Life as Art

Osprey above Willow Springs Reservoir

I’ve been reading Guy Tal’s latest book, Be Extraordinary. His books are dense and philosophical, so I generally read just a chapter or two at a time and let things soak in.  During last week’s trip to Arizona’s Mogollon Rim, I read a line which has resonated since.

“Make your life your best work of art,” he writes, among musings on a variety of aspects of art.  His words feel like nothing less than a unifying theory of life.

The view above our campsite, Canyon Creek area AZ

I’m in a place to contemplate the profound these days, having lost a friend in a car accident and just learned that another friend is under the care of Hospice. As I age, I know more and older people and there’s more loss. There is no antidote to bereavement, but a life lived well is the best we’ve got.

My husband and I say that we try to live without regrets, balancing time with friends and family, in the wilderness, and finding ways to help.  We’ve been making it up as we go along and that’s been working well since I’ve stopped caring so much about what others think.  All this is a work in progress.

Don’t get me wrong, I still waste time with things like games on my phone and binging Netflix. Maybe that’s part of the balance.

Tal’s philosophical musing resonated through my recent photographic adventures.

Canyon Creek AZ

Last week’s trip was unusual. Rather than a planned excursion, it was an exploration of a new place. I was mostly just walking around seeing what I could find and going where my husband wanted to fish. I stumbled on this section of Canyon Creek and played with it for some time.

I’m also working on underwater fish shots with a GoPro (though I suspect I’ll upgrade the equipment eventually).  There’s quite a learning curve here, so I feel a little vulnerable showing this shot.  Better work is coming, I hope.

Doing photography is life’s art for me whether I’m striving to communicate emotion or promote conservation; support nonprofits or enjoy time alone or with loved ones.

Yesterday I was the photographer for a community clean-up near home. No great art emerged from this project, but the work helps with community connection and supports the sponsoring church.

With friends at Taliesin West

Many of you know I’m a contributor to Arizona Highways Magazine.  Last week I was honored to attend a celebration of the 100^th anniversary of the publication.  I’m privileged to have made a small contribution to this exemplary publication.  The party was held at sunset on the patio of Taliesin West, Frank Lloyd Wright’s Winter Home and school in Scottsdale.  It was so fitting that the light was spectacular in honor of a publication known for photography.

I was in the company of many friends, some of whom I’m in touch with regularly and others with whom I joyously reconnected after many years.  I also met some folks from the magazine with whom I’ve only connected by email.

This is fun – I won this large, mounted print of the 100^th anniversary (April 2025) magazine cover in a raffle.  The image was made by the legendary David Muench, who was in attendance and was kind enough to sign the print.

I’m still thinking about life as art.  I don’t imagine I’ll ever stop.

A Little Diversion

Flagellum in the Dunes, Mojave Desert, California

We had a Spring weather preview a couple of weeks ago and kind of jumped the gun on our planning, intending to head to the Rim Country Lakes to camp last week.  Then the weather turned in the other direction with snow and high temperatures there in the 30s.

We decided instead on one more trip to California’s Mojave Desert.

Afton Canyon, Mojave Desert, California

The first night was windy, so we tucked into Afton Canyon, an odd little campground in the Mojave Trails National Monument.  A site runs $3 with Marco’s Senior Federal Pass (I’m not quite there yet). 

Afton Canyon Trestle, Mojave Desert, California

Why odd?  It’s a common starting and ending point for a drive of the Mojave Road, a historic unpaved route mostly through the Mojave National Preserve.  The Mojave River flows through Afton Canyon as well.  It does have many charms, but doesn’t quite meet its moniker, “Grand Canyon of the Mojave.”  Some campers there are troubled by train noise.  Because I’ve lived in several places near the tracks the frequent freighters coming through Afton don’t even wake me up.  Besides, I appreciate the trains and trestles for their photogenicity.

We stumbled on a burned-out truck during our travels, and I enjoyed geeking out on the patterns formed in several layers of scorched automotive paint.  I wondered about the story here and I wonder still.

Soft light on the dunes, Mojave Desert, California

The next night we scooted over to our favorite dunes in the Mojave, which we don’t name in hopes of keeping them pristine.  This won’t make everyone happy, but if you know me and want to go, you can ask.

Sunrise, Mojave Desert, California

There’s been a good deal of dune photography this year.  The last trip was a workshop with Jerry Dodrill and Todd Pickering.  Since then, with their encouragement, I’ve been shooting long focal-length images (which are impossible to make sharp with a single image) with focus stacking.  This technique requires shooting multiple images of the same scene, focused at different depths.  The images are combined, using the sharpest part of each.  Generally, this is done with specialized software but can be done manually in Photoshop.  I use Helicon Focus, and there are others.

Dune Detail, Mojave Desert, California

The photography was good, and the solitude was sublime.

Watching Gypsy the Wonder Dog’s joy was perhaps the best part.  It was certainly worth slogging up the dunes with the big wildlife lens.

There’s more on the website in the Spring 2025 Gallery. So far, it’s stocked with two trips through the Mojave.

Badlands, Sand and Salt

Setting sun and wind, Mesquite Dunes, Death Valley National Park

I’m no stranger to Death Valley National Park.  I’d thought I wouldn’t join another workshop there, and that I was only interested in photographing less popular backcountry locations by myself now.  Then a last-minute spot became available on a Visionary Wild workshop with Jerry Dodrill and Todd Pickering.  On impulse I signed on to this front-country, stay-in-a hotel-room adventure.

Closed road, Mojave National Preserve

Sunrise in the Joshua Trees, Mojave National Preserve

I drove out in the van and spent some time in the Mojave National Preserve before the group convened.  Sadly, my favorite place to camp there had been designated wilderness.  No motor vehicles are allowed.  I was less than thrilled to see the turn-off blocked.  There are lots of other options, though, and I settled in at mid-elevation among the Joshua trees and in a nice quiet spot with no traffic.

Workshops keep a more robust pace than I do traveling alone.  Landscape photographers are always up and out in the dark, and this trip was no exception.  On my own, though, I generally get some work done and grab a nap during mid-day.  Instead, the group enjoyed the 4-plus-hour image review sessions.  These were excellent and were time well spent, despite missed naps. I have pages of notes on everything from technical photo processing tips to quotes from Galen Rowell. I also don’t do the long restaurant dinners after sunset shoots when traveling on my own.  After 6-hour sleep nights all week, I was ready for a recharge despite feeling deeply inspired.

Zabriskie Point, Death Valley National Park

There were variations on familiar locations, like hiking into the badlands a bit at Zabriskie Point for a less common vantage point and to allow us to use the dry wash as a leading line.  It didn’t hurt that the light was spectacular as well.

Snowy Telescope Peak and pink sky reflected, Death Valley National Park

This location in Badwater Basin also blessed us with uncommon sunrise color as we tromped around in the crunchy (but surprisingly durable) salt deposits.

Pastels after sunset, Mesquite Dunes, Death Valley National Park

I love shooting sand dunes but have avoided the accessible (and therefore popular) Mesquite Dunes for quite a while.  Because we were staying at Stovepipe Wells, adjacent to the dunes, we did three shoots there. We had the mixed blessing of wind.  Though there was grit in my teeth and ears, the wind wiped away footprints and created some cool atmospheric effects with backlight.

Ominous clouds over Mesquite Dunes, Death Valley National Park

Storm clouds also did a good job spicing up the dune shots one afternoon.

HDR image from inside a slot canyon in the Funeral Mountains, Death Valley National Park

There seem to be endless side canyons in the mountain ranges throughout the park.  I’ve just scratched the surface with twenty or so canyon hikes, and there are always more on my list.  The guys took us to this little gem in the Funeral Mountains.

Mud Crack Detail along Badwater Road, Death Valley National Park

Sometimes inspiration is available in unlikely places.  This is a detail of a roadside display of mud cracks.  It takes a particular kind of person to appreciate this sort of scene and I’m that kind.

Dune Detail, Death Valley National Park

Details are important to storytelling, and easily found in this magic place if you’re looking for them.

Virga and salt polygons, West Side Road, Death Valley National Park

Dunes and snow, Death Valley National Park

The Mojave Desert lends itself well to dramatic black and white presentations.  These are a couple of favorites from this trip.

Velvet Turtleback, Twenty Mule Team Canyon, Death Valley National Park

I’m sure that, in the planning of this trip, Jerry and Todd were hoping for flowers.  Winter and Spring have been painfully dry in the desert southwest this year, and we didn’t see much.  In fact, this Velvet Turtleback (Psathyrotes ramosissima) was about all I saw.  I celebrated this small victory.

The workshop wrapped at about 3:00 on day five.  At that point, I settled the van in a quiet spot and grabbed that long-delayed nap, then contemplated locations for desert photography next season.

There’s much more in the Spring 2025 Gallery on the website.

Mentors, Influencers, and Informal Teachers

Bisti Badlands at sunset, Photo by Kerrick James

I’ve been thinking recently about how, without formal photography education, I’ve continued to learn and stay current.  I’ve had the great fortune to work and study with a variety of photographers in venues as diverse as in-person workshops and on-line trainings.  These relationships offer the ultimate in custom, often one-on-one learning experiences, and often lead to life-long friendships.

I’d like to share a few words about some of those relationships.  I’ll pair my thoughts with images inspired, one way of another, by the teachers.

I’ve left a few significant examples out because the circumstances of the interactions are best not shared.  There’s always something to be learned, even if by mis-example.

 

High-key Portrait from Marrakech

Do you remember Lynda.com?  It was an online learning platform for diverse topics.  I started taking courses from Chris Orwig (at the time he was teaching at Brooks Institute in Santa Barbara) on Adobe software around 2008.  I think I started with CS3. He had a terrific way of clarifying Lightroom and Photoshop and sometimes included some thoughts on portraiture.  He’s known for high-key portraits, especially in the local surfing community, and I admire his style very much.

 

Emerald Cave, AZ, Named by Kerrick James.  This is his composition, but I couldn't resist

I can’t overstate what a terrific mentor I have in Kerrick James.  He’s one of the few photographers I know who can make a living in travel and lifestyle photography and is a go-to photographer and writer for a number of major publications.  I’ve travelled with him, as a guide and socially, and he helped me get involved with local publications and with the nonprofit Through Each Other’s Eyes, which we both work with today.  Among other things, Kerrick has taught me about adventure, bravery, and packing big experiences into short trips.

Rock Creek Arch (which, sadly, collapsed last year), Lake Powell

I've had the pleasure of Gary Ladd's company and wisdom in a number of places, but mostly on Lake Powell.  I'm thinking there have been five houseboat trips into this place which is as familiar to him as his backyard, largely because that's what it is.  Gary is soft-spoken, until he has one too many yoo-hoos and gets delightfully silly.  He leads quietly by example and is unequalled in finding just the right spot at the right time.

Kee Etsicitty, Navajo Nation Fair

Mostly, I know LeRoy DeJolie from workshops with the (sadly defunct) Arizona Highways Photoscapes. LeRoy is Navajo, and most of his work comes out of the stunningly beautiful Navajo lands.  Under his guidance, I’ve explored Monument Valley, Canyon De Chelly, and the Navajo Nation Fair, to name a few.  Serendipity and spontaneity seen to ride on LeRoy’s shoulders.  For example, at the Navajo Nation Fair he introduced himself and a part of the group to a Code Talker.  The late Mr. Etsicitty spent some time with us, explaining how the Navajo Language was used as code in World War II and giving us a chance to make portraits of him.  I’ve told this story in more detail before.

 

Colorado Autumn.  Jerry encouraged me up a treacherous slope to figure out this shot

It's tough to know where to start talking about Jerry Dodrill.  We met by chance in a workshop he taught for the exemplary outfit, Visionary Wild.  My relationship with Jerry, Like that with Kerrick, has delightfully blurred the line between client and friend.  Lucky me. From the depths of the Grand Canyon to his home turf in Central California, I’ve had a consistently great experience with Jerry.  He’s Joyous, energetic, and encourages me to push myself.  Jerry manages to be rigorous and playful at the same time. I’m looking forward to some time in California’s Mojave Desert with Jerry next week.

 

Arizona Highways Magazine is an increasingly rare publication in its support of photographers.  It is a pleasure and a privilege to work for them, and I couldn’t begin to list the relationships that have come from that.  For example, Jeff Kida, Photo Editor, and Pete Ensenberger (who previously held that title) have been generous teachers.  Pete does portfolio reviews with me that are terrific opportunities to learn from his extensive experience. Jeff has a wide range of experience and knowledge – I come home from our lunches with list of things to learn more about and with inspiration.  Priceless.

 

Cowboy Portrait, Composed on my own using Scott's wisdom

Scott Baxter is famous for his spectacular platinum-palladium prints, particularly of ranching life in Arizona.  I’ve done a couple of cowboy-themed workshops with him and have been consistently impressed with his uncompromising style.  He emphasizes the importance of knowing your subject and is a master of the portrait. He likes to give his pointers and let students apply them on our own. I’ve learned so much from him.

 

Great Smoky Mountain autumn.  I took this one out on my own after a week of group work

Colleen Miniuk is tough to sum up in a paragraph.  She brings enthusiasm and play to her teaching and at the same time a penchant for teaching scientific aspects of creativity and visual language. She has a knack for bringing people together, especially groups of women.

 

High-key composite inspired by Lisa

Most recently, I’ve worked with Lisa Langell, a particularly creative and energetic artist who has taught me about thinking outside the box.  I’ve enjoyed learning from her about photography of cowboy culture and hummingbirds. 

Well, that’s a lot, more folks than I expected to come up with when I first thought about this post. Each relationship feels like a blessing.

Thanks for riding along.

Guatemala Stories

 

It’s always great to be back in Guatemala, which feels like a second home.

 

We’ve been visiting for almost 20 years, and we’ve seen some impressive changes.  The adult illiteracy rate in the Western Highlands (where poverty is worst) has dropped from 2/3 to 1/3.  Though the reasons for this are varied, including redoubled commitment from the Ministry of Education, nonprofits like the one we work with are a solid part of the change. There’s also a rising middle class, which I see as a very positive change.  The only really discouraging thing is that the (already horrendous) traffic problem is worse.

 

Florentina, about age 13, Santiago Sacatepéquez Guatemala

The whole family, Santiago Sacatepéquez Guatemala

Marco, Flor, Daniella, Rebecca, Carlos, Santiago Sacatepéquez Guatemala

Those who have been with me for some time will remember that we have been fortunate to enjoy a visit with our first scholarship student, Florentina, each trip.  This time we gladly accepted an invitation to meet the ENTIRE family at her house.  17 years ago, we met a determined 12-year-old girl whose family couldn’t afford school.  The Government pays through the equivalent of 6th grade.  Now she is a banking professional, married, and has an 18-month-old daughter, Daniella.  She’s sent her sisters to school, and lives in a lovely home, which can certainly be described as middle class.  None of her family will ever be illiterate or live in poverty again. We’re so proud.  By the way, there was food and a piñata (nothing is so funny as a laugh-at-the-gringos game, but all in good fun) at this party.

 

There are currently 3 kids we sponsor in middle school.  This is Madelyn and her mom, who we met for the first time last week.  She’s in the 9^th grade.  We’ve seen such an increase in confidence in these kids in two years.  Partly that’s because the program includes activities one Saturday each month to build self-esteem, work in their communities, and learn about career opportunities to name a few.  There’s also social support, because poverty brings many of the same struggles there as it does here in the states.

This trip was for Members of Rotary Clubs, and the group included Rotarians from Canada and The Cayman Islands in addition to US Club members.  One of my favorite parts of this trip is meeting them, as well as Rotarians from Guatemala.  International friendships are a great benefit of being a Rotarian.  We were welcomed at a meeting of the 100-year-old Quetzaltenango Club.  After a good meal and some scotch, several of us were invited to join in on a club tradition, to be given an animal nickname.  We walk around the room to music, and members vote on the monicker.  I’m the Flamingo (thanks for asking).  I figure it could have been worse.

Delfina, Casa Flor Ixcaco, San Juan La Laguna, Guatemala

The Western Highlands are mostly populated with people of Mayan descent.  They’d like you to know that Mayan civilization didn’t disappear – they’re still there.  Lots of adroit folks are re-kindling native arts with co-ops.  We had the honor of visiting Casa Flor Ixcaco in San Juan La Laguna, Where Delfina told us all about the process of bringing just-harvested cotton through the prep, spinning, and dying process.  The quality is mind-blowing. 

 

The burning of the Bull, Chiquilaja Guatemala

Learning about different cultures is priceless.  Here’s a somewhat frivolous, if shocking example.  There’s a tradition called the “burning of the bull,” which involves lighting fireworks which are attached to a sort of cage with a bull’s head attached.  The alarming part is that there’s a teenaged boy dancing around with the cage on his back.  Once we saw this display indoors! Guatemalans do love their fireworks.

 

And then there are the students.

 

So many stories.  There are more images in the Winter 24-25 Gallery on the website.