If you’ve ever tried to perfectly time the peak autumn colors in the Rocky Mountains, you know each year is a gamble. With luck on my side and perfect weather in the forecast on a mid-September weekend, I made a snap decision to travel south to the San Juan Mountains for a weekend of adventure.
Since I’m frequently asked how I create my Moonscapes, I put together this not-so-brief tutorial to illustrate my process. Let’s dive right in, okay?
In the world of modern landscape photography, there are two schools of thought on sharing shooting locations. On one side, some fear that revealing our locations on social media contributes to overcrowding, damage to fragile environments and a growing mistrust from landowners who prefer to grant access only to a select few.
Returning to shoot special locations is an important part of my creative process. Few feelings compare to immersing myself in my natural subjects and spending enough time with them to see their changes from day to night, season to season, and year to year.
Westcliffe, Colorado, is a small town nestled between the grand Sangre de Cristo Mountains to the west and the “Wet” Mountains to the east. The area is particularly famous for its dark skies and Westcliffe is one of the few designated International Dark Sky Communities in the country, meaning the town has worked hard to minimize light pollution.
Big Bend National Park in West Texas nestles in the “Big Bend” of the Rio Grande river, marking the boundary between Mexico and Texas. As the largest protected area of Chihuahuan Desert topography and ecology in the United States, it is also one of the largest, most remote, and least-visited national parks in the lower 48 states. Its great distance from major urban centers renders the skies over Big Bend among the darkest in North America, making it a prime destination for stargazing and astro-landscape photography.
As a landscape photographer, I’m drawn to the beauty of nature and the places that capture that beauty in unique ways. Cabo Rojo on the southwest coast of Puerto Rico is undeniably one of those places.
Traveling through Mexico always sparks inspiration for novel/offbeat projects. This small project began with a simple mobile shot and quickly turned into an obsession. I’ve photographed agaves before, but never with such intention. These are the first images in what I’m hoping will be many collections.
A highlight of my trip to Mexico City was the Museo Nacional de Antropología. It’s a absolute must-visit, being the largest and most popular museum in Mexico.
Amidst the rugged beauty of West Texas, where the vast skies meet the stark, undulating landscapes of the Chihuahuan Desert, stands El Capitan. This imposing limestone formation serves not just as a natural monument but as a gateway through time, leading us back to an era when this arid terrain was once a thriving marine reef.
Situated along the New Mexico-Texas border lie the Salt Basin Dunes. The white gypsum dunes, similar to those found in White Sands, New Mexico, starkly contrast the Chihuahuan Desert landscape.
As the Snow Moon hit fullness at 5:32 am, I headed to South Park in an attempt to capture the moonset and sunrise simultaneously.
As an avid alpine skier, I enjoy exploring mountain tops without the need to earn it in the traditional sense. Instead of hiking, snowshoeing or even skinning uphill, comfortable, high-speed lifts sweep us from base to summit in minutes, instead of hours.
Rocky Mountain National Park in Colorado, USA, holds a special place in my heart. It is here that I realized a turning point in my life when I dedicated myself to pursuing the art and craft of landscape photography.
My Grand Canyon adventure began in Williams, Arizona, a cool little town along Route 66. Just 30 minutes from the south rim, it was the perfect base for exploring the canyon and soaking up the nostalgic charm of the historic highway. We even found some fantastic dispersed camping spots just outside the park’s boundary, making those early morning sunrise and sunset sessions even more convenient.
In recent travels through the famous parks of southern Utah, Bryce Canyon served as a transition between destinations. Mid-October, both before and after a spectacular annular eclipse, was a particularly special time to visit. This unique timeframe brought folks from all over – more so than usual – to marvel in not only the natural wonder of Utah’s landscapes but also the spectacle of the celestial skies.
The word “bliss” would be an understatement for the mornings witnessed in Belize. This one is particularly dear as it was experienced from Sittee Point south of Hopkins Village. A place we like to call our second home.
Have you ever camped on the shores of Lake Powell? How about on Labor Day weekend?
Mornings in the slice of heaven that is the southern coast of Baja California are as breathtaking as any. Every morning was an offering of Pacific views, color and warmth, but this last sunrise was like no other I’ve experienced.
It was an unusually frigid morning for mid-September to set up for a sunrise shoot on the shores of Jenny Lake. I had just arrived the day prior to Grand Teton National Park in western Wyoming to the aftermath of an early season snow storm.
Under the relentless desert sun, with temperatures soaring, I arrived from the south under the vast expanse of clear blue skies and endless horizons. My destination: Shiprock, a remote and sacred place nestled in the northwestern stretches of New Mexico.
Capitol Reef National Park, Utah is nothing short of spellbinding. This miraculous wonder is not only one of the most alluring parks I have visited, it’s a captivating sight that keeps you guessing what’s next on every road, angle, view.
Another one in the books! The 74th World Championship Pack Burro Race is a wrap, with Buttercup and Marvin Sandoval taking the top spot of the long course for the second consecutive year and fourth time overall.
In the heart of the Rocky Mountains, winter arrives early and lasts for months, providing an awe-inspiring landscape for those seeking to capture its essence through photography. I am one such seeker, spending time exploring the mountains in search of breathtaking views, unique conditions and encounters with wildlife. My home in the subalpine forests of the Mosquito Range in central Colorado gives me a unique advantage, providing a prime location to embark on these journeys.