I love all of the seasons, but fall is especially exciting in the northeast, and I’ve been out exploring and shooting almost daily for the past two weeks. Peak color is still about a week away, but this varies with terrain, altitude, and location. I find fall shooting quite challenging because it is easy to get seduced by all of the color and make images that don’t stand up if the color were to be removed. Although color can be a very strong element in a successful landscape photograph, I always look for a strong composition, and favorable light to really bring the color element to life. Colors are everywhere this time of year, but I enjoy taking the time to find unique viewpoints, and changing weather to show the season in a different way that is not as familiar.

This is one of the greatest challenges of landscape photography, and one that I will be discussing in great detail in my upcoming seminar. As I’ve said many times before, patience and perseverance are key hallmarks of a landscape photographer, and though frustration is inevitable when conditions just don’t match your expectations, there is always something to learn when you’re out with your camera.

Although I rarely talk about equipment, I just upgraded my tripod to a Gitzo 6X GT2530 carbon model, and I couldn’t be happier with it’s quality, construction, and performance. Compared to my previous tripod, a carbon Manfrotto 190MF3, which is a great tripod and has served me well for two years, the Gitzo is lighter, more stable, easier to open and extend the legs, and just feels better to me. Coupled with a Kirk BH-3 Ballhead, it feels solid with all of my lenses including my Canon 70-200L f/2.8 IS, my heaviest lens. Of course, the price is a major obstacle, but being the most important pice of gear I use after my camera, and as someone who puts his gear through all sorts of conditions, it is well worth it.

“Until one is committed, there is hesitancy, the chance to draw back, always ineffectiveness. Concerning all acts of initiative there is one elementary truth, the ignorance of which kills countless ideas and splendid plans: that the moment one definitely commits oneself, then providence moves too. All sorts of things occur to help one that would never otherwise occurred. A whole stream of events issues from the decision , raising in one’s favor all manner of unforeseen incidents and meeting and material assistance, which no man would have dreamt would have come his way.” W.H. Murray

I’ve just returned from a 10 day trip on the coast of Maine with my wife Brenda and 4 yr old son Bryce, including 7 days on Mount Desert Island, home to Acadia National Park. This was my 3rd visit to one of my absolute favorite locations, and it never disappoints either photographically or as a place to spend time with my family biking, hiking, and enjoying nature in a unique and pristine setting. We spent the first 3 nights camping in Camden Hills State Park, and visited a few unique landmarks including the Rockland Breakwater Lighthouse, which sits at the end of a 4,300 ft long breakwater in Penobscot Bay.

We also visited Marshall Point Lighthouse, which sits on a classic Maine rocky coast, with many possibilities for day and night photography. Unfortunately, I was only able to visit during the mid-day, but would certainly like to return in the future.

We then headed to Bar Harbor on Mount Desert Island, where we would be spending the rest of the trip and where most of Acadia is located. We arrived on a warm but rainy day, and I immediately headed into the park to take advantage of the weather. I love to photograph in the rain, when the foliage is wet and colors are saturated, plus the light tends to be soft and very diffused with less contrast, all favorable conditions for intimate nature photography. I spent the rest of the week exploring different parts of the park, from the rocky shores to the pine forests that dominate many of the mountains and valleys in the island.

I never get tired of returning to Acadia, especially now that my 4 yr old son is up to 3 mile hikes, and is learning so much about nature and all of its surprises. Whether an inch worm, or frog, or just throwing rocks into a lake, he is learning to discover and appreciate a world which is magical and full of surprises at every twist and turn of the trail. These are opportunities and experiences I didn’t have until well into my twenties, so it is truly special to be able to provide him with an early start. I’m sure he will remember these trips for the rest of his life as I will for the rest of mine.

I’m still sorting through all of the images I returned with (close to 1,200), and I’lll have a formal gallery with all of my favorites in the near future. The leaves are changing, which means my favorite season for photography is here!

Today was a special day for me, one that I had been dreaming about for some six months since I fractured my ankle in a hiking accident. I’m an avid cycler, and I’ve enjoyed both mountain biking and road cycling at a high level for the last 10 years. I’ve taken several cycling trips around the country including Moab, Ut, Taos, New Mexico, Fruita, Colorado, Kingdom Trails, VT, and Acadia, Maine. Needless to say, cycling is a way of life for me. So you can imagine my state of mind when I was told in the emergency room I would need several screws and a plate to put my ankle back together.

Today I finally went out on the road bike for an easy 20 miles, and I was just so grateful to be out again. I’m no where near my previous fitness level, and it will be a long road ahead to regain my strength, but I’m doing what I enjoy, and that’s all that matters.
I’ve been asked what I learned from this experience, and my original feeling was that no matter how negative a situation, there is always a positive perspective one can take to overcome difficult circumstances. And while this is still true, and helped me tremendously, I’ve revised my original thinking. The most important lesson I learned is that life is fragile, and anything can happen at anytime without any warning or time to prepare. One must take advantage of every moment, and live life to the fullest without fear of the unknown. I’m more motivated than ever to follow my dreams and achieve my goals, and not worry about things out of my control.

I submitted a portfolio of 10 images last week to Locust Grove, the Samuel Morse Historic Site situated on the Hudson River about 10 miles north of my home. Locust Grove was the nineteenth-century country estate of Samuel Morse, the artist, founder of the National Academy of Design, and the inventor of the telegraph and Morse Code. In the twentieth century, the estate was owned by Poughkeepsie’s prominent Young family – noted collectors of Hudson River School of Art paintings and the founders of the museum at Locust Grove. They are running a competition for artists, and selected artists will be offered a six-week solo show in the estate’s galleries. I’ll keep you posted on the results.

Hudson River

It’s been a while since I’ve posted, but life has been extremely busy, and there is much news to report. My ankle rehab is progressing week by week, with some days better than others, and I’m finally back to normal activity. It’s been a long 16 weeks, and I still have alot of strength and range of motion to regain, but I think I’m past the major hurdles, and improvement comes much faster now. Thanks again to all those who were there for me in the worst times, I’m extremely appreciative.
I’m heading to northern Vermont in two weeks for a weekend of winter shooting, and some moderate hiking. I love snow and the various ways it can transform a winter landscape, and I’ve missed it this year since we’ve only received less than an inch total in this area of New York so far. I’ll have a gallery online when I return…
In addition, I’ve been busy preparing for several art shows this summer, and a preliminary list is now available. I’ll have updates posted after each show with pictures and news on the event.
I’ve also purchased a new large format printer, a Canon imagePROGRAF iPF500, which now enables me to make 17×24 prints. I will have a preliminary report and review with my impressions and experiences as soon as I become comfortable with it’s operation.

I haven’t been very active here lately, but much has been going on personally. It’s hard to believe it’s been 8 weeks since I fractured my ankle, but I definitely see a bright light at the end of the tunnel. In fact, I’m blinded by it as each day brings me closer to normal physical activity. I’ve been in the gym the last two weeks slowly regaining my strength and flexibility, and I’ll be starting a formal rehab program in January. Hopefully I can get back on the trails soon, maybe even snowshoe before the winter is over. I’ve been single-minded in my determination to recover and get back to the outdoors, and I think this focus on a single goal has helped me recover faster and easier. Sure it’s been the most difficult 8 weeks I’ve ever endured physically, but seeing beyond the injury helped me avoid the pitfalls of depression, anxiety, and self-pity that often can drain your positive energy.

The glass was always half-full for me, and this was the single most important lesson I learned from this experience…no matter how hard or difficult a situation, perseverance, determination, and focus will always get you through. The difficulties of doing what I love to do, experience and capture beautiful images of the natural world, will be a piece of cake.