Tag: Lightroom

My suggestion is to embrace the thick smoke when you can and look for unique opportunities.

Déjà Vu…right? This is not the first year we’ve had smoke filled skies. Actually, we get at least some of it every year. It just happens to feel “early” and it feels “thicker” than usual this year!

You’ve probably heard the joke, “If life deals you a bunch of lemons, make lemonade.” Comedian, Ron White, says “If you end up with a lot of lemonade, find someone with a lot of vodka and have a party!”

Currently, Jackson Hole, and essentially all of the west, is being inundated with thick smoke from the California and other regional wildfires. There’s nothing any of us can do to sweep the smoke out of here. Mother Nature will have to do that. More than likely, any relief will probably short lived for most of the rest of summer and into fall. Large fires are burning in almost every western state, so unfortunately there is no relief in the forecast.

The photos on this page were taken within the past week and will hopefully give you some ideas and inspiration.

If you go out early, the sun will the brightest orange you will ever see as it clears the eastern mountains.

Depending on how you process your images, you can “swing” the look in programs like Lightroom, Photoshop, or Elements. Gold…amber…blue…lavender…your choice!

The smoke “layers” landscapes as seen above.

Over the last few days, there have been chances to see the “filtered” Tetons, while other days, the smoke is so thick it is impossible to see them from the highway.

While mornings seem to be best for landscapes here, evenings can also be good if the smoke is not too thick.

I took this photo before the thickest smoke entered the valley. If the wind clears the smoke, the sunrise and sunsets will probably still have the beautiful gold and amber colors.

Wildlife photography can also have an entirely different look. Make lemonade!

I took this photo at straight up noon. Normally, moose would be bedded down during the hottest part of day, and if you did find them, the light would be terribly harsh. With a thick layer of smoke, days can be cooler and animals might be more visible in the middle of the day. The smoke works as a giant light box, softening the light and adding an amber cast.

The trick is to concentrate on close subjects for some “looks” and watch for layered shots in others. As with any other overcast day, colors can be abnormally saturated.

Subjects taken at 40 yards of farther will have a noticeable haze and color shift. Closer would be better on most shots, but the haze can work well enough on others.

Leaves, berries, flowers, and pine cones can usually be photographed at close range, effectively eliminating the haze issue. These are Musk Thistle flowers and even though they are considered an invasive species, I can find beauty in them.

The Dehaze filter found in Adobe Camera Raw in Photoshop and Lightroom can come in handy to eliminate some of the haze. In some cases, especially if the subject is relatively close, the filter can recover some of the density lost to the smoke. You’ll find it adds contrast plus deepens the blues and greens.

Sometimes, the haze can add to a scene like the one above. Close subjects can be dense and dark, while distant elements can have a ghost-like look. The haze can often have a granular or grainy texture.

I have to admit that I will be happy to get back to “normal” at some point in the future, but for now, there are plenty of unique opportunities if you look for them. Time for some lemonade! > MJ

I am accepting photo tours for the summer and fall…with modifications! August Tours Available!

Normally, I drive my tour clients around in my vehicle. During the COVID-19 pandemic, I’ve opted to offer tours by letting clients follow me in their vehicles. This allows for ample social distancing. I purchased several pairs of walkie-talkies to allow me to communicate while driving. Instead of eating inside one of the restaurants, I Creekside Market will make sandwiches to order for the day’s trip. Masks, hand sanitizer, and disinfectant wipes will be provided. If you have questions, please ask!

The goal is to keep both of us safe, yet cover most of the same areas of the park.

Photo tours help me pay bills and continue to add content to this site. Keep me in mind if you are going to be in the valley! My tours are licensed by the National Park Service and National Elk Refuge.

I offer year round photo tours in Grand Teton National Park. Seasons are changing! Book now! Click the image for additional information.

Client Comments: “As a published and passionate photographer, I recognized Michael Jackson’s extraordinary skills as a photographer. Today I learned more about composition and creative technical ideas than I ever could have imagined.” G.S., Jackson Hole.