Jake Peterson’s Blog

Amazing how long it feels since we were all at Monument Valley with Russell and Tom. Probably cause Photoshop World was so soon afterward. That was a blast too! Both trips were great but i had no idea what Vegas Photoshop World would be like. In the last couple days I’ve had some time to really play with the images from Monument Valley and some of the nearby sights. The trip was over so fast and having such a good time i wanted to show some of that experience, fun and beauty that the rest of us were seeing.

Images captured with D3, AF-S NIKKOR 24-70 f2.8, AF-S NIKKOR 14-24 f2.8, on Lexar UDMA Digital Film

Yep they most certainly are. Out there in the desert with the rocks, open skies, and beautiful light, the mood is easily set for B&W’s. The possibilities just seem to be endless, like this butte. Now I never heard the name for it but I’m sure there is one, or three, since everything out there was once named by the Navajos and then later renamed by Harry Goulding. Amazing how much history is in that valley considering it’s full of…rocks.

A less known area yet in no way lacking of splendor is the private tour needed behind the 17 mile loop. To our great surprise was first the amount of vegetation around caused by the somewhat recent rainstorm and second that so much rain had come through that it had pooled in some areas and created mud, that dried. I know what you’re thinking, why take a picture of mud? Well the light hitting it was late afternoon light, and the cracks in between each tile became prominent with the shadows. Since the best black and whites are made from light and contrast it’s as Dad would say a no brainer. Always fun throwing him in here, kinda like a little voice in the back of my head, why not try this, what is the meaning of that, if you move this slider….

Images captured with D3, AF-S NIKKOR 24-70 f2.8, on Lexar UDMA Digital Film

Yesterday we got to go on a private tour to some areas that you can go only go to with a Navajo guide. It’s not hard to see why they don’t won’t many people back in those places, they were great spots. This one is back behind a formation called the dragon. From this point you can see all the way back to the Mittens and Merick. The view was spectaular and the clouds came in bringing in that great drama that is otherwise unseen in the rock walls. Now there are a few more formations to see but not right now.

Images captured with D3, AF-S NIKKOR 14-24 f2.8, on Lexar UDMA Digital Film

One of my favorite places down here is the Valley of Gods. It doesn’t have the same mittens or formations as seen on 17 mile loop but it does have a certain tranquility to it. The light bounces around from one side of the canyon to the other and creates drama between the clouds and their shadows. The road itself is a lot of fun not only to shoot but also to be launched out of your seat, Dad made that happen a couple of times.

Images captured with D3, AF-S NIKKOR 24-70mm 2.8, on Lexar UDMA Digital Film

It’s just like i remember it, the formations, the light…the dust. Yep it’s all still here, hard to believe it i know the rocks not moving and all. It’s fun being here this time with the folks and Russell, much more conversation taking place than me being here myself. After a rousing dinner at Swinging Steak, a great place that cooks everything on a swinging grill over a mesquite fire, it was off down the road chasing the storm and potential opportunities. We got to a pullout and stopped as the last god beam disappeared. The light shown through the clouds creating patches of light all over the place including this one butte. Not a lot of drama but enough to have some fun.

Images captured with D3, AF-S NIKKOR 24-70mm 2.8, on Lexar UDMA Digital Film

Action! I still can’t believe it but for the second time this summer I’m back down in Monument Valley, this time i get to be with my folks and some friends. I won’t be camping this time, which is a big switch from the last trip when i woke up under that massive open sky every time i opened the tent. The view at The View Hotel is still great, even though it’s a tongue twister. The skies weren’t as magnificent when we arrived, the clouds just weren’t there. That didn’t stop us from taking a few clicks while enjoying the approaching night.

Images captured with D3, AF-S NIKKOR 70-200mm f/2.8G ED VR II, on Lexar UDMA Digital Film

Always like window photography, shooting as we go down the road, stopping when something appealing appears. The three of us were heading down the road and were outside Big Pine when we found just a spot. The clouds were gearing up for something so naturally we had to stop. Good thing too cuz it turned out to be a fun little spot.

The sun poked through the clouds making some magic happen but nothing too spectacular. The drama in the clouds was more interesting than the light itself. Road shooting is always fun, driving down the highway just looking out and enjoying the area. No guarantees but that goes with every shoot. The adventure and suspense in finding that one little spot that might make something happen make it all worth while.

Images captured with D3, 24-70 AF-S, on Lexar UDMA Digital Film

No it’s not! Sure could be though the way the clouds are coming out of the mountain. Perfect clouds for a black and white, whispy ones always are intriguing. The lines and the light parting through add to the drama. When it comes to black and white the light makes everything.

Image captured with D3, 24-70 AF-S, on Lexar UDMA Digital Film

Unfortunately the Dalton takes a good amount of time to travel back and forth on, so after a day of going up to the campsite and a day heading back, we only had a few days to shoot the marmots. Factor in the rain we had and we ended up with one good day of shooting. This may sound bad but considering it’s fall in the Arctic and we had a sunny day of shooting, we got lucky! One good day is it all it takes and we had that. So on Friday we went back down the road to Fairbanks and on to the next area.

The next population that we worked with was the Hoary Marmots down at Wickersham dome. It was a popular area that in Summer is great for hiking on and during the winter is used as ski trails. Of course it’s also a great place to do some landscape shooting! Thankfully we had some clouds that day cuz the next day it was bald skies.

Images captured with D3, 24-70 AF-S, on Lexar UDMA Digital Film

I almost don’t know where to start with this one, there’s just too much excitement to begin! Dad and I had another trip on the books for Alaska, which is nothing new because we seem to go there often for one reason or another. Normally it has to do with grizzlies but this time they weren’t even on the scope. The two of us headed up north beyond the Arctic Circle to work with some biologists on a project. In order to get up to the location we had to take the infamous Haul Road which is known for big curves, steep inclines and destroying most vehicles that traverse it. It was a fun drive!

Along this windy road of kidney punchers was not only some of the greatest scenery but construction to try and… improve the road. I say this cuz the pot wholes never seemed to go away even after being repaired. So we were driving up this road in a Chevy F350 with five of us crammed in along with all of our gear to go camping for a week and we get stopped by one of the construction crews. What a perfect time to go out shooting!

The clouds were settling around the tops of the mountains around us so we couldn’t see the sky. If you’ve ever been up in Alaska you know this is pretty typical, a light rain and grey skies. It had an ambiance to it that makes you feel all calm and serene. Only 200 miles from town but still.

After about ten minutes of standing around enjoying the grandeur of the land, the skies opened up briefly alloying some clearness to be seen. The low clouds continued to surround the mountains until we got past the construction and through the pass. We got back in the car and continued down the road until….

Images captured with D3, 24-70 AF-S, on Lexar UDMA Digital Film