All around Austin Texas are these little pockets of Airstream trailers. Each one has been converted into a kitchen and specializes in some flavor of gourmet. Torches Tacos alone is reason enough to visit Austin. Once you order, just grab a seat at a nearby picnic bench and wait for them to bring out a delicious surprise.

Capture Notes:

• Nikon D700
• Nikon 28-300 VR II
• Lexar UDMA 300x Compact Flash

Processing Notes:

Capture – 1 image
Nik HDR Efex Pro – Granny’s Attic preset..but warmed up a bit
Sized for web
Hossedia.com

Landing a plane on Mt. McKinley is like landing a plane anywhere (note: this is coming from the passenger, not the pilot). Except for the fact that the runway is about 50yds long and the control tower is 22,000 feet high. Tomato, Tamoto right? The take off is really similar too. Super short runway, valley wind shears, snow….Thankfully our pilot Richard, pictured here, had it handled. This cat was as cool as a cucumber. I will say I was a bit nervous looking down the runway….I wasn’t exactly sure what was at the end.

Website Note: Because I have posted photos and stories every Monday through Friday for the last four years, I take the website experience for granted. However, if you aren’t busy categorizing and tagging content like me , you might not know that you can find other pictures from Alaska (or elsewhere) by using the category feature on the right side (or clicking on the categories below this post). Just choose your category, or scroll down to the list of all the places I have photographed, and explore until your heart is content. Click Here for more Alaska photos.

It’s hard to believe, but if you follow that arrow, the hustle and bustle of LA is only a few miles down the road. Hermosa beach retains that sleepy little beach community vibe that I enjoy so much. Apparently I’m not the only one. Homes like this are in the tens of millions of dollars.

Side Note: I had organized a photo walk out in Hermosa beach while I was visiting and one of my buddies that was with us shot a pretty cool photo…and I just happen to be in it (but that’s definitely not what makes it cool). You can find what makes it cool and visit his great site by clicking here.

Capture Notes:

• Nikon D700
• Nikkor 17-35 AFS
• Lexar UDMA 300x Compact Flash
• Really Right Stuff Versa 24

Processing Notes:

Capture – 9 images @ 1ev
Lightroom – WB adjustments, export .jpgs
Photomatix – HDR/Tonemapping
Blended in a few anchor images
Nik Color Efex Pro 4 – Bleach bypass selectively to the streets to bring out some details.
Nik Color Efex Pro 4 – Glamour Glow selectively to the home
Photoshop – A few masked curves adjustments
Sized for web
Hossedia.com

When I was going through the archives last week, I stumbled across this image. I always want to keep the content here fresh, so I knew I couldn’t post it last week. It would have conflicted with the other image I posted. Unless I’m doing one of my signature 5 part stories, I always try to hold up my end of the bargain by providing you a pleasant surprise. However, I couldn’t wait a month to share this one, I just liked it too much. I remember making this image. The wind was blowing fiercely that day. It was as if we were in a sandblaster. The dunes were being shaped before our eyes. I decided I would try my best to capture, in a photograph, what that shaping process was like. This is what I came away with.

If you are new here, I wanted to let you know you can always click on the image to get a lager version to use as your daily computer desktop. See you tomorrow!

iPhone Photography Field Trip

If you are in the Colorado area, or know someone who is, my iPhone Photography workshop is running on Living Social for 1 more day. Make sure you take advantage of the discount. The class is really fun, and makes a unique gift for the creative enthusiast in your life. It also makes a great date for those romantics out there. CLICK HERE to get the deal.

Capture Notes:

• Nikon D700
• Nikon 28-300 VR II
• Lexar UDMA 300x Compact Flash

Processing Notes:

Capture – 1 image
Lightroom – RAW Processing & BW Conversion
Sized for web
Hossedia.com

I’ve just scheduled our March workshops! If you are in the Denver area, or don’t mind traveling, come join us for a fun day of learning all about iPhone photography!

About The Class

Never let a bulky camera or a bunch of dials get in the way of taking a great photograph again! In this fun two hour iPhone Photography workshop you will have a great time learning how to turn your iPhone into a loyal creative companion. Whether it is a trip to Paris, a family reunion, or just a walk in the park your iPhone will have you covered. In this class you will not only learn the basic principles of great photography, you will also learn how to use five of the most powerful iPhone Photography apps on the market. Finally, what good are great photos if you can’t share them? We will show you how to quickly and easily share your newly created masterpieces with your friends and family on Facebook, Twitter, & Email.

Click Here to find a class that fits into your schedule.

I hope everyone has a great weekend, we will see you back here on Monday!

Fitness Challenge Update

If you are a regular here, you know I run a fitness challenge every year. We all state our goals in Nov. and try to make them happen by May. My goal this year was to do a stand up paddle board race called the Olukai. When I set the goal, I had never even stood on a paddle board, let alone race one. That was the beauty of it! It was totally uncharted waters (pun intended). I had no idea what to expect or what I would encounter. Instead of updating you about my fitness, I thought I’d share a few of the things I have experienced that I never would have had I not tried something totally new. I share these things hoping that it will encourage you to do the same. I’m learning more and more about the journey….the destination is just icing on the cake.

• Spent some quality time with a few of my photo buddies in Austin.
• Paddled a five mile stretch of Lady Bird Lake on my knees.
• Was nearly run over by the UT women’s crew team….they weren’t stopping.
• Actually went on a photo-walk with some of the nicest guys you could meet.
• I participated in a Bordeaux wine tasting with thousands of other people around the world.
• Fell in love with nookie…no, not that nookie…I’m talking fried chocolate chip cookie dough.
• Visited (by paddle board) the Stevie Ray memorial in Austin.
• Reconnected with an old college cycling teammate.
• Rode cruiser bikes with my wife for 30 miles along the California coast.
• Surfed a few waves.
• Overcame (well, overcoming) a healthy fear of white sharks. It still bothers me a bit when I’m alone in the grey waters a mile off the coast of California.
• Chatted with a Navy Seal and thanked him for his service.
• I was scolded by a surf shop operator for drinking coffee…apparently he couldn’t keep up with my questions at 10am.
• Paddled along side a family of dolphins.
• Got Plineyed(sp?)
• I’m spending a lot of time on a balance board in my living room.
• Got into land surfing (long boarding around the parks here in Colorado w/ a paddle).
• On my paddle board, I explored the kelp fields off of La Jolla and watched sea lions play.
• Fell off my board more times than I would like to admit.

When my mind is quiet, I can hear this place calling me. I wish I could articulate why. It’s just one of those magical places in the world that casts a spell on those that visit. Maybe it was the adventure I was on when I discovered it, or simply its scale? When I’m there, I feel small but part of something larger. It’s like the Earth smiles at you and reminds you that you’re a visitor, then it winks to let you know that it is happy to have you. It is one of my favorite places in the world.

Do you have a place like that?

This is how we walk the dog here in Colorado! The Great Sand Dunes are incredible, and if you are ever visiting here make sure you schedule them up. Last year I shot an entire series there using a single camera and lens. I shared the lesson I learned here.

It is that time of year again, the pro cycling season is underway. To celebrate, I thought I would share a common scene you will find if you ever decide to make your way to the Tour de France. The mountain passes are lined with thousands of RVs. Or as my European friends call them, ‘camping cars’. Fans will flock from all around Europe in these camping cars to cheer on their favorite riders. They arrive days in advance to get a good spot. It is a big party that lasts for days, and if you’re a cyclist, they will cheer for you as your ride by. You don’t know how many times a German, Belgian, or French family saved me by offering me food and water while I was out on a long ride. They just love their cyclists….even if you are a slow rider touring the countryside.

Capture Notes:

• Nikon D700
• Nikkor 45mm PCE
• Lexar UDMA 300x Compact Flash

Processing Notes:

Capture – 1 image
RAW Development – Lightroom 3
Sized for web
Hossedia.com

I hope everyone had a great weekend. Mine was pretty busy so this will be a quick post. Sorry about that. If you are a regular here you know I have a soft spot for Americana and a great place to explore the forgotten west is Nevada.