I will be participating in the Chocolate & Art Show in Los Angeles

February 16-17-2018 

Come join me for a fun night of art, music and CHOCOLATE ! 

Since it is officially fall (my favorite season to go out and shoot all the beautiful color nature is creating), I thought I would make a blog post about photographing the colors of autumn. I would like to share a few tricks that I have learned.

Admittedly, we are not living in the prime locations for foliage photography like the Northeast, or the Southeast, or the Midwest. Those are the regions that produce the most striking and vibrant colors. Locally, though, there is still a lot of beautiful color that will happen a little later in the season -- especially up in the Laguna Mountains  you will see bracken fern which turns golden brown and creates a nice contrast against the green forest and in the Cuyamaca State Park you will mostly see black oak trees.

During the autumn months from September to November, the trees start to change in color. The green leaves turn into vibrant yellows, oranges, reds, and rich browns. Each type of tree has its own special color, and it can vary from year to year for each individual tree. When the leaves change color, the chlorophyll -- which gives leaves their green color -- begins to break down, allowing for the masked pigments to show up. Every leaf color derives from a unique pigmentation process and its color change varies wildly depending on the right conditions of light and temperature.The colors usually flow from North to South and in colder higher altitude regions, it starts sooner.The colors usually arrive at the coastlines toward the end of fall.  

Tips:

1. Shoot in Daylight white balance so the colors will not be neutralized as with AWB.

2. Use your RGB histogram instead of the luminosity histogram so you can see if specific channels are clipped and correct as necessary. Find complimentary colors such as reds and greens for example.

3. Good color isn’t enough. Try to find compositions that help the photograph. Look for dominant elements such as one colorful tree, on a plain or some sort of field, vegetation, or a single leaf isolated against a contrasting blue sky.

4.Experiment with a shallow depth of field.

5. Try more unusual and different angles. Go down low or climb up high.

6. Use a zoom or a longer lens and crop in tighter.

7. I especially love the morning light, just before the sun appears and a little while after it has risen, but the late afternoon and evening light is gorgeous as well. An overcast day will bring out the colors even more. These are probably the best times for me, but you can experiment with other types of light as in the middle of the day, or try to backlight your scene and create sunbursts with a small aperture while shooting directly into the sun. This can also add a lot of atmosphere to the shot especially when some sort of mist or haze is present.

8. Don’t let bad weather hold you back from photographing. Often times in autumn it will rain, storm, or even snow. Rain will bring out the colors even more in the foliage and clouds will add to the images. Take advantage of the atmospheric conditions of fall, such as the morning mists that can add mood and atmosphere to the photographs. In windy conditions, try to experiment with motion blur by putting your camera on a tripod and focus on something static such as a tree trunk. Then use a longer shutter speed and have the surrounding vegetation start to create a soft blurry veil around the focal point such as the static tree stumps. This is perfect for creating more impressionistic photographs.

Hurricane Ridge

I have given you some tips that hopefully will help you to go out there and capture some fall colors!

Most important for me, as always is to be present and connect fully with nature. Take a walk through the forest, notice the smell of the foliage, touch the fallen leaves, feel the the different textures of the vegetation, notice the array of colors…Or just sit still and observe for a moment, let the wind blow through your hair, let your eyes gaze softly and see where this takes you. Sometimes one of these moments captures me and that is the one I feel compelled to photograph. I think those are the moments that I connect on a deeper level with what is. 

“We all are bundles of electric waves or streams of particles – proton, neutron, and electrons. If a piece of metal can be transformed into electric or magnetic waves, so can a string of sound, a thought, and a desire.”  

Come join me for a fun night of art, music and CHOCOLATE ! 

OLYMPUS DIGITAL CAMERA

I would love to see you there!

OLYMPUS DIGITAL CAMERA

" When we try to pick out anything by itself we find that it is bound fast by a thousand invisible cords that cannot be broken, to everything in the universe" - John Muir

I was filled with awe. ONWARD!  _JMG1237_8_9-Edit-Edit-Edit

" We must take adventures in order to know where we truly belong"

-Anonymous

Onward!

UncertaintyOLYMPUS DIGITAL CAMERA

….I beg you to have patience with everything unresolved in your heart and try to love the questions themselves as if they were locked rooms or books written in a very foreign language.  Don’t search for the answers, which could not be given to you now, because you would not be able to live them.  And the point is, to live everything.  Live the questions now.  Perhaps then, someday far in the future, you will gradually, without even noticing it, live your way into the answer...

 -Rainer Maria Rilke, Letters to a Young Poet 

"Before there were any Indians, the Legend People, To-when-an-ung-wa, lived in that place. There were many of them. They were of many kinds – birds, animals, lizards and such things, but they looked like people. They were not people. They had power to make themselves look that way. For some reason the Legend People in that place were bad; they did something that was not good, perhaps a fight, perhaps some stole something…. the tale is not clear at this point. Because they were bad, Coyote turned them all into rocks. You can see them in that place now all turned into rocks; some standing in rows, some sitting down, some holding onto others. You can see their faces, with paint on them just as they were before they became rocks. The name of that place is Angka-ku-wass-a-wits (red painted faces). This is the story the people tell."

                                                     -Paiute Indian legend

_JMG0031_0_2

I arrived in the late afternoon on my first day at Bryce. I had been driving all day leaving the valley of fire behind me with lots of wonderful impressions to process. I was eager to finally walk up to the edge of the amphitheater and see with my very own eyes what it is all about. Once I parked my car, I grabbed my equipment and walked over. I wanted to take advantage of the still golden light of the late afternoon. It was much cooler, winter was definitely not over at Bryce, and I had to pull out my cold weather gear to keep warm. When I arrived at the edge of the canyon, I could see that the hoodoos were still partially covered with snow, and it was, of course, crowded with tourists and photographers alike. But, I found a good spot to place my tripod. _JMG9662_3_5 I took a moment and just stood there and looked…my eyes filled with amazement by the vastness and sheer beauty of this place. I took a deep breath in and despite all the people around me, I felt a stillness and calmness that seemed to consume me. I could hear some voices from some late hikers ascending into the canyon. The snow was melting and the trails were icy and slippery; some people used snowshoes while others just walked very carefully. Part of the canyon was now in shadow and other areas were lit up with golden light. The longer I looked, the more excitement stirred within me. I started to see the different colors in the rocks as the sun started to set, and the hoodoos were showered with the golden light. The lines of pine trees and rock formations in the canyon created all sorts of interesting compositions; the melting snow, still partially covering part of the canyon, was adding interest. Filled with excitement, I framed my first shot. I had spotted a rim covered with snow, which formed a line cutting through the pine trees and rocks. The pine trees, rock formations and the little patches of snow in-between were broken up nicely this way. The sun started to really light up different parts of the canyon in shades of orange. I kept shooting, forgetting everything around me; I couldn't stop…I was mesmerized.  P3130975OLYMPUS DIGITAL CAMERA After the sun finally disappeared and most people left, I noticed that about 10-20 min after the sun had set, the afterglow of the sunset created beautiful colors contrasting with the now blue sky. I had talked earlier with another photographer from the greater area. He said he didn't quite understand why everyone left right after the sun had set. I agreed, as I had just noticed myself how the hoodoos were glowing. Very excitedly, he showed me a close-up of some which were lit up in shades of red surrounded by the cooler light of the blue hour. It was getting late, and my hands started to get really cold. I wasn't ready to leave yet though. I stayed for about another 20 minutes, but at that point it was really time to pack up, rest up, and get ready for the next morning. I had initially thought of camping, but temperatures were still in the high 30’s at night, so I decided to book a room for my stay in the Bryce area. I was looking forward to sleeping in a bed for the night, take a hot shower, and enjoy hot coffee in the morning. It’s funny how when you remove yourself from some of the conveniences of modern life, a cup of hot coffee and a hot shower can become the highlight of your day….well, besides photographing that is :-) _JMG0014_2_3 The next morning it was very cold; I put on several layers of clothes, gloves, a hat, and a thick scarf. When I walked to the edge of Bryce, through the snow, I could start to feel the penetrating cold. I assembled my tripod and started setting up my camera. SUNRISE was beyond spectacular here. WOW! I forgot about how cold it was, but it didn't cease being amazing once the sun was up. Now, I started to slowly and carefully descend into the canyon. I was surrounded by the sound of melting snow and people shuffling through the icy trails. Once in a while, I heard some chatter from nearby hikers or a bird of prey flying over. The sun started to light up the deeper parts of the canyon. It was getting warmer, and I was able to shed some layers of clothing. Being inside the canyon was a whole different experience.  When I visit a place with my camera I have not been to; it's a little overwhelming at first, because I see a lot of compositions to explore, but I know I have to get over my initial amazement and keep exploring until I’m captured by something that moves me on a deeper level. I allow myself to be open and keep shooting, but most of the time; the moments that truly capture me are those that resonate with me past the first encounter. Sometimes, this does happen at first sight; sometimes it’s during a return visit, and the ones that I missed visit me in my dreams :-) I have said this before, but photographing is like falling in love.

ONWARD!

Independence Day San Diego

Since we are getting close to Independence day, I thought I would share a few of the things I have learned about shooting fireworks.

• Scout your location  Think about how you can ground the fireworks and add elements into the frame that reveal your location. This will make your fireworks photographs stand out!
•  Tripod  The camera needs to be as stable and shake-free as possible.
•  Cable release   To avoid introducing any sort of shake.
•  Headlight  In case you are in a place where it is very dark, a headlight will help you to find your way around and keep your hands free.
•  “Magic black cloth”  I carry a piece of black cloth with me to cover the lens in between fireworks bursts. This will allow you to get multiple bursts into one frame.
•  Lens choice  Anything from a wide-angle to a mid-telephoto works. It really depends on the look you are trying to achieve. It’s easier to start with a wide-angle lens and then try different lenses.
•  Manual Mode   I will use the first burst to determine my exposure.
•  Aperture  start at f/8 – f/16   Again, fireworks are bright, so this will allow me to shoot at smaller apertures and longer shutter speeds. I determine aperture from my first test shot of the first burst.
•  Low ISO   Fireworks are bright, and you really want to capitalize on the ability to use longer shutter speeds so you can have multiple bursts in one shot.  In between bursts, I will use the magic cloth to cover my lens.
•  Manual Focus  The first burst is also helping me to set my focus. I will manually focus on the burst and then I lock it. Usually the fireworks are photographed from a distance and shooting at f/8 – f/16 will give enough of a range of acceptable focus.

Let me know if you found these tips helpful. I would love to see some of your shots, and I’m looking forward to capturing this year’s fireworks!

Happy shooting and happy Independence day!

“Beyond the glittering street was darkness, and beyond the darkness the West. 

- Jack Kerouac, On The Road

Monument Valley - Tsé Biiʼ Ndzisgaii, Valley of the Rocks

This was my first visit to Monument Valley. I was amazed and awed as I stood in the visitor parking lot, above the valley floor, looking at the massive sandstone buttes. From here, I had spectacular views of the valley's most photographed peaks - East and West Mitten Buttes, and Merrick Butte. Monument Valley is what most of us truly associate with the "American West." There was a slight chill in the air – slightly windy, overcast skies. The following day turned out to be very similar, and I started to wonder if I should pack up and leave. I was experiencing bland skies, and the dust seemed to get into every piece of my equipment. But just then, the clouds began to move, the sky opened up a little, and so I decided to stay another night.  P3180328-EditOLYMPUS DIGITAL CAMERA Hopefully, I would experience a better sunrise and sunset the following day. Fortunately, the next day I had better conditions. I thought of hiring a guide and a horse to reach some of the areas that were not accessible without an official Navajo guide, but I then decided to do this on a return trip with more time and better weather. I explored the rest of the valley with my car; the road was steep and uneven and dust kept stirring up as I descended further into the valley's heart. P3170107OLYMPUS DIGITAL CAMERA OLYMPUS DIGITAL CAMERA Passing many of the towering cliffs, red mesas, and spire rocks, I encountered free roaming horses and very friendly shaggy dogs that would come right up at every stop. It seemed they were longing for some human interaction. Now, up close, a lot of the rock formation seemed even more massive, and I felt very small right next to them. I started to become fascinated with the different textures of the rocks, and the changing light kept me driving in circles on this 17 mile loop until it was time for me to leave as the sun started to set. Tired from a day of driving and photographing, I decided to settle down for the night. After another bowl of the delicious vegetarian chili - the food that sustained me on this trip :-) , I started reviewing my images on my laptop only to have my eyes fail on me. That’s when I knew it was time to go to sleep so that I stood a chance of getting up early the next morning to shoot sunrise. _JMG1803_4_5_6_7 Not surprisingly, sunrise snuck up on me; the minute my eyes opened, I realized it was already happening. I quickly grabbed my shoes, vest, and hat and started running over to the lookout point. I so wished there would have been time for coffee, but it was too late for that. It wasn't the most spectacular of sunrises, but after two days with no color breaking through the clouds, I was excited to witness this. This is what I had been wanting to see! The mesa was colored in shades of orange, but the sky was still partially covered with clouds which kept moving around. The sun then broke through and lit up the entire valley slowly as it kept rising up. As warm as this looked, my hands were freezing cold and a strong wind had come in. I was trying to stabilize my tripod as I shot, totally enthralled by the sudden change in weather and scene. This experience concluded my visit to Monument Valley, and I moved on to Paria. But, before departing, I got that cup of freshly brewed, hot coffee. Yum!

ONWARD!

"Once again there was the desert, and that only."

- Stephen King, The Gunslinger

Inside the Canyon

“It is really difficult to describe, with words, what feelings being inside a slot canyon evokes;

it would be like trying to describe how it feels to fall in love. It is something you have to experience for yourself"

- Jennifer Magallon

My recent travels took me to Page, Arizona, where a long time dream of mine came true. I was finally experiencing the beautiful light of the slot canyons. For years, I had been looking at photographs of this region, and I was awe-inspired by them. I knew that one day, I would go and experience it with my own eyes. The canyons are located in the Navajo Nation, just east of Page, Arizona. Upper and lower Antelope Canyons are the most visited slot canyons of the Southwest. Upper Antelope Canyon is known as Tsé bighánílíní – “the place where water runs through rocks” – in the Navajo language; and the Lower Canyon Hazdistazí - “spiral rock arches.” Besides visiting these two canyons, I also visited Rattlesnake, Owl, and Mountain Sheep Canyon, and I highly recommend going to some of the lesser-visited canyons to actually have time to connect and experience the beautiful stillness that can be found within them. The canyons felt very mysterious and spiritual to me, perhaps because of their hidden nature. Entering the canyon reminded me of walking into a place like a big cathedral, a place that will leave you in awe with its beauty and vastness and depth – a place of contemplation and stillness and something that demands respect from every visitor.

Slot canyons are very narrow and usually very deep. They can easily be only 3 feet on top but reach down 100 feet. These magnificent canyons have been created by floodwaters rushing through and sculpting the sand or limestone into beautiful sinuous walls.  _JMG2107_10_11_12-Edit To me, the soft-to-the-touch sandstone looked like dancing waves, with the light being the water gently flowing through it. I’m amazed how our brain is capable of making sense when presented with random data, and shortly after entering the canyons, I started to see all sorts of shapes in the sandstone formations - like human faces/forms, animals, and all sorts of things. I even saw something that reminded me of a wild, dragon-like creature. Some of the slot canyons merely look like a crack in the earth from up top, but once you are inside, you will be able to witness how the beams of light that enter the canyons throughout the day at different angles create a dance of light and shadow and turn the sandstone into shades of yellow, orange, red, purple, and blue. You cannot visit the canyons without a Navajo guide; I highly recommend going on a tour specifically for photographers. You will have the expert knowledge and guidance and also benefit from the very-necessary crowd control done by your professional guide. 

It will also allow you to have at least a few minutes or more to set up and frame your shot before the next tour enters and it gets tight and busy. At times, it is also very narrow and dark, so I recommend having your camera set up on a tripod, remote control attached and just be ready to shoot! Also, because of the narrowness inside the canyons, don't bring a backpack if you don't have to; it is very crowded, and you will not have a lot of time. Be flexible, patient, and do what you can with what you have. Less gear is really more in this situation. I’m specifically talking about Antelope Canyon; I had no idea it would be as crowded as it was, and I wasn't even there in the peak season. I underexposed all my shots by one full stop, which helped quite a bit - plus I bracketed. Shoot from the shadow! It will take a little bit to get a feel for the light in the canyons, but this will help you to get started. You are trying to photograph the reflected light, which occurs when the sunlight hits a canyon wall and reflects that light onto another wall. This is the light that will produce rich saturated colors. If you only have one camera body, I can share with you that I was the happiest with my wide angle lens 16-35mm - and as my post-shoot analysis in Lightroom revealed, I shot most at 16 mm and 35mm. There were a few shots I would have liked to have a longer lens for, so if you have another body equipped with a mid-range zoom, go for it. OLYMPUS DIGITAL CAMERA Please don't attempt to change lenses in the canyon. Have a filter in front of your lens and keep wiping it often. The sand is very fine and sticky and will be on and in your equipment very fast. Do anything possible to protect your gear. I was advised to buy a bit of putty goo to pick up the remaining sand dust from the body and lens. It worked very well for me - much better than only the brush that I use to wipe off my equipment. 

This was definitely not my last visit to the slot canyons ;-) The dance of shadow and light within the canyons is mesmerizing and kept me engaged and shooting the entire time I was inside. It seemed like a never-ending plethora of possible photographs. I would make my way through the narrow walkways, climb up ladders, and crawl into narrow spaces. Most of the time, my tripod was at its lowest position, and the camera was shooting up, making it very difficult to frame the shot at times. So, the less you carry inside the canyon, the better off you are! 

What really made this visit special was the human connection. My extraordinary guide - he was so kind, modest, and knowledgeable, and he shared so much valuable information with me. He made me understand a lot more about the place than I ever would have learned on my own. Besides being an incredible photographer, he is a studied and talented musician and while we were riding in his car from canyon to canyon, he would play his beautifully composed music for us. In the canyon, he even played the flute. He then shared with us that he only plays his own compositions and when he plays inside the canyons, he feels connected with the place and the people that have once been here but who are no longer with us - he plays for the lost souls in the canyon. We also encountered two small Mohave rattlesnakes in one of the canyons. We were alerted to watch out for them. This was the very first time I was standing in front of a snake in real life; I spotted the first one (to my own amazement since they are surprisingly small). After that initial encounter, I just kept seeing snakes whenever I’d spot a color pattern close to the snake that I had just seen. In the last canyon we visited, our guide told us that he wanted to show us something very special; eager in anticipation of what might be awaiting us around the corner, we followed him inside the canyon. We sat down on a rock and it got really quiet for a moment. We then realized that this was actually the big surprise, so we all chuckled in union, before we leaned into the silence. This less-visited canyon is a place were you can find and connect with complete stillness - something that seems so rare and special in our modern world. I was very thankful to be able to conclude my visit to the canyons with this experience. Thank you!

- ONWARD!

Shown below is a moment that resonated strongly with me.

_JMG9478_HDR-Edit-Edit

The waste places of the earth, the barren desserts, the tracts forsaken of men

and given over to loneliness, have a peculiar attraction of their own.

The weird solitude, the great silence, the grim desolation, are the very things

with which every desert wanderer eventually falls in love.

- John C. Van Dyke, The Desert, 1901.

Artist Interview for RAW San Diego

Juried by Christopher O'Donnell. The opening reception is on January 2, 2015 from 6-8 pm.

The exhibit is on display from 1/1/2015 - 1/20/2015 Salton Sea

Check out my photography which is decorating the walls at 2GOOD2B in Encinitas! Here are some photos from the installations. While you're there, you have to try a few dishes from their delicious gluten, corn and soy free menu!

With the constantly changing cloud formations, I was treated to a light show extraordinaire.

Desert-2 "Remember there is no such thing as a small act of kindness. Every act creates a ripple with no logical end"

- Scott Adams

I just wanted to take a moment to thank everyone that came out to the photo show on Saturday. I hope you all enjoyed yourselves and had a great time. If any of you are interested in continuing to follow my project blog, "In my footsteps - A photographic journey through the natural world," I encourage you to please do so. I have some exciting adventures coming up, and I will be visiting more SDHC preserves and posting photos from my visits. Remember, many of these areas are not open to the public, so these photos are a sneak peak into the hidden natural world right here in San Diego! You can follow me by subscribing to my blog (click the orange RSS feed button in the right column), liking my Facebook Fan page if you haven't done so already, or following me on Twitter.

Photos from Saturday's event were taken by my friend, the very talented photographer, Albertine, of "Art of Albertine." They will be coming out soon, and I will share them with you. A few of the show pieces are still available and can be viewed at 3RDSPACE by making an appointment with me. Please email me at: [email protected] or call me at (619) 392-2120 if you are interested in viewing them in person. I can send you the information sheet of what is still available along with a photo of the actual art work. The pieces are discounted and a percentage of the sales will benefit the San Diego Habitat Conservancy. Several people have also asked me if there is a way to purchase my work online. YES, there is: BUY PRINTS. In my online store, the photographs are available in a variety of sizes and finishing options, though at full price.

Overall, the event was a huge success with over 250 people coming together to support a great cause in an awesome space! This 3 hour show took months of planning and would not have been possible without support from the community and many of my best friends. I especially wanted to thank Peter McConnell, the owner of 3RDSPACE, for his incredible support and mentorship. 3RDSPACE Co-working and Club for the Creative is a beautiful place that is very supportive of both its members and the community. If you would like to learn more about it, sign up for the 3RD MONTHLY newsletter. 

I would like to give a big thanks to the GreenGo Grilled Cheese Gastro Truck for coming out. The food was absolutely delicious!  The musical performance by Lightning Starts Fire was fantastic and people kept asking me about Indio the entire night! What a talented and amazing young performer. 

I also wanted to thank APA San Diego, Medium Festival, and MOPA for showing support for emerging local artists. APA has a photo show,"UNTITLED," coming up at 3RDSPACE on October 25, 2014. This is a very exciting event; the showcased photography will be auctioned off with proceeds benefiting the Museum of Photographic Art. Please come on out if you have time. Also, the Medium Festival of Photography is happening right here in San Diego from October 23-26, 2014. I am really excited about attending this year's event! MOPA's current exhibit, "After Ansel Adams," is still on display until September 28, 2014, so make sure to check it out as well.

Again, THANK YOU all for coming out and making this event such a big success. I have some other exciting projects coming up, and I hope to share them with you when the time comes.

Yours, jennifer

I grew up in the Chicago suburbs and then spent many years in southern Illinois, including my time in graduate school.

What initially drew you to become involved in the preservation effort?

I was already involved in many projects involving land preservation, but this was my first opportunity to actively manage habitat preserves and be involved in the day-to-day decisions.

When did you join the SDHC team and why did you decide to become a part of this organization?

I joined the organization in 2008 because I knew this was a perfect opportunity to get involved with a growing organization that was going to do great things for land conservation in California.

What is your favorite preserve and why?

Each Preserve has it’s own unique attributes, but I would pick Bridges-Santa Fe Creek for it’s diversity of habitats and sensitive species.

Why is it important to focus efforts on San Diego County specifically?

It’s important to focus on San Diego because it is a ‘biodiversity hotspot’, which means that San Diego County supports an incredible array of plants and animals, but many of those species are declining due to development and other disturbance to native habitats.

What has been the reaction of the children at the local elementary schools you've visited?

We’ve had an amazing reaction from the kids who are truly fascinated with the beauty and diversity of San Diego County many of whom didn’t realize how it positively affects all of us.  They really enjoy seeing the butterfly collection and different tools and gadgets we use as biologists.

If you could share a message with all of San Diego, what would you share?

I would say that while we all appreciate San Diego for it’s beautiful weather and scenery, it has taken (and will continue to take) the interest and effort of all of us to help preserve large areas of open space not just for plants and wildlife, but for our well being too.  Get involved; any level of effort can help from picking up trash, to pulling weeds, to joining SDHC!

Chicago, IL

What initially drew you to become involved in the preservation effort?

Growing up I always liked being outdoors and had a love and respect for animals. Although I lived in Chicago, I was lucky enough to live in a home surrounded by oak trees and have parents that took me on hikes during the summers. Once in college, my passion for exploring and conserving our natural resources was only strengthened. The summer after my 2^nd year of university, I studied abroad in Kenya where I focused on wildlife management. That experience was life changing and I knew then that my work would ultimately focus on conserving our natural resources in one way or another.

When did you join the SDHC team and why did you decide to become a part of this organization?

I began volunteering in June 2012 and began working part-time in November 2012 and full-time in October 2013. I wanted to find a more rewarding way to leverage my backgrounds in biology and environmental law and my passion for the outdoors with an organization doing work I support. I was looking for a way to get involved specifically with an organization working on land conservation. I happened upon SDHC’s website, saw they were looking for volunteers, and now here I am more than 2 years later. I love the variety of work I get to do and feel lucky that I get to explore places that very few people do. Plus, I work with some very knowledgeable people who are just as passionate about conservation as I am.

 What is your favorite preserve and why?

Bridges & Santa Fe Creek Preserve. All of SDHC’s preserves have something special about them but to me, this preserve really stands out. It is one of the few places that I have visited in southern California that has water (Escondido Creek) running through all year long. Plus, the site is peaceful, rich with a variety of rare and sensitive species, and is a great place for honing my birding skills.

Why is it important to focus efforts on San Diego County specifically?

San Diego County is one of the most biologically diverse areas in the world with nearly 300 rare, threatened, and endangered plant and animal species, more than ANY comparable land area in the continental U.S.! Yet, it is also subject to ever-increasing development which threatens the longevity and health of the area. Over 94% of native grasslands, 70% of coastal sage scrub habitat, and 97% of vernal pools have been destroyed in San Diego County. We need these native habitats not only for the beauty they provide but also for the value they provide to our ecosystem in ways such as reducing air pollution, aiding in flood and erosion control, improving water quality, and supporting animals that provide natural insect and rodent control.

Additionally, San Diego County has a strong coalition of people and organizations working together towards conserving biodiversity on a regional level and ensuring that there is a coordinated effort to create an interconnected preserve system which is vital to maintaining successful wildlife populations. I believe the success of these efforts will serve as an example to other regions throughout California and the rest of the country.    

What has been the reaction of the children at the local elementary schools you've visited?

I’ve just started joining Jim on the school visits and I have been so motivated by the reactions we’ve received. Overall the kids have been really inquisitive and excited to hear our story. Let’s not forget about the adults! We’ve been so welcomed by the teachers. It’s just a lot of fun and very rewarding to share our love of nature and spread our message of conservation.

If you could share a message with all of San Diego, what would you share?

San Diego County is a beautifully unique part of the world with the ocean, desert, and mountains all within a short drive. It takes all of us working together and respecting the environment to preserve these wonderful resources. Also, studies have shown that people are increasingly disconnected from nature which is resulting in increased rates of obesity, attention disorders, and depression. So let’s get outdoors and encourage our children to do the same!

Where are you from originally?

Manhattan Beach, California. I came to San Diego to attend San Diego State University and have been here ever since.

What initially drew you to become involved in the preservation effort?

It probably started with my parents’ influence. Camping trips, traveling, and adventures in the outdoors were regular family recreation. Dad was the floura and fauna enthusiast and mom was a good “armchair” historian and archaeologist. It was through them that I learned to really enjoy natural and cultural resources and learned that these open spaces and resources are important and worth conserving. My parents were both teachers who met teaching at an outdoor camp. I have a few of their old outdoor teaching manuals from the 1950s and early 1960s. Now that SDHC is developing our own educational program, I have read many of the old books to see how to introduce and foster interest in the outdoors and natural sciences. The books are entertaining because of the dated language and photos used in the books, but many of the conservation values and education methods presented are relevant and valid today and we will be using them in our program.

When did you join the SDHC team and why did you decide to become a part of this organization?

 I took over as SDHC’s second Executive Director in September 2009. My career prior to joining was as a planner and compliance monitor, so I was familiar with regulatory requirements for mitigation lands and their ultimate preservation. I knew there were long-term managers for the preserved lands, but I did not know the details of how legal protections were applied to the preserved land or the day-to-day operations of management of the land. When I was offered the job, I was excited by the challenge of learning these new details and leading an organization as it grows. I also liked the idea of working for a non-profit, which I had not done before.

What is your favorite preserve and why?

I am going to answer like a proud parent with a lot of children and say, “I love them all equally, but for different reasons.” At Woods Valley Ranch, I am enamored by the tremendous oak groves and rock outcrops, at Lonestar and Vallecitos Ridge I love the vistas, and I like Carlsbad Raceway for its history and for the pleasant surprises we find there as the habitat recovers. I like Emerald Point for its ease of access and being able to show the public how hard and soft engineered solutions can work together in successful habitat restoration in an urban area.  I like Bridges for its sheer size, the perennial stream that flows through it, and the abundance and uniqueness of the species that are there. I am looking forward to Seacliff, a new preserve we will start managing this fall, because it will be our first coastal preserve. I could go on and on…

Why is it important to focus efforts on San Diego County specifically?

When I am asked to speak on behalf of SDHC, I am fond of saying, “If you like conservation, you don’t have to go somewhere exotic to do it, you can practice real conservation right here in San Diego and literally in your backyard.” The San Diego Region is one of the world’s few biodiversity hotspots - areas with a high number of plant and animal species with the habitats experiencing a high degree of threat or loss. San Diego as a county has more plants and animal species than 49 states in our nation. Because San Diego County is a great place to live, development of the region has resulted in the pressures and loss of the habitat that supports the wide number of species. So, unfortunately, San Diego County also has the dubious distinction of having the most endangered species of any county in the entire nation.

 If you could share a message with all of San Diego, what would you share?

Enjoy what’s around you. It’s truly unique, and it does not occur anywhere else in the world. Pull that non-native plant, replace it with a native plant, and enjoy the increased wildlife it attracts. 

Fall in the gutter

I was walking through the park one autumn day when something happened to catch my attention.  When I glanced down to see what it was, I witnessed an amazing array of texture and color semi-submerged in a puddle of cold rainwater. I was immediately intrigued to see this medley of leaves, and I couldn’t help but look around to see where these beautiful leaves had come from. It’s funny how such can inspire you to more deeply take notice of the world around you. All of a sudden, the yellows and oranges of the surrounding foliage began to jump into my awareness, and the initially imperceptible purples began to call out for my attention. It was such a raw and unexpected experience that my mind began recalling memories from my childhood when I would dig my hands into wet leaves and squeeze them tightly so that they would ooze through my fingertips. I instantly recalled how those very leaves felt and how the cold, wet soil would stick to my hands. It’s amazing how a single captured moment has the power to evoke such visceral emotion.

Sunrise at Patriarch Grove "Sunrise in the White Mountains"

Keep close to Nature's heart... and break clear away, once in awhile, and climb a mountain or spend a week in the woods. Wash your spirit clean.

"A runner must run with dreams in his heart"

- Emil Zatopek

_JMG5809-Edit

"You just look around, look into the eyes of a child, or into the eyes of your beloved, your mother, your friend - or just feel a tree. Have you ever hugged a tree? Hug a tree, and one day you will come to know that it is not only that you have hugged the tree but that the tree also responds, the tree also hugs you. Then for the first time you will be able to know that the tree is not just the form, it is not just a certain species the botanists talk about, it is an unknown God - so green in your courtyard, so full of flowers in your courtyard, so close to you, beckoning you, calling you again and again."

- Osho

IMG_1898

  “There is something magical about running; after a certain distance,

  it transcends the body. Then a bit further,

  it transcends the mind. A bit further yet,

  and what you have before you, laid bare, is the soul.”   

I'm on my way to the White Mountains. I can't believe it has already been a year since I was there last... Tonight, I will be at the Trona pinnacles and shoot the night sky. Here are two photos from last years travels.

White Mountains-Bristlecones400 White Mountains-Bristlecones426

What a magical place!  It felt like I was walking through an enchanted forest in the middle of summer….

“Reality lies in the greatest enchantment you have ever experienced.” - Hugo von Hofmannsthal.

_JMG4239_01-Edit

  "Pain is inevitable. Suffering is optional"  

  - Haruki Murakami  

\

-German proverb

I drove out to Anza Borrego that night at 3 a.m. to make sure I wouldn’t miss the sunrise. Once it came peeking out from behind the horizon, I knew all of my effort was worth it. The sunrise on that fall morning in 2013 was absolutely spectacular. I saw mist hovering inches above the ground, hanging between the trees. The sun rose up and the air was mild and warm, with only the slightest hint of the nights chill remaining. The mountains stood firm in the distance and there was powdery dust clinging to the air. I ventured out into the middle of this field and I was captured by the scene. I love mornings; they mark the beginning of a new day, both literally and metaphorically. I always feel as though each one represents endless possibility and marks the calm before the impending day’s storm of activity.

Anza Borrego

Fireworks Seaworld Since today is July 4th, I thought I would share a few of the things I have learned about shooting fireworks.

•  Scout your location    Think about how you can ground the fireworks and add elements into the frame that reveal your location. This will make your fireworks photographs stand out!
•  Tripod   The camera needs to be as stable and shake free as possible.
•  Cable release   To avoid introducing any sort of shake.
•  Headlight  In case you are in a place where it is very dark a headlight will help you to find your way around and keep your hands free.
•  “Magic black cloth” I carry a piece of black cloth with me to cover the lens in between fireworks bursts. This will allow you to get multiple bursts into one frame.
•  Lens choice  Anything from a wide-angle to a mid-telephoto works. It really depends on the look you try to achieve. It’s easier to start with a wide-angle lens and then try different lenses.
•  Manual Mode    I will use the first burst to determine my exposure.
•  Aperture  start at f/8 – f/16   Again, fireworks are bright so using  a smaller aperture will allow me to shoot at lower shutter speeds. I determine aperture from my first test shot of the first burst.
•  Low ISO   Fireworks are bright and you really want to capitalize on the ability to use longer shutter speeds so you can have multiple bursts in one shot.  In between bursts, I will use the magic cloth to cover my lens.
•  Manual Focus  The first burst is also helping me to set my focus. I will  manually focus on the burst and then I lock it. Usually the fireworks are photographed from a distance and shooting at f/8 – f/16 will give enough of a range of acceptable focus.

Let me know if you found these tips helpful. I would love to see some of your shots, and I’m looking forward to capturing this year’s fireworks.

Happy shooting and happy Independence day!

 'We run, not because we think it is doing us 

IMG_6482

"Your body will argue that there is no justifiable reason to continue.

Your only recourse is to call on your spirit,

which fortunately functions independently of logic"

Joshua Tree "Keep looking up! I learn from the past, dream about the future and look up.

There's nothing like a beautiful sunset to end a healthy day."

- Rachel Boston

 - Antoine de Saint- Exupéry, The Little Prince 

Joshua Tree

At the end of May, I went to Joshua Tree to photograph the night sky. My goals were to shoot still stars, star trails, and hopefully the Camelopardalids meteor shower that was going on during that time. I am not an expert at this - there are photographers who specialize in this type of photography. For this post, I’ll discuss shooting the Milky Way as my chosen subject in the night sky and share what I have learned so far. I think being proactive in this type of photography is crucial. What I mean by this is that you must know what conditions to expect, arrive early, know how much available night-light there will be, and compose the shot while there is still daylight. It’s not easy to find good compositions in total darkness . . . I speak from personal experience :-)  There is no exact science to nighttime photography, but knowing a few variables and rules beforehand will yield better results faster, and, once you have done it a lot, you will have a more intuitive approach to the whole process - as with everything else we do a lot :-)

 EQUIPMENT NEEDED 

• Camera with capability to shoot in bulb mode, a connector port for an external cable release and RAW shooting capabilities.
• Fully charged batteries, the long exposures taken at night will require more battery power especially if it is cold where you are.
• Wide angle, fast lens  at least f/4 but I prefer the fastest lens I can get my hands on for this because it will give me more creative freedom.
• Cable release/Remote timer
•  Headlight, flashlight to find our way around in the dark, light painting
•  Compass comes in handy to find Polaris.
• My iPhone (I use apps for all sorts of calculations. The Long exposure app a collection of different calculators and cheat sheets very, very helpful, Photographer's Ephemeris.
• A chair, blanket, food, water, coffee, a friend to keep you company… Bring whatever will keep you awake and comfortable at night :-)
• AND lots of patience and a desire to experiment!

 GENERAL CONSIDERATIONS FOR SHOOTING THE SKY AT NIGHT 

Hopefully, you have found a pleasing composition, and you have set up your camera and locked your focus before total darkness. Generally, for nighttime photography, forget about your light meter because it’s not going to work in total darkness. In order to determine exposure, I take a high ISO test shot. I check my LCD screen and my histogram to evaluate the high ISO test shot and adjust as necessary. I always strive to get the best exposure in camera and, in this instance, I prefer a slightly brighter exposure because I can always darken the image (but recovering shadows in a very underexposed capture will introduce a lot more noise). I can now compensate the exposure and use my “exposure tripod” consisting of Shutter speed, Aperture, and ISO. Every situation calls for a different approach, and it is as much a creative choice as it is a technical choice for how I use these variables. The exact same exposure will produce different looking photographs depending on which variable I change. Experiment!

 HIGH ISO TEST SHOT  Joshua Tree

• Set your camera up on a tripod
•  Remote control is in place
• Camera shooting mode set to manual
• Shoot RAW if your camera has that option it will give you more flexibility in post processing.
• Use a wide-angle, fast lens (In this instance I used the Nikon 24mm f/1.4)
• Set aperture to wide open
• Set Shutter Speed to 30s
• ISO 1600 – 3200. I usually start with 3200
• Manually focus on infinity  OR if you have a friend with you who can assist in illuminating the point of critical focus in your composition, do that instead and then lock the focus. Once you took the shot check on your LCD if it is sharp by zooming in to 100 %.
• Evaluate the exposure by looking at the LCD screen and your camera's histogram. I like to lower the brightness of my LCD just a little when I shoot at night because our eyes adjust to the darkness and you can be fooled by the LCD screen.
• From here I can  find the equivalent exposure and adjust it as necessary.

Joshua Tree  SHOOTING THE MILKY WAY 

A dark sky without any light pollution is the first requirement in night sky photography. It’s impossible to even see the Milky Way otherwise. The moon also has an effect on its visibility, so it is good to know what phase the moon will be in. The moon travels 28 days around earth. During this time the moon takes on different shapes and its luminosity will change greatly. What is possible to photograph in those varying conditions varies greatly. To shoot the Milky Way, it is best to go out during a new moon. I use the Photographers Ephemeris to find out about the moons exact position. Other atmospheric conditions such as rain, thick cloud covers, humidity, and wind will affect this endeavor and create challenges to be aware of. In some of those conditions, we may have to stay home.Also, the time of year needs to be considered. Here in the northern hemisphere, the Milky Way is best seen during the first half of the year. Depending on where you are located, summer can be very humid and may also create some challenges. You will find the Milky Way in the southern hemisphere of the sky rising from the west. To shoot the Milky Way in the night sky, I set my camera on a very sturdy tripod, in manual mode, shooting in RAW format, auto white balance, remote trigger in place so I do not introduce camera shake, and use a wide-angle lens. I love the Nikon 24mm f/1.4 for this type of photography. I have also heard very good things about the Rokinon 16mm f/2 which is also a very affordable choice; again, the lens choice also depends on the particular creative vision you have, but, generally, a wide lens is a good starting point.

 500 RULE 

Now, in order to capture still stars, we need to be aware that the earth is rotating. In order to get still stars, we need to apply the 500Rule (some use the 600Rule); for ultimate sharpness, though, stick to the 500 Rule. To get sharp, in focus stars, we need to divide 500 by the focal length of the lens being used. For example, in my case, I had a full frame camera crop factor 1.0x  with a fixed 24 mm lens (500x1:24 = 20.83), so I will set my shutter speed at a maximum to 20 sec (if you are working with a crop sensor camera you need to consider that particular factor as well 1.5x, 1.6x etc.). There are many great apps to calculate this with. The one I use has an assortment of camera and lens combinations and will quickly calculate your maximum possible shutter speed for your particular lens/camera combo  Long Exposure Calculators by Ilya Genkin photography.

So, this now makes us realize the challenges we face when shooting still stars, and it is up to us how we are using Aperture or ISO to find a satisfying exposure. Higher ISO will introduce more noise, but too low of an ISO will make the stars appear a little too faint. Different cameras will have different capabilities in shooting in low light and how much noise will be introduced at higher ISO’s. It’s up to the photographer to make that call.  In my next post, next Tuesday, I will write about how I captured star trails.

Joshua Tree

The Vortex

"I always loved running…it was something you could do by yourself, and under your own power. You could go in any direction, fast or slow as you wanted, fighting the wind if you felt like it, seeking out new sights just on the strength of your feet and the courage of your lungs."

-Jesse Owens

Vallecitos I have been visiting the managed preserves that the team over at the San Diego Habitat Conservancy oversees, and each one has its own unique charm.The personality each exudes is amazing. Recently, I spent some time following Jim (the team's habitat manager) while he was recording the restoration progress at the Vallecitos Ridge Biological Open Space Preserve. Vallecitos Vallecitos is filled with chaparral and coastal sage scrub and lies nestled within the Vallecitos Ridge residential development project up in the city of San Marcos. The preserve includes 34 acres just north of SR-78, west of  Interstate 15, and northeast of Palomar College and has been under the supervision of SDHC since 2009. Jim tells me that there are several species of interest at the preserve, to include the turkey vulture, the coastal California gnatcatcher, and the rufous-crowned sparrow. Check out the latest SDHC newsletter HABITAT HAPPENINGS !

Vallecitos

 

Its funny hat Wednesday! When I venture out into the chilly outdoors, I need a hat that screams cool – and keep my ears warm. This was at La Push, Olympic National Park. Show me the best hat pic you got on my JMag photography Facebook page!

Yesterday, I went to the San Diego Zoo, and, unexpectedly, I stumbled upon a giraffe giving birth. Of course, there was a massive crowd of people watching this event and even the fellow giraffes on the other side of the fence were watching. I tried to capture some photographs of the process, but I was facing many challenges. I’m not the tallest person, so I had to battle with the people in front of me, and I was left with a tiny spot where I had to shoot through a bush and a sign obstructing my view. It was quite challenging and made more difficult by the harsh midday light. BUT, I pushed on anyway. 

A baby giraffe is really a giant! It weighed about 150 lbs and stood six feet tall when it was born. When it dropped out of its mother’s womb, it fell almost 5 feet. What a harsh awakening to life! This was then followed by the calf’s repeated attempts to stand up as quickly as possible in response to its natural instinct to be able to run and survive possible predator attacks in the wild. As I watched this evolution, I really felt for the little one - its long legs were all tangled up and its mother tried to help out by guiding it to a wall and use her legs to give a push. The little one had many unsuccessful attempts, but it didn't give up. Eventually, it was able to stand up. This photo is the very first time the giraffe was able to stand upright, and its mom had just trotted away. What an inspiration!

IMG_1892

"Running is a road to self-awareness and reliance-you can push yourself to extremes and learn the harsh reality of your physical and mental limitations or coast quietly down a solitary path watching the earth spin beneath your feet."

- Doris BrownHeritage

I went out with Sarah a little over two weeks ago to visit a 62 acre preserve in Otay Mesa, which is ju st a stone’s throw away from where I live. It rests about a mile north of Otay Mesa Road, close to the intersection of Lonestar and Harvest Road.The team over at San Diego Habitat Conservancy (SDHC) has been managing this site since January 2013 and working to reduce the cover of non-native grasses so that the native plant seed in the soil have a better chance to grow and become established. By doing this, they aim to help provide the indigenous burrowing owls with a better habitat in which to forage and nest successfully.This image from the SDHC website gives an overall sense of the preserve’s size. I returned yesterday to capture more of this amazing area (and to see if I could spot those cute little burrowing owls). I didn’t have any luck with the owls, but as you can see below, the views at Lonestar are amazing.   The trails through the hills provide for somelonestarscenic landscape in southern San Diego county. If you’d like to help protect this amazing area, then you are only a mouse click away! If you shop at AmazonSmile this Father's Day, then 0.5% of all eligible purchases and an extra $5 will be donated to the team at San Diego Habitat Conservancy to support their preservation efforts. AmazonSmile is the same Amazon you know, with the same products, only with the added benefit of supporting local charity and non-profit organizations. Check it out (http://smile.amazon.com/ch/33-0906648). Also, if you’d like to bring your classroom into the great outdoors so help this generation of children reconnect with the natural world, just contact Sarah @ [email protected] and visit their website at www.sdhabitat.org!

So I went out with Don a little over a week ago to visit an incredible 112 acre preserve in the Rancho Santa Fe community, which runs along Escondido Creek. It forms a contiguous corridor of open space that serves as a core habitat for a lot of wildlife, to include the coastal California gnatcatcher.

Our friends over at San Diego Habitat Conservancy (SDHC) have been managing this site since September 2012 and are working to remove several invasive species such as the Giant Reed (Arundo donax) so that the sensitive indigenous plant species such as San Diego goldenstar, San Diego marsh-elder, and San Diego sagewort may once again begin to thrive.This image from the SDHC website gives an overall sense of the preserve’s size. I’ll be making a return visit again soon to share more pictures from Bridges . . . ESPECIALLY if I can capture a picture of those adorable little southern rufous-crowned sparrows!  

Speaking of adorable, I also wanted to share some more imagery from Jim’s presentation at Innovations Academy Charter School. The first grade students were absolutely amazed at the tools Jim brought with him and even more enthusiastic about his adventures observing the local wildlife on the preserves! If you’d like to bring your classroom into the great outdoors, just contact Sarah @ [email protected] and visit their website at www.sdhabitat.org!

About a week and a half ago, I went to Joshua Tree National Park to photograph the night sky. It was a great experience. I camped in my car for three days to be able to shoot the sky at night. During the hot days, I would scout out possible shooting locations, mostly trying to take it easy so I could stay awake throughout the night and maximize shooting time. Because of the holiday traffic, I didn't make it to the park before nightfall. Admittedly, it wasn't the best way to start this adventure. I would've ideally liked to have set up before darkness approached and kept shooting into the early morning hours. The first night I also didn't get the clearest of skies, so I decided to take it light, do only a few shots, and get a good night's rest because I'd been driving for several hours. Over the next few days, I was much better prepared and scouted my locations, setting up well before daylight faded away. I captured one image in particular the first night that I wanted to share with you because it felt like a good opening to my "star-filled weekend." I plan to write more this week about my nighttime ventures and share some things I learned.  Joshua Tree

"Unveiling a Sky full of Possibilities"

Sunset Cliffs Beach “Endless Summer”

This was the last day of summer 2013. It was a warm and mild evening as I sat on a knit blanket at the Sunset Cliffs Beach with two of my most favorite things in the world: my camera and my husband. As I looked around, I was completely taken in by this moment: the colors, the clouds, the sailboat in the distance. A group of people were dancing around a small bonfire making music with their guitars - their movements and their notes almost rhythmically aligned with the sound of the crashing waves. I could smell the faintest scent of ash as the wind carried the burning fire our way, and it mixed well with the salt from the ocean and sand. The wind was so warm and gentle that night and its sound so perfect that I just sat there mesmerized by it all. Seconds later, I turned my gaze slightly to the right to witness these two playing in the white water. At this singular moment, I felt that all of these elements somehow began to merge, becoming one. I wanted to visually convey this feeling so I used a very long exposure to allow the elements to literally merge into one another. When I look at this moment, I can still remember the taste of the ocean salt.

Yet, through the silence something throbs, and gleams...”

― Antoine de Saint-Exupéry, The Little Prince

I sent this message to my husband the first time I visited this amazing place. It came from the heart, unfettered, and without revision. I thought I’d share it with you:

“My ears love the quietness - but even though the desert seems silent, it has a voice. At times the wind will tell me its stories; the sand will accompany it, sometimes gentle, sometimes wild, and sometimes with the faint sound of a cricket chirping.

My eyes admire the vastness of the sand dunes. They make for powerful compositions in a very simple way, but, if you look closer, you realize there’s an infinite deluge of patterns and shapes so complex that it seems not to be true.

The sun circles around, the light changes, and so too does the desert. The sky’s colors change from purple, pink, yellow, and orange to blue, red, tangerine, and violet… 

Even though the place feels still, it is in a state of constant change and motion.I can feel the desert - the gentle breeze soothes my face, the sand tickles my skin, and the sun scorches me. I can smell the desert. At first, it seems odorless, but then I begin to smell the dust and the sand that is in  the air. I am all at once intrigued by the desert’s simplicity and calmness, but a little unsettled as well. This is a place where truth can be found.” 

- Jennifer

_JMG3583_4_5_tonemapped-Edit “Solace”

While visiting the Alabama Hills as part of a group photography excursion, we decided not only to visit the Manzanar Memorial, but to explore the surrounding landscape photographically. We’d been experiencing stormy weather for a day, with the clouds forming a low hanging ceiling. Rain was intermittent, there was a slight chill in the air, and the feeling was all at once ominous. It was the perfect mix of elements for me, as a photographer, to be a part of. The colors in the vegetation became more vibrant around me as the sky constantly morphed into strange and visually stimulating formations right in front of my eyes. The scene transformed from familiar to otherworldly within a matter of minutes. On our way back to the Alabama Hills I came across this particular moment as my inner explorer prompted me to leave the gravel road where we had stopped the car. I wandered through patches of brush and across a little creek into this open area. It seemed to extend into forever, merging, I must assume, with the mountains, whose tops were only barely visible through the clouds. This moment was eerily tranquil and calm, and I felt the same strange stillness one would experience in the eye of a storm. It felt . . . comforting . . . despite the dramatic weather that would sneak up on us later. I left this moment with a sense of solitude and smallness which I continue to feel every time I look at this image. Solace in Solitude.

-Jennifer

March 24, 2013 - Man with hat on the beach

Its fun run Friday ! I'm going to share a photo from my running diaries on Instagram.

I go out running most mornings and I usually stop to take a photo of something I see.

If you haven’t been outside to get a breath of fresh air and take a look at this beautiful place, then you need to get up and go now - and don’t forget to share your image with the rest of us on the JMag Photography Facebook page! 

https://www.facebook.com/JMagPhotography

Have a great day everybody!

- Jennifer

The more time I spend outdoors capturing the beauty of the natural world around me, the more I begin to realize how precious and scarce these amazing wonders really are. I also realized that I don’t have to travel far to find jaw dropping beauty; I have it right here in San Diego county. Whether it’s down along the coastline or the surrounding areas at Otay Lakes, there’s a large amount of untouched habitat that is every bit as beautiful as what I’ve seen elsewhere. I want to help preserve these areas and bring their visual beauty to San Diegans who might not otherwise have the chance to see them.

With this in mind, I’ve made a concerted effort to find a non-profit organization that is working LOCALLY to protect the incredible habitats around our great county. Thanks to some great recommendations, I found the San Diego Habitat Conservancy (SDHC). Based out of Liberty Station, their team has been working since 2000 to acquire, manage, and protect the sensitive habitats necessary for native species to survive and thrive. After an initial meeting with their Executive Director, Don Scoles, and their Assistant Program Coordinator, Sarah Krejca, I am convinced that this team is committed to making a difference!

Every week, I’m going to help highlight what Don, Sarah, and the SDHC Team are doing with their education and outreach programs to help protect the local environment and bring awareness to their cause. I’m also going to visit their preserves so that you can see with your own eyes the beauty and marvel of the ecosystems that lie just outside the city limits. 

I hope you’ll join me by visiting their website at: www.sdhabitat.org and liking their FACEBOOK page at San Diego Habitat Conservancy. A small click of the button can help make a HUGE difference!

MTP00194

With a passion for exploring and a deep respect for the natural world, it was inevitable that, at some point in my life, I’d start traveling and collecting impressions. I am fueled by nature’s beauty, and I have an incessant hunger to capture it and transform that beauty into a medium for others to share. I believe strongly in conservation and, ultimately, want others to have the opportunity to experience the same emotions I felt as I stood there . . . surrounded by complete vastness. It’s hard to verbally translate the feelings that stir within me when I’m out in the field, so I hope that these frozen moments of time awaken the same sense of awe and wonder in those that look upon them. I hope, too, that people are equally moved to protect our natural world and its amazing treasures. 

- Jennifer

_JMG7566-Edit

Varel is a small town located at the shallow Jade bay. Centuries ago a large bay was formed by storm waters that flooded the

area. In order to protect the surrounding land dykes were built. Nowadays the shores are protected

as part of the Wadden Sea National Park.

DSC_3060

Randsburg, California - The living ghost town.

A few photographs from my recent trip to Salvation Mountain. I have visited the Salton Sea area a few times, and it has become somewhat of a tradition for me to visit the last weekend in January. A lot has changed since my first visit in 2011 but much has also remained the same. 

Salvation Mountain 2014

I started urban explorations last year with a friend and  its been very fun to explore San Diego with our cameras.

December 22, 2013 Bye Bye Sedona

Leaving Sedona 

December 21, 2013 - Morning Mist

Rainy/ Misty Morning in Sedona

December 20, 2013 - Rainy day in sedona

Rainy day in Sedona

December 19, 2013 - Sunrise Grand Canyon

Sunrise at Mather Point, Grand Canyon

Devils Bridge

Devil's Bridge

December 17, 2013 - Devil's Kitchen Sinkhole

Devil's Kitchen Sinkhole

Sedona Cathedral Rock Trail

First hike on Cathedral Rock trail

December 15, 2013 - Arrival in Sedona

Arriving in Sedona after traveling all day

_JMG2224-Edit

On my first 4x4 experience in the Anza Borrego desert, I was very fortunate to witness an amazing sunset.The light show had already started when I arrived at Font's Point, so I had to quickly set up and start shooting. The air was very dusty, but nevertheless, I was awestruck by the explosion of colors in the sky.

White Mountains-Bristlecones438-Edit-2

Sunset in the Mountains

Sunset in the Mountains, November 2011 

_JMG0628-Edit

Deer at Cuyamaca Rancho State Park 

November 7, 2013 - Little scare crow_

Don't be scared :-) 

November 5, 2013On a quest to find fall colors in the eastern San Diego area

October 31, 2013 halloween card frame

September 19, 2013 - backlit leave

September 12, 2013 - Butterflies

Snap of the day: Chasing Butterflies 

August 28, 2013 - Otay Lakes

Hipstamatic photo from my bike ride around lower Otay Lakes today

August 27, 2013 Balboa Park_

Hipstamatic in the park today

August 25, 2013 - Balboa Park_

Balboa Park

August 23, 2013 Orange Splash

Orange Splash 

July 29, 2013_

"Max the cat"

White Mountains-Bristlecones415-Edit

"The Ghostly Owl Tree Stump"

Sunrise at Patriarch Grove in the White Mountains

PCH20131499

One of the Impressions from my 3 day travel along the Pacific Coast from Monterey to Morro Bay.

I encountered a lot of thick fog and mist, but on this one morning, the sun was able to break

through the fog intermittently and a very dramatic scene unraveled before my eyes. 

White Mountains-Bristlecones466

Impression from my recent trip to a magical place in the White Mountains which is home to the ancient Bristlecone trees.

July 23, 2013 - PCH20131819

At Julia Pfeiffer Burns SP on a foggy day

July 22, 2013 - PCH20131066

Foggy day in Point Lobos 

July 21, 2013 PCH201374

Mission in Carmel 

July 20, 2013 - ComicCon2013 Zombiewalk60

Zombie Walk