International Photography of the Year (honorable mention in Nature:Landscape

“This grand show is eternal. It is always sunrise somewhere; the dew is never dried all at once; a shower is forever falling; vapor is ever rising. Eternal sunrise, eternal dawn and gloaming, on sea and continents and islands, each in its turn, as the round earth rolls.” John Muir

An amazing week in Yosemite led to this lead image (one of six) to be honored by IPOTY.

Rich Smukler specializes in Landscape and Fine-Art Photography from his studio in South Florida. His works have been featured in numerous museums, galleries and private collections internationally. You can acquire his works at http://www.richsmuklerphoto.com. (Kick back and stay awhile).

As long as I live, I’ll hear waterfalls and birds and winds sing

“As long as I live, I’ll hear waterfalls and birds and winds sing. I’ll interpret the rocks, learn the language of flood, storm, and the avalanche. I’ll acquaint myself with the glaciers and wild gardens, and get as near the heart of the world as I can”.”
― John Muir

The Sierras can either stop your heart or remind you that it is there. On the way to Bishop, California I was blessed with this scene.

Rich Smukler specializes in Landscape and Fine-Art Photography from his studio in South Florida. His works have been featured in numerous museums, galleries and private collections internationally. You can see more of his works at http://www.richsmuklerphoto.com. (Kick back and stay awhile).

Meadow Morn – Yosemite

Meadow Morn – Yosemite National Park – United States National Park Photography – Black and White Landscape Photography

As the sun  starts to peak over the mountains of Yosemite and into the meadows below, the magic show begins! The glow begins to spread and summons a new day.

Rich Smukler specializes in Landscape and Fine-Art Photography from his studio in South Florida. His works have been featured in numerous museums, galleries and private collections internationally. You can see more of his works at http://www.richsmuklerphoto.com. (Kick back and stay awhile).

Meadow Mist

Meadow Mist – Yosemite National Park

The cold rain of Yosemite is a blessing to photographers. As the  early sun rises and warms the dampened meadows, an eerie, ghostlike mist and fog permeate the area.

Rich Smukler specializes in Landscape and Fine-Art Photography from his studio in South Florida. His works have been featured in numerous museums, galleries and private collections internationally. You can see more of his works at http://www.richsmuklerphoto.com. (Kick back and stay awhile).

Night Photography Tip

Alabama Hills, California

Fenix HL21 Headlamp

Low light Photography creates some extra challenges. One tip I learned the hard way is to have adequate lighting to set up and adjust your equipment. It sounds so basic, but if you shoot long enough, you are bound to make every mistake in the book. As I have mentioned in the past, preparation prior to going out into the field is a must. But recognizing that there is always more to do once you get out there is the essence of this recommendation. It seems so simple, but a standard flashlight will not free both hands up  (unless you place the flashlight in your mouth)!  Aha! Consider a headlamp!!!! They are relatively inexpensive (around $30.00), are light weight, take up little space, and are extremely effective. The light follows your eyes! I have had luck with a company called Fenix, but I am certain there are others out there.

The dawn shoot above was at The Alabama Hills, just outside Lonepine, California. It is near the eastern slope of the Sierra Nevada in the Owens Valley. I was facing east (slightly to the south) which set up this silhouette with the morning sun’s rays coming from behind the image and slightly to the right.

Rich Smukler specializes in Landscape and Fine-Art Photography from his studio in South Florida. His works have been featured in numerous museums, galleries and private collections internationally. You can see more of his works at http://www.richsmuklerphoto.com. (Kick back and stay awhile).

Tips for Cold Weather Photography

Denali National Park, Alaska

A recent trip to Alaska caused me to revisit some basic tips when shooting in pretty extreme weather conditions. The temperature varied from near freezing to the low 80s and provided quite a challenge when it came to preparation for the trip. A few things you should keep in mind:

1. Camera Preparation: Consider your settings beforehand (to the best of your ability) and before you step outside. You don’t need to be fussing with your camera when you get out in the cold. Also, try to get your camera out in the cold for a significant period of time before you shoot. Otherwise, going from a warm lodge or car directly to the cold weather will cause condensation to form on your lenses and camera – not a pleasant thing.

2. Clothing: Layers of course, the conditions can change quickly and you’ll need to be ready. Gloves are a critical piece of the puzzle. There are some winter gloves available that allow you to remove the fingers which permit you to manipulate the camera when outdoors. I personally prefer using thin glove liners. When you are looking for subject matter or waiting for the light you can wear the glove shells and slip them off when ready to get to work.

3. Coming Indoors: Consider an airtight plastic bag for your camera to avoid condensation and remove your memory card as soon as possible for the same reason.

Happy Shooting!

Rich Smukler specializes in Landscape and Fine-Art Photography from his studio in South Florida. His works have been featured in numerous museums, galleries and private collections internationally. You can see more of his works at http://www.richsmuklerphoto.com. (Kick back and stay awhile).

Lost in the Sierras

Lost in the Sierras

I stumbled upon this quirky image in the prairies outside Bishop, California. The tires serve as a marker to a farm hidden back in the brush. Mountains from The Inyo National Forest serve as a backdrop and curiously mirror the contours of the tires.

For those who are unaware, the Inyo National Forest covers part of the eastern Sierra Nevada of California and the White Mountains of California and Nevada. The forest covers 1,903,381 acres and includes nine designated  wilderness areas which protect over 800,000 acres.

 Rich Smukler specializes in Landscape and Fine-Art Photography from his studio in South Florida. His works have been featured in numerous museums, galleries and private collections internationally. You can see more of his works at http://www.richsmuklerphoto.com. (Kick back and stay awhile).

ANCIENT BRISTLECONE PINE FOREST

Home of the oldest living things on earth, The Ancient Bristlecone Pine Forest is located about an hour east of Bishop, California in The White Mountains (elevations between 9,000 to 11,000 feet) and accessible via The Schulman Grove Visitor Center. These magnificent trees can range between well over 2,000 to 4,773 years old! Think about it! This was taken in October and the temperature was below freezing. If you plan to go, dress accordingly.

Rich Smukler specializes in Landscape and Fine-Art Photography from his studio in South Florida. His works have been featured in numerous museums, galleries and private collections internationally. You can see more of his works at http://www.richsmuklerphoto.com. (Kick back and stay awhile).

 

 

Alaska – Our Last Frontier

Covering 3.3 million acres of rugged mountains, dynamic glaciers, temperate rainforest, wild coastlines and deep sheltered fjords, Glacier Bay National Park is a highlight of Alaska’s Inside Passage and part of a 25-million acre  Alaskan World Heritage Site—one of the world’s largest international protected areas. Place a big check next to this amazing bucket list item!

Rich Smukler specializes in Landscape and Fine-Art Photography from his studio in South Florida. His works have been featured in numerous museums, galleries and private collections internationally. You can see more of his works at http://www.richsmuklerphoto.com. (Kick back and stay awhile).

Glade Walker

The Everglades National Park in Florida covers over 1,500,000 acres. This amazing ecosystem provides quite the photographic challenge and opportunity. Typically, the winter months are the most sane time to visit, due to the heat and thirsty mosquitos.

Rich Smukler specializes in Landscape and Fine-Art Photography from his studio in South Florida. His works have been featured in numerous museums, galleries and private collections internationally. You can see more of his works at http://www.richsmuklerphoto.com. (Kick back and stay awhile).

High in the Sierras

Heading down to Bishop, California from The Ancient Bristlecone Pine Forest, I was stopped in my tracks by Mother Nature’s handwork.

Rich Smukler specializes in Landscape and Fine-Art Photography from his studio in South Florida. His works have been featured in numerous museums, galleries and private collections internationally. You can see more of his works at http://www.richsmuklerphoto.com. (Kick back and stay awhile).