Colorado: A Genuine Cattle Drive

I've been to a few cattle drives over the years, and they're always fun to watch and photograph. Grizzled old cowboys donned in chaps, shirts, and weather-beaten Stetson hats usher cattle up the main street of a town toward a corral. They call out soothingly to the cows. "On, Bess." "Turn around, lady." On an intelligent level, I know that it's done for the tourists. It's a thrill. It speaks of a time when man grappled with nature, struggling to…

Colorado: thinking about a trip to Steamboat Springs?

I have a love-hate relationship with Steamboat Springs. Or maybe it's more accurately described as love-meh relationship. I've been to the town several times over the years. I remember it as a sleepy town that ski bums filled to the brim in winters. It was the sort of town that "real" outdoor athletes and outdoorsmen flocked to, eschewing the other more popular, touristy ski towns like Vail and Aspen. When I was young, it was both fun and boring. Fun…

An autumn hike in Colorado mountains

There’s nothing like the first fall photography hike in Colorado’s mountains when the air is cool and fresh. The meadows filled with sweet-smelling wild grass have transformed from lush green to tawny gold with shimmers of silver. The smell of junipers and pines wafts through the air. Trails are sun-warmed and dry. Miles flow by effortlessly. The Colorado sky is a bold, striking blue with a few fluffy clouds sailing across.When I write “sailing across,” I mean: at Mach 4…

What’s Going On with Pentax?

Shaka a Laka O Magic 8 Ball, what does Pentax cameras' future look like? My money is on one of these two responses: Cannot predict now Outlook not so good The Recap I have mused/speculated and even ranted about Pentax a few times (see: Is Dark Horse Pentax Fizzing Out? and The new Pentax K1 Mark II). Pentax's business decisions like retiring the flagship aps-c K3ii without introducing a new replacement are concerning. Their 2017 Annual Report came out a…

Seven landscape photographers you definitely should follow

As a hobby landscape photographer, I enjoy watching other photographers and seeing their works evolve and grow over time. They can be a source of inspiration. And if nothing else, it's fascinating to see photographs of faraway places. They're simultaneously foreign and familiar and are bound to set your imagination ablazing. Side note: With the recent passage of Article 13 in European Union (which I support; more on this later) and the copyright protection laws here in USA potentially being…

5 Tips for Jaw-Dropping Landscapes

To get great landscapes, you need more than just a pretty world. You might be in a scenic location, but that doesn't mean it'll always translate well to a 2D image. Landscape photography advice can be contradictory, at times. Sometimes landscapes will look great at a certain time of day or year, but drab at others. Sometimes it'll look better with a long lens, and other times, it's better to use a wide lens. Take this article -- and any…

5 Red Flags to Watch For when Buying Camera Gear Online

There are loads of fly-by-night camera gear sellers and stores online, and not all are made equal. It's easy to get tempted by bargain-barrel prices, especially if you're shopping on a tight budget. Here's a quick rule of thumb: if the price is too good to be true, it's a scam. Here's a list of warning signs to watch for: Rock-Bottom Prices Funky Seller's Name/Store Name Warranty Return policy Complaints Skip ahead for reputable sellers that I like. Too-Good-to-Be-True Prices…

Before and After: Red Rock Climbers

Sometimes it’s tough to know how to edit an image. IMO, as long as it’s not totally wacky and over the top, you should feel free to play with an edit until it feels right to you. (more…)

Make Every Frame Count

Wanna know the fastest way to improve your photography skills? Pretend you’re shooting with film on your digital camera, whether it’s a dslr, a mirrorless camera, or a smartphone. Shoot deliberately. (more…)

Are Mirrorless Cameras for you?

Are you interested in photography, but turned off by the idea of toting around a big, bulky camera? A mirrorless camera might be a good option for you. Read on! The difference between a dSLR and a Mirrorless Camera To understand the difference between a dSLR and a mirrorless, you need to understand how a dSLR works. If you're already familiar with them, feel free to skip ahead. dSLRs Boiled down, a dSLR consists of five main parts. (Of course,…