Caught this scene driving from La Crosse to Minneapolis along the Mississippi.  Good thing for brakes and seat belts.  The lighting was perfect!

Back in Las Vegas tonight.  I was asked by a friend to run over to Hoover Dam and take a night shot.  Ended up attempting a time lapse from the bridge.  The semis and larger vehicles shook the bridge.  Didn’t work out so great.  But did do a 9 shot HDR handheld with the Nikon D800.  Turned out OK….

I love Black and White photo’s.  And like anybody that has followed the history of black and white photography I followed and studied Ansel Adams.  The king of B&W.  The inventor of the Zone System.  Many nights were spent in my dark room trying to emulate the process established by Ansel.  Few have even got close to what he produced.  Recently I had a brief interaction with an individual that is as close as it gets to Ansel’s work.  She is well known and her work has been compared to Ansel’s work.   To see her incredible work go here.    She is very gracious yet confident.  Yet another incredible person that creates beautiful images with a passion that I share.

This shot was taken recently on my hike in Kolob Canyon.  Not to the level of Ms. Guilds.  Just want to share my passion also.

It is not uncommon for me to have to drop everything and tend to a critical issue at one of our working stores.  Though I am not directly involved in the maintenance of the stores there are times that my experience is needed.  This last weekend (Easter Weekend) was no exception.  Friday night I left for Cedar City and returned Sunday afternoon.  Not the greatest Easter observance ever.  I did however take a break mid day and drove the short disctance to Kolob Canyon.   Kolob is on the back side of Zions National Park and still within it’s boundaries.  Millions of people drive down I-15 in Utah and drive right past the exit to Kolob Canyon.  The crazy part is that the Canyon is a mere 4-5 miles from I-15.  And it is incredibly beautiful.  Some of the most beautiful scenery in the country.  This day I decided to walk/hike to the back of one of the canyons.  Because of  my failing back I was a little apprehensive.  As I progressed up the trail my pains got no worse.  In fact the strenuous nature of the trail and the beautiful surroundings gave me some relief from the pain.  As a side note the next morning was hell.  Felt like I had a wrecking ball dropped on my back.  It was worth it though.  The hike round trip took a little more than 4 hours.  I carried two cameras, a few lenses and some other gear.  About 30 lbs. worth of gear.  It was delightful.  The grandness of the rock features was overwhelming.  Several times I stopped and enjoyed the scenery.  When my trek stopped at the back of the canyon (too narrow to pass) I sat for a while and meditated.  The only sounds was the slight breeze, a woodpecker and the occasional rustling of last falls dried out leaves.  There is no way photographically or in words to describe what I experienced.

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The light reflecting off one wall to the other wall was surreal.  In seemed as though I was standing in the middle of a water color painting.

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The formations created by wind, water and the elements where so unique and individual.  Yet an art created just for me that day.

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Though I was spent physically, my spirits were lifted with the time alone, the peace and quiet and the accomplishment of getting to the top of the trail….

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Tonight on the way home my desire heightened to capture with the new “gear” so I hit the neighborhood.  I love my community.  All makes and sizes, old and new homes.  Very large and very old homes and barns.  Makes for some fun captures with little time to do so.

Grabbed the D4, the 28-300 lens and took some 9 shot HDR captures.  At home in post tonight ran them through  photomatix pro and Silver EFEX pro to the black and white.  Fast simple and enjoyable.  I am blessed.  Just need a whole day with the cameras and the manuals. Stay-in-touch..

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I received my new Nikon D800 on Tuesday.  Could not use it until tonight.  I am  in Las Vegas and running all over the place. As my meetings dragged on all that was really on my mind was getting a capture with the D800, getting back to the hotel and seeing 36 megapixels at work.  Turns out I had a very short window to run up to Red Rock Canyon.  Took a few shots. Was favored with a short burst of sun for about 6 minutes or so.  Holy resolution.  The detail is incredible.  I really look forward to spending some time with both cameras.  And pushing the limits of both!   Here is the capture I got tonight. Shot with the D800, 24-70 f/2.8 lens, ISO 100.

CLICK ON THE IMAGE TO SEE T FULL SIZE!

Sometimes the CAPTURE is just about the mood and quiet of the scene.

Had a real blast today at Antelope Island.

Found a small horned bird I have never seen before.  Probably real common.  Just never had one in my view finder.  Tons of fun stuff.  Birds, buffalo, etc. all made for a fun morning.  Then it was time to pack.  So I just finished packing.  I have to get up real early to catch my flight.  This photograph was an accident.  At times I will shoot through brush with my long lenses.  For the most part the auto focus stays on the subject. But once and a while it catches something a little closer.  Just had to post it…..

The day before our first decent snow storm I was at FBWR very early.  Beat the sun by at least two hours……….

Back home tonight.

Drove from the Monticello, Utah area through Moab.  Not enough time to visit Arches.  BUt stopped and took rock shots!

It was the middle of the day.  Light was not the best.  Everything looked black and white to me.  I did notice little critter prints everywhere.  Here it has been extremely windy and rainy.  The sand was fresh with prints….

I wonder if the critters where out the night before?  Or was it early this morning?  I imagined the tiny things running around……