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On the day we arrived, there was a gorgeous double rainbow over the lake. It was so intense, all the way. I snapped some casual shots of it from the balcony of our hotel room. What a great way to start the trip...

Most of the trip was relaxation, jet skis, swimming and food, but I did manage to get out at sunset to Horseshoe Bend for some pictures. Fortunately, I picked the best sunset of the whole trip to get out there, so the clouds and light were fantastic. Lightning was flashing off in the distance on 3 sides of us, the clouds were dramatic, the hike was gorgeous and the company was even better. The only thing from the shoot that was a little weird was the European tourist who asked me to put his memory card in my camera, take a picture and give it back to him so he could have a copy. I hesitated at first, but then I thought, "Eh, what's he going to do? If he finds out some way to sell it, I'll just ask him for tips." His gasp upon reviewing the shot was reward enough.

I was a little worried about shooting Horseshoe Bend because the absolute best shot (right down the center to highlight the curve and symmetry) has been done a thousand times before. I thought it'd be difficult to get a unique shot. I did my best to switch it up a bit, but the classic shot is still the best I think. Here are my results. This first one is my favorite - I just can't get enough of those clouds and their reflections in the Colorado River!

I wish I could say I planned this, but I was lucky to find out this time of year places the sun exactly down the center of frame when it sets. That nice little starburst at the perfect spot made the shot, in my opinion:

After shooting the hell out of Horseshoe Bend, I turned my camera the other way for a different landscape. I used a slow shutter speed to blur the the clouds just a bit in order to highlight their motion:

And lastly, I tried my best to capture the lightning, but man is that hard! I think I'm getting a little better at it, but I really only get one chance a year to attempt it. That makes the learning curve quite slow. Here's all I got (click for a larger version):

There you have it! I hope you enjoyed the shots!

First things first: I don't do HDR. I've never done an HDR. None of my images on my blog or website are HDR, nor have they ever set foot in Photoshop. I never airbrush, combine, dodge, burn or heavily alter my images. In the interest of full disclosure, however, I'll tell you that I make very minor adjustments to my digital files in order to get them to more closely resemble the film I used to use - Fuji Velvia. I'll also tweak the white balance on the RAW file because I don't like to think about white balance when I'm out in the field. And, of course, I'll straighten crooked horizons.

Now that that's all cleared up, let me tell you why I don't do HDR.

1. Time

HDR images take too long. Yeah, yeah, yeah. I know you HDR guys have some Photoshop plugin that does it in a snap, but that's still more time than zero minutes of no HDR. Also, you are spending more time in the field bracketing exposures, loading the files in your computer, opening multiple files, processing them, blah, blah, blah. Besides, the auto-HDR plugins aren't perfect and you usually have to spend a decent amount of time tweaking it/correcting it so that it looks "good."

2. Look

To me, HDR images are hideous. I can usually spot them a mile away...then I'll get a taste of vomit in the back of my throat. I know, those weird halos around trees are absolutely gorgeous, but they scream Photoshop.

3. Skill

I know I'm going to offend a few people with this, but don't worry, you don't have to agree with me (no angry letters, please)...

I feel HDR, for the most part, is a tool used by bad photographers to make up for a lack of skill behind the camera. These people are great (I'm using that term loosely) with Photoshop, but don't know squat about photography. Yep, you need HDR if you shoot at the wrong times, under ugly light, don't know how to manually meter, don't know how to use split ND filters, don't understand your camera's limits, don't know how to use those limits to your advantage, don't know what makes a great picture great, can't use light to your advantage and/or just haven't practiced enough. If you learn to be a photographer and not a graphic designer, you'll get better results without the need for HDR.

4. Contrast

Let me say something that I hope the entire world, especially camera manufacturers, will one day understand: a limited dynamic range is a good thing! Photography is an art form, and like any art form, it doesn't simply document the world perfectly so that others can see it exactly as it is. The limited dynamic range of our camera is a tool to create art that represents the world differently than we see it in real life. Photographs that capture the scene EXACTLY as it was are boring and unimportant. Constantly battling our camera's limited dynamic range is a battle no one should want to win. This contrast we get from our camera's limited range is partly what makes photography a beautiful art form. Just stop shooting in the middle of the day when the contrast is too strong - the light is ugly then anyway.

5. History

The old saying "if it ain't broke, don't fix it" comes to mind when I think of HDR. If you were to take all the best photographs ever taken in the history of the human race, I'd bet less than 0.0000000001% are HDR. All the gorgeous photographs taken by Galen Rowell, Frans Lanting, David Muench, etc. etc. utilized nothing more than a piece of film and what they could put on their lenses. Thank God they never had HDR because their pictures wouldn't be nearly as dramatic. Yeah, HDR is new and that might be part of it, but the contrast and limited dynamic range in all these iconic photos are partly what makes them gorgeous.

6. Auto-Tune

Ever hear of Auto-Tune? It's that annoying sound effect hip-hop artists have been using on their voice lately that makes them sound kind of robotic. It was cool at first, but then we all realized it's just ugly. Well, HDR is the auto-tune of photography. It's new, people with no taste think it's awesome, it's been overdone and, really, it's just way worse than the old way of doing things - with skill and practice.

7. Split NDs

Learn to use Split NDs on your landscapes (or better yet, hire me to teach you ). They take 5 minutes of work in the field and will negate the need for HDR. Plus, you'll get the added satisfaction of getting the image perfect in the camera without spending an hour and a half combining multiple images later. Oh, and they look way better than an HDR image.

Before you start writing a long-winded rebuttal, understand that I'm not looking for a debate. These are just the reasons why I don't do HDR and why I don't like HDR. I'm sure there are some exceptions to my arguments and I'm sure there are a few awesome HDRs out there. If you do HDR, cool. Have fun. I'll stick to my split ND filters. And we can still be friends...we don't have to agree on everything

The Irvine Fine Arts Center, where I hold my Landscape Photography Class, is celebrating their 30 year anniversary with an art exhibit featuring artwork from their instructors. I'm happy to announce I will be participating in this exhibit with a limited edition piece titled "Tide Pool and Clearing Storm."

My exhibit piece is a 20x30 metallic print, mounted and laminated, surrounded by a custom-made black linen liner and a gorgeous wood scoop frame. I made the frame and assembled the piece myself and, if I may be so bold, I must say it is stunning. The piece is quite large and it consists of an entirely new presentation method for me. The print isn't hiding behind glass like your typical framed photograph. In fact, there is no glass whatsoever in this piece. There is nothing standing between you and the print but a high-gloss laminate to protect the artwork. But what does this mean exactly? Better light transmission to and off the print for a brighter, better view of the image. The print is wrapped with a black liner and rich, dark wood frame to further highlight the piece.

There will be an opening reception on Saturday, August 14th from 5:00-8:00pm, then the exhibit will continue through September 25th. I will be at the opening reception (not sure yet exactly what time) and I would love to see you there! If we've never met before, then I'd love to make your acquaintance. If you're a previous client of mine, then I'd love to see you again! Click here for a map to the Irvine Fine Arts Center

This class is a real steal! It's only a 100 bucks, spans 4 weeks with 10 hours of instruction, includes a shoot in the field with me, and covers every topic I could think to include in a Landscape Photography Class. You'll learn how to manually control your camera, how to manually meter, how to use the most important filters for landscapes, composition, shooting techniques, reading a histogram, getting the sharpest image possible, equipment, workflow, post-production and much more!

I really mean it when I say it's a steal, that's not just some marketing tactic. Every time I hold this class, I get students telling me I could charge more for this class and that there's so much information!

It filled up full last session, so get on it! Click here to register! The first class starts October 7th!

My forte is landscape photography. It's what I live for. But I do enjoy myself some close-up/macro photography on occasion.

One thing I like to do in some of my macro shots, especially with flowers, is to position myself so something is between my lens and my subject (like some flowers, leaves, grass, etc). Then I shoot "through" this foreground element to my main subject. With the inherently small depth of field you get with macro work and a wide aperture, that foreground element will blur out nicely. If the aperture is wide enough and if the foreground element is close enough to you, this foreground element will blur beyond recognition - it will just become a blurry mass of color and shape.

The result is an image that's a little more artistic than your straight-forward macro shot. With that foreground element completely blurry, the image softens up while still maintaining sharpness in your main subject. Everything around your subject will become silky smooth abstract shapes and colors, but your main subject will be sharp. It's great for pulling more attention to your subject.

I shot through the blurry flowers in the foreground but focused my lens on the three flowers in the background. This made a more creative and artistic picture than your typical close-up.

If you leave your camera's AF focusing points on auto-selection, the camera will try to focus on the foreground element that's closest to you. In order for this technique to work so that the subject you really want in focus is in focus, you'll either need to select the focusing point yourself or use manual focus (I'd recommend manual focus).

Give it a try. Just put something between you and your subject, then focus on your subject. The small DOF will do the rest.

Kim has come such a long way since I first started with her. Her work has progressed immensely and her knowledge of photography is now far above average. When I first started with Kim, she was, let's say, a little bit intimidated by her camera and the concepts of shutter speed, aperture and ISO (I hope I'm not speaking out of line here, Kim!). But now she handles equipment like a pro, her work is leaps and bounds above the vast majority of landscape shooters out there and she's loving every minute of it!

Kim, I am so proud of you and I can't begin to communicate how impressed I am with your progress! Keep up the excellent work!

For this first picture (which was taken later in my set), I wanted to highlight the reflections of these beautiful clouds in the wet sand. My intention was simplicity - make the picture all about the clouds and water without any rocks to distract.

I'm a little bit obsessed with wet sand reflections. I try to capture them just about every time I go to the beach for a shoot.

These next pictures are from earlier in the evening. Both are the same composition, but I felt the different wave patterns created such vastly different emotional responses in each that it was worth sharing both.

I felt this first one communicated the power and movement of the waves. Looking at it, you can almost hear the roar of the water as it comes crashing towards you. Gives a feeling of chaos and excitement.

This next one, however, is much calmer. Although the waves are choppy, the lack of whitewater and more prominent reflections creates a more serene feeling for the viewer . Also, the lack of ground in this picture makes it seem like you are further out in the water - as if you are looking at this scene while floating calmly on a boat. Personally, this one is my favorite. I like the emotional response it elicits in me.

Thanks for stopping by!

I thought I'd do something a little different today. Instead of new pictures, how-to's or tips, I wanted to post something I thought might be funny and/or entertaining for all you photographers out there. This is the Top 10 Annoying Things to Say to a Landscape Photographer. I cannot take credit for this idea as it was inspired by a post I saw at another great photography blog by Paul Burwell (check it out here).

Let's get it started!

10. I hate using a tripod. They're bulky and slow.

Yeah, I know. Sharp pictures suck. And being able to use any shutter speed I want is a real drag. If only I could just be patient while I’m out enjoying nature! Between answering my cell phone, texting my friend, updating my Facebook, Twitter and MySpace, listening to my iPod and trying to watch my portable TV, I just don’t have the time to set up my tripod for a sharp picture.

9. Have you heard of HDR?

Yeah! It’s hideous! I mean, excuse me, it’s awesome. HDR pictures look so unnatural, especially those halos around trees against the sky. Really vomit-inducing beautiful stuff. And boy do I love sitting behind the computer for 3 hours to create an image that looks way worse almost as good as it would have looked with 5 more minutes of work in the field with a simple filter and zero time at the computer. And HDR definitely creates awesome landscapes that far surpass any without HDR. Iconic photographers like Galen Rowell and Peter Lik have thoroughly proven that. What’s that? Neither of them use(d) HDR? Like ever? Oh...

8. You should do weddings. You'd make so much money!

My god... You, my friend, are one hell of a businessman! A real captain of industry! Really, you should be selling these ideas! I had no clue wedding photographers made a lot of money! And God knows that’s why I’m shooting landscapes — to make lots of money. I’ve been wondering when my huge payday as a landscape photographer was going to come in, but I shall wait no longer! Wedding photography industry, here I come! Thank you, sir, thank you for your sound advice.

7. Will you shoot my wedding?

I think I just threw up in my mouth a little bit.

6. I won't be able to get great pictures - I don't have any pro lenses yet.

Oh! That’s right! I forgot Canon and Nikon don’t put the “Awesome Picture” coating on their consumer lenses! They only put that on their pro lenses... Oh, well. I guess you’ll just have to start saving up.

5. How can I get great landscapes in the middle of the day?

Step 1: Get a 20”x30” piece of glass from your local hardware store
Step 2: Download any of these images by Galen Rowell and print out at 20x30
Step 3: Tape the print to the glass
Step 4: Have assistant/friend/monkey hold glass upright
Step 5: Stand 10 feet away and photograph it
Step 6: Crop out assistant/friend/monkey as necessary
Step 7: Enjoy smug satisfaction

4. What kind of camera do you have? It takes amazing pictures!

Yeah, it does. I often send it out to get some new shots while I stay home and watch reruns of Three’s Company. I actually have a new prototype from Canon with built-in legs and artificial intelligence they harvested from the brains of Ansel Adams and Albert Einstein. It’s awesome. Once these things hit the market, everyone will be an amazing photographer. I definitely couldn’t have gotten that picture with a lowly Rebel or D40. Definitely not. Those cameras take horrible pictures even though they have the exact same technology and sensors.

3. Split NDs are cool, but I have a Photoshop® plugin that does the same thing.

No you don’t and no it doesn’t. You have a crappy simulation of a split ND. That plugin darkens blown out pixels. A split ND darkens the light coming through your lens so that your sensor can actually record the sky correctly. It’s kind of like those cell phone towers disguised as trees. If you take a passing glance over it, you might not notice the difference, but really, who are they fooling? That fake tree is still hideous, tacky and it reeks of Photoshop (wait, scratch that last one).

2. Did you Photoshop® that?

No. No, I didn't.

1. Why aren't my landscapes as good as yours?

This is actually a very subtle insult if you look carefully (although not everyone who says it intends it to be that way) because it implies getting good landscapes is just a matter of following a checklist of items I could hand off to you and, thus, allow you to create the same images. I’ll give the response I always think but am too polite to say out loud.

“Gosh, I don’t know. You’ve been shooting how long? 6 months? Okay. And you only shoot in the middle of the day? Uh-huh, okay. That’s weird...there shouldn’t be that much difference, then. Well, I’m really going out on a limb here, but it might be my 10 years of experience or the fact that I only shoot under good light. Or it might be the fact that I travel further than a 5-mile radius around my house. Again...just going out on a limb.”

There you have it, the Top 10 Annoying Things to Say to a Landscape Photographer. If any of this offended you or made me sound like a pompous ass...lighten up, it's a joke Thanks for reading!