MUSEUM QUALITY FINE ART PHOTOGRAPHY PRINTS
Stag’s Leap
In a miraculous split-second shot, I caught this bull elk pre-flight.
My years of honing my reflexes through bow hunting serve me well now in a creative capacity.
It is always humbling to see such a magnificent creature overcoming the obstacles that mankind has set forth, taking the stumbling block in regal stride.
I see it as an inspirational metaphor and encouragement to us: face obstacles head-on and overcome. Take that leap of faith!
Maroon Bells #2
Behold the most-photographed mountain in North America, Maroon Bells. In the fall when the aspen trees burst into a kaleidoscope of color, the lake is ringed with photographers.
From predawn to dusk, they come from all over the world to try to capture the pure alpine beauty.
A certain photographer, Mr. Ansel Adams, may have been responsible for this trend. Back in the 1950s, he took the seminal shot of the Bells in black and white.
This image is my homage to him.
Like a sculpture, Mount Sopris can only be fully appreciated from multiple angles.
This breathtaking and photogenic mountain stands sentinel, anchored to earth by a vast wall of mountain peaks and ridges. I got the opportunity to capture it from a bird’s eye view.
From these images, we get a sense of the peak’s majestic dominance within the valley. The deeply scooped cirque beckons the eye to explore the inner terrain of the treacherous rock face. The dark shadows of the stones and bright highlights of the snow illuminate the mind with delight.
Click over to the Sopris Series to see full-size images. From the series page, click on the first image to enlarge it to full screen. Then, click right to go through the images.
Flood Tide
I strive to find and document beauty.
With so much anguish and dark drama in the world, I am compelled to provide a counterpoint to the shock-and-horror imagery that is presented to us in the media and modern art world.
I empathize deeply with the travails of mankind, and by acknowledging suffering, I nurture my desire to encourage the viewer. Through this piece, I hope to allow others to step into the light and be engulfed and uplifted by the beauty that is everywhere.
Dappled Gray
I have an overly developed trait: curiosity.
Every day I am fueled by the desire to explore and discover new things—images, places, people, experiences. I look for the unexpected, or simply for visual revelations that are hidden in plain sight.
In doing so, I think of myself as a seeker and keeper of precious things, always searching for the proverbial Holy Grail to add to my photography collection.
Cosmology #3
A photographer’s camera is their paintbrush. Using it, I strive to create works that are familiar but also enigmatic.
In this study, there is a harmonious balance of color and form, a vibrant energy that invigorates and excites. The eye is encouraged to explore the surface.
The sensation of this piece is almost volcanic, as if we are seeing our planet from above. Clouds, oceans, and landforms come into focus, punctuated by splashes of vibrant color.
Monochrome Abstract #6
Through my lens, I like to capture moments in time . . .
For a fraction of a second, this spinning universe is paused. The chaos is halted, and order is established. Frozen, its beauty is fully revealed.
In this composition, I find a pattern frequency that is visually calming and meditative—a zen-like quality that soothes the soul. I am reminded of the early works of Harry Callahan, where he takes seemingly ordinary imagery and creates a study that is extraordinary.
Maroon Bells
Minutes from Aspen, Colorado, I found myself in the heart of the wilderness, feeling as if I was light-years from civilization.
It is hard to describe the overwhelming sense of awe and wonder that one feels when standing by the edge of the pristine alpine lake with the Maroon Bells mountains dominating the horizon.
In a few miles, we are transported to another world, away from the cacophony of modern existence to the serenity of the alpine environment. Our senses are enriched by the soothing sounds of a gurgling stream or an eagle’s call. With my camera, I seek to immortalize the memory of these transcendent moments.
Misty Mountain Hop #3
Revelations come when least expected. When I commune with nature with my camera, the most incredible images tend to reveal themselves when I am patient.
Anticipating an opportunity, I am motivated to capture nature’s sublime beauty even in the most arduous conditions.
Dawn was breaking, and a shroud of cloud had enveloped the mountain ridge. As the winds shifted and the damp mist dissolved, I was rewarded with a tantalizing silhouette. I felt that I had been transported to a mythical place—a primal time where my soul was revitalized, and my mind was opened.
Underwater Urban
From afar, the blue tones and sporadic colors of this image evoke in my imagination the diversity of marine life.
Upon further inspection, it becomes apparent that it is art of a less organic kind.
As an abstract, it pulls from my mind both the remarkable brilliance of nature and the mortality of man, woven together to create a sensation as unique as the stretch of pavement where I captured it.
Bull Elk in Velvet #13
In the wilds of northern Colorado, Estes Park is filled with wildlife.
Elk descend from their northern tundra home to the warmer climates of Rocky Mountain National Park in the late summer. Their world is so alien from ours, yet we live alongside them, sharing a profoundly beautiful planet.
A bull elk, sporting an impressive set of velvet-covered antlers, contentedly browses the meadow flowers as I stand at a respectful distance with my camera. The opportunity to photograph these incredible creatures, to capture their wildness and beauty, never grows old.
Tree of Life
Earthy. Intriguing. Captivating. When I took this photograph, I was mesmerized by its alluring complexity. Life has an amazing way of creating symbiotic relationships. Humans don’t thrive in isolation, and neither do the sentinels of our world’s wildernesses.
On a walk, I saw many trees, but none captured the incredible intricacy and mystery of the forest world like this one. This image has an enduring tactile quality, exciting the senses and exuding a calming presence.
Lichen and fungus combine their colors and textures on a palette of tree bark to create a compelling abstract that is both thought-provoking and incredibly beautiful.
Formations
While photographing Pikes Peak, I became fascinated with these rock formations.
They reminded me of how wet sand forms when dripped from the hand of a child building castles. I noticed clouds were moving in and decided to see what would appear. I waited, camera in hand, hoping the clouds would cooperate by entering the frame in an aesthetically pleasing way.
The clouds soon covered the entire sky. Interesting, but not what I was going for. I took a few shots, but it wasn’t what I was after.
Then, moments later, a smaller cloud passed in front of the blanket of clouds in the back that mimicked the rock formations. I couldn't believe it! And that's how this photograph was born.
This image is available for purchase. Contact me for more details.
Aspen Dream
Home to ski resorts and breathtaking scenery, Aspen is in a remote area situated in the Rockies.
Full of exciting adventures and an abundance of mountainous terrain covered in Aspen trees, it has a deep appeal to many.
Spending time here is a photographer's dream.
The vast landscapes change with each season, and each day brings new opportunities for exploration and inspiration.
The Bugling Bull Elk
In all my stalking, rarely do I see a bull elk of this size up close and personal.
I had been waiting for him though, nestled in a hiding spot close by, camera in hand.
At first, I sighted him in the distance.
Hoping he would make his way toward me, I quietly prepared in anticipation, triple checking my camera settings.
I knew if he made his way toward me, he would only be in my viewfinder for a few quick seconds.
He started making long strides, meandering here and there. He approached slowly, making his way closer, then further, then a little closer.
I waited. Silent, still, calm.
Then there he was, crossing right in front of me. I took frame after frame amazed at the rare sight I was seeing.
Monochrome Mystery
It’s always amazing to me how images that at first startle and confuse can quickly captivate. This is one of those images.
As with most abstracts, it’s hard to explain why I like it…
Through variations of light and dark, smooth and rough, the eye dances to and fro.
Aspen Tree Reflections, Maroon Lake, CO
While shooting Maroon Bells, I became fascinated with the reflection of these aspen trees in the water.
The layers of color and texture drew my eye in for a closer look.
I noticed the reflection of the tree trunks created an interesting pattern on the water, and then I saw the green algae peaking through beneath the surface of the water.
I turned my attention to the water, carefully composing an intriguing abstract.
Majesty, Maroon Bells, Aspen, CO
While flying through the upper Maroon Creek Valley, a shaft of sunlight broke through the clouds to illuminate a grove of Aspen trees.
As I quickly focused my lens to capture the remarkable scene before me, the pilot informed us he was going to have to turn around and head back to the landing zone. The fuel was approaching dangerously low levels.
Determined to make the shot, I pleaded with the pilot for an extra 60 seconds. He said 10 seconds and that was it.
As he started to bank right, I managed to frame and capture this amazing moment.
Later the co-pilot joked that he was scoping out a clearing for an emergency landing. Luckily we made it back to the landing zone safe and sound, apparently running on fumes.
When I look at this image, I am struck by the beauty of the valley with the magnificent Maroon Bells shrouded by mist in the background.
Storm Rise
In the West, afternoon clouds slowly build up in the summertime—sometimes bringing massive amounts of rain, lightning, and flash floods.
Thankfully the rains did not come on this particular day, but what did grace the skies was an ethereal formation of clouds, heightened by the interplay of light and shadow.
I had been stalking a small herd of pronghorn antelopes hoping to gather some wildlife images.
As I turned around to grab a different lens from my camera bag, I glanced up and was astounded by the incredible illumination of clouds. I had been so focused on the pronghorns that I was unaware of what was happening in the sky right over my shoulder.
The light conditions were superb, a rare combination of atmospheric conditions and a strikingly beautiful cloud composition.
Blue Notes #2
If you are familiar with my work, you will know that one of my recurring themes is that beauty is all around us—sometimes hidden, sometimes in plain sight.
Fascinated with the patterns of bark and various types of moss on this tree trunk, I created a compelling composition of colors and natural elements.
The intricate details of which come alive when this image is enlarged.
