Born and raised in the Mojave Desert at the base of the Eastern Sierras, I've had the wonderful opportunity to explore diverse landscapes essentially out my front door. At first, this exploration was experienced through avid hiking and cycling, but trapped only as a memory. Through the camera's viewfinder, I have the privilege to view the outdoors with a new beauty by looking deeper into the landscape to find and permanently witness its subtle treasures.

With the mobility of the digital SLR, I'm able to exercise and get to the magic light just in time to set up the tripod for nature's paint brush to exhibit her beauty. However, sometimes I do welcome the solitude of waiting on a rock for the sun to peek through the clouds to light up that frame's focal point. I can't ask for a better artistic outlet!

In the photo above, I'm at the peak of a very fun trip. After a few days of backpacking in the High Sierras, our party camped at Guitar Lake, just east of Mount Whitney. The next morning we rose at 1 AM, quickly packed up camp, and hit the trail to Mount Whitney by 1:30 AM. The moon was full, which nicely lit up the eastern side of Mount Whitney. In fact, the trail was so well lit by the moon, I didn't use my headlamp.

Nearing the summit, the night time views of the Owens Valley, and the dimly lit, trail-side cliffs are unforgettable! We reached the summit before sunrise, allowing for plenty of time to scout for photo opportunities during the dawn magic light. I highly suggest this moonlight hike. At this time in the morning, you will definitely not have the crowds to deal with on trail.

To enjoy the photography you can start with the different galleries.