Shadow Evolution

Sponsor Award (Kurt's Camera Repair)

Category: Abstract

While prospecting for photographic gold around Bodie State Historic Park in the foothills of the Eastern Sierras, I found this unique structure that begged for me to take its picture.

Bodie, California was a gold rush boom town in the late 19th century that went bust by 1915. Preserved in a perpetual state of "arrested decay", it is a popular location for tourists and photographers alike. Recently, while on a photo tour, I came across this above ground cylindrical water tank just outside the sawmill, which was in fairly good shape, with just a light weathering rust, but with a number of rivet and bolt protrusions along its curved surface that created interesting shadow patterns in the late afternoon sun. I thought of early sci-fi movies with crude spaceships flying through space toward a brilliantly lit planet, or perhaps a rare geologic formation of paired mountains in a large desert on Mars. In the end, however you see this image, I enjoyed making it.

Cottonwood Canyon Road

Category: Color Scenic Landscape (Summer)

When you visit Bryce Canyon, do yourself a favor and take a trip down Cottonwood Canyon Road in Kane County, Utah.

This 47-mile stretch of dirt road connects Cannonville with U.S. Route 89, providing magnificent scenery along the way. Be advised, high clearance vehicles are recommended, because if the road has been wet recently it becomes impassable in parts.

The stunning Cottonwood Narrows and colorful Cockscomb are interesting and accessible in ways that Bryce Canyon simply doesn't offer. To the north, Grosvenor Arch and Kodachrome Basin State Park are compelling stops for hikers, photographers, and adventure travelers.

Spring Enters Grand Teton Like a Lion

Sponsor's Award (Mike Seewald Gallery)

Category: Large Print

You plan, you walk the lines the day before when the light is harsh. You book a place to stay that is as near as possible, but still about a 40-minute drive, and is an unheated tepee when the overnight temperatures get down to about 20°F in early June. You wake at 0330 and try to quietly depart the campsite so as not to disturb all the other sane travelers. You drive to the location and find a tour group also arriving at the same time.... but, they are setting up for the straight on shot, which you have seen a thousand times.

You know it's been dark, with few stars, but there are breaks in the clouds as you drive to the location. But, as you set up your gear, you watch in horror as the clouds thicken, a periodic drizzle is an annoyance, because you are already freezing, the winds are gusty, and the updrafts from the mountains stop the clouds in their tracks...right above the scene. The ephemeris data says this is first light...but, there is no sun, there is no horizon to the east, only heavy cloud cover.

Spring in Wyoming. Unpredictable. Frustrating. Exhilarating. Worth it.
Limited Edition Print

Images of the World in Which We Live

2022 San Diego Fair Selections