Goal Setting in 2012
Goal setting is important. Keeping a strong focus on your goals is even more important.
Last year I set a long list of goals, and was rather successful at keeping many of them, partly because I wrote them down, posted them in a public place, and revisited them often. In the past year, I’ve gotten some dream shots in Tuckerman Ravine, on Mount Clay, and Mount Monroe. I spent time diversifying my style, shooting from my kayak, and moving into some wildlife shooting. And I continue to seek out the very best mountain scenes in New Hampshire in the very best light.
Some of my unfinished goals from 2011 will be a good start for 2012. Others are new goals that have evolved in my mind in the past year. These goals span the gamut of artistry and business aspirations, and all are centered around enjoying experiences in the outdoors and sharing it with a growing audience.
Goal #1: The Presidential Range.
These mountains remain the focus of my photographic work. They just strike me in a powerful way, and I’m driven to share their power. I need to see a strong sunrise from Mount Hight, and Mount Adams still. Conditions and schedule have not yet intersected into that magic scene I have envisioned. I want to spend more time up there in winter conditions, and am running a workshop on Mount Washington in March. Beyond that, I really want to share the delicate, fleeting beauty of the alpine blooms again this year…I want to spend time in the eastern drainages in summer… I want to find great light on the tundra in autumn. If all goes well, you’ll see some fresh takes on iconic scenes this year!
Goal #2: Get further from the road…
I have a good collection at this point of most of the easy to access viewpoints in the White Mountains. I want to explore deeper scenes. I’ve steered away from these scenes over the past couple years due to one main factor…maximizing time. It’s a risk to go deeper. You commit to a scene early in the day, and if it doesn’t pay off, you lose other opportunities that could have been made in changing conditions. But I’m at the point where the risks are worth it. I have a competent collection of the easy stuff. Time to take the risks!
Goal #3: Wildlife…
I’m never going to be a prolific wildlife shooter. My gear is built for hiking and moving fast. I have lightweight gear, with great zoom range, and don’t see that changing. But there are great opportunities to shoot wildlife within 300mm of reach if I’m patient and persistent. I’ve had good success this past year with loons, moose, bear and owls. This year, I want to carve out more time…especially in the summer when the landscape inspires me less, to spend time with birds and animals.
Goal #4: Sharing the experience…
Social media is amazing for building up a base of fans, and connecting with people who appreciate the view of New England that I work hard to share. My facebook page has been my default spot to share because it’s easy. But I need to branch out. I need to be more consistant with the blog. I need to establish a stronger presence in other venues, perhaps G+, 500px…who knows. Maybe that means working in an ebook format. Technology is making the world small, and I need to take advantage of that in networking and connections.
Under this same umbrella, I want to continue exploring the notion of leading workshops or small groups. Insurance costs seem initially prohibitive, but perhaps with some creativity or collaboration I can make them work.
Well…that should keep me busy, which is the point of this! Finding inspiration, and sharing where that inspiration find me will keep me busy in 2012.
Hope you continue to come along for the ride!
Top 11 Photos of 2011…Part 1
At the end of each year, I take time to reflect upon the annual additions to my portfolio, and the growth I’ve made towards my photographic goals. Without fail, I always come back to an Ansel Adams quote during this reflection. An icon of landscape and nature photography, and possibly his own harshest critic, he once stated that “twelve significant photographs in any one year is a good crop.”
Has that twelve image standard changed? Ansel worked in a time before digital photography, a medium that allows immediate feedback, and continuous opportunities to perfect a shot of the scene in front of you. Gone are the days of spending weeks in the field without any reasonable feedback about what you’ve captured. Perhaps it’s therefore easier, and thus expected that you should make more than twelve significant shots each year.
Beyond the number, I long dwell on the most important word in the phrase…significant. What does it take to make a significant photograph in a world where there’s so much cliche, where everything’s been photographed so many times over. To me, significant photographs capture a moment that others would desire to experience, and a photograph that brings the viewer into that moment. It’s what motivates me to be in the field as much as I can. It’s what my goals center around, and it’s what I believe my top ll photos this year capture.
It was a good year for me photographically, and for my psyche surrounding my art. I have recognized that I can’t be in the field as much as I’d like, and that I must maximize every time I get out. I’m thrilled with the quiet moments on a mountaintop or lakeshore where all that I pre-visualized unfolds before me. And I cherish the unexpected that can bring a shot over the top. Most importantly, I’ve grown to accept that not every time I go out with my camera will yield a significant shot, but that doesn’t mean I’ve personally had an unfulfilling experience. Any day spent in the outdoors is a day to be cherished, and if I can bring back a shot worth sharing, all the better.
With all that said, here are my top 11 shots of 2011…in chronological order!
#1: Spring Snow…Tucker Brook Falls
I had some great winter shoots this past year, but didn’t manage to capture the iconic winter shots I’d hoped for. So it wasn’t until spring that I captured what I consider one of my most significant shots. A freak April Fools Day snow allowed for the rare combination of open water and fresh snowfall. The snow in the trees was gone by mid morning, but I was thrilled to capture this shot of Tucker Brook Falls before it melted!
Spring Snow at Tucker Brook Falls
#2: Nodding Trillium…Epping, NH
This photograph, perhaps more than any this year, represents growth and learning within the natural environment. I had long wondered why the trillium on the Lamprey floodplain, near my home in Southeast New Hampshire, never bloom. Turns out I was looking in the wrong place, and wasn’t even aware what species I was looking at. A new species for me, the nodding trillium, was a hidden, unassuming flowers beneath the leaves. They were a challenge to capture, and I loved the results when I found an angle that worked!
Nodding Trillium - Lamprey River Floodplain
#3: Swirls Below the Pulpit
One of my goals in the past year was to carve out smaller blocks of time nearer to my house for photography. I simply can’t get away on a big adventure every weekend, and now try to do those at select times in Autumn, Winter and Spring. Exploring around my commute was essential to growing between big trips. I work in Bedford, NH and Pulpit Rock is just a few miles from the punch clock. It looked great after this spring’s incessant rains, and I was happy to explore the landscape routinely, even if just for a few minutes at a time!
Pulpit Brook - Pulpit Rock Reservation, Bedford, NH
#4: Alpine Flowers on Monroe
There are certain ecological events that I try not to miss any year. Instances like flower blooms and peak leaves might last only a few days though…and uncooperative weather or personal calendar can easily make for an sequence of unfortunate annual misses. I’ve not been up to see the alpine flowers on New Hampshire’s highest peaks in a few years, and made it a priority this year. The weather cooperated perfectly, and I was able to capture a broad landscape with the fleeting flowers prominently displayed.
Alpine Flowers on Mount Monroe, Overlooking Mount Washington
#5: Lupine Magic
This photo reminds me of the importance to take risks. The forecast was terrible, with rain projected overnight and through the morning. The lupine festival is not to be missed though, and I spent a restless rainy night in the car to find myself alone in a field usually filled with photographers at dawn to capture this special moment!
Magic Happens - Rainbow Over Lupines in Sugar Hill, NH
#6 – Nap on the Back
Another of my goals this past year was to make better use of my summers. It’s a season where I have lots of time, but little inspiration from the natural world. The sun rises early and fast, typically without much color or atmosphere. The sun sets late, and the days are usually hazy and without appeal. Plus, I HATE warm weather! To reach my goal, I needed a different subject from my usual broad landscapes. This year, I spent a week kayaking with a local loon family in early July, and they became quite comfortable with my presence. I love the connection of the loon and its mother in this shot!
Nap on the Back - Loon and Sleeping Chick
Five more shots to post for 2011…but we’ll save them for tomorrow! Then it’s time for some goal setting in 2012!
Top 11 Photos of 2011…Part 2
The last post was getting a bit long, so we’ll pick up the yearly reflection after summer. I still have a really hard time getting significant shots in the summer. As a teacher, I have all the time in the world to do so, but in the endless green and blue, the hazy air and the drying streams, I never seem to catch the moment where inspiration meets light. It will end up on the goal sheet again this year for sure.
I do love autumn though, and this year I had the opportunity to share my love of that season with a much wider audience, as I wrote a weekly foliage blog for Yankee Magazine. Writing a blog for all of New England challenged me to get out of areas I typically shoot in fall, and see some of the other iconic landscapes in the region. And despite the fact that the foliage itself put on the worst show in a decade, I came away with some of my favorite shots in years!
#7 – Sunrise From Clay
This is a shot that I’ve envisioned for some time. The Great Gulf is one of the largest glacial cirques in New England, and the the valley is ringed by tall, iconic peaks that catch the morning light in a most exquisite way. My friend and I scouted the area the night before, looking for the best vantage, and were up setting up well before first light. The display didn’t last long before the clouds choked it out, but I was glad they were there to provide balance and drama in the scene! Next goal for this view…a winter sunrise!
Sunrise From Mount Clay
#8 – Morning Stretch
A lot of people in my circle call this my ‘lucky shot’. And to be fair, there was a great bit of luck to it. I arrived at long pond before dawn anticipating a sunrise shot as the light hit the peaks that surround the pond. At the car, I debated bringing my long lens with me, and almost didn’t. The loons on the pond cemented my decision to carry it with their predawn haunting calls. As I hiked around to a spot with a view of the islands, the loons began to move across my field of view, and I had the forethought to switch lenses. And adjust every one of my settings from landscape thinking. Higher ISO, larger aperture, lower the exposure compensation, filters off…anything to get the shutter speed high enough to stop their motion, in case something like this happened. I was ecstatic when it did…
Morning Stretch - Long Pond, Benton, NH
#9 – Stream’s Golden Glow
I’ve learned to trust my intuition as a photographer a lot more this year. There are always a thousand reasons not to stop and take a picture, but if something catches my eye, I usually find it’s worth stopping and checking it out. I had driven by this small unnamed stream twice the day prior, a stream I’d driven by hundreds of times, and it never struck me. This day was different. I was on my way to a hike, debated for a mile after driving past as to whether I should go back. When I did, I found the sun back lighting a zigzagging cascade, set in a golden forest. A low angle on the stream allowed for the water to take on the colors of the surroundings. Classic Autumn…
Stream's Golden Glow
#10 – Dramatic Sky From Mount Morgan
The hike up was miserable. Hail, thunder and lightning, wind alternated with sunshine, so frequent stops to adjust gear for the conditions were necessary, but I was in no rush, as I was hopeful for some late light hitting the clouds. That never happened, but the dramatic sky that I witnessed when I first came onto the lookout ledge more than made up for it. This is a classic scene in New Hampshire, and I’m thrilled to have captured such a strong image from an iconic outcropping.
Dramatic Sky From Mount Morgan
#11 – Snowy Owl Sunrise
After Autumn, I spent some time nursing a nagging injury, and didn’t get out much with the camera. There was little reason to anyway fortunately, with a warm and snowless December. I finally got out again right after my holiday travels, and was fortunate to find out about a snowy owl that had taken up residence along the New Hampshire Seacoast. I spent a morning with the bird, all to myself, in great light. Just one of those moments I was happy to be out among nature, and am even more thrilled to have the ability and platform to share my experiences.
Snowy Owl in New Hampshire
It’s fun to look back at a successful year, but it’s even better to look ahead. I’ll be writing about my goals for the year in my next blog, and hopefully the weather patterns will change soon, giving me the opportunity to get some of the classic winter shots I have in my head.
Thanks for following along this year…can’t wait to see what 2012 brings!
A ‘Snowy’ End to the Year
It’s been a rough few months for my photography. I ended up spraining my arches in my feet early this fall, and the injury wouldn’t heal. That sidelined me from hiking anything big this fall, and once the leaves fell, I decided to take it easy and recover. I planned on shooting lots of holiday scenes this December, but the snows never came, and my camera remained dormant.
Determined to break the camera out one more time in 2011, I went over to the coast to capture sunrise. Beach scenes are great to shoot in the transition seasons, as they are uncrowded, and don’t rely on snow to make them look good this time of year. In the back of my mind though as I headed over was the irrupption of snowy owls that have taken residence along the New England Coastline this year.
Snowy owls live most of their lives above our northern border. They breed around the arctic circle, and head a bit further south into Canada most winters. A few are seen each year along the New England coastlines, but I’ve never seen one. This year however, the population of lemmings and rodents has been reported to have crashed, which, following a few successful breeding years, has caused the population to migrate further south and spread out in search of food. There have been sightings all along the New England coast, including down to Connecticut and Long Island.
After a pretty, but non-photogenic sunrise, I walked the beach seeing if I could spot one of these beautiful birds. Nothing. I was on my way back to the car when it flew right in front of me though, and perched near the parking lot.
Snowy Owl on Picnic Table
I spent the next few hours crawling around on my belly, inching up on it at two different perches. It first rested on a picnic table, before moving to some posts right on the water. It was fairly tolerant of my presence, often napping in fact, but if I moved to fast it did this circular head bob showing its irritation. The whole time I was shooting it, the horizon maintained its pastel hue, as an incoming storm kept the light soft. A few snow flakes fell overhead as well, but it fortunately wasn’t too cold or windy, or the experience wouldn’t have lasted as long.
Snowy Owl on the Post
Snowy Owl Closeup
At about 10:30, I was about 15 yards from the bird, flat on my belly, when it started looking around nervously. Seconds later, three crows swept in, and chased it off of its perch. It flew over the dunes…and out of sight.
Owl Spotting the Crows Just Before Leaving ... Love How They Move Their Necks!
I’m hoping that they continue to stick around this winter…as they are a rare and beautiful sight in these parts!
The End Of Autumn…The Return to the Blog!
Hi All! It’s been a while!
Since early August, all of my writing and photography time has been focused on a blog that I maintained for YankeeFoliage.com. That gig has run it’s course and I am again returning to maintain my own blog through the winter and spring season.
This autumn was a challenge photographically, as many areas failed to see any real peak. There were areas of good color to be found, and I came away with a solid half dozen images that are definately going into the portfolio.
A Common Loon Stretches On Long Pond Before Dawn
My favorite shot of the season was this image of a loon stretching on Long Pond before daybreak. The composition was set, and I was patiently waiting on the first light to hit the hillside above the lake, when a family of loons moved through the frame. I adjusted my settings for a fast exposure, and in a burst of five shots, found this image on my card! It was a special moment to witness, and a lucky shot to pull off.
Much of my other new work, all with it’s own unique story can be seen at my ‘New Images Gallery’ on my website.
I hope to be able to bring many more special moments to you this winter, in my quest to capture the very best light and atmosphere in the New England landscape this coming season!
Camping at Lake Umbagog…
I am largely a three season hiker. Probably not in the typical sense of the word though. My hiking season begins in early fall, and continues right through when the leaves fill out on the trees. Definitely including winter. Rarely in summer. I just don’t deal with the heat well. My ideal temperature is about 25 degrees Fahrenheit, though I don’t mind 60 either. Anything over eighty pushes it. Add humidity, and I’m done.
Kayaking has become a more than suitable replacement for day hikes, but I’ve never really combined camping and kayaking in the way that backpacking satiates my backcountry fix during the rest of the year. My friend Karen and I decided to give it a try on Lake Umbagog this week, which is one of the most remote and beautiful lakes in New Hampshire.
The lake has a great infrastructure for kayak camping. Remote campsites dot the shoreline, and offer more that just appealing views, as the sites have pit toilets and some tent platforms. We also found that state park at the south end rents canoes and kayaks, and would even arrange transportation to the site by powerboat with your kayak. Not for us though…
A few mile paddle found our site on a private island teeming with small songbirds. The shoreline surrounding the island was perfect moose habitat, and there were eagles soaring over the neighboring cove. Wildlife paradise. Just paradise.
Eagle Take Off From Umbagog
Over the next few days we paddled much of length of the lake, fished, and watched wildlife. We saw at least six different eagles, and a merganser with an unbelievable clutch of about two dozen young. Loons woke us up before the sun, and the bugs abated for midday naps. I didn’t do much professional style photography, but took many snapshots of the scenes and wildlife we encountered. Photographically, I’ll consider it a scouting trip.
Loon on Umbagog
If I can pass along any tips gleaned from the trip for someone taking their first overnight out of their kayak, it’s to use smaller bags. We both were independently under the impression that a few large dry bags would work, but when stuffing the boats hatches, it just didn’t work. More, smaller bags fit much better in the boat. Otherwise, it’s just like backpacking, with fewer concerns about pack weight. And for me, much more enjoyable in the summer!
Eagle in Tree By Umbagog
Loon Dream Shots…
When I moved to New England about a decade ago, I was struck by all things iconic New England. Covered bridges, cold trout streams, rocky coast lines, old mills. In the natural world, I don’t think anything gives me more of authentic not in New Jersey feeling than the call of loons at dawn from a misty lake.
I was given some great information last week that a loon had hatched on a local lake, and was eager to show off the chick to kayakers. I am not a wildlife shooter, but will take any opportunity to experience exceptional natural events. I’ve always wanted to see a loon chick riding on its mothers back, or see its father bring food over. I had no illusions that I’d be able to get a shot, but just wanted to observe.
The fog was thick when I arrived, and only getting thicker. I found loons by following their haunting calls, and also found myself alone with the birds for a bit before other photographers arrived. Much to my delight, they were willing to continue their normal behavior despite my presence. And all of the behaviors on the life list took place right in front of me!
The images I captured I think are rather unique, considering how much quality loon photography is out there. I used the fog to set a serene scene of solitude. I shot the birds as I would a fresh snowfall, overexposing to render the fog white instead of gray, and let the dark tones on the birds fall as they may. The result was a peaceful, and to me, pleasing, high key scene. I can’t wait to see how these print up, as these are shots that I want on my wall, captures of some iconic moments of idyllic New England.
Loon and Chick Moving In
High Key Loon and Chick in Fog
Feeding Time
Decisions and Luck in Sugar Hill…
So much of landscape photography is being at the right place at the right time. Many point to luck as the reason a shot comes together, but you really have to make your own luck in order to get consistently good shots. Learning what lighting conditions are conducive for certain types of shots is a good start. Using weather forecasts to anticipate these conditions ups the odds. Knowing seasonal cycles at a location can make or break a scene. Put it all together, and then you rely on luck.
I was in Woodstock, Vermont last Friday, finishing a great shoot on some rare orchids, and was faced with a decision. Drive to Sugar Hill and gamble on a break in the showers to create some clouds at sunrise and possibly some low lying fog. Or stay local and shoot the Queechee Balloon festival, which was more of a sure thing. Ultimately, I ended up in the lupine fields.
I was the only one. The forecast scared off the other photographers, and the town was empty. I checked out the lupine conditions until dark, and planned my morning shoot for a variety of conditions.
Dawn was looking to be a bust. The showers had held off, but clouds choked much of the eastern horizon for the sunrise. I was packing up to move onto plan b, when I turned around and saw a brilliant rainbow in the west.
I raced to a spot I hoped would combine the rainbow with other intriguing elements, and couldn’t be happier with the scene I saw. It only lasted another minute or two after setting up, but it was all I needed, thanks to scouting, planning, anticipation, and yes…luck!
Sugar Hill Rainbow
