Reminiscent of an ancient artifact weathered by unnumbered eons, a bold spire reflects the last rays of desert sunlight as an encroaching thunderstorm threatens.

Known by the unbecoming moniker of ‘Long Dong Silver,’ this fractured shale icon looms nearly 100’ over its desolate setting near Hanksville, Utah. The ‘standard shot’ everyone takes here is from a nice ridge line to the east that provides a great leading line. I’ve done that shot a few times as well but on this day I brought my drone along and was looking for a different perspective. This image taken from about 200’ with the setting sun behind achieved that goal.

The image is a 5-frame bracket processed with Topaz Giga to squeeze every bit of detail possible out of that small sensor.

Cheers!
Jeff
My Website ¦ My Blog ¦ Facebook

Tags:   firefallphotography.com Firefall Photography Southwest Utah Long Dong Silver Hanksville J. Stamer drone DJI Air 2S

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The superbly named Towers of Silence comprise one of the most elegant and breathtaking scenes in the American West.

Also known by the less inspired name of "Wahweap Hoodoos," this is one of the few iconic landscape photography locations that rarely receives visitors...probably because of the 10-mile (roundtrip) hike required to reach them!

I used two Lume Cube 2.0s to illuminate the foreground. I shot my Nikon Z7II at ISO 800 for 326 seconds at f/8.

The Milky Way is ten, 10-second exposures at ISO 3200 at f/2.8 stacked in Sequator. Post production in Photoshop, Topaz DeNoise and AstroPanel.

I had some serious angst processing this shot. My first efforts illuminated the scene well but failed to capture the 'moody' ambiance. This new effort de-emphasizes the foreground as well as the cliffs in the background while spotlighting the superb tower.

Cheers!
Jeff
My Website ¦ My Blog ¦ Facebook


PS: I've written a full blog packed with tips and photos about this location. Check it out at: www.firefallphotography.com/photographers-guide-for-the-w...

Tags:   Firefall Photography Firefallphotography.com J. Stamer 2022 Utah Escalante Waheap Hoodoos Towers of Silence Southwest Milky Way Night Photography Big Water Utah

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This Rocky Mountain Elk was bugling a challenge at another young male during the rutting season near the South Rim of the Grand Canyon. I was lucky to come upon a herd of these elk and spent the better part of an hour photographing the drama.

This was my favorite image from the morning...I particularly liked how it captured the vapor from his warm breath in the chilly air.

By the way, I was really surprised at just how huge these fellas get...up to 7' tall and over 1,000 lbs! Glad I had a nice telephoto that allowed me to keep my distance.

Cheers!
Jeff
My Website ¦ My Blog ¦ Facebook

Check out more of my wildlife portfolio at: www.My Website ¦ My Blog ¦ Facebookfirefallphotography.com/my-wildlife-favorites-2/

Featured on Explore! 16 March 2024

Tags:   Animals Elk Firefall Photography Firefallphotography.com Grand Canyon Jeff Stamer Places Southwest. North Rim

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Some over-hyped photo locations leave me a bit disappointed when I finally get to visit.

Machu Picchu was not one of those.

Although frustrated by a timed tour, challenged by unseasonably bad weather and restricted to a strictly defined trail, the grandeur and emotional spirt of the site transcended all.

A magical morning.
Cheers!
Jeff
My Website ¦ My Blog ¦ Facebook

Check out my article about Machu Picchu photo tips here: www.firefallphotography.com/machu-picchu-a-challenging-la...

Featured on EXPLORE! 29 Feb 2024

Tags:   Firefall Photography Firefallphotography.com J. Stamer South America Peru Sacred Valley Machu Picchu

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An iconic Acacia tree on Kenya's Maasai Mara greets the dawn

Oddly, what I remember most about this image was how upset my guide was when I asked to stop the Land Rover so I could step out and capture this image. It wasn't that he was a jerk, it was because he wasn't a dumb tourist who didn't realize that there were all types of critters around that could seriously mess you up.

A few minutes later, he pointed out a venomous Black Mamba less than 20' away. Just goes to show that you really should listen to your local guides!

Cheers!
Jeff
My Website ¦ My Blog ¦ Facebook

Tags:   Firefall Photography Firefallphotography.com Jeff Stamer Africa Kenya Maasai Mara Dawn Black Mamba acacia tree African Sunrise

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