To see the world in a new way sometimes all you need is some different lighting. While out photographing moonbows last month, at Glacier Point lookout, I enjoyed watching Yosemite valley transform as the full moon rose above the horizon. To my amazement the moon low on the horizon painted the valley a subtle orange hue as you might expect to see during a sunrise. I shouldn’t have been too surprised as the moo
Photographing Yosemite in the Spring is an amazing sight, particularly this year, with waterfalls flowing in full force. This year I’ve seen more waterfalls in Yosemite than ever before. Seasonal waterfalls were visible no matter where you looked. Even more amazing in these conditions is photographing what you cannot see namely a moonbow or lunar rainbow. Anatomically our eyes cannot see color at night, but our
Last week while in Yosemite I have to admit beyond obsessing on Moonbows I was amazed how high the Merced River water level had risen. I found myself returning to the same spots over and over to see how high the water was going. Almost every trip I make to Yosemite I can’t help but visit Swinging Bridge. Normally the bridge is well above the river and in past summers I’ve rafted under it and even seen som
One of the most magical phenomenon in Yosemite National Park are moonbows, otherwise known as lunar rainbows. This past week clear skies, a full moon and waterfalls at peak flow provided optimal conditions to photograph moonbows. Interestingly enough due to the physiology of our eyes it is not possible to see moonbows at night. The rods in our retinas take over in low light conditions making everything appear bluish
A while back I noted that It’s All About the Light when it comes to photography, but there is another key factor that can make a photograph all the more dramatic… weather. I’m not talking clear blue skies and I’m not talking a rainy downpour, although there are always opportunities there. My favorite weather is that which takes form in the razor thin envelope between good and bad weather. Exe
Glacier Point provides a unique vantage point to peer down 3000 feet to the floor of Yosemite Valley. Views of Yosemite Falls, Half Dome, Vernal/Nevada Falls and several other notable landmarks are easily seen, not to mention the numerous ant sized cars and buildings that are scattered across the valley. One of the most iconic formations at Glacier Point itself is Overhanging Rock. Whenever I think of Overhanging Ro
If there ever was a photographers playground to learn something about yourself creatively White Sands National Monument is the spot. Every time I visit I find new landscape opportunities and more importantly I expand my ability to see creatively. 100,000 acres of wild dune fields might seem monotonous or overwhelming, but once you venture out into the void the isolation allows you to focus in a new ways. An added bo
If you’ve seen a Hollywood film these days you’ll know that a truly original film is tough to come by. Remakes, sequels, reboots, TV programs made into movies, etc. are the safe plays for movie studios. The most original and daring films come from artists bootstrapping their films and taking them to independent film circuits. The underlying component to this dynamic is of course risk, who shoulders the ri