This is probably one of the most beautiful places I’ve ever been. I knew it was going to be pretty beforehand, but I wasn’t really prepared for the non-stop grandeur of the landscapes. We chose the perfect time to go, right in the middle of Autumn. The backpacking took about twice as long as expected. I couldn’t stop myself from holding up every few minutes to set up for another photo. It was irresistible!

In other news, I’ve cleaned up and updated the “About Me” page here on the site. That thing gets longer and longer… I’m sure it looks like I’m some kind of egomaniac! Hehe… but people keep asking me the same sorts of questions over and over, so it’s kind of grown organically over time. Plus, my publisher was asking for a photo for the back cover of the book. We’re leaning towards that first one… they kind of like the little story that was related to it (which, in turn, is related to this photo!).

Filed under the categories: Argentina, Nikon D3X, Patagonia, Travel

I’ve always thought the Dale Chihuly glass sculptures are some of the coolest things in the world. I’d love to learn how to blow glass. It always looks dangerous and exotic. I remember when I got my HDTV a few years ago, one of the first shows I saw was when Chihuly was doing this exhibit in Venice. He spent some time in Murano, which is near Venice and a famous place for glass blowing. They made these amazing sculptures then hung them all over Venice. I wish I could have gone there to take photographs of the event!

In other news, I was interviewed yesterday by an extremely nice guy named Victor Cajiao who hosts a podcast called “Typical Shutterbug“. Click there and you can hear my interview. We talk a little about the upcoming book, HDR, do’s and don’t, and this sort of thing. If you enjoyed the show, leave him a comment there — I’m sure he’d appreciate it!

Filed under the categories: Las Vegas, Nevada, Nikon D3X, Travel

Hey y’all. I’m sure i don’t say this near enough – but thank YOU very much. I simply can’t believe the Flickr photos have been viewed over 20 million times. It’s just staggering, and I can’t thank you enough. I appreciate each and every view, each and every comment, and every email I get a chance to read. I apologize for not being able to attend to everyone’s needs and questions — I do my best while trying to keep a balance on everything else in my life.

I know many of you have enjoyed the HDR Tutorial – that is great. I’ll continue to update that in coming months, as always. I want to keep it fresh for everyone. As always, that free as a bird. I may make a video of that in the future… stay tuned to the “Videos” page on the website for that.

And thanks again for the good feedback on the new Stuck In Customs Textures Tutorial that launched yesterday. I’m really glad you like it… putting that thing together was not easy, but I wanted to try to find a way to encapsulate a lot of experience into about two hours of video.

Now, all of these Flickr Views put me in a mind to put up some of the top photos. Here is a selection of a few of the top ones that have gotten over 100,000 views each. I guess that means they’re generally well-liked!

Filed under the categories: Travel

For the full scoop and to purchase, visit the Stuck In Customs Textures Tutorial Page now!

The first one that came out about 18 months ago did really well. Since then, I’ve learned all kinds of new tricks and put them all into this new one. Also, since I am talking non-stop for about an hour and a half in the video, you get a pretty good view into my thought process around how I create these sorts of images. It’s a ton of fun… I think you’ll enjoy it a lot!

If you liked the Textures Tutorial, consider joining our new Affiliate Program.

Here is a little sneak-preview video!

What is included?

• A 90+ minute video that shows all my latest techniques for using textures
• Thorough examples from beginning to the end of seven example photos including landscapes and portraits
• 25-150 hi-res exotic and unique textures, depending upon the package you choose
• Two bonus videos that show bonus techniques for two more photos (with the Ultimate package)
• Countless tricks and techniques that will help your photos be unique and stand out
• A 100% money back guarantee if you are not satisfied

Filed under the categories: Stuck In Customs Textures

The visions of a farm bracing against a Montana storm had come true that afternoon. I’m sure the last thing I was supposed to be doing was taking a photo of the swirling maelstrom, but I couldn’t help it. What else are you going to do with a good tripod and a nice Nikon? I don’t carry around this stuff so I can go inside when dire and picturesque events are about!

Thanks again for all the nice feedback on the recent Newsletter (note, if you subscribe now for free, you get links to the previous release). So far, it’s been opened by 157.2% of the people on the list! I think this is because people are forwarding it around to their friends and family… that’s cool – thanks! I get all these stats from this cool newsletter software that manages all that stuff for me called AWeber. If you need to do a newsletter for your group, church, school, or whatever, I highly recommend it.

Filed under the categories: Montana, Travel

We are getting ever-closer to the release of the new Stuck In Customs Textures tutorial. The video is now over 90-minutes long and it’s full of all sorts of examples and new techniques that I’ve figured out over the past few years. I’ll go ahead and post the results of one of the finished products. I recorded video live of all these things… didn’t know how they would turn out before I started. I kept it live and voiced aloud my “thinking process” around accomplishing these images.

Everyone who has bought a previous Textures Tutorial will get a coupon for either the same level of product or an upgrade to a new “Ultimate Package”. The coupons will be very fair because we want to take care of all previous buyers.

This shot below is another from the outdoor crypt area of Buenos Aires called La Ricoleta. The airlines lost my bags, so I did not have my tripod! I had to walk around this awesome place without a tripod. So I had to do everything I could to wedge myself against statues and scary-spikey-gargoyles to try to stay stable.

Filed under the categories: Argentina, Buenos Aires, Nikon D3X, Stuck In Customs Textures, Travel