Copyright © 2009, All Rights Reserved

Website:  http://www.hectorastorga.com/

The Alamo in San Antonio is the most recognizable building in the State of Texas. Every Texan and most Americans, knows the history of the famous battle between the independence seeking Texans and the Mexican Army led by General Santa Ana. What most people don’t know is that the Alamo is only one of the original five missions established along the San Antonio River in the 18th century. The missions were established to convert the local native Indians to Catholicism, and also to extend Spain’s dominion northward from New Spain (present day Mexico). The missions flourished in the mid to late 1700’s but by the mid 1800’s the need for the missions dimished and the missions were secularized and their lands distributed among the inhabitants and the churches transferred to the secular clergy. The missions are a main factor in the history of Texas and the core foundation for the development of the city of San Antonio. The local community has been preserving the missions since 1920 and in 1983 the San Antonio Missions National History Park was established.

Mission San Jose
By far the largest of all five and very well preserved church and grounds. The old mission walls are still standing and you can visit the actual quarters were the monks and Indians lived in. The park opens from 9:00 AM to 5:00 PM which is not the best time to photograph, but I found out that if you visit on a Sunday, you can get early access since the church has a 7:00am mass service. Walk in like if you are going to mass and you will be allowed in the grounds.

Mission Concepcion
The building looks almost exactly as it did back when it was built back in 1731. It was the center for religious festivals which was meant to replace the native cultural beliefs with those of the Church. “Original interior paintings remain at Mission Concepcion. Some are religious symbols; others are decorative, imitating architectural elements.”1

Mission San Juan
Sitting on the banks of the San Antonio River, the mission dates back to 1731 when it was moved there from East Texas. The entrance gate at Mission San Juan is typical of the Romanesque arches found through out the missions.

Mission Espada
The south most mission and the most remote of the five. A Beautiful doorway with arch decorates the church entrance. The grounds are well maintained and you will find gorgeous flowers around the church. There is a working convent adjacent to the church.

Mission San Antonio de Valero – The Alamo
The number one tourist attraction in San Antonio. The church is well preserved and the mission grounds have some very nice gardens. Photographic opportunities are plenty but be aware of the crowds. It is always crowded at the Alamo during the weekends, I like to visit during the week either early in the morning or at night. This way you avoid the crowds and sometimes, if you’re lucky, you have the building to yourself.

Photographic opportunities are plenty when visiting the five missions. The old 18th century buildings make for great photographic subjects especially if one is processing black and white / duo-tone photographs. The buildings are well preserved and make great subjects. Entry to all the missions is free and they are open all year long except on the major holidays. The missions are a photographic treasure that must be visited when visiting San Antonio. For more information visit the National Historic Park’s website.

References
1. San Antonio Missions National Historic Park literature –National Park Service, U.S. Department of the Interior.

About Hector D. Astorga

Hector D. Astorga has enjoyed photography since a teenager growing up in his native Honduras.  Growing up in Central America made him appreciate the beauty of the outdoors and this is what he tries to capture in his photography.  His main interest in photography is travel and nature.  His work has been displayed at Quinta Mazatlan, the World Birding Center in McAllen, TX.  In 2008 he was awarded the Grand Prize Winner at the Valley Land Fund – Small Tract Competition, one of the most diverse and largest photography contests in the nation.  This year he also placed in the top three at the National Wildlife Foundation annual photography contest.  He is a part time professional photographer and a business owner living in South Texas.  You can see more of his work by visiting his website at: http://www.hectorastorga.com

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San Francisco and the area around it are a photographer’s paradise. But if you’re in the mood for the little known subjects, Mare Island is very interesting. Located 25 miles northeast of San Francisco in Vallejo, CA, Mare Island is an old Naval base where 52 buildings were declared a Historic Landmark District. Mare Island is on the way to Napa and Wine Country.

Shipbuilding operations started in 1853 under then-Commander David Farragut. And, yes, for you history buffs, that’s the guy who in the Civil War said, “Damn the torpedoes, full speed ahead!” The key element here is that some of the buildings are very old, in addition to being picturesque. A viewer of some of my Mare Island photos on Facebook asked if they were taken in New Bedford, Massachusetts.

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To get there, you take 101 north from San Francisco to route 37 and take the Mare Island Exit off 37 or route 80 north to the Tennessee Exit in Vallejo. Off 37, follow the road to G Street, go left then right on Nimitz Avenue and drive until you see interesting old buildings. Off 80, Tennessee Avenue becomes G Street. Take the first left on Nimitz after you go over the bridge. My photos will help identify one of the best photo locations. On Google Earth, the location is 38 05’58.12’N 122 16’13.44” W.

View below as a Google Map, Satellite, Terrain, or Google Earth.
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My primary interest at Mare Island is the old industrial buildings and I do a lot of HDR photography. I’ve also gone there to do light painting. The Nocturnes, a local night photography group, go there frequently; and I’ve seen a lot of excellent night photography done at Mare Island by photographers in the Marin Photo Club. As with many  industrial areas, there are opportunities for macro or close-up photography.

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The old buildings in my photographs are located on Nimitz Ave. A number of other streets are parallel to Nimitz. The old white house in my photos is two streets over on Walnut. There’s a side street between the old buildings that takes you over to the old houses. The last time I was there you could drive through from Nimitz to Walnut on this unnamed side street or alley.

There are a number of old ships and at least one Japanese submarine but I find the fences in front of the antique vessels a major problem. In some cases, though, I was able to board old non-historic ships and get on-board photos. The tours they offer (see http://mareislandhpf.org ) may be a way to avoid the fence problem.

I’ve been to Mare Island four times and every time I find new subjects or new compositions. I’ve photographed it in various lighting mid-day, sunset and sunrise, and all times are good. Sunrise is more difficult for a first timer unless you’re with someone who’s been there. If you try to go in the dark, my photos may help identify the prime location on Nimitz Avenue.

At sunrise, you’re shooting away from the sun or at an angle depending on time of year. At sunset, the sun is behind the buildings. At both times of day, the sun reflects off some of the windows in addition to providing warm light.

My primary camera is a Nikon D300s and I typically use an all purpose Tamron 18 to 270mm lens. I find that complete lens range to be useful at Mare Island. If you’re using multiple lenses, bring wide angle to 300mm. In the summer, I’m seen nesting Osprey on top of some of the equipment. So you might want to haul a big lens and a Wimberly along during the summer. You can easily get a lot of good shooting in during a couple of hours if you’re on your way to wine country or spend more time if you want. There’s a lot to photograph.

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For HDR processing, I used two software packages. The photo with the pastel buildings with the reflection in the right hand windows was shot at sunset and processed in Photomatix. The other three photos were shot during sunrise and processed with NIK HDR Pro. Although I currently use NIK HDR Pro for most of my work, Photomatix was a clear winner for the photo where I used it as I processed photos with both Photomatix and NIK HDR Pro.

_____

John Klingel lives in California just north of San Francisco and spends summers on Cape Cod. He became passionate about photography in 2009. So far, his work is primarily fine art, landscape, and nature; but he enjoys all types of photography. More of his photos can be seen at http://klingelphotos.shutterfly.com . John is an avid user of HDR and shares a lot of his photos with Facebook friends. He is vice-president of the Marin Photo Club, where he is in charge of Education Nights and teaches two photography courses, “Taking Your Photography to the Next Level” and “How to Shoot and Process HDR.”

Websites: Photographs at PBase Light Reflection (Personal Website)

You’re going to Hawaii and spending a week on the Big Island.  You’ve seen those pictures of beautiful beaches with white sand, blue skies, and lush greens, classic waterfalls and girls in hula.  You probably think taking photographs on the most diversified of the Hawaiian Islands is a piece of cake. After all, the guidebooks say that it has something like 23 or 25 the world’s 28 microclimates.  It has huge mountains towering over 13,000 feet, gorgeous blue water, beautiful sand beaches, rainforest jungle, ocean cliffs, grasslands, spectacular tropical flowers, orchids, a smattering of deserts, and an active volcano that is pouring lava (much of the time) into the ocean.  Voila – National Geographic here you come.

Not so fast.  All these micro-climates packed into 4,000 square miles, in the middle of the Pacific, with an active volcano pouring out lava and pollution, foster a variety of always-changing weather conditions. If you want to be successful photographing the Big Island you have to understand how conditions change and affect the parts of the Island including wind direction and local versus non-local conditions.  If you don’t, you may very well spend too much time being in the wrong place at the wrong time. When you do, you will realize that it is not by chance that Starbucks in Waimea has a fireplace; the Kona airport is open-air; chains can be required on the road up to the summit of Mauna Kea; four-wheel drive is required to get to Green Sands Beach and many others; the viewing areas at and near to Hawaii Volcanoes National Park can be closed due to wind shifts; and lava activity turns on and off quite regularly although not for any length of time. Do you think those beaches with lots of palms and green vegetation got that way with just sunny days?  Don’t look for sunrises and sunsets like those of the American West; we don’t have red rock to light up with the exception of the top of Mauna Kea. The west side of the island has three volcanoes (13,700, 13,800 and 8,300) which block the very early morning light on much of the Kona side.   On the Hilo side, often there is a marine layer affecting the intensity of the early morning light. And on the Kona side, this marine layer can cause you to lose your light well before the sun sets.

There is no rainy or dry season such as you get on the mainland.  Surf is big in the winter and small in the summer.  Whales can be seen from mid-December through early April. The formal name of the Big Island is “Hawaii” like the state. It is generally referred to as the “Big Island” as it is over 2x bigger than all the other islands combined and it minimizes confusion with the state name.  Furthermore, there is no such town as Kona.  The town is formally called “Kailua-Kona” to differentiate it from the town of Kailua on the island of Oahu and other towns named Kailua on other islands.  Actually, there is no district of Kona, only North Kona and South Kona but there is the “Kona Coast” which crosses district lines.

First, let’s divide the island into what I would describe as “Photographic Zones”:

Hilo/Hamakua Coast (to North of Hilo)
Volcano
South Point/Green Sands Beach
Kona Airport to South Point
Waikoloa/Kohala (Beaches)
Waimea
Mauna Kea/Loa and Saddle Road
Waipio Valley
Pololu and Kapoloa Falls

Now let’s talk about some weather generalities:

When it rains in Hilo, it is generally sunny on the other side of the island. When it rains in the other side, it is generally sunny in Hilo. When the trade winds blow, the volcano is generally polluting the Kona Coast, from the Park all the way up to Keahole (Kona) airport.  Sunsets are muted and the horizon is often hidden. It is not conducive to wide-angle photography.

Downtown Kona

Kekaha Kai Beach

Surfing Kona

When a south wind blows, the  current viewing sites at Kalapana is often closed and there is reduced viewing at the Jaeger Museum in the Park. Hilo (HE-low) gets about 130 inches of rain a year, the wettest city in the US. The Hilo area has gorgeous parks, waterfalls and botanical gardens. There are photo opportunities in both sunlight and overcast conditions. Infrared is a good option when it is sunny.

Jungle Stream

Near Hilo

Lady Slipper Orchid

Conditions at Volcano vary.  Don’t depend upon the weather forecast.

Lava Water Entry

Lava Water Entry 2

South Point is best shot in mid-to-late morning and this include the Gallows and Broken Road.  Green Sands beach, an hour hike and 20 minute 4wd ride, is generally sunny and good shooting most of the day.

South Point

Green Sands Beach

Waikoloa and Kohala Coast have some of the best beaches and have less volcanic pollution (vog). The beaches can be shot in mid morning as colors are stronger and skies are generally sunny. Waikoloa beaches have good sunsets although you can get that marine layer.

Waikoloa Sunset

Kohala Sunset

Waikoloa Sunset 2

Waipio Valley has opportunities in a variety of weather conditions.  Sunlight at the beach and the confluence of the river.  Overcast as you go into the rainforest area. They may be excluding rental cars and are now requiring full 4wd as opposed to AWD. Pololu lookout is an afternoon shot. The valley is pretty but not as pretty as Waipio (y-P-o). I am not sure if the Kapoloa Falls (800 feet but narrow) trail is open.

Waipio Valley Coast

Waipio Valley Stream

Waipio Valley Taro Field

Mauna Kea and the Saddle Road offer owls on fence posts (morning and afternoon), wild flowers (really invasive weeds but pretty) in the spring and snow on the summit up to 9 months a year. Sunsets can be spectacular with views of the coast, the channel and Maui forming a backdrop for the observatories.  It can be cold on the summit year-round.  The wind is the killer not the temperature. You want mixed sunlight or low fog on the slopes which occurs regularly.

Mauna Kea Observatory

Mauna Kea

Mauna Loa in Spring

Waimea offers green grasslands and is considered by many to be the rainbow capital of the world – right out by the Parker Ranch rodeo arena. The island has a strong rodeo tradition and Parker Ranch can direct you to an island-wide schedule. Mana road is an interesting drive until it goes 4WD. Keahole Point, adjacent to the Keahole-Kona airport, is a good place to photograph when the surf is rocking and the lighthouse is a good place for whale-watching from shore.

Keahole Surf

Breaching Humpback

The City of Refuge, about 40 minutes south of Kona, is a good location for afternoon photography and for infrared in the mid-to-late morning.

City of Refuge

Painted Church IR

There are a good variety of petroglyphs, some of the best being at the Mauna Kea Hotel north of the Keahole Airport.

Waikoloa Petroglyph

But I don’t write this to scare you away or to be a purveyor of doom and gloom.  There are plenty of great opportunities all around the island just about any time.  You just have to know where to be and to get there.  If you can, the best way to start your day is to do a quick review of all the web cams.  You don’t have to (necessarily) be somewhere set up before sunrise like you (always) need be in the West.  I suggest this because you may change your plans depending upon what you see.  In addition, there are phone numbers to call about conditions at the volcano and on Mauna Kea. You can google this stuff quite easily. And, the weather is always great.

Kona Sunset

About Rick Decker:

“I started doing photography in 1969 when I took a European discharge from the US Army and drove an old Volkswagen van across Europe and North Africa. One of my first pictures was of an impoverished people on a train station in Yugoslavia and is still a favorite. I remember thinking “there’s a picture” and rushing to get my camera (Pentax Spotmatic) out and set up to capture the moment as my train was pulling away.

“I didn’t shoot seriously until I started Scuba Diving in 1978 at which time I put my Spotmatic in Ikelite housing. Eight years later I was introduced to the desert by a friend and started shooting landscape photography. My preference is to record the earth without signs of civilization so you will not find people and/or man-made objects in most of my pictures. Living in Hawaii on the Big Island since 1997, I spend most of my photographic time shooting Hawaii Above and Hawaii Below Water. Although I love living in Hawaii, as a photographer, my heart is in the desert and the American West.

“I have taken well over 20,000 pictures in the last 20 years. And yet I have vivid recollections of most of my favorites – racing across the sand dunes to beat the sun; timing a wave; waiting for the best moment in a sunrise; or trying to get into the right position to shoot an underwater scene. Recognizing a potential picture, positioning the camera, and composing these shots are deeply ingrained in my memory and I relive them every time I see the picture. I would imagine that other photographers have the same memories.”

By Dave Taylor
Copyright © 2008 Dave Taylor, All Rights Reserved, www.sixtyonenorth.com

The Denali Highway was opened to travelers in 1957 as the road to Mount McKinley National Park. In 1971 the George Parks Highway opened, allowing more direct access from Anchorage & Fairbanks to the renamed Denali National Park and Preserve. So, since 1971, the Denali Highway has become “the road less traveled”. The Highway is 135 miles long, with only the easternmost 21.3 miles and the westernmost 2.6 miles being paved. The remaining 111 miles is a poorly maintained and sometimes rough gravel road. It can be a bumpy ride with washboard sections and frequent pot holes. But before you pass off the idea of this road-trip, consider the rewards.

Nearly unlimited access.

This is not Denali National Park. You are not required to ride a bus to see the sights, and you can stop anytime you like to photograph to your hearts content. There are no park fees, and no limitations on how long you can stay in most areas. The sights are every bit as stunning as the more popular views in the National Park to the west. There are numerous turnouts and unique road-side camping sites all along the road, along with a nearly infinite amount of backcountry sites to choose from when setting up your tent.

Unspoiled wilderness.

Other than the unpaved Denali Highway, and just a few scattered buildings, this is pure & accessible wilderness. You’ll pass through several distinct ecological zones. From scenic alpine passes, to taiga forests, and even open tundra – this is the truest form of the journey being the destination. Almost the entire length of the road will give you stunning scenery. Mountains dominate the skyline. Some will be so close that you’ll need a sunroof to see their peaks. In the late summer and early fall, the tundra literally comes alive with color. Greens, reds, golds… and berries everywhere. Blueberries, cranberries, and bearberries. Also, the intricately shaped and bleached caribou moss. Close inspection reveals what gave this low-lying lichen its name, each frond is shaped like intertwined antlers.

The wildlife.

You can see the same wildlife that you can see in Denali National Park all along this scenic drive. There are grizzly bear, caribou, moose, wolves, red fox, and thousands of birds. In fact, depending on the time of the year, this is a birders paradise. One note however, some wildlife are hunted here (unlike those in Denali National Park), so you are less likely to have the close encounters that come with the aforementioned National Park to the west. That said, you can still see wildlife in grand scale here. The Nelchina caribou herd, approximately 37,000 strong can be spotted crossing open tundra and within the taiga forests. That’s a lot of “boo”!

The history.

There are several old mines in the area where early settlers set up camp in search of gold. Further back in time, the area around the Tangle Lakes Archaeological District is where over 500 sites have been discovered, linking ancient people to this region for 10,000 years or more. It is a true national treasure. Please leave any artifacts where you find them, for others to enjoy and be studied.

Logistics.

I’d recommend renting a truck and cab-over camper, a small Winnebago, or an SUV and bringing your camping gear. There are few lodges to stay at, and they are primarily near the eastern & western ends of the road. Camping along this drive will allow you a more intimate view of this immense landscape. You will also be able to scout your next location and wait for prime light. This area can be quite buggy in the summer and fall, so dress accordingly. Also be cautious with some bug “dope” brands that contain DEET – it can melt through the plastic on cameras and other equipment.

Gracious House – MP 82.

Rooms for rent, simple auto service, bar, and cafe. Try their pies!

Denali Highway Cabins – MP 0 (Paxson).

Jenny and Audie Bakewell own and operate this fantastic location, and each cabin is beautifully crafted near the Gulkana River. Their two Alaskan Malamutes, Aurora and Borealis, are very friendly and relaxed. They may even join you on one of their evening raft floats down the Gulkana. This is a gentle river that wildlife is often drawn to; bears, caribou, moose, and many species of bird.

The most stunning views will be those out of your tent fly, or the windows of your camper. There are so many places to camp for the night (or even the week) that you may, quite literally, have an entire valley to yourself.
It is a good idea to top off your gas tank at either end of the road. Typically the Cantwell side has slightly lower gas prices. Also, if you have the option to carry extra gas in plastic gas jugs, this will enable you to remain flexible in your travels, going back and forth between locations without worrying about your fuel gauge. Before setting out, make sure you have a working spare, along with the tools required for changing a flat tire. I’ve made this trip several times now, and I’ve never seen a vehicle on the side of the road with automotive problems, but it is a definite possibility. Channel your inner Boy Scout and “be prepared”!

Remember where you are, this is Alaska – again, prepare accordingly. Carry extra food and water and any medications you may need. My motto is “I’d rather be over-equipped and not need supplies that I have, than to need supplies I don’t have”.

Resources

The Milepost – Anyone traveling within (or residences of) Alaska need this guide book. It is a mile by mile resource of nearly every highway/major road within Alaska and neighboring Canadian territories. It lists attractions, logistical resources, lodging, and tour companies, along with much more. Highly recommended.

Birders Guide to Alaska, an ABA Birdfinding Guide – written by George C. West. More than just a birders guide. It covers history, the environment, wildlife, and the wild landscapes. Of particular note, the chapter on the Denali Highway is authored by Audie Bakewell, owner of the Denali Highway Cabins. He is an excellent resource and a highly trained naturalist.

Links

Bureau of Land Management – Denali Highway
BLM Denali Highway – Points of Interest
Denali Highway Cabins
Gracious House

Dave Taylor is a photographer, a photo guide, and writer. He is co-owner of Sixtyone North LLC, a photo adventure tour company specializing in Alaskan wilds and wildlife. Sixtyone North looks beyond logistical limitations to exciting new opportunities, and is the only full-time tour company dealing in Alaskan photo workshops. Dave also offers free logistical advice to fellow photographers visiting Alaska.

www.sixtyonenorth.com
www.sixtyonenorth.wordpress.com
www.dt-photography.com

by Jane Goodall

Website:  www.thebeautifullight.co.uk

Have you ever had problems distilling your landscape images? Sometimes complex landscape subjects can confuse and over-excite the eye.  A good antidote is to experience the desert landscape where simple but beautiful vistas abound, with a feast of wonderful colours and textures and a large variety of subjects. It is difficult to dispute that a photographic tour of Death Valley provides a wonderful opportunity to further your photographic vision.

I have personally only visited death valley in winter as it is very comfortable during the day, allowing easy hiking through the canyons and dunes. In December it can be freezing at sunrise. If you approach death valley from the south, you can stop off at the pinnacles which are about 15 minutes drive from the main road just north of Trona.  These stone monoliths are an extensive collection of stone structures which are easily accessible by car but a four wheel drive will give you deeper access.  Allow a few hours before sunset to find your way around.

I would recommend a visit to the stovepipe wells’s dunes as an introduction to the valley.  I have stayed in furnace creek inn as a good central location for exploring the whole park but don’t underestimate the size of the park, you can expect to be driving a lot around this vast expanse.

Because the dunes are so accessible , they can be covered with foot prints so you may find you have to walk a good way to get clean sand or hope for good winds before you visit.  If you visit in hot conditions walking through the dunes can be exhausting and you will need lots of water, protect the camera from the sand while walking. There is no concern about getting lost, just walk to a high spot and you will easily see the road (and your car parked in the distance).  Because of the large mountains, you lose the sun on the dunes at sunset, and as usual lighting changes fast, so there is a small window of time to make use of the very dramatic light.  Morning shoots can really be worthwhile, so check out your route the day before (a GPS would come in handy if you walk in before sunrise). There are some wonderful opportunities to make images of large vistas but also abstract shapes. This dune shot was taken about one hour before sunset.

I have only used four wheel drive vehicles to explore the park, but it is not essential, this image was taken on the road from furnace creek to Badwater and really illustrates the scale of the park relative to us humans.

Four wheel drive gives you more flexibility and the opportunity to visit the ‘Racetrack playa’ which is only accessible by a very rough track that takes at least two hours to navigate in and one and one half hours back from the main road. The racetrack is a wonderful phenomenon, and provides unique photographic opportunities.  The moving rocks have mud trails behind them that suggest the stones have been sliding along the mud cracked playa.   The sun hides early behind the mountains so don’t expect the setting sun to light it up.  I was lucky to have overcast conditions so allowed photography at midday.

No camping allowed, so if you want the soft light, its out and back in the dark, which makes the ride in and out a bit scary.

Another inspirational location is Titus Canyon, Four wheel drive required if you want to do the whole route and the scenery is one of the most dramatic I have ever seen. Beautiful red and green rock and stunning mountain vistas, this valley is a great contrast to the rest of the park.

Another location that is a must see, is the artists palette, the soft colours are striking during the day but only really give up their secrets in the soft light, and after sunset the colours sing.  If you have time and it’s not too hot, walk the golden canyon trail and see the cathedral rock, a stunning red rock structure. Zabriskie point is always a great morning shoot but be prepared to rub elbows with fellow photographers.  I loved 20 mule canyon, lots of fantastic photographic opportunities for sunset. I haven’t mentioned Badwater and the devils golf course, well you must go of course, if you love wrecked cars then head up to Scotty’s castle. Dante’s point and others I haven’t had time to visit, there is so much more to explore, this is only a taster.  Death valley provides a photographic feast, enjoy!

*****

Jane Goodall lives in Cambridge U.K and is a research fellow at Cambridge University. In 2005 shebought her first SLR camera and became interested in making photographs. It was her Death valley trip in 2006 that really crystalised her love of landscape photography and she has revisted this magical place. “I strive to express my own impression of the landscape which is always a challenge when you visit iconic places. I am an active photography club member and exhibited my work on a regional and national level. I have also extended my interest in photography and have developed my career as a photographic judge where I visit clubs throughout East Anglia.”