Do your homework, plan ahead and get lucky.

These are all thing I feel are important in making high quality nature images. No matter if it is a trip into your backyard or half way around the world it’s important to know what you will and what you might find when you arrive. The internet is a great research tool, not only can you find places to stay, eat, fuel you vehicle, get maps and directions, you can also find out what the area that you are traveling to looks like. For example Photo sharing sites like Flickr you can view photos that have been taken in the area, Then using one of many map sites like Mapquest you can not only get you maps and directions you can look at ariel photographs of the area. I find this really helps me prepare for my shoot, as I can find what others have done but more importantly what others have not done. Finally I say get lucky, this can happen in numerous ways most often it is mother nature that provides those special opportunities and some times it is a perfect strange with knowledge of the area or access to privet property.

Protea

Protea (Leucospermum cordifolium) growing in a back yard garden. On camera Flash with a black background behind the plant.

Composite images

So how do you make an image of a popular place and not have any one in it? Well for years before I went digital and knew photoshop at all it was quite the challenge. With the digital tools we have today this kind of image has become easier to make. Starting with a good tripod and cable release make several exposures of the scene (in this case the headwaters of the mississippi river) make sure that the people are in different areas of your images this will be important later. Be sure that your exposures are all the same

Okay so now you have your files on your computer and your in Photoshop take as many files as needed in my example I used 3. then create a new canvas and copy each file to the new canvas as its own layer. Once you have done this you can start removing the people and other unwanted objects on each layer (painting or erasing). Now try Flattening the layers to see your results, If you are happy continue with your image optimization, If not you need to evaluate the results and try again, keep in mind you may need to grab another file or two. Most importantly have fun doing it and pay attention to detail.

4X5 Color and Black & White

When ever I shoot with my large format camera (4X5) I always shoot both Color Transparency and B&W negatives. Why? Because some times it pays off huge! not every image works well as both color and Black and White, Every now and then you’ll find the exception. This image is one of mine that has served well in both versions. The Black and white silver print is stunning and has been a steady seller for years. The color image has also done well not only as a decor print but as a stock image. So if you run in to me out in the field and I am using my 4X5 you can bet I’ll be shooting both color and Black and White.

Irrigation of tomorrows vegetables

In Yuma, Arizona one of the biggest industries is farming and the major crop is lettuce. Not long after the harvest is over the field is tilled and prepared and planted with the next crop.

Ocean to Ocean Highway Bridge

Yuma's Ocean to Ocean Highway Bridge.

How water is used for irrigation in North America will be a new and on going project for me this year!

Route 66

So this is the last selection of my favorites from 2009 that I am going to post for now. I found this sign in Tucumcari New Mexico along Route 66.

This image was made not too long after yesterdays image and is another favorite from 2009.

I have lists

I have lists on paper and in my mind of images I want to find, some times it only takes a few days and other times it can be years. Well last fall I found an image that I had been searching for for a very long time, I have even walked by it a few times and something was just not right until last fall and the resulting image became another favorite of 2009.

My favorite 2009 image from New Iberia

Last spring we spent some time in New Iberia Louisiana. I found several older buildings whose exteriors were in less than great shape which is what I was looking for. Whit that said this is my favorite 2009 image from New Iberia.

Tucson’s Barrio Viejo

Tucson’s Barrio Viejo is full of interesting images and this is one of my favorites from last year.

More 2009 Favorites

Any list of my favorites would not be complete if I did not include an image from Itasca state park the headwaters of the Mississippi River. I have been photographing this park for nearly twenty years and some how I keep finding new angles from which to photograph the beginning of the mighty Mississippi.

Simplicity and color make this image another favorite image of 2009!

My favorite images form 2009

The changing of the year brings us all sorts of lists, the best of, the worst of, the top ten, ok you ask where are you going with this? Well I glad you asked. After viewing many of these lists I thought of my own work and I was going to put together a list called my top 10 from 2009, then I thought who am I to deiced which of my images should be in the top ten. So I through that out the window and decided that I would do several post with some of my favorite images form 2009. I am not going to set a specific number of images, however I will set a time limit, I will post favorites for at least the next two weeks, and will not go past the end of the month. I hope you enjoy and I would love to read your comments.