Without a doubt .... "The Rarest Bear Photo Ever Captured"

This will be remembered for a number of reasons, not least of which is the fact that it was accidental. My guide for this trip had suggested stopping at a State Park near Newport while he searched the internet for our next shooting location. As he was doing this, he suggested I might want to follow a trail to an overlook that might make for a few memorable shots. This was day two of this trip, and by now I’d learned to simply trust him, so I climbed over the fence (with the no tresspassing sign) and followed the faint trail through the brush, trying to forget his warning not to fall over the cliff edge I was looking for. Fortunately, I found the edge just large enough to set up my tripod and began shooting waves breaking on the large rock near the shoreline. A few minutes later, my guide tapped me on the shoulder and asked if I thought I’d gotten some good shots. For whatever reason, I told him I needed another two or three .... and the one you see here was the second of those three. Often asked if I saw the scene for what it was, I have to answer no, not at the time. I did see it late that night when transferring files from the camera to the laptop, and will forever remember my astonishment that I’d captured what has to be one of the most unique photographs anyone will ever capture.

Japanese Maple

As familiar as this tree is in advertising, or professional portfolios, it became "my" tree the moment I opened the file. Opening up shadows for detail, and carefully tuning the color to my memory makes this print a unique addition to my personal portfolio. In other words - this is "my tree" and one of my favorite prints.

"Retreating Clouds"

One of my first Milky Way shots, and possibly one of the best I'll ever capture. Why? I'd packed up my gear, preparing to turn in for the night, when I noticed the cloud movement. As it had been misting for hours, I surprised myself with the positive feeling that came over me. Jumping out of the car, and grabbing the gear once more had me set up to capture the clouds, Milky Way and the shape of the barn just as the lights of Alamogordo illuminated the clouds with a golden glow. Once again, premonition can play a valuable role in capturing memorable images.

Selected for inclusion in the High & Dry exhibit at Texas Tech's International Cultural Center for 2017.

Set the scene ..... a high speed drive across New Mexico, thinking of the snow capped peaks of the Rockies in Colorado. What was that? Hit the brakes, make the u-turn, find a parking spot, climb the fence (who cares if there may have been an encouraging sign telling me not to tresspass). This place had to be explored! Determined to live up to my standard of being there without disturbing the natural scene, I spent several hours at one of the most intriguing spots I’ve ever had the opportunity to shoot. I could tell stories for hours about what I saw and experienced, but for now, I’ll just let the scene speak for me

"Sunrise - Columbia River Gorge"

This is the first image taken on my first photo trip to Oregon. Nothing like setting the bar really high, is there?

The story behind the shot - having arrived in Oregon about 10:30 pm, the day before, I arose at 4:30 to meet the local professional photographer I’d hired as a guide to the area. After a brief introduction to one another, we took off for the Gorge talking about my skills, desires, and hopes for the two and a half days we would work together. Less than thirty minutes later, Zach pulls off the highway at an overlook where I followed his lead and began setting up my tripod and camera gear, silently questioning why we were doing this in total darkness. Fifteen minutes later, the sky began to glow. An epic sunrise revealed itself, establishing Zach’s credentials as the best guide in the world - at least for this day.

"Paradise Defined"

I captured this moment on Paradise Divide, near Crested Butte, Colorado on the first morning of a wildflower workshop. I was the only one of the group to circle around to shoot from this angle, but we all captured signature images. The workshop leader had been telling us he never shoots when teaching, but when presented with this scene, ran to his car, grabbed his camera equipment so he too, could capture the moment. His print of the scene is now a prominent piece of his portfolio, and recently headlined a show in England.

Multnomah Falls - near Portland, Oregon

What can you say about this scene? Easily the most photographed spot in Oregon, the scene itself says it all. Over five hundred feet of drop over two sections, with full size trees floating in the pool as if they are giant goldfish, this scene mesmerizes every visitor. On this early morning visit, I was one half of the gallery admiring this early spring beauty. Capturing it faithfully, became an immense pressure even if others had done it countless times before I arrived. When I hear people ask why I shoot such familiar scenes, I simply remember how I felt at that moment, and what it feels like even now as I admire the beauty I'm so fortunate to capture and share.

Japanese Gardens
Portland, Oregon

On this, my last shooting location on my first trip to Oregon, I truly fell in love with the color green. We had been going so hard for two and a half days, I think I had failed to just stop and take it all in. Here in the Gardens, I finally stopped long enough to appreciate the absolute beauty of the Cascade area.

Monument Valley - "Mile Post 683"

When I left home on the morning of this capture, I knew there was a chance I might be in the area of Monument Valley near sundown. I'll admit that part was planning. The unplanned part regarding this capture, was the rain that fell just before I arrived, and the clouds parting just moments before this capture was made. Having everything come together at just the right moment is an incredible stroke of luck, but I don't want you telling anyone about this confession - we'll just keep that between the two of us.

Deep within the Japanese Gardens in Portland, Oregon. If you've ever doubted the wisdom of shooting in 'raw' format this could be a lesson. At the end of the day, I discovered I had severly underexposed the shot, but with the latitude of a raw capture, I was able to process exactly what I had fallen in love with on location.

"Earth, Wind & Fire"

After several trips to White Sands National Monument I thought I had the exact composition I wanted for this promising sunset. As prepared as I thought I was, this final composition came about because I had the opportunity to see the scene through someone else’s eyes as I was setting up. Just as the sun was reaching this position, James Clinich called me over to his vantage point, prompting me to instantly abandon my previous plans.

Lesson learned: always use every advantage you have available. For this capture, the best tool I had with me turned out to be James.

"Seattle Twilight" from Kerry Park

For years I'd dreamed of shooting Seattle at night, but had never imagined this scene. I'd always visualized my captures from sea level. Kerry Park is a cherished location for locals and worldwide travelers fortunate enough to discover it. My guide for this trip, suggested the location and I'll be forever grateful.

Seattle from Alki Point

An amazing skyline easily captured from multiple locations. Seattle at night is a visual treat for photographers as compositions here range from sea level to several hundred feet in elevation.

Seattle from Kerry Park

An amazing skyline easily captured from multiple locations. Seattle at night is a visual treat for photographers as compositions here range from sea level to several hundred feet in elevation.

"Streaking in Seattle"

There are times when a gamble pays off. This was the last day of my trip to the Pacific Northwest and the weather on the coastal side of the Olympic Peninsula was moody, to say the least. Looking at weather reports, there was a slight promise of a break in the weather that might happen just about sundown over Seattle, more than 400 miles away. With less than 15 minutes to spare, I arrived at the Jose Rizal Bridge as the cloud cover parted for this capture. Gambling on luck in the Pacific Northwest can pay off in spectacular ways!

"Streaking in Seattle"

There are times when a gamble pays off. This was the last day of my trip to the Pacific Northwest and the weather on the coastal side of the Olympic Peninsula was moody, to say the least. Looking at weather reports, there was a slight promise of a break in the weather that might happen just about sundown over Seattle, more than 400 miles away. With less than 15 minutes to spare, I arrived at the Jose Rizal Bridge as the cloud cover parted for this capture. Gambling on luck in the Pacific Northwest can pay off in spectacular ways!

"Bob's Way" ........ That was on the sign but I have no clue to the meaning

Beach. Low tide. Stream. Red Rock? Immediately, the search for an interesting subject to shoot became a moot point. The question now was how to capture such a unique scene. Fortunately, the fresh water stream meeting the rising tide served as a leading line through the image. The contrast between the cold water and what appears to be fresh lava became quite compelling, resulting in a unique capture based more on opportunity than planning. I believe this capture serves to strengthen the message that planning for ‘luck’ may be the most important tool in the photographer’s arsenal. You never know when opportunity will present itself.

Bridge over Newport Harbor - Oregon

It surprises me that this location is under represented when researching bridges on the West Coast. This composition appealed to me due to the arch leading to the long stretch of bridge virtually disappearing into the distance.

Newport Harbor, Oregon Coast.

The day had been spent walking beaches at low tide, climbing up and down cliffs looking for shots, dodging from location to location shooting massive breaking waves and all of this within a few miles of this location. After all of that, I was amazed at how sheltered this harbor was at nightfall. The quality of the reflection has, on more than one occasion, had me trying to hang one of these prints upside down!

Lesson learned: since I’d never attempted shots like these, I had to rely on little things I’d read, or heard about over the years which once again proves to me, it always pays off to be prepared for good fortune.

Newport Harbor - Oregon

I’ve traveled the Oregon Coast several times in the last few years, and always find this harbor fascinating. On this trip, I stopped here planning to shoot closeups of the fleet assuming the overcast would overwhelm the scene. I certainly changed my mind when I discovered this chrome like reflection of that overcast on the water. The fishing fleet added a splash (pun intended) of color for contrast.

"Newport Harbor"

Newport is always on my list of places to shoot when I visit Oregon. This capture was from my first visit, and I remember how impressed I was with the calm waters, colorful boats and warm golden light on the surrounding hillsides.