The Teton Commute

Back and forth.  Down this loop, around another.  Stop at this junction, pullout, side of the road . . . And all along the way my trusted navigator pulls photographer duty as well.  Tom sits with his camera in his lap, camera settings set close to what we anticipate we might see as we drive the roads.  These images capture what we see around us as we are driving. These are not photos taken after I pull over and give him time to set up.  So, sometimes the metadata is pretty crazy as he changes one thing quickly to get the shot. Plus, the light changes just around the bend, fog is there, or shooting into the sun.  Or, worse, he has the wrong lens on the camera so makes do with what he has.

Several of you have emailed me asking what camera bodies we are using.  Sorry for not posting that as well, but it would be pretty monotonous.  Tom is using the Nikon D600 and I am using the Nikon D800.  We each have another camera body with us as a spare, both being crop sensor format cameras.  While, in theory, it would be nice to have each available as they each have their own merits, it is simply too much to manage in the field.  We chose the one we would use the most and make it work when the other camera might be better.

Thanks for joining us.

A Lazy Day Amongst Tetons

We boogied early to get that precious golden light.  Around here it is as scarce as vacancies (yes, even in the off season it is tough to get a room).  Off to photograph barns and other old buildings.  We joined a whole bunch of other photographers to photograph old run down, decrepit, debris everywhere . . . I think what is happening is that no one is in charge of Mormon Row. It is not part of the Park Service and has no volunteers preserving its history.  My guess is that in a few years the site will drop off the 'must see, must do' list.

Having observed all of that, here are some images.  I admit to removing the disturbing trash on site.  This is actually the back of the barn.  I could see what I think is hay (?) and I loved the old shovel leaning against the entrance.

Tom had a different take of the same scene.  He headed for the iconic shot with the Tetons in the background. He has a point, why photograph the old barn at all if you can't show where it is at with those fabulous mountains?  Agreed.  But if you shoot from the back to get the shovel you lose the mountains.  Ah, yes, did I mention what a great photo buddy he is!

There is an old house with an outhouse thrown in for extra photographic effect!

And then . . . it started raining.  Checked weather on iPhone.  It was not looking good. So we headed back to the lodge.  The rain did give us some time to catch up a bit on editing and rest.

But, on the way back . . . .

Day before yesterday we went to Jackson Hole.  Nice tourist town. Tom walked around downtown while I washed my new car.  Yes, he offered.  But, I like washing a car my way and am very picky.  It drives even saints nuts so I talked him into taking photos instead.  It was not too hard.  Here is one of his photos.  Made me laugh.

Here are two images from our lodge taken last night in some pretty good light.  Love this place!  It is unique and has really good wifi! No worries mom, we are not staying in the tent.  We have a log cabin type room.

Have a great day every one.

Hanging Around the Tetons

We had such a great day yesterday.  Just hanging around!  Started off at the Oxbow Bend, a very popular photography site.  We joined about 30 other tripods and an equal number of come and go point and shooters. The iPhone is the second most popular camera here!  We wish you were with us.  We are leaving plenty of good shots here for our return and your visit.

The Oxbow is one of the Snake River 'bends' and has the advantage that one can look both east and west.  It is wide enough at some points to actually look like a lake.

When the pinks turn to gold . . .

 

Looking across the river in dense brush . . . where I heard elk calling (bugling) when we first got there.

Tom walked up the river towards the Tetons.  He grabbed this one just as the last of the pink was visible.

When the excitemente of the sunrise was over we drove the Jenny Lake Loop.  I had hoped for a mirror-like lake but we were too late for that.  The boats were running people to Inspiration Point and the kayakers joined in with the wind to create plenty of waves.  The water reflects the surrounding color.

Tom walked up the shore and got this photo looking back at the marina where my photos were taken.

There are great paths along the lake.  At times you can see the lake clearly.  Other times you are in a very different world with squirrels and birds to keep you company.

When you come here you have to take a photo of a barn with the Tetons in the background.  It is required!! Just teasing.  You can find them and many photographers on Mormon Row.  Nice to have great lighting, but we did OK in spite of building storms.  I think it makes this building look even more interesting!

Tom takes a lot of shots from the car and they really add to our collection.  Some are pretty good and some are excellent.  His willingness and talent is appreciated when there is no pullout or traffic is such that I cannot pull over. Sometimes the moment is just fleeting and you either get the shot or loose it.

And my personal pick of the day . . . drum roll please . . . taken at the top of Signal Mountain.  We were disappointed by the lack of sunset light.  It was dark and gloomy.  Periodically the clouds parted and there would be a moment of golden glow. And there he stood.  I fell in deeper in love with this marvelous human being.  He is such a great photo buddy!

This entry was posted late today because we shot early and then came back out of the rain to warm up and have breakfast.  A great nap followed!!  Such lazy lizards we are today.  Now that I have finished our entry for the day we are going to head to Jackson and see what the clouds are allowing photoggers to see.  There is a photography group staying here at the lodge.  They are from Seattle and I suspect they are saying, "We just left this!!"

Hope you each have a great week ahead of you.  We are going to work real hard at 'retiring'.

Stay healthy.  Shoot daily.