Hope your holidays were filled with cheer. As 2010 gets under way, I reflect upon 2009 as being a year unlike any other in my long and winding photographic journey.
"Sun On Your Shoulders" - Ecola State Park, Oregon
"Fly Me To The Light" - Canyonlands National Park, Utah
Here is a list of all locations visited as drawn from the itineraries I posted throughout the year:
Here is one more sample:
"Lightchaser's Dream" - Alabama Hills BLM, California
Having long considered myself a "weekend warrior" in terms of my fine art photography pursuit, I took a leap of fate (and faith) by leaving the business suits in the armoire and setting out upon a twelve month odyssey across the Western United States with camera, tripod, backpack, and tent in tow. In actuality, it was a series of trips which at times were a week in duration while at other times as long as six weeks. Stringing them all together, I spent 204 days on the road and logged 36,193 miles on the Honda Pilot. Only my hiking shoes, mountain boots, crampons, and snowshoes know how many hundreds of trail miles were covered, including the times there was no trail beneath my feet to follow. Oh the wonders of GPS.
From the Pacific Ocean to the Mississippi River, Canada to Mexico, I felt at times I was going to travel every highway in the land before the sun set on New Year's Eve. Very much to my amazement, and delight, I was quite content spending this much time in solitude. Well, actually, that's true for the most part. I thoroughly enjoyed having the opportunity to meet family, friends and relatives in various parts of the country while I moved with the wind. Sharing laughs over cuisine other than oatmeal, soup, and backpacking "astronaut food" was pure delight! Not to mention a fine martini from time to time. Having a BlackBerry and iPod in my possession were also valuable tools of the trade. Having the capacity to stay in touch via Facebook and Twitter cannot be understated. As long as I had a signal, I felt connected to the very people who motivate me to create photographs within these great wide open natural spaces. My heart-felt thanks to all who chimed in at one point or another. Interaction and feedback with you was very much appreciated!
I also felt quite obsessed at times when I found myself replaying certain songs from certain artists. And replaying them again. I thought at one point I was going to digitally wear out Keane. And Dave Matthews had to have known telepathically how often his 'Some Devil' tracks were filling the space between my car doors.
Back to chasing light. If it was a national park or national monument, there is a pretty good chance I touched and experienced the "open space of wonder" within the last twelve month period. And in some cases, again and again. And again. How utterly bizarre for me when I think back to mid-year when I found myself in 110 degree heat in southern Arizona and below freezing temperatures 10,000+ feet up Mount Rainier within a few short weeks of each other.
Did I come away from this grand experience with a favorite location? No. They were all delicately beautiful in their own way. Did I come away with a favorite composition? Maybe. Yet, it pales in comparison to the image I hope to make in the future. I cannot wait to see what's around that next corner. That's exactly what inspires me to drag a load of gear out into the wild and at times camp when the mercury dips below zero with the winds howling seventy-five plus miles per hour. How uncanny to think about the number of times I woke within ten minutes of my alarm clock setting. Wouldn't want to be late for work. In this field of study, the "good light" waits for no one.
Here are a few samples from the journey:
"Sun On Your Shoulders" - Ecola State Park, Oregon
"Fly Me To The Light" - Canyonlands National Park, Utah
Here is a list of all locations visited as drawn from the itineraries I posted throughout the year:
Mount Shasta, California
Black Canyon of the Gunnison National Park, Colorado
Great Sand Dunes National Park and Preserve, Colorado
Madison County Historical Bridges, Iowa
Dead Horse Point State Park, Utah
Salton Sea National Wildlife Reserve, California
Kartchner Caves State Park, Arizona
Aztec Ruins National Monument, New Mexico
Cedar Breaks National Monument, Utah
Valley of Fire State Park, Nevada
Great Basin National Park, Nevada
Smith Rock State Park, Oregon
Mount Washington Wilderness Area, Oregon
Mount Hood Wilderness Area, Oregon
Cannon Beach, Oregon
Mount Rainier National Park, Washington
North Cascades National Park, Washington
Palouse Falls State Park, Washington
Grand Teton National Park, Wyoming
Smith Rock State Park, Oregon
Willamette National Forest, Oregon
Canon Beach, Oregon
Ecola State Park, Oregon
Oregon Dunes National Recreation Area, Oregon
Crater Lake National Park, Oregon
Lassen Volcanic National Park, California
Redwood National Park, California
Salton Sea National Wildlife Reserve, California
Woods Lake, California
Lassen Volcanic National Park, California
Castle Crags State Park, California
Mount Shasta, California
Sierra Range, Mammoth, California
Locations not hyper-linked have imagery that is still being edited. My plan is to release a hand full of images on a quarterly basis or as time permits. These images can be found in the "New Releases" category on my dedicated Horizon Image Group website. All images created in 2009 are also being compiled for a coffee table style book which is currently in process. Stay tuned.
Here is one more sample:
"Lightchaser's Dream" - Alabama Hills BLM, California
In typing this posting and reviewing all the locations I visited, I cannot help but think, "Wow, that's quite a long list!" And quite a few oil changes! I feel blessed for having the opportunity to explore such beautiful protected natural spaces and offer my heart-felt thanks to my dear friends Sean Ness, Cammy Jordan, and Mikiko Yoshimura for the critical role each played in all this. I owe them a debt of gratitude I cannot ever fully repay.
I hope to have more to share with you in the coming months. Until then, be well.
-Michael
Just a quick note letting you know that new images from my 2009 Pacific Northwest photographic trek have been published on my dedicated website. You may find them under the New Releases category. Here are a few samples:
"The Shining Path"
"Brothers & Sisters"
Hope you enjoy the visual journey.
Cheers,
Michael
Just a quick note letting you know that new images from my 2009 Pacific Northwest photographic trek have been published on my dedicated website. You may find them under the "New Releases" category. Here are a few samples:
Hoh Rain Forest, Olympic National Park, WA
Glacier National Park, MT
Hope you enjoy the visual journey.
Be well,
Michael
After covering 29,000 road miles over a five month period, I am finally back in the SF Bay Area. To say it was an incredible light chasing experience would be an understatement. With several stacks of transparencies sitting around the office, my intention is to hide the keys (for the most part) and get busy with film scans and editing. Initially, I will release approximately two dozen compositions. Thereafter, the release figure will be more like a hand full each quarter.
Here is a sample:
"I Will Follow You Into The Light" (Carlsbad Caverns National Park, New Mexico - May 2009)
Many many thanks for your continued feedback and genuine support. You truly do motivate me to go farther and climb higher.
Cheers,
Michael
With the itinerary tentatively set, the lightchaser in me is once again ready to explore. Coming off a wildly successful three week trek throughout the Desert Southwest, the compass is now pointed in the opposite direction i.e. Pacific Northwest. If you are interested in seeing the "path," here it is ---- Pacific Northwest Foto Trek.
As always, thank you kindly for your ongoing support and encouragement.
Be well,
Michael
Horizon Image Group
I've safely returned from my three week U.S. Desert Southwest foto trek. Hot hot hot already in May! All things told, the light afforded me tremendous compositional opportunities. Now I must patiently wait a week until the color film is processed.
In the meantime, I am finalizing an itinerary for a one-month trip to Olympic NP/Glacier NP/Yellowstone NP/Grand Teton NP. And a few stops in between. I'm very excited to set my heart and soul on some new topography.
One regret----- with a 2009 production schedule potentially including 200 days on the road, time for administrative matters (including posting new work) has been a premium. Considering July-Sept will be my slower period, I plan on spending more time in the office vs. on the hill.
Most importantly, many many thanks for your continued support and praise. You motivate me to explore what's around the next curve.
Be well,
Michael
In coming off a very rewarding photo trek spanning nearly thirty days (and 8,938 miles), I am pleased to share my next trip itinerary. I hope you'll join me in my wish for "good light."
Very best to you .......
Michael
aka Lightchaser
Horizon Image Group - www.horizonimagegroup.com
With the Spring Metro Gallery Tour (Marion, Iowa) just a week away (Friday, April 3, 2009), I was so very humbled to read what Priscilla Steele, celebrated artist and Campbell Steele Gallery owner, had to say about my pursuit of light with camera in tow.
It will be such a pleasure to thank her in person next Friday evening. Then it's back across the American West chasing light all the way to the San Francisco Bay Area.
Hope you are all doing well.
Cheers,
Michael
I have received word from the road that access to my trip itinerary requires a few too many hoops to jump through if you do you have a Google gmail account and are not a Google Reader aubscriber. That said, I've provided the outline below. Note that I'm giving serious consideration to turning back down into Utah after the Grand Tetons leg of the journey.
I'll keep you posted via Twitter and Facebook.
Be well,
Michael
******
PHOTO TRIP ITINERARY
Lightchaser's Path - 3/19/09 to 4/17/09
DAY 1 - Thursday, March 19, 2009
Drive from Fremont, CA to Salt Lake City, UT (757 miles / 10 hrs 55 mins)
Photograph sunset.
Weather: Partly cloudy - 67/41
DAY 2 - Friday, March 20, 2009
Photograph sunrise.
Drive from Salt Lake City, UT to Arches NP, UT (232 miles / 4 hrs 12 mins)
Photograph sunset.
Weather: Partly cloudy - 74/41
DAY 3 - Saturday, March 21, 2009
Arches NP, UT.
Photograph sunrise and sunset.
Travel across highway to Canyonlands NP, UT
Weather: Sunny - 70/41
DAY 4 - Sunday, March 22, 2009
Canyonlands NP, UT
Photograph sunrise and sunset.
Weather: Partly cloudy - 58/32
DAY 5 - Monday, March 23, 2009
Canyonlands NP, UT
Photograph sunrise.
Weather: Partly Cloudy - 61/31
Drive from Canyonlands NP, UT to Black Canyon of the Gunnison, CO (188 miles / 3 hrs 36 mins)
Photograph sunset.
Weather: Few showers (30%) - 49/28
DAY 6 - Tuesday, March 24, 2009
Black Canyon of the Gunnison, CO
Photograph sunrise.
Scout area around Maroon Bells / Snowmass for sunset opportunities.
Photograph sunset.
Weather: Mostly cloudy - 48/26
DAY 7 - Wednesday, March 25, 2009
Maroon Bells / Snowmass
Photograph sunrise.
Weather: Mostly Sunny - 47/27
Travel from Black Canyon of the Gunnison, CO to Great Sand Dunes NP, CO
(211 miles / 5 hrs 12 mins)
Great Sand Dunes NP, CO
Photograph sunset.
Weather: Partly cloudy - 49/23
Day 8 - Thursday, March 26, 2009
Great Sand Dunes NP, CO
Photograph sunrise.
Weather: Mostly sunny - 51/25
Drive from Great Sand Dunes NP, CO to Monument Rocks National Landmark, KS (427 miles / 7 hrs 38 mins)
Photograph sunset.
DAY 9 - Friday, March 27, 2009
Monument Rocks National Landmark, KS
Photograph sunrise.
Drive from Monument Rocks NL, KS to Kansas City, MO (389 miles / 6 hrs 6 mins)
Weather: TBD
DAY 10 - Saturday, March 28, 2009
Kansas City - relatives
Weather: TBD
DAY 11 - Sunday, March 29, 2009
Kansas City - relatives
Weather: TBD
DAY 12 - Monday, March 30, 2009
Drive from Kansas City, MO to Marion, IA (318 miles / 5 hrs 0 mins)
Weather: TBD
DAY 13 - Tuesday, March 31, 2009
Marion, IA - relatives
Weather: TBD
DAY 14 - Wednesday, April 1, 2009
Marion, IA - relatives
Weather: TBD
DAY 15 - Thursday, April 2, 2009
Marion, IA - relatives
Weather: TBD
DAY 16 - Friday, April 3, 2009
Marion, IA - relatives
Campbell Steele Gallery - Art Showing
Weather: TBD
DAY 17 - Saturday, April 4, 2009
Marion, IA - relatives
Weather: TBD
DAY 18 - Sunday, April 5, 2009
Marion, IA - relatives
Weather: TBD
DAY 19 - Monday, April 6, 2009
Drive from Marion, IA to Badlands NP, SD (632 miles / 9 hrs 32 mins)
Photograph sunset.
DAY 20 - Tuesday, April 7, 2009
Badlands NP, SD
Photograph sunrise and sunset.
DAY 21 - Wednesday, April 8, 2009
Badlands NP, SD
Photograph sunrise.
Drive from Badlands NP, SD to Yellowstone NP, WY (560 miles / 10 hrs 6 mins)
Study locations.
Note: Penultimate full moonrise
DAY 22 - Thursday, April 9, 2009
Yellowstone NP, WY
Photograph sunrise and sunset.
Note: Full Moonrise
DAY 23 - Friday, April 10, 2009
Yellowstone NP, WY
Photograph sunrise. Full moonset
Drive from Yellowstone NP to Grand Tetons NP, WY
Photograph sunset.
DAY 24 - Saturday, April 11, 2009
Grand Tetons NP, WY
Photograph sunrise and sunset.
DAY 25 - Sunday, April 12, 2009
Grand Tetons NP, WY
Photograph sunrise.
Drive from Grand Tetons NP, WY to Craters of the Moon NM, ID (178 miles / 3 hrs 50 mins)
Photograph sunset.
DAY 26 - Monday, April 13, 2009
Drive from Boise, ID to Crater Lake NP (450 miles / 8 hrs 58 mins)
Photograph sunset.
Day 27 - Tuesday, April 14, 2009
Crater Lake NP, OR
Photograph sunrise.
Drive from Crater Lake NP, OR to Mount Shasta, CA (139 miles / 3 hrs 4 mins)
Photograph sunset from Ski Park Road.
Day 28 - Wednesday, April 15, 2009
Mount Shasta, CA.
Photograph sunrise from Ski Park Road.
Drive from Mount Shasta to Lassen Volcanic NP, CA
Photograph sunset.
Day 30 - Thursday, April 16, 2009
Lassen Volcanic NP, CA
Photograph sunrise.
Drive from Lassen Volcanic NP, CA to Fremont, CA (269 miles / 4 hrs 49 mins)
Day 31 - Friday, April 17, 2009
Flex day
I hope this note finds you doing well. Upon request, here is my tentative Western U.S. Photo Trek itinerary [click on blog title to view Google document]. I will depart at 4am on Thursday, March 19, 2009 and return to the San Francisco Bay Area on Thursday, April 16, 2009. I say tentative considering this is a tremendous amount of ground to cover in one month, plus, chasing light with camera in tow often times takes you off course, reverse course, and somewhere in between.
Between now and 17 April 2009, capturing a handful of images that "have their own voice" will be a blessing. If you are interested in viewing work from prior light studies, please go to www.horizonimagegroup.com.
Be well,
Michael
City packed with people still leaves room for natural areas
Considering geographical space in San Francisco has and always will be a precious commodity, I feel fortunate that every square inch of dirt has not been consumed by residential housing and commercial structures. If so, naturally beautiful spaces such as this setting in The Presidio would no longer exist.
The Presidio, San Francisco, California
Please support the protection of open natural spaces anyway you possibly can i.e. with your voice, opinion, debit card, day to day action, etc.
Note: The record for the largest man made park in the world perhaps should be given to the Presidio since every tree here was planted by the military.
As a landscape photographer, I cannot think of a more fitting article/act to set things in motion. My sincere hope is that you will support passage of this bill in the House both for the benefit of our generation and those to follow.
As the story reads, state preservation will help protect open beautiful spaces touching both coasts, including quadrants very close to the following popular photographic destinations.
Joshua Tree National Park, California
Sequoia National Park, California
Moving in a million different directions these days , I'll make every attempt to tighten the wheel and deliver relevant content.
Be well,
Michael