We trekked it back home from Colorado yesterday evening, tired from the road, and ready for rest! The week was spent mostly with family, yet the weather cooperated enough that on our hikes and off-road drives through the Rio Grande National Forest I could walk away with some nice images. As evidenced in a previous post, the water was flowing nicely, and the cool mountain lakes were full. I’ll have more images to post later, including another natural light Field Lighting post, but I thought I would capitalize on a suggestion made not too long ago. The images seen in this post are freely available to you as backgrounds for your mobile phone and Internet devices. Just click on the links for your respective device(s), and display away!

Above image: (iPhone, iPad)

The Aspens were quaking beautifully the past week, and photographers cannot get enough of these trees. They offer such wonderful patters in nature, and they stand out so distinguishably against the evergreens. So much so that you notice that they often survive forest fires, standing polished against years-old burned firs. They are the everlasting shaman of the forests, and their high-reaching canopy shifts brilliantly against dark greens and cobalt blues.

Above image: (iPhone, iPad)

I know not all of you have an iPhone or iPad, but the images are all JPEG, and if you can put them on your (insert other brand of mobile device here), then you can more than likely set them as your background or lock screen. Even for the non-iPhone 4 users, you can download them and set one (if you like) as a lock screen background. The iPad backgrounds are formatted as square 1,024 X 1,024 images so they’ll cooperate with your frequent turning of the device.

Above image: (iPhone, iPad)

I hope you enjoy the Aspen Tree wallpapers, and there will be more in the future. I’m finishing up design work on a new Wyman Meinzer/Henry Chappell book, and afterwards, I’ll have a host of posts to throw up there, including a few new reviews and Field Lighting posts.

Photographers are often outdoor enthusiasts, and there are a slew of shooters out there that have made successful livings out of their passion for the outdoors and what exists in the natural world. Fortunately, I have been lucky enough to work in this area over the past several years, and I’m never more excited to shoot than when I get to explore some place new or revisit areas that have offered shooters great images in the past.

A great way for photographers to access this world is though hiking the literally thousands of trails created and maintained by various entities throughout the world. Here are just a few tips for photographers to consider when preparing for and going on day or overnight hikes:

1. The trail is there for a reason: sniff it out! Whether you know it or not, this is why you are at the trailhead anyways. Historically, areas set aside in part for your hiking pleasure (i.e. national and state parks, historical sites, conservation areas, etc.) exist because they mean something to us! Many trail hikes in these areas are even named in such a way to represent their historical significance. Consider this part of the experience! A photograph tells a story, and a story that accompanies the hike you are on can often inspire a variety of images. If you’re at a national or state park, pick up some literature at the HQ or access points, and you never know what you may find out that you didn’t read on the Internet before you got there!

2. Save your back (as much as possible). It’s hard enough as an outdoor enthusiast to not take all the cool camping and hiking gear you were so stoked to buy for a specific excursion, but it’s even harder to combine that with being a photographer, right? I’m as guilty as the next photographer that thinks he/she needs all the gear that one could possibly fit inside a camera backpack, but after several years of doing so, as well as hearing from other outdoor photographers, it doesn’t necessarily make for the most comfortable, and subsequently enjoyable, hike out there. Again, for some, it’s hard to pair down what you actually need for a hike, but consider this: justify every piece of gear you carry with you. Simple as that. Have a vision in mind, and work toward it to determine your gear needs. If you need three speedlights on a hike (which I often take for lighting plants; more on this later), then take them. But if you are not sure about taking that honking 400mm f/2.8, then it might not be the best thing to haul that extra 13lbs around.

3. Do your research, and plan your trip/shoot. This suggestion goes along with #1. It pays to go in to a situation and have been somewhat versed in what to expect. The Internet is a great resource for this type of information. At any time, you can access all of the state and national park services’ Web sites (here’s the link for the National Park Service). Also, take a look at your social networks, such as Twitter and Facebook, and find those organizations/individuals that are in “the know.” I frequently find interesting links to information about parks, hiking gear, and histories from folks like @thehikingcenter, @trailgirl, and @nature_org. There are literally tons of sources out there, and I would encourage starting with these folks to find others! Lastly, talk to your local experts. I’m a huge fan of the local outdoor shop, and some of the best tips, suggestions, places to find, etc., can be found through talking with those that live and breathe it everyday!

4. Consider taking a tripod. And extra cards. And a filter or two. And… Alright, why’s the gear tip so buried in this post. If you’ve read this far, then you probably know why, but gear is essential for photographers on a day or overnight hike. While you do want to minimize to literally save your back later, think about the images you looking to get. More than likely, a sturdy, light tripod would work to your advantage (obviously, carbon fiber sticks are the lightest). If you’re hiking anywhere near water, this piece of equipment is essential! Extra memory cards (or rolls of film for that matter) are light, and really, who doesn’t need more of these. Don’t put all your eggs in one basket. Take several! I’ll be the first to tell you that filters are not my thing, but they do come in handy when in the mountains and around water. Consider taking a neutral density or graduated filter along with you, just in case you see the need. There are other essentials, but many of them, you will have to determine for yourself. Keep in mind your chiropractic visits in the future while you decide…check out ultra-light bags as well, such as Andy Biggs’s (@andybiggs) Gura Gear Kiboko. It weighs under 4 lbs!

5. Don’t just think about “the shot.” Not that “the shot” isn’t worth taking, but like I said before, a trail has a story written all over it. You might be hiking a certain way through the mountains to get that awesome shot of the Tetons and the Snake River that Ansel Adams made so famous, but don’t forget about what you see along the way. It’s your turn to tell the story of the land, so don’t forget all the smaller things that work their way up to the grand finale!

6. Build endurance before you make the hike. Don’t go in to a hike, particularly if it involves elevation changes and/or climbing, without having prepared physically for the terrain. I see this affecting more photographers at workshops more than anything, and not anticipating a bit of a workout while hiking can change your attitude about the entire day, and it may keep you from getting where you want to be. Take it easy when you need to though, and be safe. Also, make sure you are carrying in enough water. Dehydration is a wicked, wicked thing to chance!

7. Think about your feet. Besides the water recommendation, this may be the most important thing you consider when getting ready for the hike! We can talk about jackets, breathable shirts, climbing pants, hats and sunglasses all day long, but in the end, you are going to be on your feet. Our doggies take a beating, so it pays in spades to dedicate a portion of any hiking gear budget to a nice pair of terrain-worthy boots/sandals and socks. I’m a fan of Keen sandals, because I like my toes to be guarded (although Chaco’s are great as well), and they make a nice boot as well. My favorite pair of socks at the moment is a pair of Smartwool hiking performance socks (@smartwooligans), and I was just turned on to Falke socks today through a tweet from @codevader.

8. Be considerate, and DON’T LITTER! The heading should say it all, but unfortunately, you will often come across someone else’s garbage. Don’t let the next person come along to yours. Clean up, pack out what you packed in. Remember, you’re not the only one (human or otherwise) on the trail. The trails stay enjoyable because of all the people that care about them, and it’s all of our jobs to make sure it stays that way!

This list is not exhaustive by any means, but it’s a start! Leave any other tips in the comments below for future readers! The outdoor community is definitely unique in their connectedness, so it works to our advantage to pass on resources and information to others!

During high school, I was part of the plant identification team, and I became fond of bluestem grass. As funny as this sounds, bluestem always seemed like a graceful organism to me, much like the gracefulness of a willow tree. It flows along with the wind in such a way that it seems like a flock of synchronized birds moving together in the sky. At the right time of year (and at the right time of day, evening in this case), bluestem will exhibit colors a photographer salivates to capture, and when the sun is just about to go below the horizon, this particular field of bluestem threw off the brightest pink I’d ever seen in grass. A lot of grasses in West Texas are golden in nature, so this was a treat!

Shots like this remind me of images from one of my influences, Jim Richardson. Particularly, his work in the Kansas Flint Hills, which serves as a testament of the beauty seen in the calm flowing terrain of the plains!

Well, better late than never. It’s been a busy couple past weeks, and I’m settling in to February…finally. The February 2010 desktop wallpaper calendar is set, and all you have to do is click on the image above to see the large version. Right-click the image, and save it to your desktop!

Monsoon season hits the Big Bend area in far West Texas in the late summer/early fall of each year. This image was taken from atop a ridge at Cibolo Creek Ranch, one of the most beautiful places I have ever had the opportunity to visit. It’s settled right underneath the Chinati mountain range, about 25 minutes south of Marfa. If you’re ever in the area, it’s well worth the visit!

Here’s another archive natural history piece for those of you looking forward to Spring. Taken just outside of Mason, Texas, where the granite rock seemingly grows from the ground everywhere! This particular area of Texas is home to a diverse set of ecosystems, where not only 100 miles away, inklings of the Chihuahuan desert come into view. In any case, this shot is a testament to good light and nice shadows making for pleasing composition. Many students in the Junction intersession photography seminar have seen this area. In fact, there was probably one standing next to me getting a pretty similar shot!

More to come!

I’ve posted before about the Devil’s River, however, most of those posts include images of Dolan Falls. Dolan Falls is the site of the largest amount of water pouring over a set of boulders, however, no one ever gets to see the other direction, the side of the falls that represents a more serene environment. The only evidence of the falls is the wash of foam on the opposite bank. Just goes to show that in Texas, the context is dynamic and ever-changing. Surprisingly emergent!

Enjoy!

Take a trip sometime to Big Bend National Park, and you won’t be disappointed in the immense spaces offered to you for just simply getting away! This particular shot was taken off of the park’s river road, a high-clearance road that parallels the Texas/Mexico border. If you get there at the right time of the year, and you like your privacy, you won’t be let down in solitude along the road.

Photo taken with EOS Canon 5D, 24-105mm f/4 L.

How many national parks does Texas have? Four, not counting the other ten monuments, preserves, historical sites, etc. One of my particular favorite national parks in the state is the Guadalupe Mountains National Park near Dell City, Texas. It’s actually right on the New Mexico/Texas border, in between Carlsbad and El Paso. This park has a great variety of terrain, flora and wildlife to check out, as well as a heritage that is as big as the legend that surrounds the state, not to mention the multitude of hiking trails in the many canyons and mountainsides!

A while back I wrote a post with images from one of my trips to the park, and the post helped me land a story with a really great looking publication, Texas Magazine. Take a look at the article on their Web site, or click here for a look at the story in the online version of the magazine!

Texas Magazine is a new travel and culture pub for the state, and I visited the publisher, Kelley Glick, not too long ago. There are energetic plans in store for the magazine, and I hope to see many issues in the future.

For you photogs, if you have photographs of places of interest and travel, get them out there! Don’t hang on to them too long and miss opportunities. At the least, create a blog and showcase your work. You never know what will happen!

The Llano River approximately 15 miles east of Junction, Texas. This is one of the finest spots on the river, and each Spring, Wyman Meinzer and I take a class of student photographers to visit and shoot the location! It’s always nice when it fogs up! (Canon 5D MkII, 24-105mm f/4 L)

Happy Earth Day! Be kind to her, she’s all we have!