Alpine Imaging Blog

Zoroaster Window Now that the new year is almost upon us, I have been looking back at some of the images I've created the past twelve months. Creatively speaking, this has been a pretty good year for image making for me. I had one of the most memorable epic trips, river rafting the Grand Canyon for my birthday. I revisited and backpacked to some remote hoodoos in Escalante National Monument. I became heavily involved at the Sedona Photography Symposium.  My involvement with the fine folks in Sedona landed me a fun trip to the Valley of Fire in Nevada. It was also the hottest place I had ever been in April, clocking in at 97 in the shade.   I wrote and self-published a book on photographing the Grand Canyon, which received positive reviews, as well as a successful presentation at the Sedona Camera Club. I created some interesting night images, as well as some intimate ones as well. The year started off with a winter trip to the Grand Canyon.  There were some areas t...

On November 1st I awoke to an email stating that my book I had submitted had been reviewed by David Hay at Landscape Photography Magazine. It was a really great review, and it felt really good to be recognized by a credible publication. Thanks Landscape Photography Magazine! Here is the review.  Landscape Photography Magazine is subscription only, and only available online and sadly not in print form.

On October 28th I had the chance to present two presentations of my choosing to the Sedona Camera Club.   I chose to do present a how to called Inside Self-Publishing, The Dos and Don'ts and What I did.   It was a 35 minute presentation on how I created my own self published hard copy and eBook on A Guide to Photographing the Grand Canyon National Park from the South Rim.  The other presentation was called Inside Inspiration. It was a 40 minute presentation on the ways and means I get and stay inspired as a landscape and travel photographer. The presentations went really well, the small venue was packed and the audience was engaged.   It also gave me a chance to sell some books!  Awesome.  Thanks Sedona Camera Club! 

Earlier this year in January I got the wild idea that Kristi and I should take a once in a lifetime trip rafting the Colorado River through the Grand Canyon.  I looked at a few rafting companies and found a trip that put in the river on my birthday in September.  I booked the trip through Hatch River Expeditions.  We got to see all the highlights, ride in the front of the raft the whole trip and eat really great food.  Definitely the trip of a lifetime.  And I took some really great images as well. Canyon Reflections Nankoweap Granary Elves Chasm

At the end of August this year I helped the Sedona Photography Symposium get off the ground with it's first annual event.  A year and a half ago at the Moab Photography Symposium I approached the founder Sarah Dolliver and offered to volunteer at the event.   In April she asked me if I would be interested in serving on the board, and to help in the planning and running the event at the Sedona Creative Life center. I offered to help set up chairs, and make coffee.  I did that and much more. It was a great event and I got to meet and hang out with some of my favorite landscape photographers such as Erin Babnik, Kurt Budlinger, Adam Schallau, Suzanne Mathia, Cole Thompson, and David Cobb.  Erin Babnik conversing with Elaine Belvin at J Wine Bistro I took some pretty nice images as well. Secret Slickrock Crescent Moon Barn

  “It is in fact not our dream that makes us happy,  but chasing that dream!” - Mehmet Murat Ildan  It's been a year now that I've left my full time job.  Stuck in a tiny office with no window to the outdoors, sucking paint fumes, and fielding the constant influx of unhappy people, I had enough. I couldn't bare another day daydreaming while viewing my computer screen, gazing at images of the outdoors, adventure and travel.    Indeed it has been a great year, full of photography and travel. I've even had time to put pen to paper and write ( but not as much as I'd like ).  I'm still dreaming though.  I dream of the day I can call myself a full time photographer (or my bank account can). Somehow the dream is just out of arms reach, the proverbial carrot in front of the goat.  But what is it that I'm really chasing? I've spent more days in the field this year than all the other years put together. I spent a whole w...

 I am happy to announce an article I've written can be found the the 177th issue of On Landscape Magazine.  This subscriber supported magazine is a repository of photographic artistry, with very thought provoking articles. My article is a reader submission to their 4x4 gallery, featuring a four image portfolio of a related subject.  Again, the magazine is online and subscription only. If you enjoy nature photography it is well worth the couple of bucks a month. On Landscape  

Happy Birthday to Grand Canyon National Park.                         100 years old! I am pleased to announce the debut of my latest project, an eBook on Photographing Grand Canyon National Park, from the South Rim.  This guide will take you from point to point, and lead you to the historical attractions,  while giving you insight into photographing each subject.  The book goes in depth describing the view from each point, the historical significance, and how to to get the best shot. It walks you through the historical Grand Canyon Village, offers tips on shooting the wildlife and, after dark, will advise you on night photography.  Full of stunning imagery and inspiration, it will help you make the most of your time the park and to get the shot you have always dreamed of.  For a limited time I am offering the 71 page eBook as a free .pd...

The Blood Wolf Eclipse Composite Blood moon, wolf moon, eclipse, oh my!  I love nightscapes and the buzz all around was the impending Blood Wolf Moon Eclipse that was about to happen.  Sunday January 20 beginning around 8:30 the moon began to be blocked by the earth, and turn the moon to a curious reddish color.   I still think it's amazing that these events can be predicted to the 'n'th degree.  I don't photograph the night sky too much with out some earthly anchor.  My usual image has a foreground and stars, with a little light painting thrown around.  This kind of photography has fascinated me since making images in high school, with film cameras.   This is why I had it in my mind that an ancient Puebloan ruins close to home would make a terrific subject for such an endeavor.  The area has dark night skies, away from any light pollution.  A little light painting and presto! An image to remember.  Except the governmen...