Picture vs. 1,000 words

I don't think anything I say will add to this post. The photos say enough.

This was taken by a friend of my coworker. There were 4 other photographers there and a video crew from Teton Gravity Research so keep your eyes peeled. I am sure different versions will pop up in various magazines eventually.

Oh, and I neglected to say, the guy landed on his head yet walked away with only a cut lip.

245 feet.

4WD where are you?

It doesn't look like much, does it. But that didn't keep me from spending 40 minutes getting unstuck. Sure my truck has 4wd or at least it is suppose to. I guess that is the risk of driving a 10 year old truck. Might want to get that looked into soon before I need it again. A shovel didn't do much help (luckily I had one). In the end a window scraper and some chipping away at the ice did the trick.

Lookin' out my back door

Well, I guess technically this is really looking out my front door since I enter my apartment from the back side of the house. My front door, my landlord's back door. You get the point.

Mixed Light and More Water

That last post was so fun and those puppies are so cute I don't want to post a new message. I guess I could be like Darren and just leave up a post for like forever. If you are wondering why I am being so silly and writing goofy, look at the time this was posted below.

Here are tonight's images. They are images I scanned last weekend. I am prepping them for a portfolio submission. I am really happy with the first image. The exposure was after a street light had turned on. The length of the exposure was about 3 minutes. The second image is a variation of images from before(4 posts ago).

Enjoy. Feedback appreciated.


Ashton Dam Spillway, Henry's Fork Snake River, Summer 2005


Diversion III, Henry's Fork Snake River, Downstream of St. Anthony, Summer 2005

Dog sled races

Last night I stayed at work late finishing up a project before the weekend. Lucky for me by staying late I stumbled across a fun Jackson event. The start of a dog sled race. They closed down the street on the south side of the square and covered part of it with snow. It was a staggered start so every 1-2 minutes a separate group of dogs left the square. It made for a fun night. The dogs were all very excited to start running.

Do you know how some parents take their children to events hoping to get the child excited about something? Sometimes it is a father taking a child to a baseball game or hockey or some other sporting event. And I guess other parents probably take their children to chess competitions or to the symphony or something. Well, it appears that all the dog owner/parents in Jackson decided to bring out their 'children' to see the dog sled races. There were some really cute puppies around as well as a bunch of other adult dogs.

Once again I was glad I had my new camera. It is so small I take it everywhere. I haven't photographed for 4-5 days with it but since it was small I had it with me. If it was any bigger I may have left it at home. Cool.

In addition to the still photographs I tried to do a little video. The resulting edit is low quality and small to save on download times. Click here if you wish to view the movie. It is 5 Mb in size.

Creativity

Here is a quote I found today. I will use this to lead me back into the creative side of my life.

"The secret to creativity is knowing how to hide your sources."
Albert Einstein

Tonight's images comes from another day of shooting while out with (are you surprised) Darren. Last spring Darren and I decided to hike up the "R" Mountain west of town. It was a very enjoyable day. I had not been up there for some time and discovered some new things about the butte. First, I forgot how high up above the valley floor you feel when you are on top. Second, I discovered these beautiful rock formations. Third, I realized just how much the area has really started to be developed.

Oh, here is one more quote to follow up with last night's blog post. No matter what most republicans claim . . .

"The important thing is not to stop questioning."
Albert Einstein

Enjoy the images.


Arch on "R" Mountain, Looking east-southeast, Summer 2005


"R" Mountain, Looking South, Summer 2005

Political Musings

If you are a republican and you read this entire post, I'll give you a dollar.

Or not. How about this, I'll buy you a Jr. Bacon Cheeseburger and we can discuss it further. That goes for both republicans and nonrepublicans.

I decided to be political today. For those who know me, no surprise. For the rest of you, hope it isn't too much of a shocker.

I don't know what put me in the mood to write this post. Maybe it was a news article I read today.

"President Bush, defending the government's secret surveillance program, said Wednesday that Americans should take Osama bin Laden seriously when he says he's going to attack again."

"Bush urged that people 'listen to the words of Osama bin Laden and take him seriously.'"
http://news.yahoo.com

Too bad Bush didn't take Bin Laden seriously pre Sept. 10th, 2001.

Aug. 6, 2001, President's Daily Briefing presented to President Bush, "Bin Laden Determined to Strike in U.S."

What was Bush busily doing in August of 2001? Clearing brush from his new ranch in Texas.

"Bush spent most of August 2001 on his ranch."

"CRAWFORD, Tex., April 10 -- President Bush was in an expansive mood on Aug. 7, 2001, when he ran into reporters while playing golf at the Ridgewood Country Club in Waco, Tex.

"The day before, the president had received an intelligence briefing -- the contents of which were declassified by the White House Saturday night -- warning "Bin Ladin Determined To Strike in US." But Bush seemed carefree as he spoke about the books he was reading, the work he was doing on his nearby ranch, his love of hot-weather jogging, his golf game and his 55th birthday."
http://www.washington.post.com

Of course without 9/11 we wouldn't have a reason to pay Haliburton billions of dollars.

Of course I guess I should be careful with the government's secret surveillance program and all.

Five years ago did any of you really think that we lived in a country that ships people to other countries so they could be tortured. And I always thought we were at least a little bit protected from the government snooping around. At least I thought they would need a warrant first. I watch enough Law & Order to know (that's a joke).

Well, thanks for reading (or tolerating). Feel free to speak your mind. I would love to hear if anybody disagrees with the points I have brought up in today's post. Convince me I'm wrong. I'm open to it. Just be sure to have a fact or two to back it up with.

Oh, here is a goodie to end on. You may need to read the article to accept my editing.

'When asked at a news conference (re: a website critical of him). . .Bush let loose. . .suggesting that "there ought to be limits to freedom"'
http://www.washingtonpost.com

Henry's Fork Snake River Diversion

Waders have more uses then just fishing. Darren and I strapped on the waders this day. It was a great day of photographing(do you have a date Darren?). Except I about got stuck in 2 feet of silt/mud and a foot of water, camera gear in hand. Sedimentation is one of the causes for low fish numbers in this section of the river. It is a result of runoff from farming in the area. I thought Darren had an image or two on his website from this day. I guess I was wrong. Anyways. Oh, by the way, who can find Darren in one of these two photographs? Also, lets have a little vote. Which do you like most? I or II?


Diversion I, Henry's Fork Snake River, downstream of St. Anthony, Summer 2005


Diversion II, Henry's Fork Snake River, downstream of St. Anthony, Summer 2005

Millhollow Canyon

Darren and I spent some time in the photolab last night. I need to get some scans done for an upcoming submission and Darren very considerately allowed me to use his scanner. So since I just did a bunch of scanning I figure I should post some of my new images.

By the way, I have never seen Darren giggle/chuckle/laugh as much as I did last night. He was watching "The Office" on his new ipod while I was busily scanning. He likes "The Office". He likes it a lot. And I will admit, he has kind of gotten me hooked on it also. I am also jealous of his new toy. Video ipods are sweet. I keep meaning to buy Apple stock. I should of 6 months ago when I was thinking about it. It has doubled since then.

Tonight's images come from a photoshoot this last summer. One night Darren had other obligations, I forget what, so I had nobody to hang out with. I thought to myself "Darren goes out and photographs by himself sometimes when I am busy, maybe I should too." So I did. I had been wanting to make these images for some time. It is an area near my childhood home that has undergone extensive development over the last 3 years. I wanted to photograph the canyon in its predevelopment state before it was developed. I grew up playing in this canyon. We would ride our bikes over in the summer. We would drag our sleds behind us in the winter. It has a killer sledding hill. There even is an old abandoned rope tow that somebody hooked up a long time ago for winter recreation.

As you can tell from the images, the canyon in its present state will be significantly altered once the roads continue. A little more time may pass before the 'progress' continues as the road ends on the property line of the current land owner/developer. The remaining canyon is owned by 3 different land owners.

By the way, I would love to see these canyons preserved as open space or a nature park. They are right on the edge of town. But unless I have a couple of million dollars to spare or somebody reading this blog wishes to donate said money . . . 'progress' will continue. What a loss.


Hidden Valley (West Millhollow Canyon), Summer 2005


Hidden Valley (East Millhollow Canyon), Summer 2005

Imaging a Shattering Earth

I haven't spoken much about my 'serious' photography on this blog. I don't really want this blog to be about self promotion. It is more of an online journal. However, if I don't mention it occasionally I am disregarding a significant part of who I am.

Friends and family should already know about a recent invitational show I was apart of. The title of the Show is "Imaging a Shattering Earth: Contemporary Photography and the Environmental Debate."

I am still very star-struck to be included in this show. If you would have told me 8 months ago that I would be in a show with Edward Burtynsky, Emmet Gowin, John Pfahl, etc . . . I would have told you that you were crazy. However, it happened. (Pinch me please).

I recently received photographs of the gallery that hosted the first show. The photographs were taken at the Meadow Brook Art Gallery, Oakland University, Rochester, Michigan. The show was up this past fall. It will also be on display this coming May during "CONTACT Toronto Photography Festival at the Museum of Contemporary Canadian Art." There is a catalog and a website of the show.

http://www2.oakland.edu/shatteringearth

In the below photographs, my images are the long and narrow photographs. On one side is Edward Burtynsky. On the other is Emmet Gowin. Needless to say it is a little intimidating being placed between such well known photographers.

Rusty

Isn't he cute? He loves to go out photographing. Most of the time we are out he follows Darren around. I haven't figured out why. Every time Darren comes over to the house or I grab my tripod Rusty gets all excited and sits anxiously at the door hoping he is going too.

Idle threat. Comic relief.

3 posts in one day. I think that is a first for me.

Here is another sign I came across that made me smile. This one is a little more intentional. The other was probably just some worker being funny. This one was definitely thought out ahead of time.

Sunday hike up Cache Creek

Growing up fairly close to Jackson I kind of take for granted all this town has to offer. Right on the edge of town is a very nice canyon with a trail running up it. We went on a nice hike this weekend. I was guessing the trail was popular enough that we wouldn't need snow shoes or skis. I was right.

Here are a few snaps of the scenery. The trailhead is probably less then 3 miles from my office. I look forward to hiking here in the summer.

A Few Reasons to Recycle

I stayed in Jackson this last weekend. It was a nice change of pace. I was able to get some things accomplished that I have been putting off. One of them was to drop off some recycling from work, for my mom (Rexburg, even though almost double the population, doesn't have recycling) and my own.

Jackson's recycling is pretty impressive.


Impressive statistics for such a small town.


I count three good reasons to recycle.

Family + 1

Ok, I appoligize for all my recent mushy posts. I promise, this is the last one. Then back to my boring landscape photographs.

As i mentioned a handful of posts ago, I have a new nephew! And since it would be totally improper for me not to have photos of my new nephew on my blog, here are three.





The newest addition to my extended family. His name is Kieran.

"Kieran is of Gaelic (Irish) origin. The name in both its English and Irish forms is popular today. Kieran means "little dark boy" or "beautiful dark boy."

Enjoy life! That's an order.

Well, a very interesting few days.

Lately I have realized I have a lot in life to be thankful for. I am also reminded just how important it is to make the most of each day.

Here is why.

As my post this last weekend mentioned, a young cousin recently died in an automobile accident, age 20. Since then I have also found out another friend's brother was given the prognosis of only having days, maybe weeks if lucky, to live due to recently diagnosed cancer. Another friend's sister just found out she has melanoma. A different friend's mother died recently after a long battle with cancer (I think). Also, a friend's 6-month-old spent 4 days in hospital, now recovering nicely, thank goodness. And finally there is my father, who is deteriorating slowly each day from dementia.

So... I am thankful to have my health. I am happy I have a job I enjoy. I appreciate all my friends and family and the time I spend with them. I look forward to the future and reflect fondly upon the past and its many adventures. I am glad to be alive.

I realize I am lucky for each day I live. I hope I can pass this feeling along to others as I know each one of us have similar events surrounding us. I appreciate that its not my brother, or sister or me who has had such events happen. Even in the case of my father, I am grateful he has lived as long as he has and with such great health up to this point.

I hope all this doesn't sound selfish as that is not my intent. I feel a great deal of sympathy for the people and their families I listed above. I hope that I may help them through hard times. Because I am sure that they will, if needed, be there to return the favor when my life takes a turn.

Thank you.

Often too rarely is the case that we say thank you for no reason at all. Sure there is Thanksgiving and other holiday that prompts one to reflect upon such topics. So... here is today, January 17th, a day with no special signifier, no designation that I am aware of, when I have decided to take a moment and say 'Thank you.' Thank you to any and all for being apart of my life.

To those that read this blog, I would like to give an open invitation to write a comment on what you may be thankful for. I think it's appropriate to comment anonymously as there may be personal things inappropriate for a broad audience such as this blog.

Today's photograph is a perfect example of one of my many adventures that makes life such a treat. The photograph is from January 7th, two Saturdays ago, while out photographing with my buddy Darren and my pup Rusty. It was a very enjoyable day. And an added bonus, I even came home with a few images I am happy with.

It is tempting some times to take a $7/hr job back home just to have more days like this. Tempting but not realistic.

I apologize for the long windedness tonight. Enjoy the image.


Monkey Falls, Fremont County, ID, January 7th, 2006

Winter Tree

I have driven by this tree numerous times and keep thinking I want to make a photograph. Last Saturday Darren and I were out photographing and so I stopped talking about it and finally made the image. It's not the exact image I visualized so I may revisit the tree. I would like a little more snow in the foreground. I also wouldn't mind trying the same photo in the early spring once there is a little green. That may be difficult to do since I'll have to walk through a farmer's field.


Near Newdale, ID January 7th, 2006

20 years

Lake Powell, Spring 1999

---

I was 18, she was 10. The first time we met was during a family vacation on a houseboat on Lake Powell. It wasn't my family. I was only there for the water skiing. I was invited to spend a few days with the extended family of a girl I was dating at the time. Being thrown in with a group of people I didn't really know was a little overwhelming. I come from a small family. This was over 30 members of a family spending a week on a single houseboat.

She was this cute kid that was feeling down and out. I was in the middle of strangers. As if to rub it in, her younger sister had a friend with her on the trip and wasn't being very nice to her. It was also near the time her parents divorced. We bonded, she needed a friend. So did I.

I think back to some of the time we spent together. She had braids in her hair. So did her sister. She was ready to take hers out. Any change from her sister was welcome. They were the kind of braids that were really small and covered her whole head. They were braided tight and were held together with a bunch of small rubber bands. I helped her cut out the rubber bands, 50 or more. I think it liberated her from her mean little sister.

A few years later, back to Lake Powell and that same houseboat. This time with family. It was the same group of people but now with the connection that comes from marriage. Late one night a group of us decided to walk up on the beach and watch the stars. My wife's head resting on one shoulder and hers on the other. We talked about life and all the other things that a sky filled with a milky way glow brings out among a group of friends.

The next time I saw her was a few years later at a cousins' wedding. She had grown up some. Now almost 15. She wasn't a little girl any more. I still pictured her as the cute little 10 year old I first met. She still treated me like her big brother. A very nice feeling for somebody who was the youngest in his family.

The last time I saw her was at her great grandma's funeral last summer, my wife's grandmother. She brought a date to the grave-side services. Still trying to fill the role of big brother I told her she should worry less about boys and focus on going to college and getting a degree. I hate to see young 18-19 year old girls get married and then drop out to support their also very young husband get his degree. He seemed like a really nice guy and the rest of the family were very excited for her. Her and the boy she brought to meet the family were married 4 weeks ago.

I found out 20 minutes ago she died last night. Her and her husband of 4 weeks were in a car wreck. She was driving and fell asleep at the wheel. They were on their way to their wedding open house back home. He is in critical condition and it doesn't sound like he has a very good chance of making it.

My thoughts and prayers are with they family.

Here is to the memory of that little girl I met 10 years ago.

Here is to a life taken too young.

Monday Morning Weekly Commute

Well, as many of you know I work in Jackson Hole. Most weekends I head back to Rexburg for a variety of reasons: Family, Friends, Rusty, Photography, etc. . . Usually I take of Friday after work and head back Monday morning. To make it back in time for work on Monday morning 9am requires waking up earlier then is to my likings. However, the drive is beautiful and the road is fun to drive. Some times the drive is faster then other times depending on weather conditions.

This last Monday I did a little photography during my drive in what ended up in a way a document of the changing of light more then the view. So here is the result of using a point and shoot while driving between 35mph and 60mph in low light.



Leaving Rexburg. 6:54am


First view of Tetons and sunrise. 7:19am


Fog near Teton River, Teton Basin. 7:23am


Teton view after fog, from Teton Valley, before Tetonia. 7:27am


Near state line, starting up Teton Pass. 8:01am


First sunlight. Taylor Mountain, above Coal Creek. North side of pass. 8:07am


Cresting Teton Pass. Morning traffic. 8:11am


10% grade and ice. More Traffic. Sunshine finally. 8:12am


Someone else's morning activity. sigh. 8:13am


Valley fog and inversion. Jackson's Hole and the Snake River Canyon. 8:17am


On the bottom side of the inversion. Valley Fog. Near Wilson. 8:26am



Frost on pine trees while walking from parking lot to work. Downtown Jackson. 8:50am

Since I was early, I stopped by the post office. So for those that were wondering, it doesn't take 25 minutes to drive from Wilson to Jackson.

The drive takes anywhere from 1hr20min in the summer to 2hr20min or so in the winter when roads are bad. On this day, the roads were pretty good and traffic was light.

Total mileage: 76.8

And that is my Monday Morning.

G-rated G string? Not really.

Ok, tonight's post is another comical encounter in my every day happenings. I have been telling friends about this for a few weeks now. So I thought to myself, I have a camera, why not take a picture?

Down stairs from where I work is a new fur shop that opened up a few weeks before Christmas. A coworker mentioned that in addition to the standard fur coats and such that they sell, they also have underwear. Fur underwear? Trust me, the actual product is even stranger then I pictured. I still don't understand it. I guess maybe you have to wear it. As Darren put it maybe it will keep you warm in the winter.

Enjoy. Well, don't enjoy it too much. Let me know if I should purchase a few pairs for anybody - not that I would really want to be seen purchasing any.

I've been lazy this last week. Well... at least I was lazy re. my blog. Work has been busy.

Here are some new pictures from my camera.

Here is a sign in town that we saw on the way home from the store. It made me laugh and made me glad i had my new cool camera with me to take the snapshot.


Last night we played some killer games. Darren and I killed the girls at Canasta and then I totally rocked at hearts. I came in 4th place. :)