Notes To My Mother

At the end of this month I am returning to one of my favorite places, Arches and Canyon Lands National Parks. The last time I was there I hiked to Delicate Arch and while the walk is about a mile and a half and up hill most of the way, it is well worth the effort. It is difficult to capture how large this arch actually is without something included in the image to help give the viewer a perspective.  In the image above you can see a man and two children posing for a picture at he base of the arch. The North Window In another part of Arches there is a location called The Windows.  There is a North Window and a South Window.  The North window is often photographed in the morning light with a view of Turret Arch through the window.   This image was taken in the very early morning hours. It doesn't include Turret Arch but I love the feel of this image.  For me it conveys a sense of mystery and an expectation of things to come. If you e...

Sometimes in order to get the shot you want you may find yourself compelled to take certain actions (chances) that you would likely never do under so called normal circumstances. It is that part of photography where the photographer gets a little fixated, obsessiveness clicks in; reason, caution, and common sense seem to just disappear. I had a small dose of this hit me while exploring for shots at Arch Rock Viewpoint in Boardman State Park on the coast of Oregon. I found the shot I wanted but I could not find a clear shot of it, one without obstructions in the way, from any of the designated viewing locations. I could see that if I could just get a little closer to the edge of the cliff I would likely have the perspective and the open view I wanted. The fence was a low one, only about three feet high, and there were no signs saying to not climb over it. And the clincher was, there was no one else around. I hopped the fence and made my way closer to the edge. Then see...

Just a few miles north of the little town of Manzanita Oregon is a beach called Smuggler Cove. It is a popular beach for surfers and the parking can be difficult if the surf is good. But early in the morning it is deserted. By early, I mean well before sunrise. It is not a long walk to the beach and the trail is very good but a flashlight is required in the dark as there are plenty of things to trip on. On this morning the moon, which was nearly full, was just settling down into the horizon creating a very magical moment. To be alone with the sounds of the surf, the smell of the ocean, a cool gentle breeze and scenery like this – what more could a person ask for? It was low tide on the two occasions I visited this beach so much of it was exposed. But you can see that with the very gradual slope of the beach when the tide rises the beach will be covered with water and I suspect the waves must give the surfers quite a ride. Aside from that, this was such a peaceful set...

Indian Beach is a lovely beach in Oregon with the typically gentle slope of the sand out to the ocean. Waves come in spreading out over the beach leaving a wonderfully reflective surface. I will often find myself in the surf with my tripod and camera. To keep the tripod steady I dig the legs down as deep and I can into the sand. This helps to keep the incoming waves from shaking the tripod during long exposures. It also means I will probably take several shots from that one spot, since I went to so much trouble to get things really set and stable. Therein lies a big risk: standing still in the surf you will find your feet sinking imperceptibly deeper and deeper into the sand. The combination of water and sand will hold onto your feet as if it were a giant suction cup holding your feet. Now comes a bigger than usual wave, you begin to lose balance and as you pull up with one foot it is held down by the suction, you wrench free, stepping back only to find the action of ...

This morning I am still in Bandon, Oregon, and plan to grab some images, get cleaned up, eat breakfast and drive to Manzanita. First its grab the images. There is a minus tide this morning so there will be some unique opportunities: starfish. When the tide goes out it exposes the lower levels of the rocks on the beaches along with the pools of water surrounding them. I have heard the starfish population has been suffering of late due to, I am told, some kind of virus.  I am hoping they are not all gone.  I am anxious to get to the beach at first light, and since it is right across the street from where I am staying I am very pleased. The beach is so different this morning from the night before. It as if I had relocated to and entirely new location. One of the signature images here is Face Rock which is what the beach is named after, Face Rock Beach. There is beauty here in the mornings that was totally unexpected given what I had experienced the night befo...