"Embracing Sedona"

This image was as I saw it however in order to expose it properly I had to combine two identical photographs. One was exposed for the tree and the other one for Cathedral Rock. I found this location earlier in the day, and then returned during the golden hour. Timing (as always) was everything here, as was the planning and executing of it!

"Sedona's Evening Glow"

After the sun sets in Sedona, the glowing westerly sky produces a warm and radiant hue on the red rock mountains that surround the area but only for a few minutes, and then it's gone. I arrived prepared and early to wait for that warm glow to appear on Cathedral Rock. There wasn’t a lot of light so I knew I’d have to use my tripod to accommodate a slow shutter speed. I framed the shot and then as darkness drew I checked my exposure settings and adjust them accordingly until finally, the glow appeared! ....and then just like that, it was gone. My patience, perseverance (it was cold!) and determination paid off, I got the prized shot I was hoping for. That said, I equate my sense of joy in photography to an Easter egg hunt and this shot was finding a huge cream filled Easter Egg (minus the calories, lol)! To my naked eye, the sky was black and the shadows in the foreground were black but because of my 5 second exposure (with my Sony a7r iv camera) I able to capture that which I couldn’t see; the result of which you see here. Things I like about this photograph include; the STRONG composition, the subtle colors (or lack thereof), the contrast, the (visible) details in the cliffs (which are almost impossible to see during the bright daylight hours) and how the darkness on the bottom Cathedral rock and the bright of the sky frame this iconic Sedona mountain. This is definitely one of my favorite!

"Desert Snowfall"

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!

"Desert Color"

We often walk through life without paying much attention to the obvious, however with an intent to “see” (beyond a glance) we will discover a world that we never noticed. If I asked you what color shade is, you would likely say it’s black (or grey) however if you pay attention you’ll discover that’s not the case, and this photograph is a prime example. No doubt you’ve noticed how snow looks blue (or pink, or purple); that’s because the snow picks up the colors of the sky. Just like the snow, in this photograph the pale (almost white) colored cliffs behind the saguaro picked up the incredibly vibrancy of the blue sky. When I walked towards this saguaro tree the very first thing I noticed was the color of the shade. Wow!... it made me stop in my tracks! In that moment of wonderment, I noticed three things; the blue colored shade, all the back-lighting, and the vivid greens. When I combined these three things with my composition, I knew that I had a “keeper” and I could hardly wait to get it into post processing! As a matter of fact, I was so excited by the scene that I immediately sent an iPhone shot to daughter before taking this shot with my Sony a7r IV. This photo was taken near Dutchman State Park (just east of Mesa, AZ), at the base of Superstition Mountain; just after a week of rain, which made the sky SO vibrant! *Notice how "fat" the saguaro is? Interestingly, saguaro's retain water, which is key for it's survival.

"Horseshoe Bend"

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.

"An Artful Composition"

"An Artful Composition" When I drove past this scene, I immediately thought of the world renowned group of Canadian Artists, “The Group Of Seven” and their compositional talents The “Group Of Seven” was founded in 1920 as an organization of self-proclaimed modern artists. It included such artists as Lawren S. Harris, J.E.H. MacDonald, Arthur Lismer, Frederick Varley, Frank Johnston, Franklin Carmichael and A.Y. Jackson. Explorers by heart they ventured out into the rugged Canadian wilderness to paint mountain, forest and lake scenes in which was soon referred to as a distinctly “Canadian” style for their unique artistic styles and compositions. My favorite in the group is Lawren Harris for his simplistic, abstract and spiritual style of painting; his work attracted me to this scene. That said, this photograph is typical of what he might have painted. Some of his paintings sell for well over 10 million dollars. I encourage you to google his work and “The Group Of Seven”, and you’ll see why I was drawn to this scene. The “Group Of Seven” influenced the world of art and continues to inspire artists of all mediums, including my photography.

"Desert Surprise"

I get so pumped when I find the "extra ordinary", in the "ordinary." I had planned to travel 7 hours on this early Arizona morning however a bursting storm cell caught my eye, and that's all I needed to abandon my plans; I took the next exit. As I gained in elevation, I began to notice snow on the distant mountains, while pockets sunlight and dark shadows danced along the desert vegetation. The scene was absolutely jaw-dropping! That said, I knew this image would be a “keeper” so I didn't waste any time to capture this shot. The elements in this image are compositionally harmonious, and I'd call it Mother Nature’s masterpiece (just waiting to be frozen in time).

"Bartlett Lake Sunrise"

This photo was taken at Bartlett Lake, a reservoir lake located north-east of Scottsdale and slightly north of Rio Verde, Arizona. Popular with anglers and campers, it’s quite unique lake with rugged mountains surrounding it and saguaros growing along its shoreline. Sometimes, we photographers have to be very persistent; I went to Bartlett Lake 4 times to get this shot! It was a 45 minute drive from my RV so I left early (in the darkness of night) so that I’d be there before the sunrise. The first time I went, I chose to go on a day when there was snow on the mountain tops but unfortunately the combination of cloud cover, rain and the (icy cold) winds made it impossible to get any kind of shot. On my second attempt I didn’t have much luck either. I was disappointed by the dark and dreary sky so I spent the morning hiking and searching for future compositions; so it wasn’t a total loss. Eventually I found this one and vowed to come back on a sunny day. The next time I went, everything was perfect until I had a run in with a *Cholla, and it won…. Ouch! So, that quickly ended that photo shoot! Regardless, I wasn’t going to give up and with visions of this pre-planned composition in mind, I head out there for yet another visit. Finally, I got the shot I was hoping for! A Chollas are a desert plant that are completely covered with barbed needles. They are also known as a Jumping Cholla, for its habit of jumping (rolling) along the ground in the wind. They easily fall off their mother plant and then have a tendency to “jump” (if you will) on to the skin or clothing of a passerby…. it’s pure 100% OUCH! I must say this was on of my most “painful” shots! LOL

"The Final Act"

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.

"Epic Sedona"

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.

"Grandview Nightfall"

As darkness filled the floor of canyon, the chilly breeze chased most of the tourists away; it was time to call it a day. It was really quite dark and I should have headed back to my RV but the temptation to stay for this “one last shot” was too great. These colors are somewhat unique for the Grand Canyon but as the sun slowly sets the canyon’s colors change (and surprisingly quickly!). First, the vibrant hues are replaced with a warm glow, then a cool blue and then there’s complete darkness. You can see these varying colors in this photo. There was very little light so I had to use my tripod. I set my ISO/ASA to 640 and my shutter speed at 1/4 of a second. I could tell from the viewfinder that this was going to be a great shot, and a uniquely different one too. That said, I absolutley love how soft this photo is and how very painterly it looks too. I sat in the canyon’s beauty for a while; with my heartfelt thoughts and in appreciation of the many dreams I have yet to live. I named this photo “Grandview Nightfall” because it was taken at Grandview Point at nightfall.

"Circle Of Life"

The saguaro cactus is an icon of the US southwest and can only be found in the Sonoran Desert (southern Arizona - northern Mexico). This slow growing cacti can take 10 years for it to reach 1 inch in height By the time a saguaro is 4 feet tall its roots have been growing for as many as 55 years (they’re only 6 inches below ground and stretch out only 4 feet). That said, wind storms will often topple the saguaro. Their waxy, pleated surface allows them to expand to contain all the water it needs; it can hold over a thousand gallons of water! You’ll notice on a few of my other photos that some saguaros appear to be fat; those images were taken after a rainfall. Only saguaro cactuses between the ages of 30 - 65, produce reproductive flowers (through pollination). These flowers can be spotted during the last two weeks of April through to the first week in June. The saguaro cactus doesn’t grow arms until it’s around 95 - 100 years old and have as many as 50+ arms! The average saguaro lives to be 150 - 175 years of age but some are known to reach 200 years of age. They can reach 50 feet in height and weigh as much as 6 tons. You wouldn’t want one falling on you! The structural foundation of the saguaro consists of 15-20 woody ribs, fused along the length of the stem and separated within the younger arms. These woody remains were used by the Native Americans to build roofs, walls and even furniture. Nowadays, you’ll see them transformed into masterful pieces of art.

"A Moment In Time"

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!

"Parker Arizona Sunscape"

The mountains around Parker, in western Arizona, are quite stunning and unique. These mountains however are actually across the Colorado River, in California. I felt fortunate capture this sunset scene with all the varying colors and highlights; read on. I had hiked towards the mountains, at a different location, in hopes of a sunrise view and although it was beautiful, I figured a February sunset view would likely be better. I drove around in search of the perfect (sunset) viewpoint but because I was in my RV, I was limited to where I could go. I did however find a service road through an open field and although it was definitely not meant for a RV, I went anyways; the view was perfect. I cooked dinner while I waited for the sun to set but at the last moment clouds rolled in and covered the sun, darn. I returned the next evening and hoped the threatening clouds would cooperate. Fortunately, the sun peaked through just long enough to get this (one!) shot I wanted because, poof…. the sun disappeared. This is a 3 image panoramic stack, hence the detail. What does that mean? It means I took 3 images, left to right, and put them together in post processing to make one (large file) panoramic image (great for enlargements).

"Together We Stand"

I tend to notice trees that stand alone and wonder, “Are they lonely?”. So, when it came time to name this photograph the first thing I notice was how they stand so proudly together. Rooted together, they are supporting each other and relying on each other to thrive. Mother nature depends on “togetherness” to survive and thrive; just as all living things do. That said, we as humans have a lot to learn from Mother Nature. Life is meant to be shared, so reach out to your friends, family, seniors, neighbors and communities so that we can thrive.... together.

"To Be Seen"

I believe there’s an art to seeing. Having said that, do you merely "look", or do you "see"? I arrived at this location with the intent on capturing a developing thunderous sky…. but then, I saw this. It’s hard to say how many of you would have noticed this over the (attention grabbing) darkening sky but I’m sure that most of you wouldn’t have noticed, or just simply just given it a glance. Like most artists, the love of art has the power to make us change the way you see things. With an imaginative and creative eye, an artist will notice things like shapes, colors, highlights (brights), shadows (darks) compositions and (the dreaded) obstructions too. The art then is in pulling it all together to produce an image that captures the viewer’s attention. It’s not what you look at that matters, it’s what you see. I named this photograph “To Be Seen” because just like art, we all need to be seen, loved, valued and appreciated. The world is SO beautiful when you go beyond looking.

"Desert Explosion"

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! :-)

'Desert Terrace"

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 :-)

Pleasantly Arizona

True to my nature (curiously; wondering what’s down that road), I was on my way to Wickenburg, when I decided to look for some photographic opportunities and potential boondocking sites in the Lake Pleasant area, south-west of Phoenix. A short distant from the Phoenix area, the world changes. To arrive here, I drove down a dusty gravel road, through small mountainous valleys and rocky gorges. The area was notably, densely covered with saguaro trees. As the lake came into view, I noted how intriguing it was to see both saguaro trees and a lake in one “frame”. Driving further north I noticed the sun’s reflection in the lake and stopped to take a photo. I carefully placed my feet as I made my way down the prickly pear embankment and framed this shot when suddenly a truck barreled past. Seeing the dust, my first instinct was to run back to the truck however I knew I wouldn’t make it there in time (so I ate the dust, lol) but to my surprise the dust lofted down into my frame! Although my camera (and myself) got sugar coated with dust, I was elated to get this shot! I absolutely love the softness and muted colors of this photo and how the dust (which looks like fog) adds to the interesting combination of sun, lake reflections and sky.

"A Grand Life"

I am at the Grand Canyon! I had the pleasure of visiting the canyon last winter too however I lost all (yes ALL), of my photos when my hard-drive crashed; a valuable lesson... use more than one hard drive! Now that the days are getting shorter and the cold weather is keeping you inside, I'll post photos more often and "report in", for those whom are following my travels :-) I often come across a scene that just takes my breath away, and I ask myself "Does anyone else see what I see?". I guess that's why I enjoy sharing my photos with you so much, in hopes that they'll take your breath away too. I cycled the south rim and got a few fantastic shots, what fun! I had such a grand time at the Grand Canyon. that I named this photo "A Grand Life".

"Sensational Sedona"

How lucky to be there when the moon appeared! Once I stopped to take a photo, so to did many others :-)

"Lake Havasu"

Located on the border of Arizona and California, Lake Havasu is 3 hours west of Phoenix, 2.5 hours south of Las Vegas and 5 hours east of Los Angeles. As part of the Colorado river, the lake was created with the completion of the Parker dam in 1938, and has since become a year round tourist destination with more than 400 miles of coastline and a multitude of outdoor activities including boating, fishing, camping, hiking and camping. The nearby planned community of Lake Havasu City was founded in 1964 and was really “put on the map”, when the original London Bridge was moved and re-built brick by brick. Before dismantling the original bridge, each brick was numbered, then shipped to Long Beach California where it was then transported overland to Lake Havasu. Reassembly began in 1968 and was completed in 1971. This photo was taken along the south-east shores of Lake Havasu. I drove past it on the way to Lake Havasu City, and then returned before the sunrise the next morning. As I waited for the sun to fill the bay with its warm rays, I found this composition; yikes, it was on a ridge that was very steep on both sides, with a 6 foot landing to stand on (I watched my step!). You’ve likely noticed the color of the water, which occurs when the sun hits the naturally dissolving magnesium and calcium carbonate but did you notice how it’s so different than the blue sky? What I love about this photo is how the peninsulas lead your eyes to the bay, and then they keep your eyes in the bay. This, by the way, what is called a “settling point” (where the viewer’s eyes settle). Also, notice the white sand-hill crane at the end of the right peninsula, it sat perched there for about a hour. *Two 36 mm horizontal images were stitched together in post processing to create this photograph.