The Ripple Effect

Here is a snap from a few weeks ago. After a massive escalating water war involving super soakers, buckets, the hose, and crazy antics I retreated to my bedroom where I saw Lauren and her friend outside. She started spraying the window and I saw this photo.

Road Trip

When I flew out to Colorado I didn't buy a return ticket. I banked on the fact that I was bound to meet someone that would be driving back to the Midwest. I did, and it worked out perfectly. I got to spend quality time with good friends as we navigated detours, drove past countless cornfields, and searched desperately for a gas station when we were down to .19 gallons of gas in Roundhead, Ohio (my fault). The good people of Ohio gave us directions, but it took me a couple stops, several more miles and two sets of instructions to get it. Maybe I should listen next time, eh? :) So thanks Lyd and Killer K, you made it a great adventure. We'll have to do it again. Maybe to Alaska next summer?

This to this...

I left the grandeur of Colorado last week for the Midwest's more subtle beauty. There is nothing like coming home.

The Black is Black

I spent a lot of the summer shooting in the riding ring. Here is one of my favorites. I darkened the image down in levels, and I wonder. How far is too far? I like the contrast this image has in black and white. But do you think it looks too photoshoped?

Cooper

I shot whitewater rafting last week for the first time this summer. I split my time between rafting and shooting. Here is Cooper, one of the campers that sat in front of me on the bus.

When not at work...

...we go to town, do laundry, and find someplace to eat. The photos aren't the strongest compositionally, but these photos are from my story, whereas most of the photos I make are of other people's lives. Top down: Lydia, Kenny, and Lee.

Camp

Dan Stewart told me I'd get sick of camp photography. You were right Dan, in part. I don't enjoy taking "canned" photos of 11-year-olds smiling, or having to meet a daily quota. And I'm not consistently shooting photos that I'm happy with. But I can't blame that entirely on the job. I'm just not making the time in the business that is camp. I am loving Colorado. And there are a lot of good moments here. The camp environment is great, I just wish I was out there more, and in here (the office) less. I need to work harder on scheduling my time to make that happen.

Saw Me a Bare

Tonight Kyle, James, Chris, Brennan and I made a trek to the "bear pit." True to tradition, we saw two monster black bears. Brennan and I stalked them through the woods taking photos. I could be a nature photographer yet.

The Roommate (summer edition)

Brennan Metzler, nature photographer. This is my roommate and one of my coworkers for the summer. We work well together, and complement each other with our skill sets. For instance, he shoots landscapes (see brennanmetzler.com) while I focus more on moments between people. He also does a sick job with sports action. Maybe it has something to do with his winter job as a snowboard instructor at Keystone.

Canada Two

Last weekend I climbed Long's Peak (a 14er) with Eric. In high school, we climbed peaks in the Wind River Range and went canoing in Canada. It's only natural that we should find ourselves working at camps in Colorado just 10 minutes apart. He's leading trips and I'm taking photos. Go figure, eh?