Lajitas Texas

Lajitas Teaxas is a remote place in the U.S. southwest, and one of my most favorite places to go photograph and explore. The small town sits on the banks of the Rio Grand just a few hundred yards from Mexico. The ride along the river on route 170 going west from Lajitas is one of the most beautiful in the country. It takes you through a rugged mountain region with spectacular views of the Rio Grand River. This image of the old church was made on this road. It is the remnants of the movie set "Lonesome Dove". I have always had a fascination with old Western movies and novels. I am certain it is because of my early childhood watching old black and white cowboy programs on TV.  I originally processed this image in color because of the colorful landscape and the intense blue sky. The image was a good representation of the day and the location but it did not fulfill my vision I had of the scene. With the conversion to black and white I am able to work more freely with my interpretation and create an image that most represents my true feelings of the location.

http://www.mapquest.com/maps?city=Lajitas&state=TX

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Lonesome_Dove_(TV_miniseries)

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=m44NQUIOaiQ

Quiet Rock

In my earlier years I used to make solo photography trips to the American southwest. I would pack as much film and large format camera equipment as I could comfortably carry with me on an airplane. My suitcase would carry a small tent and some small camping cookware and a limited amount of clothes for a two week trip. I would rent a four wheel drive vehicle and take off for wilderness areas to hike and photograph from sunup to well after sunset. In those days there weren't cell phones or GPS units to assist me in my travels. I would carry topographical maps and a compass to navigate the back county. My travels would take me far away from towns and paved roads in search of remote locations to explore. When nighttime came I would find a suitable place to setup my tent for the night. Many times, because I like to photograph until dark. I had to erect my tent with the aid of my truck's headlights. This was the case with this photograph. It was taken in the last remnants of daylight and it required a five minute exposure.  I made my way back to my vehicle with the use of my miner's light that I wore on my head. I call this image "Quiet Rock" because of the peaceful quiet presence of the surrounding landscape.  I enjoy looking back on these times of my personal sojourn into wilderness areas. It may have not been the smartest thing to travel alone, but at the time I had the power of youth to my advantage.

Alabama Sunrise

I was looking through my numerous files of digital photographs last night and came upon a folder of pictures I had taken three years ago. It was like opening up an old box of photographs and recalling the time. We were in Alabama at the Gulf shores and it was the start of our wandering life in a motorhome.  I had forgotten about making any pictures while camped there and was surprised when I opened the folder. The storage of digital images can become disorganized and a huge mess if not maintained constantly. My problem is compounded by being mobile and not having a permanent setup to organize and store my images. Usually when I make new images I download them on my laptop and later transfer them to an external storage device. When we are parked for any length of time I will get out my desktop computer and spend a few days organizing and backing up my images. Making images with a digital camera has an instantaneous element that makes taking and then seeing your  pictures fun in the field. The downside is that it requires a lot of work on the back end to stay organized. I made this image standing on the roof of the motorhome as the sun started to rise through the fog.

http://www.alapark.com/gulfstate/Camping/

Architectural Photography

I have always been fascinated with modern architecture when visiting cities. I have lived all my life in rural small towns, and rarely ever traveled to a large metropolitan area. We were in the city of Charlotte N.C. to visit the Nascar Hall of Fame a few months ago and I made this photo just outside the entryway to the museum. I am amazed with the bond between art and engineering that is achieved with creative architectural design. Charlotte is a beautiful city with modern architecture that provides plenty of opportuinty for photography.

http://www.nascarhall.com/

http://www.charlottesgotalot.com/

To walk in the Wilderness

How many times in our lives have we truly walked alone in the wilderness of nature. Our lives are surrounded by movement and noise, and the pace has quickened in just a few years with the constant need to be connected. Technology is great and I am as addicted to it as most people are, but it comes with a sacrifice to our well being.  How different the world is at this moment than in any other time before. We have access to a world of information through the web, but because of our tie to it, we rarely ever break free and get to experience the things we have learned about. Sadly in the modern world people now live most of their lives 12" from their nose. I have been with family and friends that can't stop the urge to text and reply while at dinner in a nice restaurant or at a public event. They are preocupied and distracted from what is being said or going on around them.  We were at the beach on a gorgeous day and saw a middle aged couple sitting in their beach chairs. Both had cell phones to their face with their thumbs firing away at the keys.  They never looked at the beautiful ocean or said a word to each other the entire time we stayed there. I thought how sad it is to live a day in a beautiful surrounding and probably never remember it. To the younger generation this will be the norm and accepted lifestyle they grew up with. They will be connected through technology and devices but separated from direct contact with others and the quiet nature that surrounds them. When I get the chance to walk in the wildness and witness the created beauty around me, I always come away refreshed and focused. It is a healty thing to take time out and separate ourselves from the constant drum beat of technology and the noise in our lives.

Passing Storm

We were out riding along the ocean on Rt. A1A on the East coast of Florida a couple of days ago and ran into a quick moving cold front that produced a strong thunderstorm. It was late in the day and the sun was about an hour from setting. We found a place to park where we could watch the ocean and waited to see if a rainbow would appear once the storm moved out to sea. Sure enough as the low angle sun broke through the western sky, it made a full rainbow out over the ocean. I grabbed my camera and headed out in the tail end of the downpour to get a picture. After making a few photographs, I walked along the beach enjoying the dramatic sky and was hoping to find something other than an empty ocean to photograph. I looked back behind me and saw this surfer out on the water looking for some waves from the pasting storm.

Anasazi Cliff Dwelling

In the Colorado Plateau region of the American southwest are numerous remains of an ancient pueblo people called the Anasazi. These sites are usually located high up on overhanging cliffs that can be difficult to climb, if not impossible. This particular dwelling was located near the four corners area in a remote canyon. I would camp out and hike to many of these locations back in the mid 80's and 90's. My camera of choice in those days was a 4x5 Linhof Master Technika. The use of a large format camera meant carrying a large number of film holders and a heavy backpack full of gear plus a substantial tripod. My days started before sunrise and went well past sunset in order to hike, explore, and photograph in these remote areas. My enthusiasm to be in such locations would have me scrambling up mountains and balancing myself on boulders to find the right location to make a photograph. I can remember when making this photograph, I was on a very narrow ledge with just enough room to setup my tripod. I wanted to be at a low angle looking up at the dwelling to show the majestic rock wall above the structure.  These locations have stood for a thousand years and if you are fortunate to be able to visit such sites it is important to respect them and not to disrupt them in any way. Only take pictures and leave everything else the way time has left it.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ancient_Pueblo_Peoples