The Nature of Travel
Trying not to see the obvious in the Narrows.
I am just back from guiding two trips to the Southwest. Spring is always an amazing time in this part of North America as the desert comes to life for a brief season. Often I find myself overwhelmed with the form and color of this stone landscape. I attempt to slow down my travels so I might find the quiet corners that reward the eye unlike that of the bigger landscape. This shot was one of those that I did not feel rushed. Instead I spent some time photographing the whole of the canyon then settled down on a single wall of Navajo sandstone and its colors. Adding the river water brings the wall to life. Metaphorically I might be able to see the spirits of the canyon in the wall itself.
Spring
With spring well underway here in the Rockies, life has come back to the landscape. With all the colors and sounds competing for my attention it is difficult to settle on just one subject. My tendency is to keep looking and keep shooting in all directions all day long. The Balsam root over shadows the larkspur, lupine, and shooting stars. Montana is having a good wet spring. That means great wildflowers for photography starting at lower elevations progressing to higher points by mid summer.
The birds are back and in great color and condition, each walk in the field provides multiple opportunities for new species. Preoccupied with the breeding season birds may sometimes be more approachable. I have to remind myself to keep respectful of distance as to not flush or stress my subjects. A hide or a car can act to reduce a photographers presence. It may take a little time for the subject to work its way into a good shooting position. The time spent waiting is meditation for me, as it allows me to relax and learn while watching the light change over the landscape. This is valuable time for me and the subjects. Time well spent not running around.
Close to home
Yes, I have been away for a while, travel mostly, but also letting ideas germinate. I have always been aware that travel starts at home so why shouldn't travel photography? When getting ready to visit a new destination, I read as much as I can about it. Websites, blogs, articels and books all add to my understanding of a place. Ideas of what I might expect should already be tucked up inside my head for exploring visually when I arrive at my destination. I want to be closer to the experience right from the start. Practice at home!
Photographing as much as I can from day to day when I am home is important for me on many levels. While exploring areas closer to home help me stay in tune with the nature and have allowed me to develop a stronger sense of place. Not only do I get to watch the seasons of light change around my area but I get a better understanding of what the nature of my area does through the seasons I find just using the camera and lenses from day to day keep me in practice so when I venture out a to more exotic locals my eye and technique will be ready for capturing compelling images to bring back home.
This white-tailed deer buck was photographed visiting my back yard. I try out new gear in my yard quite frequently and practice with lenses I may have put aside for a while. I have developed a pretty good local territory around town and the surrounding area. Over time I have figured out what areas are good for different wildlife and where to look for dramatic light. Local parks, and state lands are some of my favorite haunts. Getting around has helped me learn what hikes and drives might provide better opportunities for photography. Yet there are always pleasant surprises to be discovered.
What it comes down to; the more I look through the lens, the more I see to photograph whether an animals, their behavior or the way light paints itself across the subject. Watching and learning I find it difficult to get bored of nature . 