Johnston Canyon

Well it is starting to get pretty cold over here at the moment and will continue to get colder and colder. I have started working on the nearby Ski Hill which should be a lot of fun. The hill officially opens this coming Wednesday so I can’t wait to get into it. Unfortunately winter means short short days and I am already having to go to work in the dark and come home in the dark. Bummer.  It will be interesting  trying to get out shooting on my days off when it is -20C and below, geee….Can’t wait!

This is a shot from early October in Johnston Canyon, Banff National Park. 

Sausalito

Here is another shot from the morning shoot of Sausalito, San Francisco.  

I hope you like it.

Motionless Mornings

This is a 4 image stitch that was taken at the beginning of October in the Kananaskis Region here in Alberta, Canada. 

I was eager to get out shooting on this particular morning as the seasons first snow had fallen the previous afternoon. I headed out well before sunrise hoping that the grey skies would begin to clear. It was a very still morning so I had to wait around for a while until the clouds began to pass over. I had absolutely no problems sitting, waiting, watching, and listening while the skies slowly cleared.

Sausalito – San Francisco

This image was taken from Sausalito looking out toward Angel Island in the San Francisco Bay area.  Myself and Neal headed to the location about 30 minutes before first light which proved to be a good move as this is when I found the light to be at its best for this particular morning.  It was still dark so the city lights reflected nicely off the low lying cloud and light fog that was about.  We were also hoping for a spectacular sunrise but unfortunately the cloud was too heavy on the horizon.

Luck comes into play in a big way when you only have that one or two days to shoot a particular location. You can do as much research as you like, and have allllll the gear at hand, but having the weather do exactly what you want, when you want just isn’t going to happen.  I bet if Jesus was here today and into this whole photography thing he would capture some incredible images.

6 image stitch

Back in Canada

Well I am now back from my little road trip throughout Northern California with Neal of Spool Photography.  It was a great trip and we got to shoot many stunning locations. The main locations for our shoots were the Golden Gate Bridge in San Francisco, Lee Vining, the ghost town of Bodie, Mono Lake, and Yosemite National Park.

I am now off to Montreal for a week, mainly just to relax and have a look around. I am also hoping to catch some of the Autumn colour while I am there, so I may just have to get the camera out from time to time.

I have not yet had the opportunity to go over any of my images from the US trip, but will do when I get back from Montreal.

Below is an image I shot a little while ago here in Alberta, it is one of my favourite locations to visit early morning. This was taken when we were getting the first few mornings of frost in the valleys. I really want to shoot the same scene when it is snow covered and under some beautiful morning light. A few clouds here and there would be really nice too

For the time being this image will just have to do.

Fall

 

Aspen in Fall Colour. I had to lay on my back for this one. I didn’t want to get back up though. I received a lot of strange looks by those passing by.

Shutter Speed: 1/30 sec

F-stop: f/16

ISO: 200

Focal Length: 17mm zoomed in to 35mm during exposure

Filters Used: Circular Polarizer 

Mount Kidd – Kananaskis Country

I awoke early yesterday morning and headed out into Kananaskis Country, my favourite area within this region. I decided to head straight for Highwood Pass, the highest point accessible by paved road in Canada. The weather reports stated a possibility of snow within the area so I figured if it was going to be snowing anywhere, Highwood Pass would be my best bet. It was still dark by the time I got to the top of the pass, and stayed dark for a while as it was heavily overcast and snowing.

Just as there was enough light to see I started to hike up to Elbow Lake. Hiking up there alone, when it is still dark, in bear country, with fresh monstrous steaming smelly turds all over the trail is rather scary. I am still getting used to it. 

By the time I reached the lake a lot of the snow on the ground had already melted so I quickly set up and fired of a few shots. Then…… I almost shat my pants….. ALMOST! I was crouched down peeping through my viewfinder when I heard a branch crack and a groan directly behind me. My heart jumped out of my chest. I ssslllooowwwlllyyy turned around but thankfully it was just a Bull Moose. A big bastard of a Bull Moose, but not a Grizzly.  

Moose are amazing creatures. The past 7 mornings I have been out in Kananaskis Country I have seen Moose. It seems like they are everywhere.  Being out there alone, first thing in the morning in one of the most beautiful places in the world is amazing. It is when I feel most at peace. 

Now for an image…..

This was shot the same day, later in the afternoon. The Aspens and Larches have turned, making for some beautiful scenes.

Elbow Lake – Kananaskis Country

I went for a drive throughout Kananaskis Country early on Sunday morning hoping to scout out a few locations to shoot under morning light. Along the way I managed to see 15 Moose, 12 of which I saw before the sun had even risen. What a magically way to start the day.

After driving for an hour or so I decided to stop and do the short hike up to Elbow Lake. I had heard of a few Grizzlies hanging about so I kept a keen eye on things. Upon arriving at the Lake I was greeted with this beautiful scene. Although I did have to wait for about 15 minutes or so for the sun to rise from behind the mountains.

Elbow Lake (Elevation: 6,995ft)
Kananaskis Country
Alberta, Canada

Day Ends Night Begins

Here is another shot from my little road trip to Olympic National Park in Washington. This was shot on my first evening in the National Park. What an incredible area. I had this shot set up, waiting for the sun to shine through the small arch created in the rock wall. I could see that the was a bank of cloud/fog on the horizon but hoped that the sun may have burnt through and remained visible through the arch. Unfortunately it was too thick so I had to settle with this. Still happy

Mount Rundle

The wildflowers are now out in full force. Hopefully I can get some decent captures before they all disappear.

Banff National Park

Alberta, Canada