As you may have guessed by the photo above, I’ve been up to something lately.  I am thrilled to announce the opening of The Edge Gallery at 137 N. Main St. in downtown Moab, Utah.  We’re holding an invitation only grand opening event on Saturday, March 3 and will open for our first day of business on the morning of March 4 – just in time for tourist season.  Displayed on the walls inside you’ll find some of my best selling fine art prints in sizes ranging from 12″ x 18″ to 32″ x 48″.  We’ll also offer ready to frame matted prints, greeting cards, calendars and other gift items.

The tourist season in Moab begins in March, ends in October and doesn’t let up in between.  Every month in season we’ll host special events at the gallery, in addition to participating in the local art walk.  Special events at The Edge Gallery will include free mini-workshops and slideshows by guest photographers.  I’m in the process of adding a page to my website where you’ll find basic gallery information and a regularly updated event schedule.

Melissa is assuming the role of gallery manager and if you happen to stop in, you’ll most likely find her keeping it all together.  I’ll work the gallery when time and schedules permit.  Either way, we’d love for you to stop by and say “hi” on your next visit to Moab.

At long last, I have finalized the dates and details of my photography workshops and tours for the first half of 2012.  I’m a little late this year and for that I apologize.  Time got away from me and before I knew it the end of the year was almost here.  So, what do I have planned?  Read on to learn more.

Undiscovered Moab: A Photo Tour
April 21 & 22, 2012
Moab, Utah

Most photographers associate Moab with the famous scenes found within Arches and Canyonlands National Parks – Delicate Arch, Mesa Arch and Balanced Rock. While these oft-photographed icons are certainly worthy of the attention, the Moab area is home to dozens of virtually unknown locations just waiting to be discovered by intrepid photographers. Join me on an Undiscovered Moab Photo Tour and we’ll spend two full days exploring some of the most stunning scenery you’ve never seen.

Each day will start before sunrise and won’t end until after sunset. We’ll access several spectacular locations via rough but scenic four wheel drive roads and we’ll likely put a few more miles on your hiking boots. Weather and conditions will dictate which locations we’re able to visit but could include remote sandstone towers, vast canyon views, beautifully sculpted wind caves, graceful sand dunes and beautiful but rarely visited arches. We may even hike 9 miles (round trip, in and out of a creek) to a twin waterfall hidden in a slot canyon!

Undiscovered Moab: A Photo Tour is limited to 3 participants.  Interest is high and this tour will sell out quickly.  Please visit the Moab Photo Workshops website to learn more or to register for this exciting event.

Nature Photography Boot Camp
May 5, 2012 & June 2, 2012 (Additional dates to be added throughout the year)
Moab, Utah (I may add a date in Grand Teton NP in August, too)

In this intensive, one-day workshop we’ll visit at least three stunning locations around Moab to photograph Canyon Country in the warm light of sunrise and sunset. In the field we’ll focus on creating dynamic compositions, using camera settings to maximize creativity and using available light to craft your images. We’ll also spend some time talking about gear for outdoor photography and experimenting with polarizing and graduated neutral density filters. These workshops are very casual and participants are encouraged to ask questions and share their experiences with one another.

After the morning shoot we’ll break for a late breakfast/early lunch at a local diner. There we’ll review a few of my prints and I’ll discuss what went into making each image from a creative and technical standpoint. Each participant will then share a few of their own images for an interactive critique session. These images can be part of a digital portfolio on an iPad/laptop or hard copy prints. I am often told that this is a favorite part of the workshop. It’s also one of the most beneficial as I feel strongly that having your work critiqued and critiquing the work of others is a hugely important part of the creative process.

My Nature Photography Boot Camp workshops were featured as one of the “16 Best Summer Attractions for Families” in the June 2011 issue of Budget Travel magazine.  The response was phenomenal and last year every workshop filled quickly, with several people on cancellation waiting lists.  Please visit the Moab Photo Workshops website to learn more or to register for one of the fun and informative Boot Camp workshops.

There you have it, folks. I hope you find something that interests you.  As always, please don’t hesitate to call (602.571.4170) or email me with questions about any of these workshops.  See you in 2012!

I got word a couple days ago from my contact at Nik Software that they’ve just released the Creative Efex Collection, a limited edition bundle of three of their most popular products – Color Efex Pro 4, HDR Efex Pro and Silver Efex Pro 2.  The package is offered at $299.95 and there’s a couple interesting twists: it’s not available to the general public directly from the Nik website and only 400 of them are being offered for sale.  No idea why they’ve chosen to go this route but I wanted to be sure I shared the link to the Creative Efex Collection page on the Nik Software website so any of my readers who are interested will be able to pick it up.  And yes, you can save 15% by using coupon code BEDGE at checkout, which lowers the price for the whole collection to about $255.  That’ll save you about $250 compared to purchasing each software product individually.

I’ve not yet downloaded Color Efex Pro 4 but I use Color Efex Pro 3, HDR Efex Pro and especially Silver Efex Pro 2 on a regular basis.  For the uninitiated, Color Efex Pro 4 contains a ton of filters for easy, creative adjustments of your images.  I use the Tonal Contrast filter on damn near every image I process.  I’m also a big fan of the Brilliance/Warmth, Foliage and Remove Color Cast filters.  HDR Efex Pro, not surprisingly, is an HDR (High Dynamic Range) imaging package that allows you to easily create realistic (or not) composites of multiple exposures for increased dynamic range.  It’s easy to use and works very well.  Finally, Silver Efex Pro 2 is simply the best way to convert color images to monochrome.  SEP 2 is incredibly powerful and ridiculously easy to use.  Every image in my black and white portfolio was created using Silver Efex Pro 2.

Some key points: Nik is only offering for sale 400 units.  When they’re gone, they’re gone.  There are no electronic downloads of the Creative Efex Collection so you’ll receive your software the good ol’ fashioned way – on discs in a box through the mail.  Last, but not least, it’s only available to residents of the U.S. and Canada.  No idea why but I suspect it has to do with shipping costs.

There you have it, the inside track on the latest offering by Nik Software.  Click here to order the Creative Efex Collection.  Enjoy!

Photographer Jim Goldstein just released a new e-book, “Photographing the 4th Dimension – Time“, that looks to be an outstanding guide to getting started with slow shutter and video techniques.  I haven’t had a chance to read the book in its entirety but from what I’ve seen in skimming through it I’m thoroughly impressed with the quality and quantity of information presented.  I’ll post a full review after I’ve spent more time with it.

In a nutshell, “Photographing the 4th Dimension – Time” is written for photographers who are looking to expand their skillset to include light painting, star trails and time lapse photography.  If you’ve never experimented with night or time lapse photography, or even if you have but haven’t had much success, this book will quickly get you on the right track to making stunning images.  I’m particularly interested in the chapter on time lapse photography.

The book appears to be laid out well, nicely organized, full of valuable information and beautifully designed.  Something that sets this e-book apart from many I own are a multitude of interactive features.  Links to useful web content and video tutorials make this so much more than your average “how-to” guide.  Of course, Jim’s gorgeous photographs fill the book and are more than just eye candy – they’re fantastic examples of each technique.  I’m a visual learner and it’s great to read about a technique, and then see a photo that was made using that very technique.  It really helps to hammer home what it is the technique accomplishes.

At $20, “Photographing the 4th Dimension – Time” isn’t the cheapest e-book on the market but for those with an interest in learning slow shutter photography techniques, it’s well worth the small investment.

It’s been entirely too long since I updated my website.  I’m finally getting around to doing just that and I kicked off the updates with an all new gallery of black and white images including a few never-before-seen photos.

I’ve long been a fan of monochrome imagery.  Like many nature photographers, I was influenced early in my career by the black and white work of the master himself – Ansel Adams.  As I progressed through my career I discovered other photographers whose work in shades of gray heavily influenced by own ambitions in black and white photography.  William Neill, Edward Weston, Herb Ritts, Robert Mapplethorpe, Robert Doisneau and Elliot Porter continue to inspire and motivate me.

However blasphemous it may be I’ve not exposed a single roll of black and white film.  I’ve never developed my own film.  I’ve never made analog contact prints.  Every black and white image in my portfolio began life as a color digital file that was converted to monochrome in post-processing using Nik Silver Efex Pro 2.  Yes, every single image.  Purists will snicker, and I’m okay with that.

The digital darkroom has allowed me to create art that I likely never would have created using film and filters.  For that I am eternally thankful.  Nik Silver Efex Pro 2, in combination with Nik Viveza 2 and Color Efex Pro 3, are the tools I use to transform color images into impactful black and white photography.  Nik plug-ins allow me to be an artist, not a computer engineer.

I hope you enjoy this collection of my finest black and white imagery.

Finding yourself inspired to get started in digital black and white photography?  Use coupon code BEDGE at the Nik Online Store to save 15% on your purchase of Nik Software.  Check out these tutorials on my blog to start you on the right path to monochrome nirvana:

From Color to Monochrome with Nik Silver Efex Pro 2

Make Skies Pop with Nik Color Efex Pro 3 Tonal Contrast Filter

I’ve been using Nik Software’s Color Efex Pro 3 plug-ins with Lightroom for just over a year.  Viveza 2 and Color Efex Pro 3 have become an indispensable part of my workflow.  Every image I process is touched by these amazing tools.  And now, not content to sit on their heels, Nik has just announced Color Efex Pro 4 with a whopping 55 filters including one called Detail Extractor that sounds quite promising for nature photography.

They’ve also added the History Browser that debuted in Silver Efex Pro 2 a few months ago.  This alone would make upgrading to Color Efex Pro 4 well worth the investment.  The History Browser allows you to use several filters on an image while retaining the ability to easily delete or manipulate any adjustment, at any time.  Think of it as “layers” in Photoshop – completely non-destructive.

In Color Efex Pro 4 Nik introduces eight new filters and has updated ten of the most popular filters, including one I use on a regular basis: the Tonal Contrast filter.  In fact, I just wrote two blog posts about how I use the Tonal Contrast filter to recover shadow details and another on making skies pop.  I don’t have a copy of Color Efex Pro 4 yet but as soon as I do I’ll let you know more about the new and updated filters, the History Browser and all the other new goodies they’ve managed to pack in.

All in all, it looks as though Nik is about to unleash another fantastic set of tools with Color Efex Pro 4.  If you’re already working with Color Efex Pro 3 you’ll be able to upgrade to CEP 4 for $99.95.  If you’re a first time buyer of Color Efex Pro, version 4 will cost you $199.95.  Of course, you can save 15% at the Nik Online Store by using coupon code “BEDGE” when you place your order.  Nik is accepting pre-orders right now.

Oh, and that image of sunflowers at the top of this post?  Big thanks to Viveza 2, Color Efex Pro 3 and Sharpener Pro 3 for allowing me to quickly and easily process the image to my liking.  Stay tuned, folks.  I’ll have more about Color Efex Pro 4 soon.

I’m excited to announce the availability of my first e-Book, The Essential Guide to Photographing Arches National Park.  I developed this e-Book in partnership with NatureScapes, the best spot on the web for nature photographers from around the world to learn from one another, share and critique images, and more.

In The Essential Guide to Photographing Arches National Park I share nineteen of my favorite locations to create dynamic images of this stunning desert landscape.  You’ll learn where to find each location, when is the best time for photography, what lenses and equipment you’ll need and other tips to help make your next visit to Arches the most productive trip yet. Full-color photographs illustrate each location, giving you an idea of what to expect before you arrive at Arches. A park map is also included and can be viewed on-screen or printed for easy reference in the field.

In addition to advice for photographers, The Essential Guide to Photographing Arches National Park includes a wealth of general information about the park’s natural history, rules and regulations, entrance fees and other items to assist in trip planning.

Whether you’re a serious photographer or a point and shooter on vacation, The Essential Guide to Photographing Arches National Park will be a valuable addition to your photo book library.

The Essential Guide to Photographing Arches National Park is available now in the NatureScapes online store for $19.95.  I’m working on another e-book now.  It’s still too early to share any details but I promise to give y’all a sneak peek first!

While we’re on the topic, here are some of my favorite recent photography e-books you may find useful:

Creative Digital Printing: Crafting the Fine Art Digital Print by Guy Tal

Creative Landscape Photography by Guy Tal

Creative Processing Techniques by Guy Tal

The Essential Guide to Photographing Waterfalls by Kari Post

Photoshop Techniques by John Shaw

Blink and we’ll be in full autumn swing. Summer is just about over and fall is right around the corner.  Personally, I can’t wait.  Fall is my favorite time of the year.  Trees are prettier, the weather is outstanding and the photography is, well, oh my goodness good!  To celebrate the best season ever I’m offering the above photo, titled “Raindrops on Fallen Aspen Leaf”, as the September Matted Photo of the Month.  For $30 (shipping included) you’ll receive a 5″ x 7″ hand made print on Moab Entrada Bright 190 archival paper in a ready-to-frame, elegant white 8″ x 10″ mat.  Each print arrives with a certificate of authenticity attached to the back of the mounting board. Better hurry though, because I’m only offering 20 matted prints at this price.  To order a print, please email me and I’ll send you an invoice.  Your print will ship promptly upon payment.

I made “Raindrops on Fallen Aspen Leaf” during the autumn of 2010 in the La Sal Mountains south of Moab, Utah.  My wife, son and I were wandering around one of the dozens of beautiful stands of aspen trees following an afternoon thunderstorm when I noticed this single yellow leaf, glistening with raindrops, on a bed of darker leaves.  I hadn’t gone out with the intention of making photographs.  It was to be a family outing, so I left my Canon 5D Mark II at home.  However, I don’t go anywhere without my Canon S95.  I whipped out that wonderful little camera, set it to macro mode and went about making images of this lovely little scene.  Of the dozen or so compositions this one immediately stood out as the best.  I hope you enjoy it.

My friend Guy Tal has just released his fourth e-book, “Creative Digital Printing: Crafting the Fine Art Digital Print“.  Whether you’re new to digital printing or have been at it for years, you’ll learn something from this e-book.  I just began doing my own printing at home using an Epson 2880 printer last year and though I’m now comfortable with the process, I know I’ve got lots of room to grow.  I’ve only just begun to dig into “Creative Digital Printing: Crafting the Fine Art Digital Print” and have already learned a few things that will allow me to make better prints.  I’m eager to learn more as I get deeper into the book.

If you’d like to learn more about Guy’s other fantastic e-books, I’ve provided links below.  Notice that each of Guy’s e-books contains the word “Creative” in the title.  Guy is a photographic artist and is very keen on encouraging photographers to think of their work as art.  As nature photographers we aren’t documentarians – we’re artists.  Each one of Guy’s e-books focuses on the art and creativity of photography and not so much on the technical aspects of the craft.  There are plenty of other “how-to” books that do an excellent job of this.  Guy’s e-books are a refreshing change of pace. 

Creative Landscape Photography

Creative Processing Techniques

As a side note, I bought an iPad 2 last month and have been using it to download and read e-books. I love it!  I no longer have to print out the pages for easier reference.  I use the GoodReader iPad app for this.  Works flawlessly.

My photograph of a hiker on the trail to Swiftcurrent Pass in Glacier National Park was used in an article about backpacking in the national parks in the June 2011 issue of Backpacker magazine.  This image was made last year during a 3 day, 2 night trip on the Highline Trail to the Granite Park Chalet.  The Chalet sits in a high alpine meadow surrounded by alpine lakes, towering peaks and prime grizzly bear habitat.  In fact, while we were there a couple out for a sunset hike were chased by a sow and her two curious cubs.  Luckily, the bears were just having  a little fun – not looking for a meal.

The afternoon after the great bear chase my friend Levi and I hiked up to Swiftcurrent Pass.  The trail beyond the pass was closed as a result of numerous bear sightings and encounters.  We’d hoped to hike a little further but we took the closure to heart and stopped at the “Caution: Do Not Cross” tape that was stretched across the trail.  Hiking in country alive with grizzly bears adds a whole other layer to the experience.  Your senses heighten and, unlike in the city, you become acutely aware that you are no longer at the top of the food chain.  That isn’t to say that all grizzly bears want to eat you but knowing that you’re on their turf and playing by their rules ups the ante a bit.  It’s a wild and glorious experience that I thoroughly enjoy each time I set foot into mountains populated by the great griz.