With all the rain that California received this winter, I decided to visit Borrego Springs in hopes to capture some flowering desert plants. I wasn’t disappointed! In some areas, the desert floor was blanketed with color; purples, pinks, yellow and white too. The desert is sometimes referred to as the flowering desert and I could see why; I have never seen the desert so vibrant with color! I walked around for quite some time before I found this composition; one that would lead your eyes to the distant mountains (which adds to its overall scale). With my camera on a tripod, and only a foot from the ground, and only a inches from the foreground flowers, I used my wide angle lens. Then, I had to take multiple images and stack them (in post production) to get the depth of field I desired. The purple flowered plant are called, “Desert Sand Verbena’s”. They’re creepers that grow wild (and well after rains), in the sands of Mexico, California and Arizona and can cover vast areas (as I saw!). The sweet scented “Dune Evening Primrose” (the white flowers) grow to 18 inches tall and grow in clusters of up to 40 inches in diameter. They can be found in all of the southern states, especially around sandy dunes. They also go by other names, including; Desert Primrose, Birdcage Evening Primrose, Devil’s Lantern, Lion-in-a-cage and Basket Evening Primrose.
I get asked a lot about RVing; most of which are out of curiosity, or stem from their own aspirations. The first thing I mention is that a RVing lifestyle is not for everyone; although there are so many rewards, you also give up (or compromise) a lot too. I suppose, it’s what you choose to focus on :-) I usually don’t know where I’m going to park for the night because my curiosity leads my way. Yes, I’ve been caught from time to time (whoops!); searching in the dark for a place to park. Once I’ve parked however and the blinds are down, "I’m home”. Admittedly, sometimes I wake up and wonder, “Where am I?”. That said, it’s so amazingly freeing but I have to face my fears and the challenges too (as there are anywhere). I usually park were I think there could be a late evening or early morning shot. So, when I parked on this open plain, I parked facing some shapely mountains in the east. My thought was that the setting sun would cast some beautiful light on them but that was a bust. When I stepped outside the RV however and looked west, I was surprised by the amazing colors and cloud formations. The sun was setting fast, so I rushed to grab my camera! Fortunately this tree wasn't too far away (and the only one around, lucky me!). I didn’t want too much of the foreground in this photo and I wanted the sky to look REALLY grand so I laid down on the ground, with my head in the sand, and shot up at the tree. I then placed the setting sun directly behind it so it would glow from behind. The tree looks massive here but it was only 8 feet tall! LOL :-) A RV lifestyle does have its challenges but for me, it’s such a small price to pay when I get these kinds of shots.
As mentioned previously, I’ve started to hone in on some more intimate scenes, like this one. Being so very visual, I tend to notice smaller scenes and with more practice of late, I’m starting to feel much more confident in pulling it all together. Although this photo may not resonate with everyone, I'm drawn to it's mystical qualities. I’ve often pondered, what takes an image from being a “snapshot”, to a piece majestic piece of “art”? It’s starts with the photographer observing the elements. That said, before composing this photograph, I considered these five things: 1. Geometry (the placement of the tree in the frame) 2. The color or colors (I loved the monochromatic look). 3. Luminosity (I loved the addition of the fog). 4. Contrast (soft light results in low contrast). 5. Mood (what was the general mood I wanted to capture). This photograph was taken in an ancient forest on Vancouver Island, BC. The cascading hairs are often referred to as “Old Man’s Beard” or “Grandfather’s Beard” but I’ve known it as “Witch’s beard” (hmmm......). They’re in the lichen family and are known as “Bearded Lichen (Usnea Longissima). They can grow up to 20 feet in length and with this tree hanging over a ridge, these beards were darn close!
Iconic landmarks such as Horseshoe Bend Arizona, are not always my favorite images to shoot but they’re a “must have” in any photographer’s portfolio or travel blog. The challenge then is to make my shot unique in some way. For example, I included the right and left ledge that I was standing on; this gives the image a sense of depth and distance. Horseshoe Bend is located on the north-eastern tip of Arizona; very near to the fast growing community of Page. The Colorado River was dammed in Page in 1966 and since then boating and house-boating have become a huge attraction. That said, due to its proximity to The Grand Canyon, Monument Valley, Horseshoe Bend and Antelope Canyon it has become a huge tourist hub. The first time I visited Horseshoe Bend (in 2014) there was just a small gravel parking lot with only a couple parked cars but now there’s a visitors center and a huge paved (and packed!!) parking lot. Gone are the days when I had the joy of being there virtually by myself. That said, when I took this photo I was so scared that someone would come up behind me and push me over the edge; a 1000 foot (300M) drop.... YIKES! If you decide to visit Page, you’ll likely need more than one day and I would suggest you book your tour for Antelope Canyon asap. The next time I visit the area, I’d like to kayaking through the boulders of Lake Powell :-) *Many of the houseboats on Lake Powell were manufactured in my old hometown of Sicamous BC, Canada.
Imagine my surprise when at daybreak, I opened the blinds in the RV, and saw this! Oh WOW! I was giddy! Knowing I had only minutes before the sun would brake through the clouds and melt the snow I quickly got dressed and headed out into the serene calm of the white desert. It was so beautiful however it didn’t take long for my hiking boots to become wet and my fingers to freeze however I was SO excited it was easy to ignore. There wasn’t a lot of light so I placed my camera on a tripod and took a number of exposures at different focus points and then combined them in Photoshop. Fortunately there wasn’t any wind or else that would be impossible; nothing can move when you place multiple images on top of each other. What I love about this image is that most of the desert cacti are represented in the photograph and the small shrubbery disappeared beneath the snow. I also love the mountain is in the background because it adds a sense of depth to the overall image. Another keeper!
This, is MY FAVORITE photo to date.... but admittedly my favorite photo is always my latest one; or the one that’s still in my camera :-) I love panoramic images; especially those with repeating patterns, like this image. As I drove around the Coachella Valley (south-west California) I marveled at the date farms, and how the trees were in such perfect lines That said however, I didn’t find a date farm planting that I thought was “perfect”, so I left the valley "empty handed". I hadn’t driven but an hour when I notice this planting and how the slope of the land made all the tree trunks (from front to back) visible. “Perfect!”, I said to my dog Arlo! Yes, I talk to him as he listens with a tilted head… lol. You may ask, “What makes this image work?”, and why did I choose this one, out of all the images I took. With my camera in hand, I carefully I placed the widest and brightest separation of trees off to one side. I chose to include a separation (so that your eyes would be drawn into the image) but I had to consider balance and the weight of the image too; the heaviness of the fronds, the size of the date trees and how much foreground too. Together, these elements make this image outstanding ….in my humble opinion… :-) NOTE: This is a 3-image stack; meaning 3 horizontal images have been stitched together in post processing to create this format. That said, this image is HUGE and will easily cover the length of any wall.
Oh my gosh! Split second decisions can be the best; this photo was the result of 2 last minute decisions! As I drove a long a busy freeway, I noticed some nasty weather in a secluded desert valley to my east. From a photographer’s standpoint, the “weather” was absolutely amazing! Big and puffy storm clouds draped over snow capped mountains, while the sunlight made its way, here and there, to the valley floor. It was so beautiful, I decided to head into the storm. As I drove, I couldn’t help but notice the many remarkable scenes; so much so that when I exited the valley I considered turning around and driving back through it! Upon further consideration however, I decided to go to Sedona (only an hour away); knowing the inclement weather on the red rocks of Sedona would be spectacular, and it was! I arrived in Sedona with only minutes to spare before sundown(!). Fortunately however I knew exactly where to go to get this epic shot of Sedona’s most iconic mountain, “Cathedral Rock”. Although I already have a few photographs of Cathedral Rock, none are this dramatic. Cathedral Rock is just one of the many sandstone buttes that surround the city of Sedona, Arizona. The towering Red Rock Mountains of Sedona are world famous and attracts over 3 million visitors every year. Cathedral Rock is one of the most-photographed landmarks in Sedona, and of Arizona too. Typically, those who fly into Phoenix, with plans to visit The Grand Canyon, will take the short detour into Sedona. The south rim of the Grand Canyon is 2 hours north of Sedona.
There’s usually story behind most of my images, and this one is no exception; and a lesson was learned! Recently, I decided to drive down a well groomed 18 mile gravel road in my RV; after all, that’s often where I find the most interesting scenes. At the mile 9 mark there was a sign posted “Next 9 miles not maintained”. I stopped for a moment to ponder my next move and while doing so a car drove towards me so I waved it down and asked the man driving what the road conditions were like, to which he replied, “They’re fine, you won’t have any problems”. So, with that I carried on. Yikes, wrong decision!! After a couple miles it became a single lane logging road and then it climbed up the side a steep mountainside. There were hair pin corners and ruts to maneuver and at one point I had to keep my tires on the worn tracks of the the previous vehicles. That said, my eyes were on the road and I prayed that I wouldn’t meet another vehicle going in the opposite direction. Once I reached to top however the road leveled off and I drove across beautiful golden plains (phew). Suddenly, out of the corner of my eye, I noticed a hawk not more than 50 feet away from me, dive to the ground. With my camera at the ready and preset, I managed to get this shot of a Red Tailed Hawk. All of this happened within 30 seconds! SO…. lesson learned, NEVER ask someone driving a car what the roads conditions are like when you’re driving a RV! Ha Ha! The Red Tailed Hawk is a bird of prey that lives throughout most of North America (Alaska, Canada to as far south as Panama). They prefer the open country, woodlands, prairie groves, mountains, plains, roadsides but are found in any kind of terrain that provides both some open ground for hunting with some high perches. Their eyesight is eight times better than a human's and in flight, they can spot a mouse on the ground from 100 feet in the air. The males and females basically look alike (though the females are slightly larger), and they often mate for life.
The desert can be beautiful, dangerous and downright eerie sometimes too. The desert wildfires I’ve seen in the past, have always been on hillsides, and never on a sandy plain like this here. That said, I was quite surprised because very little tends grow on the plains... yet here was a stand of sparsely spaced and blackened trees. I stopped to take a look around and as I did, I noted a dust cloud across the way; little did I know that I’d soon be engulfed by it... but I got this shot! ;-) From time to time, the desert can feel eerie; I can walk for miles in the desert, and never see a single soul. It's tranquility is lovely; but I know snakes are lurking. I’m at awe by its night skies; but the howling coyotes remind me that I’m not alone. Yes, the desert can be eerie but I’ve never thought of the desert as "ghostly", until I came across this scene. Note the smaller tree in the background. I chose to include it in this composition to give it an overall sense of scale; without it, one could think that the subject tree was simply a shrub.
"Winter's Beauty Rest" In -38F (-39C) weather, I ventured out in the comfort of my Jeep, on some snow drift covered prairie back roads in search of “cold” images. Not only was it cold but the wind was incredibly piercing too! I was enjoying the sun filled day when this scene caught my eye. I loved how the highlight of the snow defined the branches; thankfully there weren't any leaves blocking the tree trunk and branches. Both my camera and my hands don’t work very well in those frigged temperatures, so I didn’t doddle! I love how abstract photography makes you look more intriguingly and inquisitively at it an image. The "art" in abstract photography however is much more than capturing what I see; it's first in observing beyond a first glance and then composing it in an artistic manner. Mother Nature produces some of the best abstract art!
As a beginner, I use to give composition very little thought, and most of my photos were grand scenes but now, I find myself finding great pleasure in finding and composing more intimate scenes, like this one. Although this type of photography isn't for everyone my photographic journey is for "me"; my soul and my healing. I'm in my element when I'm out exploring, and all my worries disappear. There, I'm at one with Mother Nature and I know she means me no harm. That said, I'm also there to represent her through my photography for all to see, experience and (hopefully) inspire in some way. I often think of those of you whom (because of your physical limitations), can't experience her, and for that I am sorry but I hope that just for a moment, you're there with me. Yes, it's (tearfully) lonely at times but I don't feel nearly as lonely when I'm out on the open road, and exploring Mother Nature. I named this photography "A Graceful Descent" because it represents my journey. We fall, we get up and we grow again! :-)
Swans, such a beautiful and majestic bird. I named this beautiful image “Free To Fly” in memory of my Father and my late husband’s Mother(93) for how they’ve inspired me. My Dad displayed strength and taught me to stand proud, while my Mother-In-Law showed me compassion and taught me grace. Together (like these swans), they taught me how to courageously take flight…. gracefully on my own. The swan is a symbol of love, devotion and partnership (likely because they mate for life), and have also come to symbolize the ability to overcome challenges, and represents transformations. The swan is the traditional symbol of beauty, elegance and grace. It’s considered unlucky to bring them harm to a swan; in some cultures they’re considered sacred. The swan is the largest and heaviest bird in North America yet they can fly at a rate of 50 MPH (on average) but have been known to fly up to 70MPH, which is surprising considering they weigh up to 30 pounds (and eat as much as 8 pounds of food each day)! They’re fiercely protective of their young and are very intelligent (they will come to recognize you).
This is one of my all-time favorite photos, in all regards. Forest scenes are generally busy, in that there are so many trees and distractions. That said, Mother Nature made this composition, I just had to see it. Trampling through the forest looking for compositions is not easy but I don't have any complaints because I finding one is truly like being on an Easter egg hunt! I particularly LOVE this photo because it has so many of the compositional elements that I look for, and the light perfect (soft, not harsh). I particularly love the lead in line and how your eye goes around (and around) the tree and not out the frame. I also love this photograph's balance in that it's weighted equally with the central tree being the anchor. There's also a great sense of perception; notice how the background drops off. I named this photograph "Embraced" because the tree appeared to be embraced by the forest and because of the embracing circular path around it. I too noticed that it was flourishing, more so than the other trees, so Mother Nature must be embracing it too. May we all feel, (like this tree) "Embraced".
The Western Red Cedars of “Ancient Forest National Park”, typically grow along the northwest coast of North America,. Oddly enough though, these were located in the interior of BC! Many of the enormously tall trees are well over 1000 years old; thanks to the perfect weather and soil conditions, and the ability to survive past droughts, storms, insect outbreaks and fires too. Knowing that the early morning fog would add “mood” to the overall composition, I arrived before sunrise, The little bit that was there however quickly dissipated but I did manage to capture this moody shot. That said, it's very indicative of what I felt; all alone, at peace and at awe with nature. As I meandered along the manmade boardwalks through the forest, I could feel myself depart from the world outside, in both in time in space. I certainly was in my element and for a moment, I was a child again, without a care it the world. I hiked around with my camera gear on my back and with my puppy Arlo by my side for almost 5 hours. He's only five months old but I started training him early to sit and be still when I set up my tripod. Although he can't go on all of my photo shoots, he’s such a good puppy and great companion. What I love about this photo is its overall sense of mood and when I look at it, I feel a sense of mystery, yet I feel the tranquility and calm too. I actually saw this scene from quite a distance so I carefully chose where to positioned myself and then I changed my lens and camera settings… and so on, and so on! I remember thinking that photography is a lot like golf! Just as there is a lot to consider and remember before you swing, well, there’s a lot to consider before you press the shutter button too! Do this, do that, don’t do this… and so on, ha ha! As I neared the end of my hike, Arlo (with an alert stance) came to a dead stop…. hmmm, this was a first! Suddenly I heard what he heard; a rustling noise but it was a noise that I couldn’t quite put my finger on. As I stood in the stillness the strange sound slowly got louder, and louder. When I looked up, I realized a strong wind was blowing above me (only) and the noise was from the thousands of leaves blowing in the wind. I chuckled…. and breathed a sigh of relief (lol).
The Nuthatch I've recently discovered an interest in birding and bird photography, so when I saw a road sign in Patagonia Arizona for a bird sanctuary I had to check it out. Patagonia is known for its hummingbirds but perhaps I was there a bit too early to see these migratory birds because I didn’t see any during the two days that I was there. I did however see many other birds, including this White Breasted Nuthatch White Breasted Nuthatches can typically be found in the woodlands across North America; from Canada to Mexico and Florida. Although these birds are small they are certainly one of the noisiest birds in the woodland. Interestingly, you’ll often see them walking upside down, down a tree; they do that to find food that the other birds might have missed as they climb up the tree. They get their name from their habit of jamming nuts and acorns into the bark of a tree and then pecking it with their sharp bill to “hatch” out the seed. They typically live from 2 to 3.5 years but have been known to live for up to 10 years, and like many birds they mate for life.
I arrived at Elk Island National Park, in central Alberta, just as darkness took over the landscape. I was hoping to hone in on some Milky Way photography, knowing that the lake and islands would provide some valued interest to the photo. With great anticipation and in the darkness of night, I set out with a my camera gear on my back, bear spray in hand and my puppy Arlo by my side. With the assistance of a headlamp, I walked to Astotin Lake and hiked along the northern lakeside trail. As I walked I noticed some strange noises that seemed to be following me and I could hear some bugling elk and howling coyotes in the distance (admittedly, it was a bit unnerving!). I told myself, “It’s just rabbits and birds, scouring about and the animals are so far away”..... I didn’t linger (lol). Unfortunately though, by the time I got to the spot where I knew the islands, lake and with the Milky Way would align, it had clouded over. All was not lost however because I did get this spectacular photo. In this photo, both the city lights of Edmonton and the blue of evening falling, were very faint but there was just enough light for a 30 second exposure. The addition of these two lovely young ladies (who just happened to be there) added a much needed focal point. I asked if they wouldn’t mind standing still for 30 seconds, and they enthusiastically agreed (I was thrilled, and thankful!). Back in my RV, I enjoyed a hot cup of tea and I reflected on my day. Happiness is truly in the accumulation of micro-moments and with that thought, I enthusiastically planned my next day!
In order to grow, as a person, in our careers and in our passions we often have to force ourselves into challenging situations; our mindsets are key. That said, my “choices” guide me and why I took this photograph. Woodland photography is very popular, especially in the UK where open woodlands are (more) easy to find. Here in the northwestern US and Canada however, they’re harder to find so when I saw this tree I was excited by the potential I saw. I was on a narrow two lane road when I drove by this scene, so I had to make a quick decision, “Should I turn around?”. I was driving my RV so turning around meant a few 3-point turns to turns to do so, and although that was a bit of a challenge, I knew the real challenge would be to create the photo I envisioned from a raw file… which would force me to learn something new. The tree was as you see it here (it remains the same) however the background in the original was lit up with defused mid-day white lighting; perfect for the image I had envisioned. As mentioned in previous posts, my raw images all require post editing and it was here that the challenge lie; how to bring “mood” into the scene. I think I accomplished that. Challenges can be difficult but by choosing how we face them, we grow. A rewarding passion (and life), is in the accumulation of our choices.
I called this image, “A Moment In Time” because it lasted for only a moment! After I parked my RV for the night, just east of Fountain Hills Arizona, I noticed a storm brewing to the towards 4 peaks Mountain range. I soon noticed lightning and took that as an opportunity to try my hand at capturing a lightning strike. I walked up a little hill to where there was massive view of the valley below and beyond. I put my camera on my tripod and faced the easterly storm when I noticed a hint of color developing over my left shoulder and within mere minutes the sky was on fire! It was truly unbelievable! Another photographer happened to be there trying to capture some lightning strikes too and when the fire in the sky developed we were both so busy taking shots that afterwards we exclaimed, “Did you see that!!” We were both so excited! I felt so fortunate to witness this view; I couldn’t have planned it! That said, one of the reasons I love photography is that I can now share this view with you!
Every place I visit, there's unique beauty to be found and the deserts of Arizona are no exception. With it's stately mountains, rolling hills and desert cacti, it's not what you might expect a desert to look like. With visions of capturing a desert sunset view like this one, I choose to park my RV near a cluster of saguaros, chollas and other desert cacti and then prior to sunset I scouted for a composition. Once found, I waited patiently for the sun to set (and then hoped that the distant clouds wouldn’t block the sun), and as you can see I was lucky! That said, sometimes "luck" does play a big roll in photography! What I love about desert sunset scenes are the rainbow of colors the setting sun creates (not only in the sky but in the foreground too). It was dark by the time I got back to the RV and once I shut the blinds, I was “home” and anxious to look at my shots! :-)
I recently attended an amazing photography conference in Pincher Creek Alberta, where there were a number of speakers that covered a variety of photographic topics; I was in my element! Although I was primarily there to hear Viktoria Haack and Adam Gibbs speak (two renowned BC photographers who’s style and genres I admire), I actually enjoyed all the speakers and presenters. Their work, combined with their shared wisdom, was inspiring; so much so that it inspired me (personally) to dive into some new (to me) genres. That said, I was particularly interested in the discussions that pertained to astrophotography (including aurora borealis), wildlife photography and Black & White photography; just to mention a few. When I left the conference I decided to concentrate on black and white for a while, so imagine my delight when I came across this old farmhouse (not far from Pincher Creek). At first, I was merely fixated on the old abandoned homestead but as I walked around I noticed all the amazing leading lines which added to the overall composition. Considering the subject, I knew this photograph would look amazing in black and white; by naturally adding a sense of mood, mystery and age.
Also known as the “Arizona Poppy”, these seasonal poppies can be difficult to find, yet if the conditions are right (as they are this year), they flourish and can cover the desert floor and hillsides in fields of golden yellow. I’ve searched for these delicate poppies for a few years but I’ve only found a few but because of the unusually wet weather conditions of late, they are flourishing… everywhere! Today, the usually drab desert floor is full of color; with lush green grasses and a variety of colorful desert wildflowers too. It’s quite something to see! This photograph was taken (literally) at ground level, with my 14mm wide angle lens and a small aperture; which creates the star (no filters were used). I rested my camera in my hand (on the ground) only inches from this poppy and although it was a tricky shot, it worth getting dirty for! :-)
The desert, is so much greener than you might think and when there's been a lot of rain it becomes exceptionally green, as in this photograph. On the morning of this photo shoot, I not only woke to this view but to snow on the desert floor too. Fortunately, even though it melted quickly it remained on the mountainside (the south side of Superstition Mountain, AZ). I was thrilled!! I had planned to travel south that morning but because of the unexpected snowfall, I decided to stay. That said, I'm so glad did because by golden hour my mountain view was absolutely breathtaking! I love how the clouds cast its shadows in this photograph, and how the sun’s rays highlighted only certain spots. Together the highlights (sun) and lowlights (shadows) help define the depth of field. If you want this view every day, be sure to reach out to me for enlargement details; I’m here to help. Romi :-)
It may surprise you, but my least favorite weather to shoot in are the clear days, when there isn’t a cloud in the sky. I prefer turbulent skies, overcast skies, fog or even rain because they all add drama, mood and interest to an image. Honestly though, there really aren’t any bad weather days for photography but the lighting conditions do dictate what type of photography I’m looking for. I love shooting in foggy conditions; that’s my favorite. Fog not only helps to define the subject by separating the foreground from the background but it (importantly), fog adds a peaceful and a serene stillness to it too; like this photo. I’m touring my way towards southern US in my RV now and after only three days, I’ve had to changed my travels twice …oh well :-) . The weather hasn’t exactly cooperated but I am getting a few great shots and making some valued memories along the way. Not one to get frazzled by (most) last minute changes, I embrace what I can’t change. That said, choosing which way to go, when you don’t know where to go, is sometimes just a matter of flipping a coin! I once met a lady who was traveling solo, around the world and I asked her, “How do you decide where to go?”. She answered with, “There’s no right or wrong, left or right”. Gosh, isn’t that the truth! Whether they are travel plans or life plans; life is in the memories we create, and those we leave behind. If you see the negative, you’re going to feel the negative, if you see the beauty, you’re going to feel the beauty. Believe in possibilities. Photo captured near Yakima, Washington.
"Canyon Tree" It’s been said that, “To write well, you have to write what you know”, and although this is true, we (thankfully) will never know “everything”. We can share what we do know, and be open and willing to learn more.... and there lies growth. That said, I hope that my artistic journey speaks to you in an inspiringly curious way. With this in mind, I am always looking for the next photographic image. I like to challenge myself to look beyond a first glance; this image was an example of that. I stood in this gorge with another wall of rock directly behind me. There wasn’t a lot vegetation, which made this tree really stand out. You’ll notice that I didn’t include the sky because If I had, your eyes would have been drawn up to it (the brightness) and out of the frame; now your eyes remain drawn to the tree. I am thankful for my passion for photography, it has opened so many creative avenues and in so doing it gives me great joy. That said, I encourage you to grasp your creative passions and explore the opportunities. Hmmm, someone once said to me, “Romi, opportunities don’t come knocking at your door”, you have to look for them”. So true. Life is very individual, however it’s created through the choices we make. Humbling.... yes! Scary…. yes! Exciting…. yes. Life though, is in the memories we create, those we leave behind and those with whom we have so lovingly touched. Look, with an intent to see possibilities ....in life, and in creativity too! :-)