Hello Tetons, Good-bye Gramps

It has been about thirty years since my Grandfather took me to the Grand Tetons, but it left a lasting impression. I'm sure many people have similar recollections about the first time they visited the park, but that expereience actually changed me and my appreciation for nature. We traveled and camped in his trailer and went to ranger talks by the campfire. He took me canoeing on the Snake river and flyfishing with a friend of his. We hiked my first five mile hike and rode the tram to the top of the Tetons. I can still taste the powdered milk he used to love and put over the breakfast bran (yuk!). I was ten years old. Our family got a chance to see him just before Thanksgiving for his 100th birthday. It was hard seeing him in such a weakened state, and more frustrating for him to be that way. He was always so verile, skiing and golfing well into his 90s. He fell while skiing and broke his collar bone at 93. That was when the doctor told him he had to stop. Slowly time chipped away at him. He finally succumbed to pneumonia January 26th , while watching the GOP debates with his best friend (that would have killed me too). Little did I know that the connection between my Grandfather and the Tetons would come full circle later. My Girlfriend, Kristi, is a teacher and was itching to take a whole summer long vacation/adventure. A few years ago we spent a couple of months restoring her 76 VW camper van. Confident with the old van, she packed up the dogs and left for points north. The plan was, she would take three weeks to explore the area between Flagstaff and Jackson Hole. After that time I would fly in to Jackson and she would pick me up, then we'd take the next two weeks to travel, hike and photograph all the way to Banff, Alberta.

I would then fly out of Calgary back to Flagstaff. Then she would take the remainder of the summer to make her way back in the van. The first leg of the trip went witout a hitch. Once I flew into Jackson I called her on her cell phone, and was picked up shortly afterword. She had been in Jackson for a couple of days, and had the opportunity to ask around about free camping close by. Traveling expense can add up quickly once you factor in fuel, so free camping is a must. Besides with the van, all you need is a lonely dirt road and a place to pull off. My first stop was the brewery, downtown. We discussed the last few weeks apart, and the latest bear attacks (Yellowstone and Alaska were plagued that summer). She was advised of a great camping spot just outside the park on a hill overlooking Teton Village and the mountain range. We pulled in and set up camp a little early, and did some playing around on our bicycles then made dinner. As we were cleaning up, and sipping some beers we were treated to a pretty spectacular sunset. The camera came out, and pretty much never saw the inside of the bag since. I probably had a little too much beer, but serendipity being what it is, I had to get up that night. As soon as I emerged from the cozy van my eyes popped at the night sky.

 I could easily see the Milky Way and the Big Dipper just over the Teton Range and Teton Village. I was eager to use the high ISO capablilities of my new Pentax K5. Unfortunately it would be the last time the camera saw the night sky for the trip (see upcoming post on Glacier NP). The next day was already plotted with the obvious landmarks of Mormon Row. Getting up early after a night of liquid libation may be the bane of a landscape photographer. But looking back, there wasn't too much regret, as I am happy with some of the pics I did get. We were treated to a large heard of Bison while there and easily spent a few hours snapping every comp I could think of. It got a little creepy.

 Though we stayed on the dirt road infront of the cabins, the bison herd was moving closer, in and around the structures. They approached me with thier calves rather closely. I could see in thier eyes little concern with my presence. Neither was afraid, but were fully aware of each other, eyes locked until the possibility of a threat was diminished. This time of year (early July) is in the monsoon cycle characteristic of the west. Early mornings were dry and cloudless, and as the day wears on moisture begins and the clouds accumulate, resulting in all too typical downpour by mid-afternoon. Hiking can almost be timed to perfection, and if done right you can be back to the van eating lunch around two or three, just in time to watch the rain drops pelt unprepared hikers and bicyclists. After lunch we did a little Jenny Lake hike, then headed out toward Oxbow bend. We heard of a camping spot just outside the park down an unassuming dirt road. On the way we stopped at the 'bend' to get a feel for the possible comps. I was my intent to return for sunrise the next day. It's quite obvious where the typical photographer is to stand for the 'shot.'

 But keeping in line with the attitude around the blogosphere, setting your tripod in the same holes as hundreds of photographers before you does not an artistic photo make. Words have been thrown around like 'cliche' and 'trophy' shots lamenting the multitude of similar photographs of icons saturating the internet. Well, I'm not here to tell you that my photography is elevated over others (that's for you to decide)or that I'm not out to get my share of trophies (which I am). What I can say is that 'cliche' shot where the other photographers are standing was not in line with my feeling of the view. The comp seen from the parking lot had more reflection on the bend, but the left bank had some trees that I felt interruped the view of the range. I chose a spot that evening that gave a bit of foreground, a bit of reflection and a more complete view of the mountian range, with out losing the 'bend.' With a couple of test shots in the bag, we took off down the dirt road and set up in a nice treed patch with a fire ring, and a bunch of firewood already around it. It was still quite warm that afternoon, but the mosquitos were bad, so we lit a fire just for the smoke. We began partaking our liquid libation a little early in anticipation of getting up early to get to Oxbow for the good light. I probably woke up a bit too late, or mis-judged the length of the travel time the next morning but when I arrived there was a boat load of tripods sitting in the aforementioned tripod holes next to thier photography tour bus. Looking a little late to the party I strolled up, plopped my tripod down where I scoped the night before and fired off a couple of shots. Satisified, I began to browse around for more comps when a fellow photog approached me lamenting that the light was not that great, was better earlier, and he was going to pack it in. I remarked that the sun hadn't even made it's way on to the mountain range and shrugged. It seemed to me there is more light in the world than just the pre-sunrise alpenglow.

I kept shooting and settled on a spot down by the river's edge where I captured the golden light on the peaks, along with a smooth reflection in the still river. Once the sun began washing out the shadows, we retreated to the van for breakfast and lingered until the last of all photographers had gone. We spent the remainder of the day hiking around the various lakes and up to Inspiration Point.

After lunch and the scheduled cloudburst we headed up to Signal Mountain for the veiws there. Three days probably wasn't enough time to spend in Grand Teton National Park, but we had more on our plate to experience. I did grab some 'trophy' shots, so can't complain. My early experiences with my Gramps were in the back of my mind, and I couldn't wait to see him to explain the profound effect he had on me as a child. I did get the chance at his birthday to thank him and give him some of the shots you see here on the blog. It took him some time to fully understand that I had taken the photos, he even asked me twice. I assured him they don't sell 8x10 postcards and that they were bonafide Wade Thorson originals. For what that's worth. Gramps is gone now, but those memories and the quiet reflection together just days before his death will remain for my life time. Good bye Gramps, and thank you.

Agassiz Imaging at First Friday

I am proud to announce that Vora Financial asked me to return for First Friday Artwalk, Feb 3rd and my work will be displayed at thier office gallery through the end of March.
I've had my work displayed at Vora Financial last year, with what I consider great success. I probably sold about a half dozen prints a month in the time I was there. I will be showing all new work from the past year, during which time I have grown both creatively and artistically. I've been trying to take my printing, mounting and framing to the next level in more interesting and professional ways..
Special thanks to Dharmesh, Marti, and Jessica! If you are in the area, or anywhere close and enjoy the Flagstaff's First Friday Art Walk party atmosphere stop by Vora Financial at 14 E. Birch Ave, Downtown Flagstaff next to Compass Bank. The art walk goes from 5:30 to 9:00 pm.

Francis Short Pond & Cabin

Happy New Year, from everybody here at Agassiz Imaging! Flagstaff is known for it's extreme swings in weather. While the rest of the country is having an Indian fall, we here have already had four feet of snow. The ski resort, Snowbowl has been open for a month. Although now we are experiencing some 60 degree days, the resort is bound and determined to stay open. I love the snow and find it peaceful and beautiful. It covers and quiets the land. It slows life down to a natural pace. It allows us to take a deep breath and breathe in nature's stress-free elixir. It opens a whole new possibility of experiencing nature. The myriad of outdoor choices include sledding, snowshoeing, down hill and cross country skiing, skating ...et al. It also allows us to look at our mundane and typical surroundings with a new eye. Francis Short pond is one of those places located deep within city limits, that remind us that to find beauty and nature, one only has to look around the corner. The pond is located adjacent to the old Flagstaff Junior High. A cabin sits close by. It was an outdoor classroom and remains unused, hopefully not a target for vandals. The school was recently closed down due to age, and re-appropriation of students around the Flagstaff area. I just got two lenses for my Pentax a 31mm LTD, and a 15mm wide angle. These photos were taken (respectively) as a sort of test for the lenses and as an exercise in looking at an urban area with a landscape eye.

The photos were taken at different outings, trying to capture some good light, as well as clouds that didn't interfere with the mountain top. It was fortuitous that there was a Blue Heron sitting on the ice. Herons are common around our area, but I can't recollect seeing them in the winter. While shooting the cabin, the moon caught my eye, just as the sun began to hang low in the sky. Photography isn't just the art of taking snapshots. It's the art of capturing of moments in time. It's those moments that we look at nostalgically, and allow to resonate in our mind. Are there any moments that you have captured just outside your back door that resonate with you?

Night in Monument Valley

Last spring I had a chance to take the VW bus to Monument Valley with hopes of getting some night photography. Of course some sunset photos would be in store, but they seem pretty cliche. Pretty, but cliche. I have a theory about cliche photos. Although everybody has taken the same (or similar) photograph, or tried to emulate a famous photograph (a la Ansel Adams), the image may be considered cliche. I only consider it cliche if I have taken the same photo, without adding any additional element personality or processing. The drive there was long, and although the weather called for clear skys, we were having a particularly windy spring. 50 -60 mph winds seemed the norm around there, and as far as Flagstaff. It lasted for a month and a half, and we were not spared from the wrath during this trip. The first night we checked in to the primitive campground, and found a spot down and along the edge of the rim. We were so close to the edge there was no way any campers would be parking in front of us. We poped the top and a couple of beers, and settled down with a perfect view of the Mittens.

The rest of the campground had views of us ( how rude huh?). In reality we were in a bonefied site, with a fire ring et al. It's just the 30 ft deisel pushers couldn't dream of driving to where we were, and we had gotten there early enough to claim such a spot. I roamed around a bit, trying out different compositions for the night shots I was planning once the sun set. We were getting hungry once the sun started hanging low in the sky, the wind was blowing maybe more than gently. After dinner I set up for sunset and grabbed a couple of 'cliche' shots, shooting until the sun was at the horizon, lengthening the shadow of the giant monuments, and bathing the scene in a red glow. After sunset I set up a shot I thought would be great for a star trail shot. I grabbed my favorite wide angle, a Vivitar Komine A1 f2.0 close focus 28mm lens. It is one of those legendary lenses from the full frame film age, for the Pentax 35mm camera. Crystal clear and wide opened I took the first of my frames after the sun had set and the first stars were visible. Leaving the shutter open for 5 minutes at that time, referred to as 'civil twilight,' captured the Mittens with a bit of glow on them. This left some detail in the foreground and on the rock face, so I might blend it later in Photoshop. I poped open a couple more beers and waited until 'astronomical twilight' arrived. This is when there is no light refleced off the atmosphere, and when the stars will be the brighest. enter the irony. Although I was situated at the furthest campsite to the edge of the canyon, I wasn't going to be alone. Some Asian campers pulled up at this time, and parked thier overloaded Ford Escort about a foot off my front bumper. They began unpacking thier gear and walking down the hill each with ther own headlamp shining and bouncing up & down. This was, of course happening while I was shooting. I guess karma got me back for parking in front of all the big motorhomes, detracting from thier view. Each frame had headlamp trails streaking through them. I kept shooting, knowing that photoshop might be able to save me. The next day we drove through the park, on our self guided tour, scoping out possible additional star trail photo ops. There was the three sisters, Totem Pole and Yei Bi Chei , The Thumb, and of course the Valley floor. I decided to start with Totem Pole and Yei Bi Chei, and see what I can fit in from there.The sun went down and the wind kicked up.

 It was blowing at a pretty good clip, stirring up dust into huge clouds. I set up on the leeward side of the van, and threw caution to the wind. I took ten 5 minute shots, not worring about the dust getting in my weather sealed Pentax (just don't try to change lenses). I didn't know that the end result would be a capture of dust clouds, and intermittent star trails. It was an effect that I couldn't have re-created if I wanted. It just goes to show that any kind of weather can help make an interesting image. It probably wouldn't have been as cool without the dust clouds. It reminds me of the Tv series "Land of the Lost". The cable relase got kind of gritty, but a session with the rocket blower seemed to fix it. With that session 'in the tin' I moved on looking for my next subject. Then the wind started to blow. And blow. The wind was blowing so fast that the dust from my tires was passing me. I decided to bunker down for the night. We slept in the van, being shaken all night by the gusts. After a few hours of disturbed sleep I got up and moved to get a better view of the valley for sunrise.

I found a nice vantage point, and shot a number of different comps. My favorite was a large red rock that sort of mimmicked the contour of the valley monuments. The day broke and the wind never let up. We pulled up stakes and made our way to Page, as we had a tour booked for Antelope Canyon. That drive was interesting. It was more like floating a boat, than driving. That is a story for a different day .

Red Rock Crossing Color

Oak Creek is getting a lot of representation lately, no wonder, it's one of the state's treasures, and photographers from all around are flocking to see the fall color. For those who don't know, Oak Creek flows here just below Cathedral Rock at one of the most photographed landmarks in Arizona. I live about 45 minutes away, and though I have been there many times, never for photographing sunset, or during the fall. I can remember when all of Sedona and Oak Creek was free to hike, and camp and play in the water. Twenty some-odd years ago Slide Rock, Grasshopper Point, and Red Rock Crossing were our favorite stomping grounds. My sophomore year I joined the seniors on 'Senior Ditch Day' and drove to Red Rock Crossing to partake in the revelry. Someone got a hold of a keg of beer, and when I got there one student was already so drunk he was passed out faced down in the shallow water. I showed up just in time for the party. I had just finished a glass of beer when the school's administration arrived. I can still remember Ms Fisher pulling up in the district's brown station wagon. She got out and proceeded to take names. Man you've never seen a full size keg run so fast up stream in your life. The students scattered, and within minutes the dirt parking lot was empty excpet for a brown station wagon, some paper cups and the poor sot face down in the shallow red rock water. Red Rock Crossing is a state park now, that charges $9 to enter. Its much better kept, and equipt with bathrooms, water machines, sidewalks and interprative signs. I have mixed feelings about our public lands becoming bumper to bumper amusement attractions, but realize that if our natural treasures weren't protected by the almighty dollar, it could very well be laid to waste. This shot was taken a couple of weeks ago just after a rain storm. I decided to head down to Red Rock Crossing in hopes that the sun would dip below the large rain cloud and bless the scene with some magic light and clouds. I showed up just in time for the party. The bank of the creek was filled with photographers and tripods, I knew the light would be fleeting, so I bracketed the shots on a couple of different ISOs, and kept the shutter speed up so I could hand hold the camera with shake reduction on. I brazenly squeezed between a couple and stepped out into the squishy mud to take the shot. Crescent Moon Ranch, a settlement preserved from the 1800s.
Back in the day there wouldn't have been anyone standing on that bank waiting with tourists for the light to turn gold. But times have changed, and we must change with it. So get out and enjoy the last of the best, before they're loved to death. Oh, and never be late to a party.

Night in Sedona

Since I got my DSLR I've been dying to get to Sedona and photograph the red rock country at night. I loaded up the gear and dogs into the VW bus and started to hit the major land marks. The plan was to grab the tripod, makes some star trails, then find a camping spot out of city limits in the national forest. The first stop was Castle Rock. I set up the tripod right in the empty parking lot. A light storm had recently passed and the clouds just began to clear. Normally a clear night is preferrable to a cloudy one, but one takes the time one has. I have found that any weather makes for more interesting photos. Here there was still some color in the sky, and the lights of Sedona were reflecting off the clouds. The light illuminating the front of Castle Rock is ambient light from car headlamps and the Village of Oak Creek. The shutter was left open for 30s, ISO 200, at f2.0 using some old legacy glass, the Vivitar 28mm f2.0. The next shot here, I just turned around toward Courthouse Butte and took three 10 minute exposures. I stacked them in Photoshop afterward to align the startrails. The high clouds made them a bit dotted by diminishing the light as they passed. The next two were taken from the parking lots of each land mark, Bell Rock and Capitol Butte.

They were just some quick 30s exposures. The last photo here was taken of Cathedral Rock, but not from the Red Rock Crossing area, which is where most photos are taken of the landmark.
I found an out of the way dirt road and perched there for about an hour, dogs waiting patiently in the van.

Here you can see Cathedral Rock, and the lights of Cottonwood reflecting off the clouds. Again it was 3 ten minute exposures with the same settings as Courthouse Butte. This concluded my foray, after which I drove out of town to the national forest to camp out in the VW bus for the rest of the evening (about 11pm).

Old North Church in Winter

My biggest fan, my Mom, was so impressed by my photo of the Old North Church from my trip to Boston for Christmas 2002 that she was compelled to enter it into the Coconino County Fair. She didn't tell me she had entered it, and to my surprise it had won 3rd place. Woo Hoo. I proudly accepted the award, a huge $1.00. That's one dollar. Basically I kept the check and mounted it to the back of the framed print, so I may remember it my whole life. So with out any further ado...





There are a few more photos I took from the trip.