How to Photograph a Grand Canyon Rafting Trip

by Charlie Borland

We launched our raft into the swift moving current and grabbed the paddles to quickly navigate towards river center and line up for the rapid. The river flow was picking up speed as we neared the tongue of this monstrous mix of boiling, turbulent, whitewater. My excitement to again be on Colorado River adventure gave way to more rational thinking of “what the heck am I doing here?” as I observed the massive river waves, seemingly taller than us, quickly creeping closer.

This rapid was Lava Falls, the biggest, baddest, most feared and most talked about rapid on this 277-mile rafting adventure. It is rated between 8 and 10 on a scale that only goes to 10. That is a big rapid! We were well into our second week in the canyon and were all ‘tuned in and going with the rivers flow’ by this time. That also meant we had two weeks to think about Lava Falls and ‘guesstimate’ what type of ride the rapid would give us at this water level. For me, I wondered what action photos I could capture from within the boat. Would I have to hang on for dear life or could I snap away? … Continue Reading

Favorite Places: Taos Pueblo – Taos, New Mexico

The following is an except from “Cheyenne’s Top 10 Photo Locations eGuidebook – New Mexico” by Cheyenne L Rouse –

Today, Taos Pueblo stands as the largest surviving multistory Pueblo structure in the United States. These multi-storied adobe buildings have been continuously inhabited for over 1000 years, as of 2006 there were still 150 full time residents living at the Pueblo. Taos Pueblo is said to have been built sometime between 1000 and 1450 A.D. Wow that is a long time ago! It has even endured after 400 years of Spanish and Anglo presence. It was where the Pueblo Revolt of 1680 was plotted then in 1847 during the Mexican – American war US forces descended on the Pueblo looking for insurgence. This Pueblo has seen its share of war and attacks and is still standing today much like it was 1000 years ago. Now that’s impressive! … Continue Reading

Photographing the Coral Pink Sand Dunes by Cheyenne Rouse

By Cheyenne L Rouse

For me just the name of this Utah treasure conjures up visions of Lawrence of Arabia standing on top of a majestic red dune with his flowing Arabian tunic gently blowing in the wind. As the name implies, the sand dunes are a deep coral color that turn a fiery red at sunrise and sunset. The extremely fine sand is ground up Navajo Sandstone that has been windblown and shifted over the centuries. The Vermilion Cliffs to the south and the White Cliffs to the north, contrasted by blue skies, juniper and pinion trees frame the dunes. The dunes are spread over a relatively small area, which makes it much easier to explore them. So just imagine a 40-foot tall fiery coral sand dune, I know I was filled with anticipation to explore this park and create beautiful photos. This park was established in 1963 and has only gained popularity in the last 10 years or so. … Continue Reading

Favorite Places: Cape Kiwanda Oregon

One of my favorite places to shoot is Cape Kiwanda on the Oregon coast. Much of Oregon’s coast is popular with photographers and Cape Kiwanda is a real jewel.

It is part of the Three Capes Scenic Route and includes Cape Meares and Cape Lookout, both which have some wonderful locations to shoot. But Cape Kiwanda is the clear star.

Located 1.5 hours SW of Portland along Hwy 101 near Pacific City, Cape Kiwanda is a coastal area comprised of sandstone headlands. The rocky shoreline contains cliffs over 100’ feet high that drop straight into the ocean as well as some ‘swirling’ geology certainly worthy of the camera.

The star is (was) a stunning arch that some photographers called Keyhole Arch, down along the shore, but sadly it collapsed in 2011. Don’t let that stop you from coming though.

Kiwanda is also famous for its spectacular wave action, especially in stormy weather, drawing photographers looking to capture these massive waves crashing against the cliffs when the surf is just right. … Continue Reading

Favorite Places: Makoshika SP in Montana

There is a very cool state park I try to stop and shoot at when visiting the region near Glendive, Montana. It’s called Makoshika State Park. The name Makoshika is Lakota for ‘land of bad spirits’ or Badlands.

Similar to the badlands of North and South Dakota, with eroded hills and outcrops of various rock layers, cut by the Yellowstone River a long time ago, Makoshika will satisfy those photographers who enjoy shooting badlands type landscapes.

Sitting on the edge of Glendive in Eastern Montana, Makoshika is 40 miles west of the North Dakota border.

There are numerous hiking trails including Kinney Coulee and the Caprock Trail. The park also has camping available. This park is open year round and can be photographed early and late in the day for great results.  Here is a picture and website info. … Continue Reading

Photographing Badlands National Park in 4 Hours

We have all been there. A trip somewhere for some reason that once wrapped up, leaves you some time to shoot. Not enough time to thoroughly cover an area, but enough time to do what you love best!

This happened to me a week ago. I was in South Dakota teaching a cowboy portrait workshop and when I was all wrapped up I had a free afternoon and evening to go shoot. I decided on Badlands NP where I had not been in many years. So I left my hotel about noon and drove the 2 hours there, paid the entrance fee, and went at it.

Obviously 4 hours is not enough time to shoot this magnificent park, or any park generally, but it is all I had. When the ranger gave me the park map I scoured it, calculated the mileage, and thought I could do the whole loop from the Pinnacles Entrance along Sage Creek Rim Road to Scenic, then on to Interior, and finish up along the Badlands Loop Road and its many overlooks.

It was about 2:00 and sunset was 6:20 and I felt I had enough time, so off I went. Here are some shots from 4 hours in Badlands NP. … Continue Reading

How is The Fall Color in Your Area? Share Your Reports.

Fall is my favorite season to photograph and it is here.

This post is designed for you to share information on how the colors are looking in your area. At my house in Central Oregon the aspens have just started turning color and are looking at a few more weeks and things appear to on schedule.

What does it look like in your area?

If you have any reports to share on where to go and when feel free to share your suggestions.

Please leave a comment with your report, ideas, and suggestions for favorite places.

Favorite Places: Nevada’s Valley of Fire SP

I have enjoyed wandering around the United States and bouncing between coasts for more than 25 years photographing many of our natural treasures.

One place that never seemed to be on my chosen route each trip was Nevada’s Valley of Fire State Park. I finally stopped for a visit in 2010 and much to my surprise this place was beyond what I even remotely expected.

As I wandered and explored that first day of my visit I wondered briefly if I had read the map wrong and was actually in Utah’s Canyon Country. Nevada is beautiful! From the Ruby and Santa Rosa Mountains to the North and the Great Basin National Park on the East side, Valley of Fire North of Las Vegas does not seem to belong here.

But I am glad it is as I had two days to figure out the lay of the land. I quickly realized two days was not enough and I would have to plan another visit here. … Continue Reading

6 New National Park Natural Landmarks Worth Photographing

It is always a nice surprise when the National Park Service adds more lands to its inventory of protected areas. Recently, Interior Secretary Ken Salazar announced the addition of 6 Natural Areas for protection and this is always good news to nature photographers.

Every National Park has been photographed to death and the inventory of amazing images is vast. So when there are new additions to the system this generates news and stories and increases the needs for photography from these locations.

The additions are part of President Obama’s America’s Great Outdoors Initiative designed to develop a conservation ethic in the 21st century.

The six new natural areas are: Barfoot Park in the Chiricahua Mountains of southern Arizona, Golden Fossil Areas west and north of Golden, Colo., Hanging Lake National Natural Landmark is east of Glenwood Springs, Colo.; Kahlotus Ridgetop National Natural Landmark is in Palouse country four miles north of Kahlotus, Wash.; Round Top Butte National Natural Landmark is near Medford, Ore.; and Island National Natural Landmark is located  in east-central Oregon. … Continue Reading

Favorite Places: Rockport, Massachusetts

There are plenty of fabulous places to photograph and each and every one of us has a place that we consider a favorite.

One of mine is Rockport, Massachusetts, a small fishing village North of Boston on Cape Ann. I first visited the area back in the 80’s and since that first visit I knew I would be back for a visit anytime I visited New England.

My first visit back then couldn’t have been more perfect. The first stop on my list a was the Rockport boat harbor with it’s idyllic look and quaint New England charm, it was the perfect example of a small and historic fishing village.  It was the first place I wanted to photograph. … Continue Reading