Upper Blue Hills Badlands in the Caineville Desert, Utah #84910
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Photo Highlights 2024

Once again, it’s time to look back and reflect on the past year and some of the Photo Highlights of 2024. The photos in this collection represent some of my favorite images from the past twelve months.

One of the recurrent themes in my photography this past year was shapes and patterns. These are also some of my favorite photos because they represent moments I felt an overwhelming connection with the natural world. For me, having that intimate connection with the subject is an essential element that gives an image greater depth and meaning.

So here are my selections, and of course, feel free to comment and vote on your favorite. Thanks for viewing, I hope you have a joyous new year filled with peace and prosperity!

Striped patterns of snow frozen on the surface of Abraham Lake Alberta Canada #82384 Photo Highlights 20241. Abraham Lake Alberta #82384  Purchase

Windswept terminal moraine of Athabasca Glacier in winter, Mount Andromeda and Athabasca Glacier are in the distance. Jasper National Park Alberta Canada #82245b Photo Highlight 20242. Columbia Icefields, Jasper National Park #82245b Purchase

Sunset over Mineral concretions on cliffs of Shore Acres State Park Oregon #830123. Shore Acres State Park Oregon #83012  Purchase

Golden light of sunset reflected on still waters of a tarn in Upper Cramer Basin Sawtooth Wilderness, Idaho #83712b Photo Highlights 20244. Cramer Lakes, Sawtooth Mountains Idaho #83712b  Purchase

Dramatic sunrise sky over Paulina Lake and the Cascade Range seen from Paulina Peak overlook. Newberry National Volcanic Monument, Oregon #840825. Newberry Crater National Volcanic Monument Oregon #84082  Purchase

Cracked mud patterns in Harris Wash Grand Staircase-Escalante National Monument Utah #846146. Mud Cracks, Harris Wash Utah #84614  Purchase

Mummy Cliffs Capitol Reef National Park, Utah #848117. Mummy Cliffs Capitol Reef National Park #84811  Purchase

Upper Blue Hills Badlands in the Caineville Desert, Utah #84910 Photo Highlights 20248. Blue Hills Badlands Utah #84910  Purchase

Dramatic view of the Upper Blue Hills Badlands from Skyline Rim. Caineville Desert, Utah #850029. Skyline Rim Utah #85002  Purchase

Sunset at Wooden Shoe Arch Overlook. Islands in the Sky District, Canyonlands National Park #8537610. Needles District, Canyonlands National Park #85376  Purchase

All photos appearing in Photo Highlights 2024 can be purchased as Fine Art Prints. They can also be licensed for commercial usage.

Help Conserve the places you and I love

If the images in this post inspire you to go out to visit or photograph our natural world please consider some of the ethical guidelines presented below:

Leave No Trace
To learn about the principles and practicing LNT please take a few minutes to visit the Leave No Trace Center for Outdoor Ethics. Your children, grandchildren and the Earth will thank you!

LEAVE NO TRACE SEVEN PRINCIPLES

1. Plan Ahead and Prepare
2. Travel and Camp on Durable Surfaces
 3. Dispose of Waste Properly
4. Leave What You Find
5. Minimize Campfire Impacts
6. Respect Wildlife
7. Be Considerate of Other Visitors
© Leave No Trace: www.LNT.org

 


Principles of Nature First:

  • Prioritize the well-being of nature over photography
  • Educate yourself about the places you photograph
  • Reflect on the possible impact of your actions
  • Use discretion if sharing your locations
  • Know and follow all rules and regulations
  • Always follow Leave No Trace principles, and strive to leave places better than you found them
  • Actively promote and educate others about these principles

Photo Highlights of 2024

Mount Robson Canadian Rockies
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Mount Robson Canadian Rockies

Mount Robson Canadian Rockies

   Mount Robson Canadian Rockies British ColumbiaMount Robson Canadian Rockies British Columbia #54613 Purchase

Here is another image from last September’s trip to Mount Robson in the Canadian Rockies, since this image has garnered an exceptionally favorable response on social media I felt that I should fill in a little background on how it was made. This was my third trip to Mount Robson Provincial Park and I had high hopes of getting some stunning images of the mountain. I had allocated five days to fulfill my goal. However, by the third day I was becoming frustrated by the lack of interesting light. The weather was spectacular, warm with blue skies. But while great for outdoor activities it didn’t possess the kind of light I had hoped for. Finally on the third morning clouds from an approaching storm arrived just as the sun was coming up. Perfect timing and conditions to illuminate the sky and mountains in a warm glow. Just what I wanted!

Mount Robson sunrise Canadian Rockies British ColumbiaMount Robson Canadian Rockies British Columbia #54615 Purchase

The images above were some of the first made as the sky warmed with a reddish magenta glow. I had thoroughly investigated this spot the day before to see where and how the best compositions lined up. I knew there were many possibilities for both horizontal and vertical images. So I mentally took note on which were the best and planned the shoot accordingly if the light cooperated. This plan paid off the next morning as I knew there would be a limited amount of time before the light began to fade.

By the time I had finished working this area the light was still going strong. About a half mile east along this basin there was another spot I planned on photographing in the evening or next morning. With the approaching weather I had a feeling there might not be another opportunity like this one. So I gathered up my equipment and ran along the basin as fast I could, and hastily set up my tripod. By this time most of the warm dawn glow had faded but the light was still intense on the clouds. The third image in this post  is one of the last from that morning. The post processing was nothing more than adjusting levels and curves with some burning and dodging. I like to keep things on that end as simple and strait forward as possible.

Mount Robson Canadian Rockies British Columbia Mount Robson Canadian Rockies British Columbia #54646   Purchase

Mount Robson Canadian Rockies British ColumbiaMount Robson Canadian Rockies British Columbia #54651r   Purchase

Kananaskis Country, Alberta
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Canadian Rockies Fall Photography

Canadian Rockies Fall Photography

Kananaskis Country, Alberta Canadian Rockies Fall PhotographyKananaskis Country Alberta  #53471  Purchase

Fall is here and very soon the annual parade of colors will begin. It seems like just yesterday I was photographing wildflowers in the North Cascades during the height of summer! This year I will once again be returning to several special locations in the majestic Canadian Rockies. It will actually be a close repeat of last years trip which was cut short due to an early arrival of wet cold weather, hopefully I’ll be more lucky this time.

The trip will begin at Mount Robson Provincial Park in the North followed by Tonquin Valley in Jasper National Park. By the time in finished with those two locations fall color and especially the subalpine larches will be in full swing. I’ll then head south into Banff National Park, Kootenay National Park, Yoho National Park, and Mount Assiniboine Provincial Park.

While I’m on this trip I will of course be in contact with Coleen in the office who will be taking care of regular business and client requests.