Aaron, Author at Teton Photography Club

November 10, 2015

Black Sand Basin

Sunset Lake

Elevation change for Black Sand Basin
Elevation profile and route courtesy of the HAZ Tracks App

Distance: .5 mile (in and out)
Difficulty: Easy
Best time of year: Year-round

For those already in the neighborhood of Old Faithful, Black Sand Basin is a short and sweet boardwalk trail that features some colorful and quite interesting thermal features. It’s an easily accessible and easily walkable trail whose highlights include Spouter Geyser, Emerald Pool, and Sunset Lake (pictured above), a massive hot spring lined with colorful thermophiles that makes the detour completely worth it.

The basin is primarily known for Emerald Pool, though early tourists who threw objects into the pool are now to blame for its decreasing temperature resulting in a fading of color over time. It’s still quite colorful so it definitely shouldn’t be passed up! Opalescent Pool is one of the newer features to the area, coated with a unique color and surrounded by stained pine trees that it overtook in its development.

The name Black Sand Basin comes from the obsidian sand and lava rock that is found around the basin.

Thermophiles and Geysers

To see more images from Black Sand Basin, check out my Yellowstone National Park Gallery here.

Getting there: From the Old Faithful Visitor Center, drive out to the main highway, and in less than half-a-mile, you’ll see Black Sand Basin on the left. There’s also an option to walk to the basin from Old Faithful which will bring you past Daisy Geyser as well.

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November 9, 2015

Can Gear Improve our Photos?

Time to move on to discuss what helps us improve our photography. Your last homework assignment (most of you were bad boys and girls and didn’t complete your homework) was to send me your answer to the following question: I would like for you to think about the top two pieces of equipment (cameras, lenses, tripods) that had the most impact on your photography and send me your top-2 and why they have been important to your improvement. I asked a very similar question to “the dozen” with quite similar answers.

But before I share the answers let me ask a slightly different question that was intended to be the heart of the homework assignment. If I were to promise to pay for any gear that you requested BUT you had to demonstrate to me after a month how it improved your photography, what would you choose to have me buy? AND if you couldn’t prove in one month that the gear I bought you had actually made a difference, you would have to pay me back. I might be dead- wrong but I suspect that you would be careful about how you spent my money – and theoretically your money. It seems to me that improving your photography should be why you buy new gear. Hmmmm …

I have been seriously into photography for about a year. This past year is the first time in many years that I have spent any money on photographic gear. Some of the gear has had a huge impact. But I must admit I didn’t always think about what the impact would be before I bought the equipment. I suspect some of you didn’t think about the impact either, so let’s look at what “the dozen” said about photographic gear.

Two people said “good glass” is the most important gear to improve their photography. I know both of these photographers and I would definitely put them in the advanced category, a long way from point-and-shoot. They are highly skilled and have been involved in photography for many years. One said, “I would say good glass. I have shot many cameras and they all do well. Having good glass makes all the difference.” If you have owned many digital cameras and lenses and have taken thousands of images, you can probably see the difference. But if you are just starting to make the move from amateur to artist (remember, Emerson said “Every Artist was First an Amateur”) you probably don’t need expensive glass. So what else might help you become more artistic?

A number of people talked about how zoom lenses helped them improve their photographic skills and “eye.” Tom said, “Without a doubt, the ability to change focal lengths has made the biggest difference in transitioning from the hobbyist to the serious hobbyist.” I know Tom well and I think he certainly is moving toward being a real artist and I agree a zoom lens can have a big impact. Why would a zoom lens help improve the photo skills of an amateur more than expensive lenses?

From what I have read about composition, and what I have learned from my own photographic experience, amateur photographers often make the mistake of trying to include everything in their photos. Bryan Peterson is one of my favorite photo author/teachers. He often talks about “filling the frame” (i.e., getting closer to your subject) and removing “crying babies” (i.e., object that are distracting) to improve your composition by making the focus of your photo clear. If you want to improve the focus on your composition, a zoom lens can help you to “see” differently. I have found my zoom lenses to have a dramatic impact on the composition in my photographs.

These two photos aren’t great examples of the use of a zoom lens but you’ll get the “picture” (sorry about the pun). A zoom lens helped me get closer to the subject (without getting my feet wet when it was 6 degrees).

A zoom lens also helps me get rid of the “screaming baby” on the right (the trees and brush) that are distracting to the focus on my photograph (the mountains and their reflection.) So what gear is the #1 way to spend you money to improve your photography ?

The photo gear that was listed most often by “the dozen” and those who did their homework was … the tripod. But you might be thinking, why would the tripod be important? Let me share Arnie’s comment because it truly states the true value of the tripod; “A good tripod is absolutely necessary. Not only do they reduce camera shake but more important, it slows down work flow allowing photographers to focus on details of composition.” I promise, I didn’t pay Arnie to say this but I agree 100%. Let me explain why, from my own experience, I believe a good tripod is so important to improving as a photographer.

I hate to admit this but a year ago when I went out on a photo shoot I would just fire away. I had read lots of books and gone on-line to watch many videos. But when I got out in the beauty of the mountains I just started firing away. What was I thinking? The answer is that I wasn’t thinking much at all except to assume (I guess) that the more pictures I took the more likely it was that one of them would be great. Sorry Randy, it doesn’t work that way! To improve your photography you have to think about it at the time you are taking the photographs. After a couple months of listening to great photographers from the Teton Photography Group I recognized that I need to have a good tripod AND I needed to think about what I was doing as I was doing it. I needed to think about exposure and composition and … take … my … time.

I found taking my time is more difficult that I thought it would be. But now I am absolutely addicted to my tripod. In fact, I have already upgraded my tripod to get a sturdier one. And I take my time to think about composition and exposure. I take a shot and then look at the monitor, including the histogram, to think – “Is this the shot I want?” I must admit I have not arrived … not even close. And when I get home after a shoot and look at my computer I realize I need to think more and slow down my workflow even more. I guess sometimes I think it would be nice if this photography art thing was easy … but if it was easy, every photographer would be an artist. Keep on shooting, but take your time and think about what you are doing. A tripod may be a big help.

November 9, 2015

The Importance of Hearing Nothing

Cassidy Arch Abstract

When you hear it (so to speak), it transcends you. It’s an immediate zen moment that only the most remote reaches of nature can provide; away from people, away from chattering, away from road noise and cars trying to sound much bigger than they are. It even comes when you’re away from air traffic overhead if you’re lucky enough to have such a window. And it’s not just artificial noises you need to escape from. Flowing water, birds chirping, and bugs buzzing all contribute to some kind of interference with pure silence, something that roots you into your environment. This is probably why I have become so fond of Capitol Reef National Park in recent years. The silence is so easily found in such an underrated parks that you can’t help but feel more human just by being up on top of the Waterpocket Fold, the prominent geologic wonderland for which the park was created. In fact this reminder came to me while on top of the Waterpocket Fold overlooking Cassidy Arch, hundreds of feet above the surrounding landscape.

Most people when experiencing true silence for the first time (and even subsequent times) immediately flood the silence with the exact opposite sensation: yelling and screaming and testing echoes, never actually allowing themselves to be immersed in the stillness of the environment. They’re missing out on something that is inevitably and innately human that millions of people don’t even realize. It’s actually a very similar subject to light pollution. You may be able to experience silence in a room, but it’s infinitely more rewarding when it’s outside, just like you can see an amazing photo of the night sky, but you can’t really comprehend what’s in the photo until you see it with your own eyes. The problem is that both are hard to find for most people, even though each was always an essential part of human existence. Now they’re so rare, people are required to go to great lengths just to get a sampling of them.

With an absence of noise comes something unexpected. When the only sound is the faint ringing in your ears, it becomes amplified, an experience incomprehensibly far from the normal day to day routines of life. With the mind so accustomed to hearing something in the background, it begins to search frantically for something to listen to. Anything. Is that normal, or is that the effect of hearing too much noise each day? I don’t have that answer. Under those conditions though, you can hear a fly buzzing from dozens of yards away. Your sense of hearing becomes exemplary. In moments like those you wonder if there’s a side-effect to human health in hearing constant noise on such a permanent basis.

It’s easy to think of non-natural sounds creating stress on the natural world as a loud bang or a loud engine roaring by. What goes more unnoticed is the stress from always hearing something and never getting a break from it, not unlike constantly being exposed to light and never getting to experience true darkness. It’s no wonder people tend to link noise pollution and light pollution together. Perhaps this is why I always feel the need to get back to the desert southwest fairly regularly. Silence and real night skies can be so easily found there.

Whatever the case, there’s definitely something cleansing about not just experiencing pure silence, but being aware of it too and actually relishing in it.

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November 7, 2015

Cold Morning at Schwabacher Landing:

From Stars to Sun ~ Stages of the Morning

6°F, Fresh Snow, Clear Skies, Stars, and No Wind.

Shooting Data: NIKON D810, 24.0-70.0 mm f/2.8 at 24 mm, 25.00 seconds at f/3.2, Manual Mode, ISO 4000, 5:30 am

Night and Stars: Yesterday, I saw stars and a crescent moon out my windows here in town. When I made it to the top of the hill just past the National Fish Hatchery, it was apparent clouds were covering the Teton Range. Today, Teton skies were actually clear and filled with stars—exactly what I was hoping for yesterday. A crescent moon hung low in the east to help supply just the right amount of natural light. Persistence can pay off!

I parked at Schwabacher Landing at 5:15 am. Sunrise would be at 7:06 am, giving me a couple of hours of night photography. This two hour window is often called the “blue light” period, followed immediately by several different stages of the morning sunrise. I was outfitted in my heaviest goose down jacket, gloves, waders, wading boots, bear spray, and a couple of flashlights. Before I left the house, I opened a couple of chemical hand warmers which were warm by the time I made it to Schwabacher Landing. I didn’t wade today, but I was prepared—and the extra layer was welcomed.

Shooting Data: NIKON D810, 24.0-70.0 mm f/2.8 at 35 mm, 25.00 seconds at f/3.2, Manual Mode, ISO 2000

Grand Reflections: I pulled into the parking lot just after the “nautical twilight” period and set up quickly. Stars were still visible, but the area was quite dark. I used a small flashlight to light some of the close shrubs. 5:54 am

Shooting Data: NIKON D810, 24.0-70.0 mm f/2.8 at 27 mm, 20 seconds at f/5, Manual Mode, ISO 800

Beaver Lodge: As the eastern skies begin to lighten, stars become less visible, yet the snow covered peaks begin to brighten. I used a 2 million candle power strobe to add some light to the grass, dam, dead trees, and beaver lodge during the long exposure. 6:10 am

Shooting Data: NIKON D810, 24.0-70.0 mm f/2.8 at 34 mm, 15 seconds at f/10, Aperture priority Mode, -1/3 EV, ISO 800

Frozen Pond: The upper beaver pond was frozen with the frigid overnight temperatures. The stars were mostly gone by the time I made it to this spot. The mountains reflected onto the ice. I added some light with my flashlight on this one, too. 6:21 am.

Shooting Data: NIKON D810, 24.0-70.0 mm f/2.8 at 24 mm, 13 seconds at f/10, Aperture priority Mode, -1/3 EV, ISO 800

Pre-Alpenglow: After a few shots at the upper beaver pond, I returned to the channel and set up to wait for the lavender and pink of alpenglow. This is a pretty time of morning. 6:26 am.

Shooting Data: NIKON D810, 24.0-70.0 mm f/2.8 at 42 mm, 1/5 second at f/11, Manual Mode, 1 EV, ISO 800

Alpenglow: This period is short lived, but well worth witnessing and photographing. Of course, you have to get up very early! I like to be set up about 30 minutes before the posted sunrise. I usually ask Siri for sunrise times on my iPhone. This shot was taken at 6:52 am.

Shooting Data: NIKON D810, 24.0-70.0 mm f/2.8 at 24 mm, 1/13 second at f/11, Manual Mode, 1 EV, ISO 800

Dwindling Alpenglow: The colors soften and the sky starts turning towards a dull gray. 7:00 am

Shooting Data: NIKON D810, 24.0-70.0 mm f/2.8 at 36 mm, 1/80 second at f/11, Aperture priority Mode, -1 EV, ISO 800

First Hint of Light: At the end of the dull gray period, first light starts hitting the tip of the peak. 7:04 am

Shooting Data: NIKON D810, 24.0-70.0 mm f/2.8 at 29 mm, 1/25 second at f/11, Aperture priority Mode, -2/3 EV, ISO 100

Fully Lit Range: Within about 10 minutes, the rose colored light covers the entire range. Within a few more minutes, the rose color disappears and is replaced by amber light. 7:13am. After taking this shot, I packed up and left the area this morning . I would have stayed longer if we had clouds above the mountain range.

Morning With Clouds: This shot from 2011 shows how clouds can add a lot to a sunrise shot. They are not great for mornings when I want to capture stars and the setting moon.

Shooting Data: NIKON D810, 24.0-70.0 mm f/2.8 at 34 mm, 1/320 Second at f/11, Manual Mode, -1/3 EV, ISO 140, 9:02am

Mid-Morning Light: When there are clouds over the range, it can be worth waiting for sunlight to bathe the middle ground trees and grasses. By that time, most of the rich colors of lavender, pink, rose, and peach are seldom present. This photo was taken on the following day.

Typical Sunrise: The stages illustrated on this page can be seen on many of the mornings year round. Times change, of course. The same sequence usually occurs all around the valley—not just Schwabacher Landing. Clouds are the big variable. Too many clouds in the east, and a sunrise can can be very dull. Clouds over the Tetons can cover the stars or the mountains themselves. It is always a gamble getting up early for Alpenglow, but when I hit it right, the skies are spectacular and worth the effort.

Shooting Data: NIKON D810, 24.0-70.0 mm f/2.8 at 36 mm, 1/500 Second at f/11, Manual Mode, 0 EV, ISO 220, 9:23am

Schwabacher Downstream: Over the past few years, beavers have been busy building dams downstream from the main parking area. There’s another parking lot a few hundred yards south of there where I parked for this shot. Additional reflection pools can be found in this section of the old channel.

Beaver Dam: Shooting Data: NIKON D810, 24.0-70.0 mm f/2.8 at 55 mm, 1/500 Second at f/11, Manual Mode, 0 EV, ISO 280 9:36am

Short lived Winter access at one of the Park’s most photogenic locations.

In 2013, Grand Teton National Park made changes to the regulations for the Elk Reduction Program (Elk Hunt)—eliminating hunting in the Snake River river bottom. Prior to the changes, Schwabacher Landing remained reliably open until the end of the hunt in that area. Since the changes, the road into the popular area can be closed at any time, based on the volume of snow or drifting snow covering the road. The area is officially closed to all human activity on December 15th. As I make this post on November 7th, access via the road is still available, but the still pools are beginning to freeze over. In short, get there soon!

Schwabacher Landing: Before Sunrise:

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