A few weeks ago, I posted a photo from this amazing Basilica in Ravenna. I described the eight walls (and pictured one of them) that rise from the center of the building to the dome above. The Basilica is one of the most important examples of Christian Byzantine art and architecture in Europe, and the walls have art on them made up of small gold mosaic tiles depicting scenes that are simply beautiful. This is another photo of one of the walls that is distinctly different from the one that I posted before (on July 18th). I posted this photo to show how different they are from one another. Each of the walls are distinctly different, and you might be able to imagine their magnificence when taken as a whole with the grand dome above.
Iconic Mesa Arch - Canyonlands, National Park, Utah
Canyonlands National Park conjures up visions of vast landscapes that include canyons, mesas, and buttes. Two major rivers, the Colorado River and the Green River, helped shape this rugged landscape over millions of years. This 527-square mile national park is split into four distinct sections: Islands in the Sky, Needles, Maze and the rivers. There are very few visitors that see any of the areas except for the Islands in the Sky, mainly because it is the most developed part of the park with its proximity to the town of Moab. One of the most popular attractions in this part of this section is Mesa Arch. Requiring a short hike, this arch is a mecca for photographers that want to get the iconic sunrise photo of it as the sun peaks over the distant mountains. The area where photographers can take this image is quite small -- only 10-12 people can squeeze into it. Get there well before dawn to procure a good spot. Otherwise, it is impossible to get the iconic composition.
Glass Like - Grand Teton National Park, Wyoming
The Grand Tetons conjure up visions of rugged mountains rising from the valley floor known as Jackson Hole. The Teton Range in northwest Wyoming dominates the landscape for forty miles. No matter where you are in the National Park, it seems there is a stellar shot to be had showing off wildflowers, forest, lakes and foliage depending when you visit. The names that ring familiar to all photographers are Oxbow Bend, Schwabacher’s Landing and Mormon Row. That is where many of the iconic images are captured. There are, however, so many other spots that are stellar that you can spend lots of time and not get to all of them. One of my favorite spots is from the shoreline of Jackson Lake. With the right conditions, you can capture photos that are the equal of other spots. On this morning, we had great conditions, with the lake taking on a glass-like surface. The scene cried out for a panorama and it turned out like I hoped it would.
Get Lost - Patricia Lake, Jasper National Park, Alberta
One of the great reasons to visit the Canadian Rockies in June is the abundance of wildlife. The winter has departed (although a brief snow is not unusual) and there are many mothers that have come out of their hibernation with their babies. Then there are the fathers like this one who are reacquainting themselves with their "harem". Our small group had just spent a few hours during sunrise photographing at neighboring Pyramid Lake. It was a stellar morning, with great light that allowed for some awesome photos of Pyramid Mountain and Pyramid Island reflected in the lake.
Leaving Pyramid Lake, we went around the curve to see the end of Patricia Lake and saw this guy surrounded by a number of females. We were able to get some nice photos and after a while, he looked at me, stuck out his tongue as is to say, "We have had enough, now get lost."
Moab Snowfall - Canyon Rims Recreational Area, Utah
This has been a very hot summer throughout the US. When I came across this photo that I took a few years ago in the desert, I thought it might help cool things off a bit. It really doesn't but it does remind me that winter isn't that far off. The older I get, the faster the seasons seems to change. Obviously that is perception and not reality, but it doesn't change the feeling. I am sure that when winter comes, I'll be wishing for summer just like I wish for colder temperatures now. And so it goes...
Growing Season - Endicott, Washington
There are so many barns that dot the Palouse landscape, it is impossible to have a favorite one. Each one has its own character, color and condition. Another factor are the crops themselves. When it is growing season or the harvest, all barns will look better for it. This is a photo from my first visit to the Palouse and this barn became one of my favorites. I was attracted by its layout from this angle showing the growing crops and its latticed back.
Fast forward to my last trip there in May. My once favorite barn was a shadow of itself. The main reasons? Even though we were there during the growing seasons, there was nothing but bare soil. Crop rotation, low wheat prices or late planting of crops are often the cause of this. The other reason was related to that latticed roof. It had collapsed on itself and is likely not to be repaired. Another casualty of the weather and lack of maintenance. The Palouse has a way of doing that to barns. We spotted no less than five barns that had either disappeared or became little more than rubble. That is one of the benefits of photography. It remembers things as they were.
Morning Tranquility - Two Jack Lake, Banff National Park, Alberta
Located on the Lake Minnewanka Scenic Drive Loop, Two Jack Lake is a prime sunrise destination for photographers looking for stellar Canadian Rockies beauty. In my opinion, Two Jack far outshines its larger next door neighbor, Lake Minnewanka. While there are plenty of locations to capture photos of Mount Rundle, the compositions of it reflected in the calm waters of Two Jack often sends chills down my spine. This particular morning had it all. Calm waters, nice clouds, and great golden hour light made it a magical morning. One feature that Two Jack provides in spades are the strategically placed rocks that act as a great anchor in the foreground. Clearly this is one of my favorite spots in Banff.
Bass Harbor Light - Acadia National Park, Maine
One of the most iconic shots of Acadia National Park is this one of Bass Harbor Light. To get this shot, it takes a bit of planning and a bit of luck. The Light is located in the southwest portion of Mount Desert Island in the park, which is a drive away from Bar Harbor and the other attractions in Acadia. Given its popularity, photographers are drawn to the location at sunset, when the soft light glows on the lighthouse. The challenge is to get there early enough to secure a spot because of the limited space available. There is not a lot of room for people to get a clear shot and it requires sure-footedness, as the best angles require climbing over slick rocks. It is not unusual for photographers to get there two hours before sunrise to secure a good spot. Sometimes two hours is not enough time. Be prepared to defend your spot once you get it from the late stragglers who come down the steps and want to try to fit into space that literally doesn't exist. Planning to get there early is well worth the resulting images.
You Can Trust Your Car - Endicott, Washington
If you think that the Palouse is all about rolling landscapes of farmland, barns, abandoned houses and Steptoe Butte, you would be mostly right. The one thing that you might not expect are the old cars that also dot the landscape. On a recent trip there, a friend said that the Palouse is where old cars go to die. You might be driving on a dirt road and you come upon a car or truck in the middle of nowhere that reeks of nostalgia. If you ever explore Endicott, you might spot a replica of a Texaco station with a green Chevy parked next to the pumps. It is home to a treasure trove of old cars in various stages of repair and disrepair. Some have windshields with bullet holes, while others appear to be in great condition. It is a great place to spend some time exploring. Be aware that the property is private and that if you want to visit, please get the permission of the owner of the property.
By the way, for those of you who don't recognize the title of this post, it is from a slogan from the 1960's for Texaco that was heard in commercials. The slogan (and jingle) was "You can trust your car to the man who wears the star, the big, bright Texaco star."
Canyon Light - Colorado National Monument, Colorado
Landscape photographers are always at the mercy of the weather. The weather can make or break a photo trip's success. No matter what weather app you use to forecast conditions, there is always hope that it is either right or wrong depending on its prediction. That proved out on a trip to Moab. I planned to stay a night in Grand Junction, primarily to shoot at Colorado National Monument at sunset. When I boarded the plane in Hartford, the weather forecast was predicting rain. When I landed, the forecast proved accurate. I checked into my hotel in late afternoon with the hope that the weather would improve. By dinner time, the rain had slowed to a drizzle, so off I went to see if I would get lucky. As you can see, the weather gods did indeed smile on me. By the time I climbed Rim Rock Drive, Monument Canyon was bathed in soft evening sunlight. The weather front had moved to the east just in time. Times like these even out the score when the weather goes against you.
Paintball Grit - Philadelphia , Pennsylvania
Here is something a bit different from me. Back about five years ago, I signed up for a day of urban exploration (also known as urbex) to the Eastern State Penitentiary, a mecca for urban photographers. The day started in a location that I had never heard of, Philadelphia's Graffiti Underground, located on an abandoned loading pier jutting out into the Delaware River. It is just a few minutes from the center of the city off of Route 95. The underground is pretty big and is covered with graffiti. It also looks like it has been used extensively by paintballers. The grit and decay associated with urbex can be seen at the underground as well as the great colors of the graffiti.
Dawn on Herbert Lake - Banff National Park, Alberta
I can remember this day like it was yesterday, even though it was 2006. It was the day that I truly fell in love with Banff National Park and the Icefields Parkway. We had splurged and stayed at the famed Chateau Lake Louise. Up before dawn, I dragged my wife into the car for the short 10 minute drive to one of my favorite lakes in the Canadian Rockies, Herbert Lake. When we got there, I got out of the car and she stayed in it. You would think that to get to such a beautiful destination, you would have to hike a distance. You would be mistaken. The lake lies only a few footsteps from the Icefields Parkway. It was magical to me. There was no one else there and I had some of the best weather that I could have asked for. I have been back to Banff several times since then and shot this mountain lake many times, but have not matched the day I took this photo.
Surrounded - Bay of Kotor, Kotor, Montenegro
The Bay of Kotor in Montenegro is a 15-mile winding bay leading from the Adriatic Sea. The bay is composed of four smaller gulfs and, due to its many twists and turns, is often called Europe's southernmost fjord. Numerous cities and towns are located on the bay such as Kotor, Perast and Prčanj. When we entered the bay, the fog was so thick that we could hardly see anything as we traversed the length of the bay. After we docked in Kotor (at the far end of the bay), the weather took a turn for the better and began to clear. By the time we started our tour of the bay, the fog had dissipated and we discovered one of the most beautiful places that we have ever visited. As we passed along the shoreline, we were able to observe these wonderful towns that were fully surrounded by towering mountains.
Amalfi from the Gulf - Amalfi, Italy
When one thinks about the Amalfi Coast, the first thing that comes to mind is driving on one of the best coastal roads in the world. The drive is famous for its hairpin turns and its narrowness in some parts, but mostly for its beautiful views of the sea below. It also is not a drive for the faint of heart and can be quite dangerous and challenging.
There is a different and more comforting way to see the Amalfi Coast and that is by boat. Taking a cruise from either the port of Salerno or another town, you get a more leisurely ride that gives you a better perspective of each town that lies on the coast. It is quite the different experience from the drive and allows you to fully enjoy the surrounding mountains and the Gulf of Salerno. Don't get me wrong-- the drive and the boat ride are very unique experiences. If you have time, do both.
I took this photo after we stopped in the town of Amalfi. I wanted to give this composition the feel of a painting, so I processed this differently than I normally would. To get a better feel of this, click on the photo to view it large.
Alaskan Ruggedness - Yakutat Bay, Alaska
Almost all Alaskan cruises travel through the Gulf of Alaska (an arm of the Pacific Ocean), which has some of the most beautiful landscapes that exist. Traveling the Gulf treats you to a unique combination of mountains, forests and glaciers along the way, not to mention the numerous bays and inlets and the inside passage. The scenery along the Alaskan Coast is simply breathtaking. You could literally take a photo every five minutes and get different rugged mountains that rise from the waters of the Gulf. I took this particular photo just before the 16-mile wide entrance to Yakutat Bay on our way inland to view the Hubbard Glacier. The lush green forest that stops partway up these mountains contrasted well with the brown rock and snow- capped peaks.
Mosaic Beauty - Basilica di San Vitale, Ravenna, Italy
Have you ever been on a trip where you have heard of all of the famous locations you will be visiting but it is the unknown ones that you remember most? For me, our visit to Ravenna was one that has stayed with me the longest. Our main destination there was the Basilica di San Vitale that promised to be a must visit. Talk about an understatement. The place is awesome. Why? The age and history blows my mind. Built in the year 547, it is one of the most important examples of Christian Byzantine art and architecture in Europe. When you walk in and walk to the center, you are surrounded by eight walls that rise to the central dome. On each wall, the art made up of small gold mosaic tiles depicting scenes that are simply beautiful. As you look at all of the walls, it is so overwhelming to take in that you feel insignificant in the scene of things. While I tried to capture its beauty in photographs, I failed miserably. That's okay. It is hard for anyone to capture the scale of what you are seeing. The best thing is to visit in person--you will be astounded.
Cruising Lucerne - Lake Lucerne, Switzerland
A few years back, we took a river cruise from Amsterdam down the Rhine River, ending up in Basel, Switzerland. We decided to head to Lucerne in order to experience Switzerland for the first time. We are so glad we did. What a combination of a terrific city to explore with the wonders of the Swiss countryside to enjoy.
On one of our days, we opted to take a cruise on Lake Lucerne that would lead us to taking the Pilatus Railway (the world's steepest cog railway) to the top of Mount Pilatus. As we began our cruise, the Swiss landscape was exactly how I envisioned it -- very green surrounded by mountains with Swiss chalets dotting the scene. We had beautiful weather and I was able to get this photo of Mount Pilatus in all of its glory. In what seemed like a short time, we were standing on top of the mountain looking down at the lake.
Morning Color - Glacier National Park, Montana
The darkness starts to give way to the light. The majestic subranges of the Rocky Mountains in the distance are silhoetted in the distance across the lake. The right amount of clouds are in the sky and are beginning to light up like a fire. The ten-mile long Lake McDonald has a few ripples, but not enough to destroy the mountains reflection. The lone boat in the lake sits there like every other time I have been there, turning slowly as the current moves beneath it. To my left, a group of boats on the dock await the morning sun when visitors will take them out for a spin. Only one thought goes through my head as I observe and capture this scene -- "There is nowhere else that I would rather be than standing along this shoreline on this particular morning."
Halfway There - Ponce de Leon Inlet Lighthouse, Florida
Want to get some exercise and take photos during it? I suggest looking for a tall lighthouse and climbing to the top and then back down. I am not a big fan of step machines, but give me a 175 foot tall lighthouse and I am all in. That is what I found in Ponce de Leon Inlet. The lighthouse there is the third tallest in the United States, with 203 steps up and 203 back down. The lighthouse is quite beautiful from the outside, being fully restored in 1998, and it has been kept in pristine shape since then. As beautiful as it is, I have a fondness for shooting up and down the spiral staircases inside. This photo was taken about halfway from my descent down. It sure was a lot easier than the the climb up.
Grinnell Glow - Glacier National Park, Montana
When the alarm goes off at o'dark thirty, your first inclination is to turn it off, turn over and go back to sleep. In fact, the majority of people do just that, especially when they are off from work. If they do, they don't know what they are missing, particularly when Mother Natures provides you with a picture perfect morning. They don't realize how quiet it can be in the pre-dawn hours when no one is around. They do not realize how thrilling it is to stand on the shoreline of a major glacier- fed lake. They don't realize how majestic the unique-shaped mountain on the opposite shoreline is. They don't see in fascination how the sunlight first lights the top of the Mount Grinnell and then gradually begins to work its way down until it hits the water. They don't know how rewarding it is to witness what just happened and only share it with a few friends. The more I think about it, don't tell them and keep it to ourselves. Let them sleep while we experience it.