“iFotoGuide” has released the first and only iPhone app & digital guide to on-location nature photography. It is available through the Apple App Store.
“iFotoGuide: Arches” is the first in a series of digital guides for the iPhone providing nature photographers with a comprehensive resource for planning every aspect of a photography trip. Use “iFotoguide: Arches” to locate the nearest airport, find lodging and a rental car, and determine what weather to expect during your visit. Users of “iFotoGuide: Arches” can learn about park entrance fees, permits, flora and fauna, safety considerations and best times to visit for fall colors or wildflower blooms.
“iFotoGuide: Arches” goes beyond the ordinary photo guidebook by providing three innovative ways for iPhone users to find a dynamic location for photography. An interactive park map allows users to zoom, pan and select photography locations by name. Images in the photo gallery serve to inspire and are also interactive – one touch provides detailed instructions for getting to and photographing each location. “iFotoGuide: Arches” even allows users to search for locations to photograph at sunrise, sunset or in mid-day light.
Unlike guidebooks and newsletters which may be several years out of date, “iFotoGuide: Arches” is easily updated to ensure accurate and fresh content. “iFotoGuide: Arches” sells for $4.99 in the Apple App Store. Updates will include additional locations within Arches National Park and will be available at no cost to “iFotoGuide: Arches” users.
Created by photographers for photographers “iFotoGuide: Arches” is designed to provide users with all the tools necessary for a successful and productive photo trip. The developers of “iFotoGuide: Arches” are expanding park coverage, with Canyonlands and Yosemite National Parks available on iTunes in the first quarter of 2010.
“iFotoGuide” was founded in 2009 by photographers Dan Baumbach and Bret Edge to provide the only digital photo guides available on the Apple iPhone.
iFotoGuide: Arches National Park is now available in the Apple App Store.
Abstraction is everywhere in nature. Even so, it isn’t always easy to extract a successful image from the chaos. Patterns, lines, colors and textures can be difficult to arrange into a cohesive composition. But every once in a while all the difficult work is done for you, leaving you to do little more than point the camera and press the shutter button.
Three summers ago I spent a week roaming the San Juan mountains of southwest Colorado on an alpine wildflower pilgrimage. I’m fairly well traveled in the San Juans and was intent to seek out locations I’d not yet seen. On a rainy afternoon I stopped at Mad Mamas Pies in Silverton for a momentary respite from the storm. I broke out my topographic maps and began pouring over them while scarfing down a delicious slice of chocolate pie. I located a nearby basin that appeared to have potential, finished my pie and headed out into the storm. I passed the Silverton ski area and took a right on a rough dirt road. Up, up, up I climbed toward towering peaks issuing streams that cascaded through wildflower filled meadows. The road came to an abrupt end high in a basin ringed with peaks that dropped dramatically into an alpine lake. The mountain slopes were littered with talus that precariously clung to slopes so steep they taunted gravity and challenged the angle of repose. Patches of dirty snow lingered on the opposite side of the lake.
All of a sudden the rain abated. There were no more flashes of lightning, no more thunder claps. The wind slowed to a gentle breeze. I seized the moment to jump from my truck and walk to the edge of the lake. Wildflowers lined the shore in shades of red, purple, yellow and cream but I couldn’t take my eye off the Rorschach test on the opposite shore. Uncertain of how long this break in the weather would last I set up my camera and composed an image of the talus and snow reflecting in the rippled waters of an alpine lake in a place known as Velocity Basin.
A few minutes later an uncomfortably close lightning strike signaled that it was time to retreat to the safety of my truck. Rain began to fall and the wind whipped all around me. I didn’t get to make any images of the wildflowers and peaks. Instead, I came away with something much more unique. Mother Nature offered me a gift. She designed a beautiful abstract, presented it to me and graciously allowed me just enough time to photograph it. For all the havoc she is capable of wreaking, it appears she has a soft side too.
Autumn Willows and Cottonwood
The Scott M. Matheson Wetlands Preserve is an oasis in the desert near Moab, Utah. Owned by the Nature Conservancy and jointly managed with the Utah Department of Wildlife, the 200 acre preserve stands in stark contrast to the dry desert surrounding it. Spring snowmelt swells the Colorado River, whose waters rise above the banks to flood the preserve. A wooden walkpath loops for one mile through a lush forest of cottonwoods, willows, bulrush and cattails. Beavers, mule deer, river otters, skunks and even the occasional mountain lion roam the wooded area in search of shade and nourishment.
Photographers who come to Moab are usually focused on bagging trophy photos of icons like Delicate Arch, Dead Horse Point or Green River Overlook. Nothing wrong with that. Icons become icons for good reason. Big, bold landscapes create national parks and attract people from around the world. But for those seeking an entirely different experience, one marked by solitude and croaking frogs rather than hordes of tourists, head off the beaten path. Moab reveals an entirely different side to photographers willing to forego the icons for quiet, intimate moments in nature.
Boardwalk and Fallen Leaves
A walk through the Preserve on an overcast autumn day presents endless opportunities for intimate landscape photography. Yellow leaves and grey/blue trunks can be used to create graphic semi-abstract images. Thick foliage overhanging the weathered wooden boardwalk invites the viewer to go for a walk. Use longer lenses to extract interesting scenes out of the bigger picture. Think even smaller and photograph a collection of colorful leaves scattered about on the ground. The Preserve includes a wildlife blind that affords views of mule deer and other wildlife easily photographed with a moderate telephoto lens. As you stroll the boardwalk keep your mind open to all creative opportunities. You may miss something on the way in only to be delighted by it on your way out.
Cottonwood Intimate
To make the most of your time at the Preserve bring a tripod, polarizing filter and a lens assortment ranging from 35mm to 400mm. Super wide angle lenses won’t get much of a workout here. You can’t go wrong with macro lenses and/or extension tubes. Think small. Think abstract. Think creatively. You will surely enjoy the respite from the hustle and bustle of the parks. You might even create a one of a kind image to share with friends who will incredulously respond, “That’s Moab?!”
Todd Caudle and I wrapped up our Autumn Arches and Canyons workshop in Moab on Sunday. We hosted the coolest group of photographers any workshop leaders could have asked for. It was an absolute delight to meet and photograph with everyone, and I sincerely hope our paths will cross again. Jim and Jillian arrived from Canmore and nearby Banff NP and Louise came all the way from Hazelton, Canada. Arno and his sister Dottie represented the south as they left Florida and Arkansas to join us out west. Kathryn from Boise, ID had the shortest commute, which isn’t all that short at roughly 8 hours.
Those who think of Moab as all blue skies, sunshine and warm weather might be a bit shocked after one look at the photos we all produced this weekend. Dramatic skies, storm light and snow all combined to create the rare conditions coveted by nature photographers. Our workshop participants awoke early for sunrises in Canyonlands where the temperature hovered in the teens. After sunrise each morning we headed into town for breakfast at a local diner, the favorite of which was the Love Muffin. Mmmmm…huevos rancheros! Afternoons were spent photographing in Arches or Canyonlands, dodging intermittent rain showers and another large workshop group that seemed to be shadowing our every move. Todd and I had a much more fun group of folks than those guys who were way too serious. Someone needs to tell them that photography is fun!
On Saturday we spent several hours doing image critiques and discussing some basic digital darkroom techniques. Without question, this was one of the most enjoyable aspects of the workshop for all of us. I was humbled by the wealth of talent within our group. We each showed several images and the group discussed each photo in depth; what works, what doesn’t and why. Simply an awesome experience and I was truly inspired by all the amazing work that was shared.
I’d like to extend a heartfelt thank you to Arno, Dottie, Kathryn, Louise, Jim and Jillian for joining Todd and me in Moab. I had a blast with all of you!
Here’s a view of the White Rim from Green River Overlook at sunset on Friday, Nov. 13, 2009.
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I finally had enough time between projects to escape for a few days. Melissa and I packed up the Man Van with camping, photography and baby gear and headed south to my home state of Arizona. This would be Jackson’s first real camping trip. By that, I mean we would all be sleeping in a tent rather than a motor home. RV’ers call parking their rigs in a campground “camping” but I call it “not in any way camping”. If you have hot running water, your own toilet and a refrigerator you are NOT camping. But I digress.
We arrived safely at the Mather Campground in Grand Canyon National Park and I went about setting up the tent, airing up the mattress and unrolling sleeping bags. I’m OCD about setting up the tent with such a taut pitch that a quarter bounced off the rainfly would become a deadly weapon. After staking and re-staking the tent a few times I finally achieved the correct taut-ness. I then set out to photograph sunset while Melissa stayed behind with the Adventure Baby. The weather report called for wind. Every day, my least favorite thing in the world – wind. I had hoped the meteorologists would be wrong but unfortunately, they were not. Once at the canyon rim the wind blew not up and out of the Canyon but across the plateau and into it, making standing on the edge of a cliff an iffy proposition. Undeterred, I set up my tripod on the edge of a cliff to make a sunset image whose pastel sky and soft light belie the 50 MPH gusts I had to work around when depressing the shutter button. After sunset I headed back to camp for some much needed rest.
Sunset, Grand Canyon
Fortunately our campsite was well positioned and though we could hear the wind tearing through the tall ponderosa pine treetops we felt nary a breeze coming through the tent mesh. I slept through my alarm for sunrise and awoke to the still present wind and a sky full of dull gray clouds. Today we planned to hike the 8 mile section of Rim Trail from Bright Angel Lodge to Hermit’s Rest.
We arrived at the lodge and did some souvenir shopping. As with the previous day the incessant wind was ripping along the canyon rim. We stuffed our packs with hiking necessities only to realize that the only person on Earth who hates the wind more than me is Jackson. The dust was swirling all about and we didn’t want the little dude to end up with a mouth or nose full of the stuff, so we opted for taking a drive to visit some of the viewpoints.
After the drive we returned to camp and I dropped off Melissa and Jackson, then set out for another sunset. I went to Grandview as it was one of the more impressive viewpoints we found on our afternoon drive. I hiked down the trail a bit, found another sketchy rock outcropping and set up on it for a sunset I hoped would materialize out of the gray sky. Fortunately, it did. The wind was still howling, causing the clouds to move quickly through the sky. I watched in awe as beams of sunlight broke through the clouds to illuminate Vishnu Temple to the east. A man with a tripod is apparently some kind of freak show to foreign tourists. I heard someone speaking what sounded like gibberish behind me and turned around to find a Frenchman standing WAY too close with his point & shoot camera aimed over my shoulder. Behind him were several other foreigners who had wandered out onto my perch, apparently unaware that there are a few other spots at Grandview with an equally impressive view and more room.
Vishnu Temple
Soon after the canyon fell into shade the tourists disappeared but I remained. I’ve learned to love the soft illumination of civil twilight and was hopeful the western canyon would showcase this lovely light. It did, and it brought with it one of the most apocalyptic cloud displays I’ve ever photographed. I’m really, really glad I stayed.
Apocalyptic Sky
Back at camp we decided not to cook dinner in the wind. The menu at the restaurant at the Bright Angel Lodge looked appetizing and the thought of sitting inside a real structure, out of the wind, was also pleasant. Melissa’s fajitas were flavorful. My Mexican style chicken dish wasn’t. Actually, it wasn’t even fully cooked. Not wanting to ruin the trip with Salmonella I sent it back. The second attempt didn’t fare any better. I sent it back and shared the small fajita plate my wife was kind enough to split with me.
The next morning I got up for sunrise and the entire sky was gray. So, I did what any good nature photographer worth his salt would do – I went back to bed. When I awoke a few hours later the sky was still flat gray. I’m certain I didn’t miss anything.
We spent the day doing some research for a project I’m working on (can’t escape the projects) and I ended up photographing sunset at Yavapai Point. Around mid-day the clouds started to dissipate and by sunset, they were gone. Entirely gone. Just blank blue sky above the canyon which does not bode well for photography here. Melissa and Jackson braved the cold wind to hang out with me while I made a few images. The only image worth keeping was made in the soft civil twilight looking west with Plateau Point far below and Bright Angel Canyon climbing up the North Rim.
Sunset, Yavapai Point
The following day we packed up and headed to Flagstaff to escape the wind. And we needed showers. We made it out to Wupatki National Monument for sunset one evening. The ruins here are some of the most impressive in the Four Corners region. Three story tall Wukoki Ruin is built atop a sandstone outcrop and lords over the landscape around it. In the distance, the San Francisco Peaks reach high into the Arizona sky, providing an alpine contrast to the red desert.
Sunset, Wukoki Ruin
Reality beckoned and we had to return home the following day. It was a short but productive trip. We didn’t get to do the hike I had hoped to do but we will return. With any luck our next visit will be wind free!
As a new iPhone owner I found myself spending entirely too much time browsing Apple’s App Store. There really is an “app for that”, no matter what “that” is. I started to wonder if there were apps that could make my life as an outdoor photographer easier, better or more organized. After a few weeks of downloading and using apps, some free and some not, I’ve found a few that really are helpful to nature photographers. Some of these even came pre-loaded on the iPhone. Here are my selections:
Compass (Free) - Yes, I have a digital compass on my watch, my GPS and an analog compass in my backpack. So, why is the iPhone Compass so helpful? It’s ridiculously easy to read and it even lists your current GPS location. I like to use it with Sunrise & Sunset Pro as it makes it easy to determine where & when the sun will rise or set without introducing another gadget into the mix.
Sunrise & Sunset Pro ($1.99) - There are free apps available to determine that azimuth and altitude of the sun at any time of the day but none of the ones I tried were as easy to use as this one. When used with the Compass it is amazingly easy to determine whether that peak before you will be frontlit, sidelit or backlit at sunrise or sunset. Use it in conjunction with a topo map to pre-plan your photographic adventure before you even leave home. Awesome!
Park Maps ($0.99) - Every single national park map, on your iPhone. Zoom in, zoom out and scroll all around. Each map is downloaded directly to your iPhone to be accessible even when out of cell service. The maps are small and can be difficult to read for those with aging eyes like mine. Even so, I find the app useful for identifying the location of campgrounds, visitor centers and most importantly, viewpoints and overlooks.
The Weather Channel Max ($3.99) - Current temperature, precipitation, wind speed, weather conditions, humidity and sunrise & sunset times. Hourly, 36 hour and 10 day forecasts. Severe weather alerts. A radar map with past, present and predicted future movement of weather, i.e. rain, snow, clouds. Tide information for coastal areas. You can even save as many locations as you’d like for instant access. I saved several of the areas I visit regularly. It makes finding a weekend escape that much easier.
Google Earth (Free) - The same Google Earth on your computer in your hand. Super cool!
Maps (Free) - Another app that comes pre-loaded on the iPhone. Punch in any address and it uses the built-in GPS to provide directions from your current location. Great when traveling around an unfamiliar city on your photography adventure.
Milog Lite (Free) - I use this handy mileage tracker to record miles driven on every photo excursion. This is an easy and convenient way to keep track of mileage for tax purposes.
Notes (Free) - Yet another app that is pre-loaded on the iPhone. I use it to keep notes of locations I stumble upon that appear to have lots of photographic potential.
Here’s an example of how I used several of these apps on a recent short trip. While out four wheeling a new-to-me trail in the Moab area I discovered several sandstone peaks towering above a creek filled with green cottonwoods. I recognized the potential for fall colors and broke out my iPhone to determine whether it was a sunrise or sunset location using the Compass and Sunrise & Sunset Pro. It’s sunset. I opened my “Locations to Photograph” note in the Notes app and added pertinent information about the location. When I got home I transferred the trip mileage information from Milog Lite to my accounting software. Awesome!
Have you found an App that’s great for nature photographers? Leave a comment about it. I’m sure readers of my blog would love to hear about it. I know I would!
Well folks, we’re finally off to the Grand Canyon. The weather forecast calls for cold temperatures, thunderstorms and a chance of snow. This could be an exciting time to photograph the Big Ditch!
Check back in a few days as I’ll post up a full trip report with some photos from our adventures.
If you haven’t yet begun to use Adobe Lightroom to convert your RAW images and manage your image database now might be a really good time to start. Adobe is offering 15% off the purchase price of Lightroom 2 through December 25, 2009.
Here’s the hitch: You have to receive a referral email that includes the discount code. How do you get the referral email, you might wonder? It is sent through Adobe by someone currently using Lightroom, like myself. So, if you’d like to purchase Lightroom at a 15% discount send me an email at bret@bretedge.com with your email address. I won’t use your email address for any other purpose nor will I share it with anyone else.
If you’re wondering why I would do this the answer is simple. For every two people I refer I receive a $50 gift card. So, it’s a win-win situation.
If you are interested in participating in the program you can find information about it here: http://www.referadobelightroom.com/.
We all go through creative slumps. I live in Moab, surrounded by Arches and Canyonlands National Parks, Dead Horse Point State Park and over 2 million acres of BLM land every bit as breathtaking as the parks. I have no reason to whine but I’m going to any way. Here goes: I’m bored with red rocks. I’ve had enough of sweeping canyon vistas, massive arches and impossibly balanced rocks bathed in alpenglow so vivid you’d think the sandstone was actually on fire. There, I said it.
I dream of cold mountain streams lined with colorful wildflowers, powerful waves crashing against sea stacks and thundering waterfalls pouring over high cliffs. I’m not certain my camera even has the ability to record the color green. Okay, so maybe that last part is a bit of an exaggeration but I think you get the idea.
What to do about such a dilemma? How about a personal project to pull you out of a creative slump. I’m working on two projects that require me to dedicate countless hours wandering around Arches, hiking trails I’ve never hiked and photographing things I’ve never seen. My love for the place is being renewed with each outing. Away from the crowds and the buses spewing fumes I’m able to reconnect with the very landscape that brought me to Moab. Watching sunset light wash over pinnacles of red rock piercing a clear, deep blue sky in an area of the park I’ve never seen and that I have entirely to myself has a remarkable and lasting impact. Finding the remains of early spring wildflowers nestled in shifting sands of the largest dunes I’ve seen in Arches makes my mind fast forward to next May, and images I’ve yet to create. Examining maps for new, off-the-beaten path locations keeps the excitement alive even when I’m only sitting at home.
Next time you find yourself in a slump try designing a personal project that immerses you in the landscape that’s giving you the creative blues. If your style leans toward sweeping vistas, give yourself a month to create a compelling portfolio of intimate landscapes. Or, skip the icons and focus on lesser known locations you’ve never photographed. Visit the same location over and over again, at different times of the day and in various seasons. Work it until you’ve compiled a collection of images that tell a complete story of the location. Write about your experiences in a blog or, if you’re not ready to share publicly, in a journal.
If all else fails store your camera in a closet for a while. Read natural history guides. Learn the geology, history, flora & fauna. Hike trails you’ve never hiked. Enjoy a grand sunset without worrying about finding a composition and fumbling with filters. Sit by a creek and listen to the sound of the clear water rushing over mossy rocks. Sharing these moments with those not present to witness the magic is why many of us fell in love with nature photography. Treat yourself to them and you will surely find new energy and a passion to capture them with your camera.
