This image isn’t as beautiful as some of the great Milky Way astroscapes, but it’s my favourite because of the circumstances I was able to capture it. It was taken around 5:00 in the morning in early September in the Joshua Tree forest in the west end of Death Valley National Park.

I took this image the night after the conclusion of the Mt Shasta 5 Day Alumni Workshop. Staying an extra day gave me time to visit a waterfall with my classmate Greg. I used several new techniques we learned in workshop both taking and processing the image. I titled this image "McCloud Skies" and entered in the CalEPA employee annual fall photo show. It sold immediately and I had quite a few requests for prints from people who missed purchasing it. One print went to a coworker who's family has been in the McCloud area for generations. The response to this photo made my photography year!

Some weekends stand out a little more than others. I enjoyed the marriage of two amazing friends, beheld mountain and meadow views, waded through meandering rivers, soaked in hot springs, talked loudly to bears that may or may not have been around the next bend, and meditated to the illumination of this waterfall by the harvest moon.

This image is my favorite because of the challenges involved in getting to this location, but also the fun and bonding experience that resulted from the adventure. Also, it was a challenge processing the image, but with help from a patient friend, I am pleased with the result.

This image was recorded in the Great Smoky Mountains National Park, at one of the historic cabins in the Cades Cove area of the park. This image is my favorite because of the combination of the experience and the execution involved in creating this image.

This was a challenging year - Not as much flexibility in getting away to shoot, acquired some ancient slow glass and married them to fast new bodies to over come their limitations, weather, when I did get away, was not so cooperative. Met a great many new photographer friends, the company was awesome. I am still enamored with the possibilities fish-eyes provide shooting the night sky. This capture has all this year was - shooting with new photographers, old lens, fisheye, weather and air glow! Looking forward to the next year to push what these lenses and bodies can do! Hope to see some of the alum, out there.

Kalahari Plains in Botswana

This image of the Milk Way gliding over Crater Lake has been a two-year challenge! That’s why it’s my favorite night image! For the past two summers, wildfires hampered my plans. Finally in June, I thought it would work. I drove up to Crater Lake with a friend, spent two days enjoying the majesty of Crater Lake; however, at night, the fog rolled in and spoiled our efforts.

I like this image because of the lighting techniques I used (thanks, Brad!) and because the Alabama Hills are such a striking place to photograph in.

This shot of the Milky Way at Two Jack Lake in Alberta, Canada is one of my favorite shots from 2018. I was able to use all the components of Nightscape Photography I’ve learned from Brad Goldpaint to plan and capture this shot. While I originally planned to have the Milky Way coming straight out of Mt. Rundle, I waited until Mars became visible, since there was very little wind allowing for a nice reflection.