Tetons.*  

Sunset in Grand Teton National Park

Icy tree near Jackson Hole

The Tetons are beautiful in the summer, but if you’re up to freezing temperatures, limited access, and raw conditions, the Tetons in the winter are a whole different experience.  You have to be prepared, but it is well worth it.  It was definitely a great way to start off the new year. 

Cold winter morning outside Jackson Hole

Icy lake outside Jackson Hole

Essential Gear:
-Graduated Neutral Density Filters (Singh-Ray)
-Lens cloths
-Tripod (a backup doesn't hurt!)
-2x gloves: one thinner for handling camera, one thicker while waiting for the light
-Snowshoes
-Extra batteries
-Hand warmers to keep batteries warm, as they drain quicker in the cold
-Patience, layers and wool socks.




*We had gone to the visitor center the day before to get information on accessing the river and were never informed of this rule. Not sure that's what the ranger wanted to hear. 

Occupy Salt Lake Protests

Nowell lit up his hand-rolled cigarette as he continued to explain his reasoning for protesting outside the Federal Bank Building on State Street and 100 South in Salt Lake City.  There's a handful of individuals at this site supporting the 'Occupy' protests around the nation.  Nowell stressed that getting the word out was his main purpose and the reason he's been sleeping and protesting at this location for the last two weeks.  Cars driving by honked in support, and the occasional passerby stopped with interest.  Others are not so enthusiastic about the idea.  One man confronted a protester by yelling and throwing his hands around.  I thought the tension might rise, but the protester stood his ground with an easy going smile on his face until the man left.  These protesters don't seem to be looking for a fight.  They just want their voices heard.  And as Americans, we all have a right, if not an obligation, to voice our opinions.

I've had to learn, as a photographer, that you have to keep an open mind.  It's best, in order to tell the story, to not take sides.  Sure, I have my opinions, but I don't think they are best spoken here or getting too wrapped up with my photography.  Take these photos as they are.  I'd much rather have my photos speak for themselves than for me to try to explain them, and hopefully they are able to do just that.

Documentary: Carnival

I've read different articles in photo magazines about how carnivals and fairs are great places to photograph, but never really sought them out.  Last week I went to the Utah State Fair to see what all the fuss was about.  Initially, I thought the rides at dusk with slow shutter speeds was going to be the recipe for the night (which it partly was), but I found myself drawn to the small vendors and everyday carnies even more.  The first guy I spoke to was running a 100 shots for 5 bucks game.  Shoot out the middle of your target and you get to take home a giant stuffed Scooby.  I have to say I was tempted.  I gracefully declined but asked if I could take his photo.  He straitened up, took off his hat, combed his hair and smiled.  He told me he felt like a picture gave a person a kind of immortality, as a photo can last a whole lot longer than we can.  This stuck with me the rest of the night and I couldn’t help but thinking he was right.  He reminded me of the whole reason any of us really start taking photos.  For myself it was to document.  Every photo I take for one reason or another is to document.  And really that's what any of us are really doing when we take a photograph.  I took his photo proudly, hoping I had done him justice even if I had only spoken with him for a moment.  He tried one last time to get me to play his game but the sun was setting and pictures were waiting to be taken.