On The Road (Utah)

 
When I get to do my road trips around the country there tends to be a lot of driving.  Much of that through very pretty places.  When I’m driving my general thought process is ‘get there as fast as possible’.  However when in these circumstances the opposite is generally true.  Well…at least it’s fast driving and then a fair amount of stopping and sometimes turning around 😛  But the idea is there.  Sometimes I even have to remind myself that the reason I’m even in the car in the first place is to shoot…which includes more than just my destination.   Then I get that sense of relaxation…that my time is my own…just me and the road and the camera (which often sits on the passenger seat next to me).  It’s these moments that I often cherish while exploring.  And sometimes, the road becomes the subject itself 🙂
 
Remote Southern Utah.
 
Aloha!
aF
 

Remote Southern Utah
Remote Southern Utah

Devilish – Southern Utah

 
Another image from my southern Utah adventures in late March of 2013.  After sleeping in my car (like usual) the night before, my alarm went off around 4am to be able to capture the stars I had previously scouted at a different spot in this section.  As the sun rose and the landscape changed I began to wander around to see what I could find.  These amazing formations were all over and the trick was to find something to show off how weird of a place it was.  Luckily the previously clear sky (good for stars) was giving way to some unique clouds and I returned to a spot I had found the evening before.  Given the texture of the rock and the cool clouds in the sky this one had some possibility.  I spent another 30-45 minutes enjoying the solitude as I played like a kid in a playground.  Then off for what was to be an epic day in slot canyons and over 6 miles of hiking.  Nonstop!
 
Much thanks!
aF
 
Dramatic black in white in remote southern Utah.

Point Of No Return

“Point Of No Return”
Lighthouse just off the coast of Lihue, Kauai.  Long exposure under some amazing sunrise light. Having scouted this area prior I knew it had potential.  Guess early morning airport runs are a good thing from time to time to get one motivated to shoot early 🙂
 
Thanks!
aF
 

Nawiliwili Lightouse in black and white with long exposure
“Point Of No Return”

Etched

Badwater, Death Valley
Badwater, Death Valley

Day 3 of my Death Valley excursion.  Badwater.  Aptly named as this is the lowest point in North America, at the hottest spot on earth, and there’s actually a small pool of water at this point!  Of course the amount of salt in the water makes it completely undrinkable…hence the name.  An ancient lake bed, this amazing place collects all the minerals and salt from the surrounding land that drain in to the basin during floods. These minerals then form amazing shapes and polygons out on this seemingly endless stretch of salt.  As luck would have it this was my one good sunset with clouds…and it was super promising.  As I scouted the area I eventually set off on a trek out to find the best examples of this phenomenon that I could.  While doing so I came across this particular formation that really caught me.  With the late afternoon light it seems as if it were a tree of salt.  I snapped this photo and then moved on as I was constantly looking for unique shapes.  Of course little did I realize that I would try, without success, to find this spot again once sunset took hold.  Glad I stopped when I did 🙂
 
Thanks!
aF
 
 
Polygons in salt at Badwater, Death Valley
“Etched”