Archive Photo

So I've been working at trying to reorganize and sift through all of my photos, and for that matter my entire computer. In doing so I've come across some photos that I never posted for one reason or another. Often times, they just got lost as an individual or small collection amidst other sets or projects that I was working on to post. This particular photo was glossed over during our move into our house. My wife, Samantha, wanted me to take a photo of her design work in our previous apartment prior to packing and beginning our journey into our first house. Once in the house, the photo sat unedited during the maelstrom of changes that occurred until later in the summer, when I came across it and did some editing only to lose in again to larger projects like the Pony Express. Now I find myself staring at it on my desktop wondering why I have yet to post it. So here it is, seven months after the shutter clicked.

Tres Rios

Hayfield Site

Hey everyone. Tonight is a quick update and post. I am currently working with my brother-in-law, Jason Keele, on a story for Arizona Wildlife Views magazine. The story, which Jason is writing, is covering the Tres Rios water reclamation plant and wetlands projects. The story has already been accepted and is in the editing phase and due to be printed sometime early next year. I have been making several trips to the Hayfield Site, above, as well as the site near Phoenix International Raceway to capture photos for the article. Our hopes are to have both Jason's article with my photos published. We'll see how it works out.

Scott Kelby's 4th Annual Photo Walk

I'm back!

Maybe not with too much of a flurry as I have fallen ill, but I have returned, and with some new photos to display.

October kicked off with Scott Kelby's annual photo walk (http://worldwidephotowalk.com/). The walk is a way to get photographers all around the world a chance to meet up and do what they love, that's taking pictures (just in case you are slightly medicated like me). This year was my first year taking part in one of the local walks. I was part of the 50 some odd photographers that descended upon old town Glendale. It's an area that I've been to for such things as the Glendale Glitters, restaurants, etc, but never just to photograph. It was fun, as I joined the group within a group, "Abstract Photographers." We weren't limited to but were to try and focus on abstract photography. With all of the old buildings, trashed areas, trains, etc, there was plenty available to our group.

I really had a blast and it was cool to meet some other photographers here in the valley. There's nothing like three or four photographers laying down around train tracks taking photos. Don't worry, we were responsible and had someone keeping an eye out for a train, I think. He/she might have been off taking a picture. Anyways, I'm really looking forward to next year's walk. Until then, enjoy this years collection.

Arizona Best Fest - Prescott, AZ

Gregg Bond

This weekend was the first of three festivals for Arizona's centennial. Jason Keele and I made a quick day trip up to Prescott to cover the JC Comancheros' involvement in the celebrations. Due to their Pony Express ride and thus their association with the U.S. Postal service, they rode in as part of the centennial stamp unveiling. It was great working with them again and I enjoyed seeing Larry, Rich, Mike and Gregg again.

Wagon Details

There was tons going on and being that we were there for just Friday, we only got a glimpse of what was to be. Old wagons, Model-T's and other memorabilia was brought in. I was super excited to get shots of the old west that was around every corner. I was really wanting to get some detail shots of the things that were brought in. I shot mostly with my 7D with 18-135mm. It allowed me to move around and not have to change lenses at all.

Color Guard Drilling

Color Guard Awaiting Ceremony

Once it got closer for the unveiling, I hung around the steps of the Yavapai County Court House. The color guard was drilling in preparations for the ceremony and I couldn't resist taking shots of them. The backdrop of the court house made for some really cool shots. The color guard was from Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University and I have to say, they did a great job.

Model-T Shots

Once the ceremony got started I added my Canon Rebel with 70-300mm to the mix. I wanted to make sure that I could cover wide and long shots and not have to constantly be switching lenses. It was exciting for me, because Jason and I made the connections ahead of time so that we got a press seat up front. Not that I used mine as I was running around through the crowd to make sure I was getting different angles of the event. It was really cool to be at the first centennial event and see the new stamp, which is very nice I must add. Now, I look forward to the next one which will be in Tucson the weekend of Veterans Day.

Stamp Unveiling

Garden Photography

The past couple of weeks we've had our sunflowers blooming and I decided to get out and snap a few shots of them. One of the flowers was just perfect and I wanted to try and get a shot of it with a bit of back lighting from my flash. Thankfully, our shed that the flowers sit against is white and worked perfectly to bounce my flash off of. With the early morning sun up but not over our wall, I was able to get nice soft lighting on the front of the sunflower so as to prevent any harsh shadows. I am really happy with the results from my first time photographing any plants at our new house.

My fun did not end at the flowers however. To my surprise, we had a guest literally hanging around the flowers. Underneath one of the leaves was a massive praying mantis. He was quite a model, looking at the lens frequently and thankfully, unafraid of me and my camera. I tried some shots with my flash, but was happier with the soft natural lighting available to me. I really loved this shot because of the matching lines of the leaves and the mantis' body.

Pony Express - The Home Stretch

Dwight Nix

After leaving the edge of Mayor we found ourselves back out in the open desert. The landscape began to gradually change as we found ourselves climbing and descending small mountains. It was here that we rounded a corner and met up with Dwight Nix, traveling from Oklahoma to make the ride. Riding a borrowed and thus unfamiliar horse, Dwight struggled to keep up a fast pace. Eventually we descended down into greener landscape, signs that we were getting ever closer to Prescott.

Adolfo Fernandez

Jack Fisher

It was through the next few legs that we would see Adolfo and Jack riding. Adolfo is a family friend of the Fishers and Jack has been riding the Pony Express since the beginning. His left sleeve is covered almost shoulder to cuff with all of the years that he has ridden. It was through these legs that we were finally able to enjoy the slower pace since we had a forest canopy to shade us from the Arizona sun.

Jack would eventually hand off to Trampas Coan who would be the last of the more relaxing legs. It was an enjoyable relaxing stretch that we found out would turn into a roller coaster ride through the next several legs.

Trampas Coan

Once Trampas was done the pace changed quite rapidly. Instantly after his hand off we found ourselves accelerating to around 30-35 mph. That may not sound like much, but when sitting in the bed of a truck, trying to photograph riders, all while navigating a narrow, winding mountain dirt road; it can be exhilarating to say the least.

The opportunities were great for photos however. With the dust being kicked up from our speeding truck and riders going at a full gallop, it was a prime recipe for photos. The trick was taking a well composed photo. I was forced to use one arm to hold on to something, so as not to fly around the truck, which still happened several times. This left me with one hand to hold steady my camera while taking the photos. The result of which were several pictures of either the coolers next to me or shots of the tops of trees. The results we spectacular though. A big thanks must go out to Levi for pulling off some of the best driving I've ever seen. Jason would later inform Levi, that if Jason ever robbed a bank and needed a get away driver, he'd know who to call.

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Doug Wooldridge

After several more legs we left the dirt roads for the last time. We were now in the outskirts of Prescott pulling up to our previous days driver, Cody Grant. His was an interesting leg in that the hand off would entail him jumping on the horse his father just rode in the preceding leg. This is a leg that Cody hopes one day he could trade for a dirt road. It was a struggle to get his horse to move at any speed since the stretch was all on asphalt. To make matters worse, Debbie had informed us of the impatience of drivers on this road. Even the police escort couldn't prevent drivers from speeding by to pass Cody, sometimes narrowly missing him and his horse. We were all able to breathe a sigh of relief when he finished.

Cody Grant

After Cody, George Steffan brought us into town. It was at the intersection of Gurly and Cortez, in front of the Yavapai County Courthouse, that Dan Cole and about 20 of the riders would start the last leg to the rodeo grounds. The town was jubilant, coming out to cheer on the riders and tourists were given a rare treat to see the JC's ride through town and along Whiskey Row. For a brief moment, we were given a glimpse into history to see cowboys ride the streets of Prescott once again.

Dan Cole

Arizona Stronghold "Tazi" Wine

Renee Keele, my sister-in-law and operator of her "Wine a bit" blog, periodically brings me wines to photograph for her posts. This time I was asked to photograph a bottle of Tazi wine by Arizona Stronghold. Being an Arizona wine with a name referencing to the Chiricahua Apache, Chief Tazi, I wanted to try to capture the two subjects in a shot with the wine. Luckily, I had access to a pair of old cowboy boots and belt that had the turquoise in the buckle.

With the items set against a black backdrop, I attached my home-made snoot (used to direct light and not let it spill out everywhere) to my flash and took several photos lighting from different angles. Once I was happy with the photos, I transferred them to my computer and picked the two best. From there I layered the images, blending them to get the effect that I had used two separate lights in the photo. A few touch ups and the above photo is the product.

Air Force Academy Cadet Chapel

Chapel Exterior

At the beginning of the month we made a brief jaunt up to Colorado Springs to visit my wife's aunt and uncle. While there I wanted to take the opportunity to photograph the Air Force Academy Cadet Chapel. I had seen the chapel once before that I remember as a child, but never from inside. Needless to say that I was blown away by the interior. The architect, Walter A. Netsch Jr., definitely created a unique and amazing structure.

Protestant Chapel Cross

Protestant Chapel Interior

Unsure if I could photograph the chapel using a tripod, I shot handheld, bumping up the ISO to help keep the shots sharp. The shot above was the only non-hand held of the group. I re-entered the Protestant chapel after a tour group left and was lucky to find no one inside. I pulled out my small pocket sized tripod and took several shots from the entrance. It's an understatement to say that the tripod was paramount in getting a great shot.

Chapel Pews

The chapel had tons of great details to photograph as well. From the stained glass lined walls to the pews designed from the shapes of a propeller and wing. Below the Protestant chapel are the Catholic and Jewish chapels both of which were just as intricately designed as the main chapel. This was a nice change to be able to photograph the interior and exterior of a very unique building. I love these opportunities and look forward to more.

Protestant Chapel Detail

Jewish Chapel Detail

Pony Express - Day 2: Crown King to Mayor

Win Ames and Gene Thale

The morning in Crown King couldn't have been more perfect. Waking up to cool mountain air and the smell of pine, it was hard knowing that we had to put the town behind us. With a couple of breakfast sandwiches in our stomachs we were back in the truck and again, were off to another non stop day. Win and Gene were side-by-side once again, riding the first two legs down the mountain. The fear of the slick oily roads arose yet again, but luckily, there were no serious issues. It was difficult to focus on the ride with such a beautiful day. The ride down to Cleator was swift and it continued at a speedy pace well after the small town.

Mike Hill, Dan Hamilton, & Brandon Page

Mike Hill rode out of Cleator, but he was not alone. Both Dan and Brandon were at his side in competition to see how many times the mail bags could be passed to riders in one leg. There was a slight hiccup when Mike's cell phone fell to the ground and he had to race back to find it and get back to the group. The day to this point was already feeling completely different from the prior day. The weather was more enjoyable, there was a much enjoyed lack of an urban setting and the pace was much swifter. We were beginning to get a true sense of what the state of Arizona is.

Gregg Bond and Mary Mo

The ride broke off to Cordes. Gregg Bond took us into the town handing off to Chris Kimbrough. Joining Chris was Mary Mo, once again, being given the opportunity to ride what was her husband's leg in years past. Emotions over Ron Littleton's recent passing welled up. However, the true bonds and friendship of the JC's came out to comfort. Gregg Bond continued on with Chris and Mary Mo, often riding hand-in-hand in support. The trio was quick to lift spirits, with humor provided to make what otherwise could be a somber ride into a trip to remember for its show of friendship.

Chris Kimbrough, Gregg Bond, & Mary Mo

It wasn't much later that we found ourselves in the town of Mayor with another similar story. The leg was being ridden by Larry Snipes, but if you asked him, it wasn't his, it was his brother-in-law's, Richard Haupert II. Richard passed within a week of Ron. The losses weighed heavily on the group as a whole, but they wouldn't let it stop them. Instead, Richard was able to ride his leg one last time. Alongside of Larry was Crackers, Richard's horse, still carrying him and the mail. The town came out in support, many residents out in the streets cheering on Larry. At the far side of town, Richard and Larry finished their last ride together.

Crackers with Richard's Ashes and the Mail

Larry Snipes

Pony Express - Day 1: Legs 27-35

Levi Hamilton

Our first day was drawing to an end. Levi Hamilton was drawing us ever closer to the small town of Cleator and we were looking forward to the change in scenery as we approached Crown King. Unknown to us at the time, Levi would take over as our driver for the second day. In the meantime, we watched as he rode effortlessly through one of the last legs of the day.

Gene Thale & Win Ames

Levi's hand off went to Win Ames and Gene Thale for what would be a combined two man, two leg stint. Like many of the riders on the journey, Win and Gene were close friends, both of which preferred to ride together for their back to back legs. Sometimes at a trot, sometimes at a walk, the two enjoyed conversation and the open desert leading into Cleator. A great thanks goes out to these two as through them, Jason and I were able to join in with the JC's on the Pony Express.

Once in Cleator we were on the home stretch. From the Cleator bar we headed out, climbing continuously to our destination. Along the way, word came down of an accident. Bryan Matock had his horse fall over onto him. Injured, but okay, Bryan would be unable to ride his leg. Dan Cole, trail boss for the year, took Bryan's leg knowing that two more legs lay ahead for him as well.

Rich Drake

A small break appeared for Dan. Rich Drake sat ready between Bryan's leg and Dan's own. Once the bags were passed to Rich, Dan loaded his horse into the trailer and drove ahead to prepare for his own leg. Rich waited patiently, when the road was open, he tore off, eager to make up lost time.

The mail bags ended back up into the possession of Dan Cole and he was once again off, continuing the steady climb to Crown King. It was at a turn in the rode that Larry Snipes waited for the final hand off of the day. Together Dan and Larry rode the final leg.

Larry Snipes

Worries arose with the rode as it became clear that Dan and Larry's horses were struggling with their footing. Oil had been poured to keep dust levels down, but for the horses, the mixture was similar to walking on ice. Thankfully, without any falls, we found ourselves under the cover of pines and the in the town of Crown King, our destination for the day. The entire town came out to greet the riders and cheer them along.

The town was very welcoming, throwing a large pot luck for everyone. With good food, the local band playing, and great people all around the night was a blast. But at some point we all had to retire away, as we had another full day ahead of us, our final destination being the Prescott Rodeo.

Pony Express - Day 1 - Through Black Canyon City

Joel Whitfield

As the trail continued we wound up at a hand off area again waiting for the Express to continue. It was here, on the east side of I-17, under a scorching 110 degree sun that we met Joel Whitfield. It was on his leg that we would cross I-17 one last time. Jason, took the opportunity to learn more about Joel while Debbie and myself walked a hundred yards or so down the trail to catch the previous rider coming over a hill. We saw the rider, snapped a few shots then waited, until he abruptly appeared about 100 feet away moving at a fairly fast pace. Debbie and I had little time to react, breaking into a full sprint back to the truck where we found Jason still chatting with Joel, who was yet to even be on his horse. There was only a slight momentary delay in which the blame jokingly fell to Jason. At least he was able to get a lot of good information about Joel for his writings.

Bradley Larch

Bradley Larch

At the end of Joel's leg it wasn't long to pass through Black Canyon City. Unfortunately there were a lot of changes to riders/legs so for most of this post I have yet to collect the appropriate names. Moving through Black Canyon City was a blast. Bradley Larch rode at a gallop through most of the town and north past it. It was an entertaining time, with Cody, our driver trying to match speeds while Debbie and I were trying for any shots that we could get of the moments that we were alongside the horse. We had yet to know what lie ahead as Cody, who was Debbie's son of 16, would be taking us at relatively high speeds through some mountain roads the remainder of the day, all while enjoying the music and girls in the cab with him.

Unknown

Unknown

We began our climb to higher elevations and to the town of Cleator. Several riders took us up through the hills and mountains. Many of these legs were of a much faster pace as the dirt roads allowed for more safety and comfort for the horses. The riders through this stretch really enjoyed it, and we even got from Cody that he was hoping for one such leg next year rather than having a leg that was all asphalt. The real show was the hand off between Dan Hamilton and Mike Hill. The two obviously practiced as they performed the hand off at a cantor and before he had the bags fully seated, Mike was off to a gallop. It was a beautiful and precise display, which I was happy to capture in a total of 68 photos. From this hand off, we had a few more legs to Cleator and a the final climb to Crown King.

Dan and Mike's Hand Off