Spring Storm in the Eastern Sierra
Spring Storm in the Eastern Sierra
 Portrait of a leopard, or the greatest picture I’ve ever taken.
Portrait of a leopard, or the greatest picture I’ve ever taken.
 The (not so) Grand Motel
The (not so) Grand Motel
 Skogafass
Skogafass
 Hakone Shrine
Hakone Shrine
 The Hummingbird and the Hibiscus
The Hummingbird and the Hibiscus
 Perfect?
Perfect?
Convict Lake
Convict Lake
 Rambling on Las Ramblas in the Rain
Rambling on Las Ramblas in the Rain
 The Intense Gaze of a Snow Monkey
The Intense Gaze of a Snow Monkey
 The Golden Gate
The Golden Gate
 The Road to Mike’s Sky Ranch
The Road to Mike’s Sky Ranch
 A Lone Hyena
A Lone Hyena
 Pathways
Pathways
 It came from the deep.
It came from the deep.
 Surrealist Sunflowers
Surrealist Sunflowers
 A Splash of Color
A Splash of Color
 Payphone in the Park
Payphone in the Park
Camp Life, Wife Life
Camp Life, Wife Life
 Sunset at the Pier
Sunset at the Pier
 Way More Ghost and the Darkness than Lion King
Way More Ghost and the Darkness than Lion King
 Temple Details
Temple Details
 Reflections in the Dark
Reflections in the Dark
 Tread Life
Tread Life
 Erosion at El Matador Beach
Erosion at El Matador Beach
 Eye to Eye with a Dinosaur
Eye to Eye with a Dinosaur
 No Vacancy
No Vacancy
 Spring on the Upper Owens
Spring on the Upper Owens
 Twins.
Twins.
 I Hope You Don’t Expect Me to Share
I Hope You Don’t Expect Me to Share
 Monsters Eye’s View of Tokyo
Monsters Eye’s View of Tokyo
 Will Rodgers State Beach
Will Rodgers State Beach
 Last Looks On a very Productive Weekend
Last Looks On a very Productive Weekend
 Battle Scars
Battle Scars
 Summit Motel
Summit Motel
 The Sydney Opera House
The Sydney Opera House
 Big African Skies
Big African Skies
 A City In The Valley
A City In The Valley
 A Grand View
A Grand View
 Turn and Burn
Turn and Burn
 A Smorgasbord of Styles
A Smorgasbord of Styles
 Gilbert Lake
Gilbert Lake
 Comedare Interrupit
Comedare Interrupit
 The Sun Voyager
The Sun Voyager
 Maasai Warrior
Maasai Warrior
 Olives
Olives
 Sunrise Silhouette
Sunrise Silhouette
 Iguazu Falls
Iguazu Falls
 Swirling Seas
Swirling Seas
 National Museum of Qatar
National Museum of Qatar
 The Ubiquitous Plate of Pork
The Ubiquitous Plate of Pork
 A Garita at Castillo San Felipe del Morro
A Garita at Castillo San Felipe del Morro
 Walking on Water
Walking on Water
 Al Sukyum Lounge
Al Sukyum Lounge
 Interchanges
Interchanges
 Unscheduled Stop
Unscheduled Stop
Hollywood Center Motel
Hollywood Center Motel
 Impressionist Brushstrokes
Impressionist Brushstrokes
 A Sign of Another Time
A Sign of Another Time
 Sunset on the Delta
Sunset on the Delta
Blue Skies, Rusty Signs
Blue Skies, Rusty Signs
 Shaded by Giants
Shaded by Giants
 Portrait of a Baboon
Portrait of a Baboon
 Coffee Cezve
Coffee Cezve
 Looking Good America. Looking Good.
Looking Good America. Looking Good.
Lucero
Lucero
 Zion Canyon Sentinels
Zion Canyon Sentinels
 Handsome Devil
Handsome Devil
 Window Into the Past
Window Into the Past
 Courthouse Towers
Courthouse Towers
 Western Bluebird
Western Bluebird
 Big Country.
Big Country.
 Very Happy Accident
Very Happy Accident
 Steel and Asphalt
Steel and Asphalt
 Stalking
Stalking
 Birra!
Birra!
 Road to Nowhere
Road to Nowhere
 Let your Fingers do the Walking
Let your Fingers do the Walking
 High Above the Douro Valley
High Above the Douro Valley
Spring Storm in the Eastern Sierra
Spring Storm in the Eastern Sierra Alabama Hills, Lone Pine, CA. March 2022. If you want a good picture, visit a great spot. If you want something special, go again and again. Offering commanding views of the Alabama Hills and Sierra Nevada, this is a natural location for that classic “Kodak Moment.” I’ve visited dozens of times and made several nice captures. This one stands out. The late season storm blowing down the Eastern Slope diffused the early evening light, casting a soft glow on the valley, while the clouds shrouding the massive Sierra Nevada mountains imbued the landscape with ominous mystery. This is a visual manifestation of the call to adventure, a reminder to get out and explore. Put in the work. Persistence pays off. Nikon D4S; Nikkor 24-120mm f/4 @ 50mm; f/11; 4.0 sec; ISO 100.
Portrait of a leopard, or the greatest picture I’ve ever taken.
Portrait of a leopard, or the greatest picture I’ve ever taken.Mala Mala Game Reserve, South Africa. September 2019. It was unseasonably cold during our visit to Mala Mala. We got dark skies instead of blazing sunsets, suboptimal shooting conditions for our early morning and late afternoon game drives. I compensated by pushing my ISO and pulling my shutter speeds. This isn’t ideal for action but can work for static subjects. One of the advantages of micro four thirds sensor (MFT) cameras for wildlife is the 2x crop factor. That means you get the same angle of view of your subject with half the lens as compared to a 35 mm sensor based system. I shot this image at 350 mm on my GH-5 using my 100-400 mm zoom. You would need a 700 mm lens or some heavy cropping to get a comparable image on a 35 mm sensor. That’s a serious investment in cost and weight. Another benefit of shooting MFT is that the higher end bodies have built in sensor stabilization. The imaging sensor “floats” in the body compensating for camera shake allowing for slower shutter speeds. It would be extremely challenging to make this image handheld without stabilization. There are some tradeoffs over “traditional” 35mm sensor cameras. You don’t have the same level of control for isolating your subjects from a busy background, flagship DSLRs have better autofocus tracking and the larger sensor allows for better performance in low light situations with a little more room to correct in post. While some of the benefits of a flagship DSLR would be nice, this image proves they aren’t necessary to make a good picture. Every time I look at the leopard’s eyes, I hear the rising horns of Elmer Bernstein’s National Geographic Fanfare in my head. I’m transported back to my childhood where, as a 12-year-old, I sat on my bedroom floor thumbing through the glossy pages of National Geographic Magazine, reading about far off places filled with lions, elephants and leopards. This is the type of image that compelled me to pick up a camera. To spend days, not hours, days, squeezed into an economy class seat traveling from Los Angeles to South Africa. To log countless km in the back of a Land Rover. To be in the right place at the right time. The two thousand images I shot on my trip, the 41,000 I’ve shot on my journey as a serious enthusiast tuned me up for this. For the precise moment when I made eye contact with a wild South African Leopardess. Panasonic DC-GH5 LEICA DG 100-400/F4.0-6.3 @350 mm; f/5.9; 1/320 sec; ISO 3200
The (not so) Grand Motel
The (not so) Grand MotelLos Angeles, CA. April, 2014. Part of my No-Tell Motel Series, The Grand on La Cienega was one of those book by the hour, no questions asked, room for rent establishments that were representative of another era of life in Los Angeles. Nikon FE 2. Nikkor 50MM 1.2 AIS. Film
Skogafass
SkogafassSkoga River, Iceland. March, 2015. In an ethereal wonderland of otherworldly beauty, Skogafass stand out as a special place. Panasonic GH-3; Lumix G Vario 12-35 f/2.8 @ 14mm; f/8.0; 2.5 sec; ISO 400
Hakone Shrine
Hakone ShrineHakone, Japan. January 2016. This image is a lesson in taking what the photos gods give. My friend and I trekked up from Tokyo to Hakone. Over the course of several hours, we rode multiple trains and buses, battled the cold and a serious case of jetlag to get to this spot when the light was just right. We stood by the shore for the better part of an hour hoping the clouds would break and give us a view of Mt. Fuji. They never did. Not the shot I wanted but the shot I got. At the time I was disappointed but looking back I’ve learned to appreciate the memory of the one that got away. Panasonic GH-3; Sigma 60mm f/2.8 DN @ f/8.0; 1/20 sec; ISO 200.
The Hummingbird and the Hibiscus
The Hummingbird and the Hibiscus Beverly Hills, California. March 27, 2020. The Corona Virus lockdown is visceral. There is a palpable sense of fear as we adjust to a newfound fragility. It’s as if we are collectively trying to outrun an avalanche that is sweeping away all the best laid plans of mice and men, hoping to escape with our lives. In times like these, it’s easy to forget that little things still matter, that the seasons change and that the flowers will bloom. That this too will pass. I can’t control the economy, politics, the spread of the virus or the price of toilet paper, but with a good flash and a radio trigger I can still control the light. I’ve been conceptualizing this image for a while, but I’ve never made the time to follow through. I was always in pursuit of bigger and better things. One of the unexpected benefits of the pandemic crisis is learning to appreciate what’s at hand, to make it work. This image was shot in my backyard. I spent a few hours observing the local hummingbirds flitting in and out of the garden. Typically, I shoot handheld and track my subject with my lens. For this setup I composed on a flower with a relatively clean background, positioned my speedlight and locked down on a tripod. And then I waited. And waited. And waited. I’d average about one bird every half hour or so in the yard. The problem was that there was no guarantee that they’d pick my flower. I’d catch a dark flutter out of the corner of my eye, tense up with anticipation as one of the small birds approached my set up, and hoped for the best. I had a few near misses, a few bad misses and a lot of time staring into empty space. Not a big deal. I had all the time in the world and watching birds was better than staring at a screen waiting for more bad news. And then I got lucky. This bird came in for a taste, I hit the shutter, the autofocus locked on, the flash fired, and I made a pretty picture. Patience and perseverance pay off. Life goes on. Panasonic DC-GH5, LEICA DG 100-400/F4.0-6.3 @ 250 mm; f/5.6; 1/2000 sec; ISO 400.
Perfect?
Perfect? Porto, Portugal. May 2023. Street photo in Porto. Sometimes it all comes together. Nikon Z9; Nikkor 24-120 f/4S @120MM; f/8; 1/125 sec; ISO 1600.
Convict Lake
Convict LakeMammoth Lakes, California. December 2015. Convict Lake is one of the highlights of the Eastern Sierra. It’s worth a look if you’re ever in the area. Panasonic GH-3; Lumix G 14 f/2.5 @ f/5.6; 1/400 sec; ISO 200.
Rambling on Las Ramblas in the Rain
Rambling on Las Ramblas in the RainBarcelona, Spain. May 2023. Las Ramblas is the beating heart of the Gothic quarter, is one of the main promenades in Barcelona, and is a mecca for tourism. Carre de Ferran, the street pictured, is one of the most direct routes through the area and intersects Las Ramblas in the center of the neighborhood. If you want to get in or out fast, Carre de Ferran is your best bet. It’s also where you can find McDonalds, KFC, Taco Bell and Starbucks if you’re feeling a little homesick. Do with that information what you will… Nikon D4s; Nikkor 35mm f/2.0 D @ f5.6; 1/125 sec; ISO 800.
The Intense Gaze of a Snow Monkey
The Intense Gaze of a Snow MonkeyNagano, Japan. January 2016. Bathing is serious business for the Japanese macaque. Panasonic GH-3; Sigma 60mm f/2.8 DN @ f/2.8; 1/800 sec; ISO 200.
The Golden Gate
The Golden GateSan Francisco, California. October 2015. An icon of the west. Panasonic GH-3; Lumix G Vario 12-35 f/2.8 @ 35mm; f/14; 15 sec; ISO 200.
The Road to Mike’s Sky Ranch
The Road to Mike’s Sky Ranch Ensenada, Baja California, Mexico. A little last bit of dust before hitting the highway back to camp after a visit to Mike’s. Nikon D4s; Nikkor 70.0-200.0 mm E FL ED f/2.8; @ 200 mm; f/5.6; 1/1000 sec; ISO 100.
A Lone Hyena
A Lone HyenaAmboseli National Park, Kenya. September, 2022. Part of a larger pack, this restless male set off on his own as his family napped. Nikon Z9; NIKKOR Nikon 500mm PF 5.6 @ f/5.6; 1/1000 sec; ISO 280.
Pathways
PathwaysPathways. Rio De Janeiro, Brazil. The concrete jungle at the heart of a favela. Panasonic GH-3; LEICA DG SUMMILUX 25/F1.4 @ f/5.6; 1/60 sec; ISO 1250.
It came from the deep.
It came from the deep.Great White Shark, Gansbaai, South Africa. September 2019. The water was clear, visibility excellent. These animals are imperceptible until they upon you. Great white sharks move with spectral grace. Noiselessly, without violence, until that penultimate moment when they explode with the fury of a titan. Evolution in action. Panasonic DC-GH5 LUMIX G VARIO 35-100/F2.8II @ 35 mm; f/6.3; 1/1250 sec ISO 800.
Surrealist Sunflowers
Surrealist SunflowersSomewhere on the A-375 between Seville and Ronda, Spain. June 2023. This is one of those places that existed outside of my consciousness, like someone else’s dream, before we passed through on our way from Seville to a scheduled stop in Ronda. It was like driving through an impressionist painting. I very rarely shoot from moving cars. It’s usually impossible to get anything I would consider a good composition. As the road wound around this farm and the light broke through, I knew I might have a chance at getting something. I set my focal distance and waited for a break in the roadside shrubs. I nailed this as we flew by at 70 mph. This is one of those shots that sticks with you. Sometimes you have to do something different to get something special. This one is going up on the wall. Nikon Z9; Nikkor Z Mount 24-120 f/4S @69 MM; f/8.0; 1/2000 sec; ISO 400.
A Splash of Color
A Splash of ColorAmboseli National Park, Kenya. September, 2022. A flamboyance of Flamingo provides a pop of color on an otherwise hazy morning. In the two days we were at Amboseli, Mt. Kilimanjaro only revealed herself for a few hours at daybreak. We were fortunate our guide, Eric, got us out early to view the world-famous volcanic massif. Nikon D4s; Nikkor 70.0-200.0 mm E FL ED f/2.8; @ 110 mm; f/8; 1/500 sec; ISO 450.
Payphone in the Park
Payphone in the Park Beverly Hills, CA. January 2019. There is something about shooting film that hasn't been replicated. The feel of the camera, the click of the shutter. The fear that you didn't get it. The peace that comes with not knowing. The selectivity of composition. The one in 36 chance to really nail it. The flood of memories as you review long forgotten captures. Nikon FE 2; Nikkor 50 1.2. Fujifilm Acros 100.
Camp Life, Wife Life
Camp Life, Wife LifeKati Kati Tented Camp, Serengeti, Tanzania. September, 2022. This lodge was special. Being in tents out on the open plain in the Serengeti connected us to the past in the best ways. There wasn’t anything between us and the wild. In the evening, Hyena would settle into camp looking to raid the trash for leftovers. This is Africa at its most romantic. Nikon Z9; NIKKOR Z 24-120mm f/4 S @ 24 mm; f/10; 1/50 sec; ISO 720.
Sunset at the Pier
Sunset at the PierPismo Beach, California. October 2015. Enjoying a quick stop for tacos and pictures at the tail end of a road trip. Panasonic GH-3; Lumix G Vario 12-35 f/2.8 @ 35mm; f/22; 1/4 sec; ISO 125.
Way More Ghost and the Darkness than Lion King
Way More Ghost and the Darkness than Lion KingOlare Motorogi Conservancy, Masai Mara, Kenya. September, 2022. This one gets my lizard brain going just a bit. There is menace in those eyes. Nikon Z9; NIKKOR Nikon 500mm PF 5.6 @ f/5.6; 1/1000 sec; ISO 1800.
Temple Details
Temple DetailsNagano, Japan. January 2016. Studying the craftsmanship at the Zenkoji Temple in Japan. Panasonic GH-3; Lumix G Vario 12-35 f/2.8 @ 35mm; f/2.8; 1/1000 sec; ISO 200.
Reflections in the Dark
Reflections in the DarkLos Angeles, California. December 2016. A snowy egret pauses and poses while looking for crayfish in the creek. Panasonic GH-3; LEICA DG 100-400/F4.0-6.3 @ 250 mm; f/7.1; 1/500 sec; ISO 1600.
Tread Life
Tread LifeLos Angeles, California. November 2019. All the garbage. Nikon FE 2. Nikkor 50MM 1.2 AIS. Film.
Erosion at El Matador Beach
Erosion at El Matador BeachMalibu, California. September 2016. A wave breaks at sunset. Panasonic GH-3; LEICA DG 100-400/F4.0-6.3 @ 132 mm; f/4.9; 1/1000 sec; ISO 1600.
Eye to Eye with a Dinosaur
Eye to Eye with a DinosaurDaintree Rainforest, Australia. January 2017. Visting the Daintree and observing the Cassowary in its natural habitat remains one of the highlights of all my wildlife encounters. This weird, gigantic, dangerous, colorful bird is a living fossil. A lesson in evolution in a real-life Jurassic Park. Panasonic GH-3; LEICA DG 100-400/F4.0-6.3 @ 400 mm; f/6.3; 1/50 sec; ISO 1600.
No Vacancy
No VacancyWest Hollywood, California. June 2016. You don’t have to go home; you just can’t stay here. Nikon FE 2. Nikkor 50MM 1.2 AIS. Film.
Spring on the Upper Owens
Spring on the Upper OwensMammoth Lakes, California. May 2017. A picture postcard spring day in the Eastern Sierra. Panasonic GH-3; Lumix G Vario 12-35 f/2.8 @ 17mm; f/5.6; 1/25 sec; ISO 200.
Twins.
Twins.Pico Blvd., Los Angeles, CA. July 2020. Rolleiflex; Schneider-Kreuznach Xenotar 80mm f/2.8. Kodak T-Max 120 ISO 400.
I Hope You Don’t Expect Me to Share
I Hope You Don’t Expect Me to Share Olare Motorogi Conservancy, Masai Mara, Kenya. September, 2022. When we got the call that a group of Lions was feed on a Hippopotamus carcass, I didn’t know what to expect. Our guide, Danson, got us up close and personal so we could observe the behavior of the lions as they fed. It was a visceral, sometimes overwhelming encounter that allowed us to personally experience the presence of these powerful predators. Nikon Z9; NIKKOR Nikon 500mm PF 5.6@ f/5.6; 1/500 sec; ISO 500.
Monsters Eye’s View of Tokyo
Monsters Eye’s View of TokyoTokyo, Japan. January 2016. Jet lag had me up out of bed before the sun. Decided to make the best of the view off my friend’s balcony. Panasonic GH-3; Sigma 60mm f/2.8 DN @ f/7.1; 1/13 sec; ISO 200.
Will Rodgers State Beach
Will Rodgers State BeachLos Angeles, California. March 2016. PCH always delivers. Driving down Sunset Blvd. to the water feels like a mini vacation, even if it’s just to catch the waning rays of light on a late winter’s day. Panasonic GH-3; Lumix G Vario 12-35 f/2.8 @ 24 mm; f/8.0; 8 sec; ISO 200.
Last Looks On a very Productive Weekend
Last Looks On a very Productive WeekendLone Pine, California. July 2023. I’m not a photo workshop kind of guy. Up until a few months ago I’ve probably taken two photo classes in the past 30 years. I ascribed to the philosophy that getting out and shooting would fill in the gaps better than any lecture. This year I figured I would try something new so I signed up for three very different programs. I had the opportunity to shoot models with Peter Coulson in Barcelona, took a phenomenal photo walk in Barcelona with Fran Goncalves and attended an adventure photography workshop in Lone Pine, CA with Liam Doran through Samys Camera. I’ve reached a point in my photography where even incremental improvement can be a force multiplier. The small tweaks in workflow, approach, and editing ingested during these workshops have helped me up my game, and hopefully, reach a new plateau. An added benefit was meeting all the cool photographers, educators, and talent. Trading stories about different adventures and shoots, glorifying the wins and lamenting the losses over cold beers was just as important as the work I made. There is something to be said for getting out from behind the screen and into a room with likeminded people. People who don’t aspire but do. This shot was one of the last I made in the Alabama Hills. It was our third session, the temperature was well into the 100s all weekend, and I was running on fumes after getting up at 4am for an early, early morning session. The light was just starting to break when Jaymie, in testament to her boundless energy, effortlessly scampered up this rock to take in the view. Her presence turned this nice shot into something more. A great end to a great trip. Next up? 50 pictures of Spain! Enjoy! Nikon Z9; Nikkor Z Mount 24-120 f/4S @24 MM; f/8.0; 1/1000 sec; ISO 400.
Battle Scars
Battle ScarsMala Mala Game Reserve, South Africa. September 2019. The rangers in the Mala Mala reserve are in constant communication via radio. Nic, our guide got a report on the small headset worn in his ear. He revved the motor, threw the Rover into third gear and popped the clutch. Our heads swayed with unexpected acceleration as we bombed over the rutted-out trail. “Sorry about the rough ride, I just got a call of a wild dog sighting, it’s something special” he called out maintaining focus on the road. African wild dogs are threatened by a variety of factors including habitat loss, canine disease and hunting. It is uncommon to observe these cunning, efficient hunters in the wild. The landscape faded into a blur as we passed ungulates of every shape and size, including an endangered white rhinoceros, grazing in the distance. The cold air stung our eyes, the tranquility of the morning shattered by the metallic wail of a torquey diesel motor pressed to give too much high end. We were engulfed by brush. Small twigs and branches scraped the worn paint of our Land Rover. The vehicle squealed in protest as fresh scars were gashed into the faded green fenders. I thought “I’m glad this isn’t my truck.” Then we stopped. “Over there!” Nic quietly exclaimed. We turned our heads in time to see a pair of African wild dogs loping out of the bush. They were on the hunt, having picked up a small herd of impalas about 75 meters dead ahead. The dogs trotted right past us. Nic cranked the motor, slammed the truck into gear and lurched after them. He wanted to get out in front. We held our breath. Nobody wanted to foul the chase. For a moment we were part of the pack. The dogs stopped and checked their bearings, sniffing the air, tracking their prey. I had a split second to adjust my shutter speed for the ambient light. I turned my focus ring, hit the stop, used my thumb to activate the autofocus system, hopeful it would lock on. I fired the shutter. Click, click, click. In a split second the dogs were off, loping through the bush to a place that a Land Rover can’t follow no matter how determined the pilot. We collectively exhaled, hearts pounding, adrenaline pumping. It was a rare moment where I didn’t see much but got the whole picture. Absolutely thrilling. Panasonic DC-GH5 LEICA DG 100-400/F4.0-6.3 @400 mm; f/6.3; 1/100 sec; ISO 1600
Summit Motel
Summit MotelLos Angeles, California. July 2015. The Summit Motel, a gentle reminder that getting to the top may not be all it’s cracked up to be. Nikkor 50MM 1.2 AIS. Film.
The Sydney Opera House
The Sydney Opera HouseJanuary 2017. The Opera House is more than a landmark. It is Sydney’s town square, the living beating heart of the city. Panasonic GH-3; Lumix G Vario 12-35 f/2.8 @ 21mm; f/5.6; 1/1250 sec; ISO 400.
Big African Skies
Big African SkiesAmboseli National Park, Kenya. September, 2022. A lone acacia tree on the horizon. Derivative, cliché, common and absolutely breathtaking. Sometimes you have to put a personal stamp on a classic. Nikon D4s; Nikkor 70.0-200.0 mm E FL ED f/2.8; @ 98 mm; f/8; 1/1000 sec; ISO 360.
A City In The Valley
A City In The ValleyRio De Janeiro, Brazil. December 2013. A breathtaking backdrop for a city. Panasonic GH-3; LEICA DG SUMMILUX 25/F1.4 @ f/8.0; 1/1250 sec; ISO 200.
A Grand View
A Grand ViewGrand Canyon, Arizona. November 2017. There are no words that can describe the feeling one gets standing at the rim of the Grand Canyon. Pictures barely do it justice. You just have to be there to get it and when you do, you do. Panasonic DC-GH5; Lumix G Vario 12-35 f/2.8 @ 24 mm; f/8.0; 1.6 sec; ISO 200.
Turn and Burn
Turn and BurnLake Naivasha, Kenya. September, 2022. An African Fish Eagle comes in hot. Nikon Z9; NIKKOR Z 24-120mm f/4 S @ 120 mm; f/4.0; 1/1000 sec; ISO 72.
A Smorgasbord of Styles
A Smorgasbord of StylesPorto, Portugal. May 2023. Any good vantage point in Porto will reveal an enchanting variety of architectural influences including Baroque, neoclassical and modernists styles. Looking out at the skyline imparts the impression of being enveloped in a 17th century fairytale. Nikon Z9; Nikkor 24-120 f/4S @120MM; f/8.0; 1/200 sec; ISO 64.
Gilbert Lake
Gilbert LakeJohn Muir Wilderness, Eastern Sierra, California. August 2019. The hike up from Onion Valley is steep. Your quads burn with each step. The air starts to thin out. It gets harder and harder to breath. Then the pass levels out. You can finally catch your breath and take a minute to observe your surroundings. That’s when you realize it’s not just the altitude that takes your breath away. Panasonic DC-GH5; Pana-Leica DG 8-18 f/2.8-4.0 @ 10 mm; f/8.0; 10 sec; ISO 200.
Comedare Interrupit
Comedare InterrupitWoodley Park, CA. February 2023. A Red-Tailed Hawk comes up for air during a well-earned meal. For my 1000th Instagram post I wanted to share something special. Something that represents my growth as a photographer. Something familiar. Something elevated. Bird on branch, perfected. Nikon Z9; NIKKOR Nikon 500mm PF 5.6 @ f/5.6; 1/250 sec; ISO 6400.
The Sun Voyager
The Sun VoyagerReykjavík, Iceland. March 2015. Fun with zoom rings. Panasonic GH-3; Lumix G Vario 12-35 f/2.8 @ 12 mm to 35 mm; f/8.0; 8 sec; ISO 200.
Maasai Warrior
Maasai WarriorMaasai Village near Olduvai Gorge, Ngorongoro Conservation Area. September 2022. We stopped at a roadside village on our way to our lodge in Karatu. As part of our tour, we were invited into a traditional Maasai residence and given a short talk on local culture and customs. Our host was kind enough to pose for this portrait after our chat. Nikon Z9; NIKKOR Z 24-120mm f/4 S @ 24 mm; f/4.0 1/20 sec; ISO 8000.
Olives
OlivesIstanbul, Turkey. September, 2022. The one thing souk life doesn’t lack is variety. Nikon Z9; NIKKOR Z 24-120mm f/4 S @ 24mm; f/8.0; 1/250 sec; ISO 2000.
Sunrise Silhouette
Sunrise SilhouetteOlare Motorogi Conservancy, Masai Mara, Kenya. September, 2022. A giraffe out grazing at sunrise. Nikon Z9; NIKKOR Nikon 500mm PF 5.6 @ f/5.6; 1/500 sec; ISO 100.
Iguazu Falls
Iguazu FallsIguazu River Brazil. December 2013. Standing this close to the falls was a visceral experience. The mist on your face, the rumbling cacophony of the flow, the weight of river deep in your core. As immersive as it gets without going over the falls in a barrel. Panasonic GH-3; LEICA DG SUMMILUX 25/F1.4 @ f/5.0; 1/1600 sec; ISO 200.
Swirling Seas
Swirling SeasEl Matador State Beach, Malibu, California. April 2016. A pretty Sunset at El Matador. Panasonic GH-3; Lumix G Vario 12-35 f/2.8 @ 14 mm; f/22; 1 sec; ISO 125.
National Museum of Qatar
National Museum of QatarDoha, Qatar. September 2019. The National Museum provides a general overview of the history of Qatar from prehistory through its development as a modern petrostate. The building is the real standout. The “desert rose” is an architectural marvel. World class. This shot represents a significant benefit of the MFT system. The image stabilization allowed me to keep my ISO down, really drag my shutter speed and get a relatively clean shot handheld. Panasonic DC-GH5; LEICA DG 8-18/F2.8-4.0 @ 8.0 mm; f/2.8; 0.4 sec; ISO 800
The Ubiquitous Plate of Pork
The Ubiquitous Plate of PorkSan Sebastian, Spain. June 2023. Spain is famous for Jamon. It’s a popular Tapa or Pinche (depending on where you’re from) and is served everywhere. This counter was in a popular Pinche establishment in the Basque town of San Sebastian. The tradition is to drop in have a quick bite along with an adult beverage and head off to the next place. A little food, a little drink, a lot of fun. Nikon Z9; Nikkor Z Mount 24-120 f/4S @120 MM; f/4.0; 1/160 sec; ISO 800.
A Garita at Castillo San Felipe del Morro
A Garita at Castillo San Felipe del MorroSan Juan, Puerto Rico. December 2017. Who knew that the US National Park Service manages the most infamous New World Spanish Colonial Fortress? Mind blown. Panasonic DC-GH5; Lumix G Vario 12-35 f/2.8 @ 12 mm; f/8.0; 1/320 sec; ISO 200.
Walking on Water
Walking on WaterAmboseli National Park, Kenya. September, 2022. A Lesser Flamingo dances delicately across the service of the lake. Nikon Z9; NIKKOR Nikon 500mm PF 5.6 @ f/5.6; 1/1000 sec; ISO 3600.
Al Sukyum Lounge
Al Sukyum LoungeCorniche, Doha, Qatar. September 2019. The Corniche is a popular gathering spot for expats. It’s a place where you can take a walk, do some people watching, have a makeshift picnic or charter a ride on the ubiquitous dhow. Panasonic DC-GH5; LEICA DG 8-18/F2.8-4.0 @10 mm; f/5.6 .05 sec ISO 800.
Interchanges
InterchangesLos Angeles, California. July 2017. The only way to enjoy traffic in downtown LA. Panasonic GH-3; Lumix G Vario 12-35 f/2.8 @ 14 mm; f/20; 25 sec; ISO 400.
Unscheduled Stop
Unscheduled Stop Between June Lake and Mono Lake. Take the little turnouts on the highway. They almost always have striking views and if you’re lucky you get the place to yourself. I spent thirty minutes running around snapping compositions till I got what I wanted. GH-5; Leica DG 8-18 F/2.8-4.0 @ 8 mm; F/8.0; 0.6 sec; ISO 200.
Hollywood Center Motel
Hollywood Center MotelHollywood, California. February 2015. A waystation for the dreams of some, nightmares of others. Nikkor 50MM 1.2 AIS. Film.
Impressionist Brushstrokes
Impressionist BrushstrokesGrand Canyon, Arizona. November 2017. When the light is just right, a photo can turn into something a little more. Panasonic DC-GH5; Lumix G Vario 12-35 f/2.8 @ 20 mm; f/8.0; 1/4 sec; ISO 200.
A Sign of Another Time
A Sign of Another TimeLos Angeles, California. May 2019. A marker from an epoch when we had quarters in our pockets instead of super computers. Nikkor 50MM 1.2 AIS. Film.
Sunset on the Delta
Sunset on the Delta Chobe National Park, Belmond Savute Elephant Lodge. September 2019. The foundation of my experience as a photographer is shooting landscapes. I developed my eye making pretty pictures of mountains, beaches, cityscapes and sunsets. My typical process is to get out the sticks, spend some time working through several compositions and wait for the light. That wasn’t going to happen on Safari because we were flying thorough the bush in the back of a Land Cruiser and you know, lions. As the sun went down the sky began to pop. It was going to be a good one. I was watching the landscape and saw the sun glowing behind a tree. Classic composition. I brought my camera up to my eye and tried to snap it. The results were disappointing. We were moving too fast to make a good image. I started to squirm. This was a killer shot and I was going to miss it. I kept an eye out for a similar frame when I spotted another tree with the sun perfectly framed. “Stop!” I yelled out to our guide. He brought the car to a halt. “Back up ten feet!” I urged. Our guide didn’t hesitate to comply. “two more feet!” We rolled to a stop. Our Land Cruiser was packed. There were seven of us in the vehicle. Everyone started to murmur, oohing and awing between snapping pictures of the perfect African sunset. I fired off several frames, looked and the back of my LCD screen and smiled. Got it. I leaned over to my partner Kate “Hey Babe, that’s the best picture I’ve ever taken.” Panasonic DC-GH5 LEICA DG 100-400/F4.0-6.3 @ 100 mm; f/5.6; 1/800 sec; ISO 400.
Blue Skies, Rusty Signs
Blue Skies, Rusty SignsLos Angeles, California. June 2014. A beacon? A warning? Only the weary traveler can decide.
Shaded by Giants
Shaded by GiantsAugust 23, 2018. Avenue of the Giants, California. State Route 254 or The Avenue of the Giants is a highway running through Humboldt Redwoods State Park in Northern California. SR 254 runs parallel to the 101 making it an easy alternative to the main highway. It was quiet. There were only a few other motorists taking advantage of the pristine blacktop during my visit. I was able to take my time, enjoy my sojourn among the trees. I loved being here. It felt like home. These woods emanate a sense of tranquility and peace. The world was felt a long way off even though the main highway was a short 15 minutes away from where I was standing. There really is freedom on the open road. GH-5; Leica DG 8-18 F/2.8-4.0 @ 8 mm F/5.6; 1/250 sec; ISO 800.
Portrait of a Baboon
Portrait of a BaboonCape Point, South Africa. September 2019. Opportunist baboons hang out and steal chicken sandwiches from absent minded children. This female was bored as we didn’t have any children with chicken sandwiches in our group. She yawned. We got a good look at her grill. Panasonic DC-GH5 LUMIX G VARIO 35-100/F2.8II @ 100 mm; f/2.8; 1/800 sec ISO 200.
Coffee Cezve
Coffee CezveIstanbul, Turkey. September, 2022. Turkish coffee is rocket fuel. The process of preparing, serving and consuming the beverage has been elevated to an artform in Istanbul. From the internet: Turkish coffee first appeared in the Ottoman Empire in the 16th century after Özdemir Pasha, the Ottoman Governor of Yemen, brought it to Istanbul. Under the strictest interpretations of the Quran, the strong coffee was considered a drug and its consumption was forbidden. Due to the immense popularity of the beverage, the sultan eventually lifted this prohibition. I’m glad he did. This coffee was a treat. Nikon Z9; NIKKOR Z 24-120mm f/4 S @ 120mm; f/4.0; 1/160 sec; ISO 220.
Looking Good America. Looking Good.
Looking Good America. Looking Good. Lone Pine, CA. March 2021. Nikon D4s; Nikon 200-500 f/5.6; @ 280 mm f/8.0 1/2000 sec; ISO 800.
Lucero
LuceroLa Providencia Baja Mexico. June 2021. Rural Baja. Nikon D4s; Nikkor 70.0-200.0 mm E FL ED f/2.8 @ 70 mm; f/8.0; 1/640 sec; ISO 250.
Zion Canyon Sentinels
Zion Canyon SentinelsZion Canyon National Park, Utah. August 2020. It was warm and muggy when we arrived at Zion Canyon Lodge. We woke up before first light to explore before it got too hot. I was expecting to view some wildlife, so I had my long lens attached. We saw a few deer but the real stars of the show at Zion are the massive, jagged, crags, looming over the winding Virgin River Gorge. Nikon D4s; Nikkor 200-500 f/5.6 @ 200 mm; f/ 8.0; 1/640 sec. ISO 800.
Handsome Devil
Handsome DevilWoodley Park, Los Angeles, CA. June 2021. This Redtail Hawk is a fierce predator. I believe he is the same raptor who starred in my squirrel series a few years back. Before snapping this shot, I observed him swoop on a hapless, off leash, 10 lbs. Shih Tzu, while the dog’s owner obliviously chattered on a phone call. Fortunately, the dog was a little too big a prize and the bird backed off. It’s amazing how much wildlife persists in a place like Los Angeles. Keep your eyes open, you never know what you might spot out there. Nikon D4s; Nikon 200-500 f/5.6; 1.4 TC; @ 700 mm f/8.0 1/1000 sec; ISO 3200.
Window Into the Past
Window Into the PastPorto Portugal. May 2023. Travelling and photography can be nerve racking. For me it can feel a bit like walking into a fight. I’ve prepared, invested, practiced. I’ve done my research. I’ve put in my time. Yet there is always this fear that you’ll look around and miss…IT. In a world with so many things to shoot what is the best shot? What reflects my story? What reflects my style? Will it be up to my standards? How will I manage jet lag and the inevitable disorientation of being in a foreign country for the first time? The best thing to do is work through it. Concentrate and see the world around you when all you want to do is lie down. After dropping off our bags Kate and I went to a local market to find lunch. While we were exploring the stalls, trying to interpret the menus of the assorted cafes, I spotted this window onto the street. Old meets new. Good light. Interesting texture. Compose and click. When I checked the back of the screen a slight exhale. I may not take a great photo but at least I’ve got one good one. Nikon Z9; Nikkor 14-30 F/4S @ 30mm; f/5.6; 1/160sec; ISO 80.
Courthouse Towers
Courthouse TowersArches National Park, Utah. August 2020. We got into Arches National Park around 4PM. It’s a big diffuse area with massive vistas and endless views. The arches make for spectacular viewing, but I was having issues photographing them effectively. Without context they lack scale, diminishing their grandeur. It was hot, we spent all day driving through the desert, and I was a little cranky. We started at the end of the park and worked our way back. Kate emphasized that she really wanted to stop at this vista point before dark. As we pulled into the turnout the light started to change, the red popped, and the road provided context to what we were seeing. Sometimes you have to go looking for it, sometimes it just comes to you. Panasonic GH-5; Leica DG 8-18/ f2.8-4.0@ 8.0 mm; f/5.6; 1/40 sec; ISO 400.
Western Bluebird
Western BluebirdWoodley Park, Los Angeles, CA. July 2022. Nikon D4s; Nikon 500mm PF 5.6; Nikon @ f/5.6; 1/1250 sec; ISO 6400
Big Country.
Big Country.San Felipe, Baja California, Mexico. October 2022. Caravanning under big Mexican skies. Nikon Z9; NIKKOR Z 24-120mm f/4 S @ 24mm; f/8.0; 1/1000 sec; ISO 125.
Very Happy Accident
Very Happy AccidentFranklin Canyon, Los Angeles, CA. December 2022. I went out to hike the Hastain Train in Franklin Canyon this past week to get in some cardio. I’ve seen some interesting wildlife in the park so I packed my GH5 and 100-400 lens as a hiking camera. Just in case. Nothing serious. I’m there for the beats per minute, not to build the portfolio. As I puttered down the main road in the Taco, I noticed a group of casual hikers staring up at a tree, phones drawn, arms extended toward the branches. There was something social media worthy perched up in the the denuded limbs of one of the elm trees lining the floor of the canyon. I slowed down to have a look and spotted a relaxed juvenile Red-Tailed hawk enjoying the rays of the sun. I wanted to jump out of the truck and start snapping away but I would be annoyed if I came down the road and couldn’t pass so I pulled forward a few hundred yards, parked out of the way, and walked back up the trail, confident the bird would hang out for a minute. I have thousands of bird on branch shots and while the light was behind me, I was getting some heavy overhead shadows due to the time of day. I was going to make a nice picture, not a great picture. After a few minutes of sunning the hawk relocated to fence post overlooking a pond about 20 feet away. I rarely get to shoot birds at eye level. I had to be deliberate, work the situation, pick my spot. It felt as this bird was posing. Beak up, beak down, gazing toward the camera then away. It was up to me get his best side. The hawk lost interest in the pond and took off, landed in another tree. I followed and proceeded to take a few more bird on branch shots before he flew off. When I got home, I went about finishing my day. Emails, phone calls, dinner. When I went to check the card, it was almost an afterthought. Then I started to work this image and was blown away. In a year of some fantastic images this one could be counted as one of my best. A very happy accident. DC-GH5; LEICA DG 100-400/F4.0-6.3 @ 400 mm; f/6.3; 1/500 sec; ISO 800.
Steel and Asphalt
Steel and AsphaltPorto, Portugal. May 2023. Traffic on the Don Luis Bridge is limited to buses, cabs and pedestrians. That doesn’t mean it’s safe to stand in the middle of the street but sometimes you have to shoot your shot, so to speak. Nikon Z9; Nikkor 14-30 F/4S @ 14mm; f/11; 1/160sec; ISO 450.
Stalking
StalkingOlare Motorogi Conservancy, Masai Mara, Kenya. September, 2022. My first trip to Africa was all about Leopards. This trip we were hoping to view Cheetah. On our last morning in Kenya, Kate decided she would stay in. On my way out the door she said I’m sure you’re going to have an amazing Cheetah sighting. She spoke it into existence. This was one of the most technically challenging wildlife images I’ve captured. We got the got the call this Cheetah was on the move. We sped over, bouncing along the savannah to catch her and her cub before they moved on. The guides are trained to go where the animal is while a great photograph is about setting up where the subject will be. When I saw her walking in our direction, I had the driver stop short hoping that she would continue toward our vehicle. My intuition paid off. Effective camouflage, variable light, and the subject walking toward me through high grass pushed the Z9 to its limits. It missed more than it hit but when it hit it hit. And I felt really bad showing these pictures to Kate when we got back from the game drive. Nikon Z9; NIKKOR Nikon 500mm PF 5.6 @ f/5.6; 1/1000 sec; ISO 900.
Birra!
Birra!San Vincente, Baja, Mexico. June 2021. Best tacos on the trip. Panasonic GH-5; Leica DG 8-18/ f2.8-4.0 @ 8.0 mm; f/2.8; 1/125 sec; ISO 500.
Road to Nowhere
Road to NowhereDeath Valley, California. January 2015. The best adventures always start with a great road. Panasonic GH-3; Lumix G Vario 12-35 f/2.8 @ 16 mm; f/8.0; 1/25 sec; ISO 200.
Let your Fingers do the Walking
Let your Fingers do the WalkingLos Angeles, California. February 2019. Remember when you had to look up a phone number? We’d just scan the pages for novelty names. Dick Bigg anyone? Nikkor 50MM 1.2 AIS. Film.
High Above the Douro Valley
High Above the Douro ValleyDouro Valley, Portugal. May 2023. There is a weight to this place. A tangible sense of history reflected by the river, the terraced landscape and the tiny towns lining the steep hillsides. An eternity measured in the tilling of ancient soil, the churning seasons, and the hope of another successful harvest. When they say old world, they are talking about places like this. Nikon Z9; Nikkor 24-120 f/4S @45MM; f/8; 1/200 sec; ISO 110.
info
prev / next