Karst Field

Karst Field, a photo by McF Studios on Flickr.

This is the kind of place I spend so much time in the mountains trying to find. Usually, when I do find them, a thunderstorm is building directly overhead. This day was no exception.

Perseids and Space Junk

Perseids and Space Junk, a photo by McF Studios on Flickr.

We were camped at 11,000 feet to inventory some geologic features in the area when my friend asked me if I was going to take pictures of the Perseids. Uh... yes... where are they? So, I walked away from the campfire, found a composition and started the timer. Eventually the moon rose and the smoke from distant forest fires drifted over, effectively ending the show from our vantage. You may not be able to see all the interestingness after the downsampling so here's the breakdown: seventeen meteors, three satellites, one nebula, and one flying cattle car. Total = infinite possibility!

Meditation #5

Meditation #5, a photo by McF Studios on Flickr.

In order to make this photograph, I asked my friend to hold onto my backpack while I was leaning out over the water. Using one hand I braced a gorilla pod against my chest and shallowed my breath in a fashion similar to long distance rifle shooters. The lens of the small camera I used doesn't have threads, so I hand-held a CPL tight to the rig. I find that using the smallest and lightest equipment allows me the willingness and energy to play with ideas.
I was actually attempting to photograph a protected species of fish as it munched on a bug in the shallow waters, when this composition fell into frame. I felt it was important to do whatever was necessary to avoid disturbing both the scene and the fish, hence the acrobatics.

Meditation #2

Meditation #2, a photo by McF Studios on Flickr.

Don't you love titles like that? Always makes me wonder what happened to the first one and how many there are. Well, the answer is there are (or were) five. The first, third and fourth didn't work out, and the fifth will be along sooner or later.
These "meditations" came about during a walk in the woods, I really liked the idea of texture-scapes and started photographing in the flat overcast light to figure out what that idea was about. This was the second scene that presented itself.

Road Trip Clouds

Road Trip Clouds, a photo by McF Studios on Flickr.

Shooting from the passenger's window with an iPhone. Great way to play.

Twenty Five Minutes

Twenty Five Minutes, a photo by McF Studios on Flickr.

This is a composite of an approaching storm taken through the comfort of our dinning room table. Several of the lightning bolts appear to emanate from nowhere... don't they always?
Happy shooting, and be careful out there.

Crystal Mill

Crystal Mill, a photo by McF Studios on Flickr.

To drive to this iconic CO landmark, you'll need a four wheel drive, high clearance vehicle. You'll also need a good supply of patience, because, for whatever reason, everyone on the road in front of you is only going 1 mile an hour. I walk about three miles an hour, so we parked about half way down the road and started enjoying the walk. Worth every step!