Seven Teacups Canyoneering






I had a fantastic time recently with Alpine Training Services. I participated in their CIV class. We went to the Kern River for a few days to learn how to canyoneer in swift water. And wow, the Seven Teacups were really flowing! At the end of the day I felt confident and prepaired for more adventures. Such a cool sport. I can’t wait to head back up to Kernville again. Moral of the story: You don’t have to drive to Utah for some sick canyoneering; its right here in Southern California’s backyard.

Fireworks!


I can’t remember how many times as a child I tried to take photographs of a fireworks display. They almost never turned out. I feel better about these! Doesn’t the top one look like a creature you might find in the sea at night?

Canyoneering Shots




I recently got to do some product photography for Alpine Training Services (ATS). They have a new rappelling device that will be on the market August 2010! I got to hang off the side of a 150 foot waterfall and shoot. Talk about fun! If you DON’T KNOW what canyoneering is, I suggest you check out the ATS page for some great videos and images! www.alpinets.com

IDP Camps

Some images from the Internally Displaced Persons Camp. This was perhaps the most surreal moment of the trip. This community of people had to flee the country side for closer land near Gulu in order to have some protection from the LRA – Lord’s Resistance Army.

If you would like to learn more about the history of Northern Uganda, I suggest you look up the book Girl Soldier.

Africa!

Hard to believe its been a year since I was in Africa with Kara and Dani! Even harder to believe I haven’t shared more of my images with everyone! My self imposed assignment for the week will be to post some of my favorite moments from the trip. The image above makes me really happy. It reminds me that I should always remain as thankful for the opportunity to pursue an education as the students I met everywhere in Uganda were.

Dennis

Apologies for an absent presence on the blog last week. I ended up going last minute to photograph the Channel Islands. It was a great experience, I can’t wait to post some of the stuff soon enough.

The image above is from an old contact sheet that I found. Its one of the first assignments I shot for my first black and white class. (notice the fixer spots) Its also cool to see the snow coming down in the photo. Many who might know Provo will likely recognize Dennis, he could be seen almost daily walking University avenue from River Woods almost down to Town Center. Every time I would see him I’d stop and give him a granola bar and chat for a little while. Perhaps thats why he finally let me take his picture! He has some great stories to tell.

Macro Photography Experiment!

I have been playing with macro photography recently. This is my first experiment. I used a bellows with a 50mm F1.2 lens. Talk about a shallow depth of field! The makeup was done by my friend Jenny Engard and a really awesome model named Maddie we met recently. I’ll be posting more from the shoot with her in a week or two.

Longtime wish

Since I moved to southern california I have wanted to photograph the Blimp Hangers in Tustin. I used to pass them on the freeway and would say one day I’ll shoot those! I was lucky enough to have the chance the other night.


They are massive! Here is some info I googled on them: This field was originally built as a blimp base in 1942 as Santa Ana Naval Air Station. At first 6, then 12 blimps operated out of the station. The large, all-wood hangers were built to house the blimps and at the time of their construction were and still are the world’s largest clear span wooden buildings. The hangars are each more than 1,000 feet long & 300 feet wide.”

Beware!

I really enjoyed seeing this sign the other evening. Still going through the photos. I really loved photographing the colors and textures there. I’m planning on posting some more from this mystery location over the next day or two.

June Gloom!

I’ve been hearing about June Gloom in Southern California for sometime now. Most people seem to speak of it despairingly, however as I realized this week June Gloom makes for some great photography! Here is a preview of what I have been up to the last few days. Can’t wait to show you the rest!