Once again too much time has passed since my last newsletter. It has been a busy time with lots of traveling. I will try and write in short segments with images from each part of the year.

THE IMAGES IN THIS EMAIL ALONG WITH ADDITIONAL IMAGES CAN BE SEEN IN THIS GALLERY - CLICK HERE

I decided to leave Arizona for a while and move up to Merlin Oregon to help my mom with her home and nearly 4 acres. It was time to spend some quality time with her and allow me to make this my home base for travel. And travel I have. Visiting and helping friends out in Seattle, camping on the N. California and southern Oregon coast, a road trip to Santa Cruz CA where I grew up, then on to Phoenix to teach and do photo demos at the Capture Photo Con. From there I drove back to Oregon via the eastern side of the High Sierras, visiting places like the Bristlecone Pines, Tioga Pass and Tuolumne Meadows, Mono Lake and Burney Falls (Lassen National Park area). I have also spent time in Mt. Rainer National Park.

Along the way I did an interesting photo project using sparks and a bottle of Don Julio 1942 Tequila.

Let’s start with the Tequila.

Hanging the bottle by it’s neck, using a device I created, I used a small grinder to send sparks flying up from a piece of metal. Hours of work went into the setup, lighting and finally the live shots with sparks.

(yes, I had a pillow in a box under that expensive Tequila bottle)

Taking some time to go visit the Redwoods, I camped at Jedediah Smith State Park. A 2 hour drive down the Smith River and just outside of Crescent City. I went a few weeks before Memorial Weekend to avoid the summer crowds. Driving up and down the coast, hiking out to points near Klamath and hikes in the redwood groves, the weather was perfect. I only wish I had stayed longer than 3 days. Driving back to Merlin I stopped and visited the Oregon Caves. I will return to the coast as it is virtually in my backyard.

Being asked to return and speak at the Capture Photo Con in Phoenix, I planned a two week road trip. Arriving in Santa Cruz CA, I stayed with several friends in Aptos. Visiting the old home town on some family business as well as a chance to get together with my old surfing buddies and their wives was something I had to do on the trip. This worked out perfectly and fun was had by all. A short trip to the beach and some photos of the cement ship, the Palo Alto, that we played in as kids. It is now broken and unsafe.

I took two days to drive to Phoenix. Palm Desert was the first stop after braving the LA traffic over the Grapevine and across to the east from Burbank. Arriving in Phoenix, I stayed with my friend Patrick and his wife. Always great as we talk food, wine and photography. He even developed some old film in a solution of instant coffee and vitamin C, with a second solution of washing soda. Hey, it works!

The Capture Photo Con is a convention on all things photography. Not only do I get to teach several classes and do studio lighting demos with my favorite models, I also get to attend other classes and demos from other wonderful photographers. Going out to dinner and hanging out with friends.

I taught a class on a technique called Focus Stacking for complete in focus image using Macro Lenses or shooting Landscape images. The second class was on product photography and the basics of lighting and making a beer glass and beer look cold, wet and frosty. Both classes had more sign ups than seats. We made room for all in these overbooked classes.


Down on the main floor with all the vendors I did Film Noir style lighting demos in the full daylight of a basket ball court with windows and skylights! I had no idea what model were scheduled for that time. To my surprise 3 of my favorites showed up ready to play and shoot in the studio lights. Aurora O’Brien, Kim Wright and Lindsey Lockwood. Fun was had by all and it was a great reunion. I’ll let the photos tell the story

Arriving back in Merlin my mom had put a newspaper article on my desk about the need for volunteers at the upcoming Balloon and Kite Festival. I call in and was put on as a balloon crew person. No garbage collecting for this boy. I have some experience with hot air balloons via my friend, Canon Explorer of Light and balloon pilot, Ken Sklute. Now now I would get 3 solid days of ground crew and chasing, setting up and taking down the balloon up to 3 times a day. Days were 5 am to as long as midnight. I took naps but it was exhausting! I ended up as crew chief for Peggy of the Starlite balloon from Santa Paula CA. A great experience for sure!