Spacious Skies...

Taken at Badlands National Park, South Dakota...

Nikon D7000, Nikkor 55-300 DX VR

Intertwined

Wind was blowing, so it was difficult to get a sharp shot.  I didn't notice that the flowers were intertwined until I looked at my photos from the trip after I got back home.  Taken in Badlands National Park, South Dakota...

Nikon D7000, Nikkor 55-300 DX VR

Autumn Harvest

Taken outside of Marion, Kansas...

Nikon D40, Nikkor 55-200 DX VR

Cool and Saturated

I took this photo in the early winter of 2008.  I was still flailing away, trying to figure out how my camera worked and what it could do.  I'd like to say that I used the flash intentionally for some fill light to illuminate the sign, but I had the camera in "auto" mode so the flash popped up and fired on its own.  Afterwards I boosted the saturation a bit in Picasa to make the colors "glow" a bit more.  Looking back, obviously not a stellar effort, but definitely a part of the learning process... Taken at a pull out on Turnagain Arm, outside of Anchorage...

Nikon D40, Nikkor 55-200 DX VR

One Is The...

Taken at Ekultna Lake...

Nikon D40, Nikkor 55-200 DX VR

Profile

I like this because of the profile, which isn't a typical shot...  Mount Rushmore, South Dakota...

Nikon D7000, Nikkor 55-300 DX VR

Go Wide

As soon as I came around the corner and saw this view I knew I had to go with a wide angle, to take in as much of the landscape as possible.  Taken at Badlands National Park, South Dakota...

Nikon D7000, Nikkor 18-55 DX 

Bridge to Somewhere

Road to Hana, Maui...

Nikon D40, Nikkor 55-200 DX VR

Vibrant

I came across "Art Alley" in Rapid City, South Dakota, while walking downtown.  I like the vibrant colors, texture, layers of paint, and how the utility pole intersects the scene while blending in as well...

Nikon D7000, Nikkor 18-55 DX

Contrast

I recently upgraded my camera body, to a Nikon D7000.  I had the opportunity to do some shooting South Dakota this week. I like this one because of the tonal contrast across the landscape.  Taken at Badlands National Park.

Nikon D7000, Nikkor 55-300 DX VR

Swaying In The Breeze

Hearing the trees sway in the autumn wind made me think of the palm trees in Maui...

Nikon D40, Nikkor 55-200 DX VR

Pump It Up

Cropped, sensor dust specks removed, saturation increased to bring out the green in the leaves...  Taken in Maui...

Nikon D40, Nikkor 55-200 DX VR

Fall

Cropped to tighten the frame.  Taken at Eklutna Lake...

Nikon D40, Nikkor 55-300 DX VR

A is for Aperture

When I bought my Nikon D40, my first DSLR, I started out in "Auto" mode.  Then I soon switched to "P" mode, also known as Professional mode.  In other words, the camera still makes the decisions for you, but they're better decisions.  Then, I started experimenting with "A" mode, where I set the aperture and let the camera determine the appropriate shutter speed.  This is one of my first attempts at using "A" mode.  Not a great shot by any means, but part of the learning process... Taken in Georgetown, Colorado...

Nikon D40, Nikkor 55-200 DX VR

White

I like how the flowers fill the frame, how you can see the pollen and dust on the petals (but they're not distracting), how the white color "pops" from the photo without looking washed out...  Taken in South Kehei, Maui...

Nikon D40, Nikkor 55-200 DX VR

Leading Lines

Taken at Independence Mine, Hatcher's Pass...

Nikon D40, Nikkor 55-300 DX VR

Behind The Green Door

On the road to Hana, Maui...

Nikon D40, Nikkor 55-200 DX VR

Texture

Taken at the Nike Missile site located up Arctic Valley, north of Anchorage.  I like the bleeding rust, texture, peeling paint...

Nikon D40, Nikkor 55-300 DX VR

Fall Is In the Air

Taken at Eklutna Lake, north of Anchorage...

Nikon D40, Nikkor 55-200 DX VR

Misty, Moody Day

Independence Mine, Hatcher's Pass.  Low hanging fog with the sun breaking through.  Perfect day to get inspired. Especially when you're trying out a new lens...

Nikon D40, Nikkor 55-300 DX VR

Thistle

Simple shot that I like...

Nikon D40, Nikkor 55-200 DX VR

Right Place, Right Time, and Some Luck

Potter's Marsh, outside of Anchorage...

Nikon D40, Nikkor 55-200 DX VR

"Old" West

Random close-up in Cheyenne...

Nikon D40, Nikkor 55-200 DX VR

Closer...

Spent a morning in Maui trying out a close up lens (filter).  Overall I wasn't satisfied with the results - which is most likely due to a combination of lack of practice and operator error - but I think this one is interesting...

Nikon D40, Nikkor 55-200 DX VR, Canon 500D Close Up Lens

An Old One

An older photo, taken pre-DSLR days.  The exposure, color rendition, etc., aren't the best, but I like the composition and the juxtaposition of something old (traditional ceremonial clothing) and something new (Oakley sunglasses).

Olympus C765UZ

Blend

Nothing really notable about these, but I like how the caribou blend into the landscape. Taken in Denali National Park...

Nikon D40, Nikkor 55-200 DX VR