We all go through creative slumps.  I live in Moab, surrounded by Arches and Canyonlands National Parks, Dead Horse Point State Park and over 2 million acres of BLM land every bit as breathtaking as the parks.  I have no reason to whine but I’m going to any way.  Here goes: I’m bored with red rocks.  I’ve had enough of sweeping canyon vistas, massive arches and impossibly balanced rocks bathed in alpenglow so vivid you’d think the sandstone was actually on fire.  There, I said it.

I dream of cold mountain streams lined with colorful wildflowers, powerful waves crashing against sea stacks and thundering waterfalls pouring over high cliffs.  I’m not certain my camera even has the ability to record the color green.  Okay, so maybe that last part is a bit of an exaggeration but I think you get the idea.

What to do about such a dilemma?  How about a personal project to pull you out of a creative slump.  I’m working on two projects that require me to dedicate countless hours wandering around Arches, hiking trails I’ve never hiked and photographing things I’ve never seen.  My love for the place is being renewed with each outing.  Away from the crowds and the buses spewing fumes I’m able to reconnect with the very landscape that brought me to Moab.  Watching sunset light wash over pinnacles of red rock piercing a clear, deep blue sky in an area of the park I’ve never seen and that I have entirely to myself has a remarkable and lasting impact.  Finding the remains of early spring wildflowers nestled in shifting sands of the largest dunes I’ve seen in Arches makes my mind fast forward to next May, and images I’ve yet to create.  Examining maps for new, off-the-beaten path locations keeps the excitement alive even when I’m only sitting at home.

Next time you find yourself in a slump try designing a personal project that immerses you in the landscape that’s giving you the creative blues.  If your style leans toward sweeping vistas, give yourself a month to create a compelling portfolio of intimate landscapes.  Or, skip the icons and focus on lesser known locations you’ve never photographed.  Visit the same location over and over again, at different times of the day and in various seasons.  Work it until you’ve compiled a collection of images that tell a complete story of the location.  Write about your experiences in a blog or, if you’re not ready to share publicly, in a journal.

If all else fails store your camera in a closet for a while.  Read natural history guides.  Learn the geology, history, flora & fauna.  Hike trails you’ve never hiked.  Enjoy a grand sunset without worrying about finding a composition and fumbling with filters.  Sit by a creek and listen to the sound of the clear water rushing over mossy rocks.  Sharing these moments with those not present to witness the magic is why many of us fell in love with nature photography.  Treat yourself to them and you will surely find new energy and a passion to capture them with your camera.

Where will you be November 12 – 15, 2009?  Wouldn’t you rather be in Moab making stunning images of Arches and Canyonlands National Parks?  Todd Caudle and I only have four spots left in our “Autumn Arches & Canyons” workshop.

Visit Bret Edge Photography to learn more or to register for this exciting workshop.  See you in Moab!

Yeah, I’m well aware that the title of this post is super-cheesy and clearly reveals that I’m a child of the totally awesome 80’s.  Nonetheless, it’s completely fitting because my photo of the Three Gossips at sunrise was selected to appear in the Utah Office of Tourism 2010 calendar for the month of July!  I don’t know how, when or where to buy the calendars but rest assured I’ll have a stack of them in my office.  I think you should, too.

Seriously, I’m honored that my image was selected for this project.  I hope someone, somewhere sees it and is so inspired that they plan a cross-country road trip to show their children this beautiful world that surrounds us.

Here’s the photo, in case you were wondering:

As an avid hiker I’ve long been disappointed with the backpack options available for photographers.  Dedicated photo packs organize camera gear well and are great when working not far from your vehicle.  However, none of them are designed for the trail.  Along comes Clik Elite, a new pack company whose tagline is “Performance Packs for Adventure Photographers”.  Hmm, I wonder – could this finally be the Holy Grail?

Ever skeptical I shelled out $310 on the Large Hiker pack from REI.com knowing that it could be easily returned if the product disappointed. Upon receipt I was immediately impressed with the pack’s build quality and features. Even more impressive is the fully adjustable harness. My long torso and freakishly short legs make it difficult to properly fit packs but I was able to quickly adjust the harness for a perfect fit. We’re off to a good start.  The bottom compartment is padded and divided to carry camera gear while the large top compartment carries your day hiking essentials and a Camelbak style water reservoir.  An extra pocket on the bottom uses weather-resistant zippers and contains an organizer for memory cards, hard drives, filters and other small photo goodies.  A second, larger external pocket on the top section is large enough to stow a first aid kit, headlamp, hat and gloves and most of the “ten essentials”.  The pack passed muster in the living room.  What about in the real world?

Fast forward after two months of use in the Pacific Northwest and here at home in Moab, and I’m excited to announce that the folks at Clik Elite got it right.  The Large Hiker carries as comfortably as any non-photo dayhiking pack I’ve ever worn, even after several hours on and off the trail.  Clik Elite’s designers gave this pack a real, honest to God waistbelt that does exactly what it should – transfer the weight of the pack weight to your hips.  Halleleujah!  Camera equipment stays well protected in the padded compartment and is easy to access when needed. I still carry my camera with attached 24-105mm lens in a Lowepro Topload Zoom chest pack for quick access. The padded compartment carries my 16-35mm and 100-400mm lenses, external flash, extra batteries and an extension tube with room left over for lenses I’ve yet to buy.  The large top compartment provides ample room to carry rain gear, food, diapers (for my son, not me!), a jacket and more.  The pack is hydration compatible with a reservoir pocket and hose outlet or, for old schoolies like me, mesh pockets on the side large enough to hold 32 oz. Nalgene bottles.  The pockets are even placed such that I can access my water bottles and put them back without assistance from another hiker or a kind trail stranger.  Nice!

Unfortunately, nothing in this world is perfect. Those mesh water bottle pockets are loose and there are no bungees or drawstrings to keep the bottles in place.  I’ve had many a Nalgene come flying out while scrambling up a steep slope.  My biggest gripe is with the tripod carrying system, or lack thereof.  Straps are provided on the top and bottom of the pack to carry a tripod horizontally.  Huh?  Nobody likes to carry tripods horizontally.  At least, nobody I know does.  Have you ever tried to squeeze through a slot canyon with a tripod mounted horizontally on your pack?  It doesn’t work.  I developed a jerry-rigged vertical carry by placing two of the tripod legs in the lower pocket and securing the ballhead with straps provided on the top of the pack.  It works well, except that you lose the ability to use that cool lower pocket.  That’s it for the negative.  Not bad, huh?

I contacted Clik Elite about my two concerns and was told that I am not alone in my opinion and that they have already resolved the issue.  The new & improved packs will be available in the first quarter of 2010.  I was not provided with details on the fix nor have I seen photos of the new packs so I can’t comment on whether or not “new & improved” really means “new & improved”.

If you’re tired of adapting regular daypacks to photo use, or just plain disgusted with the usual photo pack options you should consider the Clik Elite product line.  Their entire line of packs, pouches and organizers can be viewed at www.clikelite.com.

I will add photos soon…