Mono Portfolio #1 Announced

It has been nearly 25 years since I first photographed at Mono Lake, and my love for the lake has grown with each and every visit.

Today I announce the first of what I hope to be series of portfolios, that is, sets of photographic prints, of the lake and (in later portfolios) also the surrounding Basin.

This first portfolio, containing 8 prints, is organized around the style of nature photography that first drew me to the lake—liminal parts of the day, strong colors, broad views, and a palpable sense of the surreal. While my own work has grown in a variety of defections, that style, will always be a part of my seeing.

I believe you will enjoy it. You can purchase it immediately here, expect shipping within 3-4 weeks (hopefully sooner). (Please note that the print enclosure will likely be brown, not grey as shown.).

The sets are themselves a limited edition, no more than 10 sets will be produced.

. . .

It is impossible to appreciate the lake without appreciating the tireless and vital work that the Mono Lake Committee has done and continues to do to preserve the lake—preserve it for photographers, for the environment, for the community around the lake. With gratitude, I will donate $10 for each portfolio sold to the Committee to thank them for their continuing efforts.

Hall of Bergs, 2016

Hall of Bergs, 2016
It was very kind of the gargantuan tabular icebergs to line up for me.

Dawn on Tabular Icebergs, 2016

Light channeled by layers of clouds is often amazing. The warm light here is actual color, not a sepia tone.

KALEID show: Reception Friday, Feb 3, starting at 7pm

Wonderful news: Friday after next (February 3) I will be exhibiting new work from my three ventures to Antarctica and surrounding islands. Massive icebergs, powerful glaciers, magical light, and incredibly adorable penguins will compete in an all-out battle for your love. This will be the first time nearly any of this work has been shown, on-line or off, and I've got some gorgeous, very large prints for you to enjoy. Please join me.

This will be part of a two-person show that will also feature the paintings of Mariana Barnes, her colorful, incredible abstract paintings will be the perfect complement to my own new work.

The fun kicks off at 7pm, Friday February 3, at KALEID gallery, 88 S 4th St, San José. Don't miss it!

Iceberg Curves, Weddell Sea

Part of a modestly large iceberg near Antarctica. For scale: the small black dots on the iceberg are Adélie penguins.

Mono Lake in Winter Workshop - Jan 13-15

California's spectacular Mono Lake gets quieter each winter, as mountain passes close and the air gets cold, and this creates incredible opportunities for nature photographers. 

This photography seminar will be based in Lee Vining and will explore locations along the lake to photograph the serenity and beauty that is the Mono Basin in winter. Specific locations will depend greatly on conditions, which vary widely from year to year, but will focus on the incredible landscape opportunities around Mono Lake, the gem of the Eastern Sierra. For 2017, we've scheduled the workshop to coincide with the full moon. 

Elin puts it best: Experienced workshop instructor Joe Decker will be teaching the seminar, which will feature a special gourmet dinner from chef Linda Dore at her new restaurant, Epic Cafe. The combination of stunning winter scenery, expert instruction, and tasty food is not one to be missed. 

As always, I recommend becoming a member of the MLC the Committee has and continues to do amazing work restoring and protecting the Mono Basin. Register by calling (760) 647-6595 or at the MLC seminar registration page.

Clearing Light, South Shetlands

The South Shetland Islands, really part of Antarctica, parallel the west coast of the Antarctic Peninsula as it stretches unsuccessfully toward to the southern tip of South America.

Sometimes the light is good there, as in this image from the South Shetlands near (but not at) Half Moon Island.

(You shouldn't care that I also ran out onto the deck for this light in shirtsleeves going "Oh my goodness!", but I did, so there it is.)

Winter Workshops at Mono Lake

Mono Lake Winter Workshops through the Mono Lake Committee
January workshop: Fri, Jan 13, 2017 - Sun, Jan 15, 2017,
February workshop: Fri, Feb 10, 2017 - Sun, Feb 12, 2017

After unprecedented demand for my Mono Lake Winter Workshop last year, the Mono Lake Committee asked me if I'd be willing to give two such workshops this coming year, and I excitedly agreed. Both are open for registration (and has been, spaces are filling quickly.)

Dates were chosen to correspond with the full moon in January and February, for both workshops we plan a session shooting by the light of the full m

Workshop Description

California's spectacular Mono Lake gets quieter each winter, as mountain passes close and the air gets cold, and this creates incredible opportunities for nature photographers. 

This photography seminar will be based in Lee Vining and will explore locations along the lake to photograph the serenity and beauty that is the Mono Basin in winter. Specific locations will depend greatly on conditions, which vary widely from year to year, but will focus on the incredible landscape opportunities around Mono Lake, the gem of the Eastern Sierra. For 2017, we've scheduled the workshop to coincide with the full moon. 

As always, I recommend becoming a member of the MLC. The Committee has and continues to do amazing work restoring and protecting the Mono Basin. Register by calling (760) 647-6595 or at the MLC seminar registration page. Last year we not only filled the workshop but had over a dozen folks on a waiting list in case there were new openings, so register today.

2016 Holiday Cards Now Available!

I'm back from Antarctica, and so are this year's holiday cards!

Once a year I produce a one-time print run of holiday cards with a winter-themed image, and ... it's that time again. Off the coast of the Antarctic Peninsula, a niche formed near the waterline of a large iceberg formed beautiful curved ice formations, frosted with icicles formed as the iceberg slowly melts.

The interior of the cards are blank, and envelopes are included. Sale prices last until December 1, reflecting that these are pre-orders. 

It's easier than ever to order on-line this year, start here!  I also have some back inventory of older cards you can check out.  Order today!

2016 Holiday Cards!

Once a year I produce a one-time print run of holiday cards with a winter-themed image, and ... it's that time again. (Please note: I will be heading to Antarctica soon, so any cards of this design you purchase may not be available until the first week of December. Sorry about that!)

Off the coast of the Antarctic Peninsula, a niche formed near the waterline of a large iceberg formed beautiful curved ice formations, frosted with icicles formed as the iceberg slowly melts.

The interior of the cards are blank, and envelopes are included. Sale prices last until December 1, reflecting that these are pre-orders. 

It's easier than ever to order on-line this year, start here!  I also have some back inventory of older cards you can check out here that can ship immediately.
 

Ice Caves, Ilulissat

One of the most thrilling locations in Western Greenland is the Ilulissat Icefjord, a 30-mile channel choked with ice, ending with a wall of bergs stranded as they melt on the fjord's terminal moraine. Here a relatively large section of ice has left beautiful, dangerous ice caves facing the ocean.

I'll be heading back to ice, this time again in the Southern hemisphere, late this year.

Recent fire at Mono Lake in the Old Marina area

Many of you have now heard that there has been a 600-900 acre (reports vary) fire in the Old Marina area near Lee Vining. At last report there've been no injuries, deaths or structures lost, so that's good, once I knew that, my thoughts turned to many of many of the scenic resources in the area. I haven't had a chance to go check myself, but my network of Mono Lake-loving friends and colleagues have given me some data, a few stands of aspen along the west side of 395 have been lost, however, the signature trees near the parking lot of Old Marina (in particular, the one shown in this several-year-old image above) are well.

The fire is now about 75% contained, and conditions look promising for it not getting worse. I'm keeping my fingers crossed, and look forward to seeing the area in person in October for my Eastern Sierra Fall Workshop, which of course you should sign up for today. :)
 

Steamy Stream, Krafla (2010)

Looking down toward the Hverir geothermal area from Krafla, in the north of Iceland. Mists from the nearly boiling river combine with beautiful sunrise colors and long winter shadows.

Ice Symmetries, Uummannaq

I never tire of fanciful iceberg shapes. This shot from the archives was taken in the waters near Uummannaq, Greenland.

Tree Line Silhouettes, Olympic National Park

Looking through some images from the fantastic beaches of Olympic National Park, I rediscovered this quiet monochrome image, and, through a slightly adjusted cropping, realized why the original crop hadn't quite worked as well for me. I really enjoy the rhythmic way my eye flows through the image.

Ice Cove, East Greenland

An overlooked image from my 2006 visit to East Greenland. There's a reason I don't throw out old images. Disk space is cheaper than polar travel!

Petrified Wood Abstract

A macro image of petrified wood taken from my residency at Petrified Forest National Park a few years back. I got quite a variety of abstract work from that residency, much of which was taken from details of a single polished slice through an incredible petrified log, on a day I'd found the weather to be not really inspiring me to work outside. Serendipity is often an important ally in creating images.

Rainbow, Petrified Forest

Back during my residency at Petrified Forest National Park, we were coming down a steep valley in one of the park's numerous badlands and looked behind me to see this perfectly placed bit of rainbow. I raced impatiently to set up and capture the shot, knowing that the bit of virga creating the effect was unlikely to last (which it didn't.)

Towers, South Shetland Islands

King George Island was one of the first sightings of land on my last Antarctic expedition, and these dramatic, moody towers foreshadowed what was to be a terrific photographic adventure.