We celebrate May 1 here in Central Illinois as we always seem to – with temps in the 80s after a long, cold, wet April. And when I think of 80s (no, not the 1980s!), I think of summer, and I harken back to early August of 2011 when I took a scenic drive through western Nebraska. Twice. The second time featured dramatic light over a field as I stood with my back facing iconic Chimney Rock (don’t know it? Find Nebraska’s state quarter and check out the back). This field glowed in the early evening sun – and here – almost 2 years later, we have a desktop calendar. w00t!

And why twice you ask (go ahead and ask)? While photographing earlier in the day just outside of Torrington, WY, I dropped all of my glass filters into the tall grass. I didn’t realize it until I stopped here two hours later to photograph Chimney Rock in the afternoon. So it was two hours back to Torrington where I found the spot on the highway where I’d been. After 15 minutes of searching, the filters were found (you try searching quickly for a smallish bag in tall grass), and I was on my way back to Chimney Rock for sunset. See – good light will do that to you… make you drop things and curse a little and then bathe in the golden hour…

That’s okay – it’s all good in the end. So celebrate May and my found filters, and head over to the Central Illinois Photoblog in a few to get your May calendar. And think summery thoughts in spring.

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I feel like I’m cheating here. I’ve pulled out, quite possibly, my last shot from Ireland – one of my favorites from our trip last summer – a tranquil, secluded spot in the gardens of Muckross House near Killarney. It certainly speaks Irish to me – with the walls and garden greenery, and the path wandering who knows where? I say this is quite possibly my last Ireland shot because I have to start making room for Yellowstone (June) and Scotland (August) – maybe we’ll need to move to a weekly calendar after those trips (don’t hold your breath however).

So green up on the Emerald Isle and grab one of the winners of the Irish Sweepstakes below – surely one will fit your computer…

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So the shortest month of the year and we didn’t get to move very far – a few miles – less than 10 – to the east – from last month’s calendar to this one – the amazing Delicate Arch at Arches NP in eastern Utah. One of the most iconic photographic locations in the United States, so many photos make the Arch itself the story – a close-up. The arch sits on the edge of a large bowl. To get closer you would drop about 200 feet until you walk up just beneath it. Your options are to move along the rim to the left which changes the angle on the arch a lot. My choice was to stay straight on – but to widen out to see the wonderful sky. In fact just minutes before I shot this, I was sitting on the rocks in the rain, my hat sitting on top of my camera to keep it dry. About 10 minutes before sunset, it stopped raining – the sun came out and fired up the red rocks dramatically – and cast some wonderful cloudy shadows on the storm clouds as they moved east. What a scene!

Enjoy this doubletruck layout (look it up) and get one of the umpteen million sizes below – surely one will fit your computer…

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As you all know by now, I can’t get enough of the National Parks of Utah. We return there this month (of course) to revisit Arches National Park. After a sterling sunrise at the famous North Window (from the east side), I headed south, past the South Window, to these rock formations just beyond the windows. Hiding the sun just so behind the rocks – and stopping down to f/22 – made getting the starburst effect a simple matter of physics.

We’re destined for Yellowstone this summer, so I’m sure the calendar will be thick with that come July or so (until we go to Scotland in August). But until then – I’ve still got a few Utah tricks up my sleeve.

So help yourself to whatever size you need and enjoy!

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Time to let the 2013 Workshops out of the bag.

First of all, you can get a high-resolution copy of the flyer right here.

We’re doing Winter Landscapes at the end of this month at Matthiessen/Starved Rock and it’s Sports Shooting including Bradley Women’s Basketball in one of the best lit arenas in the region in February.

The famed Wedding Workshop in March, followed by a new offering in April – Advanced Portraiture covering posing, lighting, shooting, and retouching. Bring a model and a laptop!

May premieres a twist on a day in Chicago with a Windy City Architecture Tour, including a 90-minute ride on the Chicago River taking in often unseen and very cool buildings. And of course, we’re back to No-Light/Low-Light in July…

For those interested too – we’re doing six days in Yellowstone in early June – an amazing time of year to see America’s oldest national park come to life. We’ve just finished the itinerary for that – we’ll have a brochure for that in the next few days. We’ll limit that to probably just six photographers, so it will probably go fast.

Here we go – posted with just minutes left in 2012 – let’s kick the 2013 calendar collection off with one more good memory of 2012 – from the windswept, eroded-basalt shoreline of the Irish Sea in Northern Ireland – as the world famous Giant’s Causeway. Lots to get done in 2013 – but the first few weeks are, uh, more about finishing off the old year. That seems like a perfectly good excuse to pull a photo outta the hopper from six months ago; it makes for darn good transition material…

And we’re still selling nine different perspectives for the same tourist-friendly price of $0.00. That’s also £0.00 for those tracking the Pound Sterling and €0.00 for when you re-enter the Republic of Ireland, getting by on the Euro. Enjoy and stay warm!

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It’s been a rare thing – a photo taken in the same month as the calendar itself – a December photo for … December.

About a year ago, we were teaching a workshop that took advantage of the festive holiday attire of Chicago. It was a lovely weekend for photography, and we tried to extend it a bit by heading out to Adler Planetarium to get a sunrise frontlit photo of the Chicago skyline. Mostly though – for the only time we were up there – it rained. At one point I turned my camera east, to avoid the raindrops I was dealing with facing west. And when I did – this is the view I was presented with. I vaguely remembered this guy walking past me but there he was – paused just looking out over the lake. A five-second exposure later (thankfully he stood still) – I had a grey December morning photo bonus…

And as we always do – we encourage you to download one of, like 9 million sizes – sized just right for you. Probably. Maybe. Have a good month – and a good holiday and we’ll see you in 2013!

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I know. I know.

We just did Thor’s Hammer and Bryce Canyon a scant two months ago. I know. And yet – I could not resist. First of all, I miss knocking around Utah that much. Second of all – man – the sunrise just rocked that morning. I had to go back – I wanted to spend all month there. So back we go. Suck it up and go back with me – what do you expect for free, eh?

And to make it a little more interesting – we’ve added a new large size – the now becoming ubiquitous 2560 x 1600. Man – that’s pretty huge. Now we can start competing with the big monitors and stuff ya know. So lordy – we’re up to nine different resolutions. If I could get rid of my wife’s old laptop we’d drop the 1024 x 768 but the dang thing won’t die. So anyway, enjoy Utah for another month – enjoy Bryce Canyon and the amazing hoodoos for 30 more days. I sense we’ll go a different route for December. Probably.

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Okay – I’m done stalling on an Ireland calendar…

We joked on our Ireland trip that it only rained twice: the first five days and then the last four days. Okay – it’s Ireland (and it wasn’t that bad). We expect this. But we were sorely lacking in dynamite sunsets UNTIL we got to my beloved Killarney. On the outskirts of this little town in the southwest sits historic and wonderful Ross Castle. And just 100 yards to the east sits this lovely little scene – colorful rowboats in a little inlet. Add a wonderful sunset and amazing water reflections – and well you’ve got it made.

So please enjoy one of the sizes below – particularly one that fits your desktop or iPad to a tee. And did I mention I just got back from Utah? So you might guess what’s coming by December.

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It’s that time of year again. It’s time for the 5th Annual Scott Kelby Photowalk.

If you don’t know who Scott Kelby is – well we’ll pull you out from under your rock in a moment. First let’s get to the particulars. The walk is Saturday, October 13, 2012 from roughly 5:30pm to 7:30pm. It will start in the parking lot under the Bob Michel Bridge in downtown Peoria. This is the parking lot next to our beloved “Hooters” restaurant*. You can get all the details and sign-up for the walk at the Peoria Photowalk site.

I had the pleasure of leading the second and third Kelby walks in Peoria in 2009 (through Downtown Peoria) and 2010 (through the South Side). The photo above should give you an indication of the popularity of these walks. We all missed out on the first one in 2008, as the walk gained strength around the world. Bill Shaner led the walk in 2011 (at Wildlife Prairie State Park) and is the walk leader for 2012 as well.

The walks are open to ALL levels of photographer. They’re really just a social excuse for anyone – and I mean anyone – who’s interesting in photography to get together as a group and hike around town for a few hours. We usually deplane at the end for some chow too so make a night of it. Come out and ask questions – they’re are plenty of knowledgeable people in attendance and we’ll be happy to answer any and all questions.

Now who is Scott Kelby? Well only one of the most acclaimed photographers in America. And a great teacher. And the president of the National Association of Photoshop Professionals (aka NAPP). And in 2008, he got the idea to host a photowalk – but not just any photowalk. A simultaneous photowalk all around the world. The first year featured some 330 walks and thousands of people, but in 2009 it really got going – and they had over 1,000 walks and over 30,000 people. And it’s been a hit every since…

Okay – so now you know. Get back under your rock – but AFTER you sign up. And then come join us on October 13 for some good shootin’ fun.

While I continue to drag my feet on a new Ireland-based calendar, I ask you to divert your eyes to this famous monument in the great scenic state of Utah. Standing just below Sunset Point in Bryce Canyon sits the amazing hoodoo called Thor’s Hammer (don’t recommend Googling that – at least until the Avenges quiets down). As you may have gathered from our last post, Ann and I are rounding up a few of the usual suspects and we’re taking them to Utah this month. In fact we depart on September 23, for Arches, Capitol Reef, Bryce (and this very hoodoo), and finally Zion. Gonna be a great trip – and I’m ready to go.

In the meantime, so you can further think of me while I’m running around the wilds of Utah for five days, please help yourself to a free monthly desktop calendar in one of eight sizes.

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A post moving in a different direction.

Ann Conver and I are taking a few photographers on a five-day photo tour of Utah in September. We just bought our airline tickets earlier this week and I’m writing this post for two reasons… First, this year’s attendees can get a look at some of the iconic places we’re going and what we’re going to do there. Second, all the rest of you can understand what you’d encounter if you signed up for such a workshop.

I’m in love with Utah – particularly the national parks. Five of the most famous parks in America: Arches, Canyonlands, Capitol Reef, Bryce Canyon, and Zion. We’re headed out there at hopefully the peak of fall color this year (albeit with a drought but we can hope). So what’s happening in our tour this year?

Day 1 – Sunday, September 23

We’re all departing Peoria for Salt Lake City on Sunday morning with a 1:30pm arrival via Chicago and American Airlines. In SLC, we’ll pick up our roomy 15-passenger van and depart down I-15 to US-6. Eventually we’ll cross I-80, run on it a bit, and then make the the final 40 miles to Moab. It’s about a four-hour drive and we’re gonna hustle to make sunset (7:13pm) that night in the park, which sits just a few miles north of Moab. We’ll look for a delightful late Sunday stop, like Balance Rock:

A nice dinner, and a good night’s sleep follows that – because Monday is a big day:

Day 2 – Monday, September 24

Monday is about Arches’ icons as bookends for the day. We start with a remarkable sunrise at the famous North Window. Pick the right spot and you can shoot Turret Arch right through it:

The morning will provide a nice walk around both the North and South Windows as well as Turret Arch – and then a quick detour over to Double Arch. Here are the windows from the backside:

Then, since people like to eat – we mozy back into Moab for some lunch and to stock up for the rest of the day… And what lies ahead? Back into the Arches for stops like Sand Dune Arch:

Landscape Arch:

And then the big finish – the hike up to Delicate Arch – the most famous arch in the world – for the end of the day and sunset:

It’ll be quite the day.

Day 3 – Tuesday, September 25

This is our “haul butt” day. We’ll depart Moab for Torrey, Utah, and a stop at Capitol Reef National Park. Capitol Reef is truly out in the middle of nowhere. It’s famous for its vista views and it’s dry river beds:

We’ll spend some time hiking down the Grand Wash, surveying some amazing rocks and views. From there, we’ll make the 100-mile or so run from Torrey to Bryce Canyon City along famed Utah 12. If nature is with us, we’ll pass over 10,000 foot peaks covered with millions of Aspen trees at the peak of color. It may be a slim window but a guy can hope! As we descend into Bryce Canyon city, we’ll get our hotel and make for the hoodoos and sunset. The photo at the top of this post? Famed Thor’s Hammer in the hoodoos at Bryce. We’ll shoot sunset from the aptly named Sunset Point and then retire for a well-deserved nap – it’s another early morning the next day.

Day 4 – Wednesday, September 26

Sunrise above and in the hoodoos at Sunrise Point is amazing:

The views of Thor’s Hammer from above and below are breathtaking. It’s also a wonderful morning to take the 1.5 mile hike down through the hoodoos themselves and to get visually lost in the wonder.

A quick lunch back in Bryce Canyon City, and then we make the easy drive over to Zion for an afternoon hike to the east end of famous Zion Canyon. A short 30-minute walk and we’re standing here:

We’ll then drive through the famous Zion Canyon tunnel and down to Canyon Junction – where if we’ve timed it right – we’re standing on the bridge at Canyon Junction with 50 other photographers shooting sunset, either above the bridge:

or below the bridge under the watchful gaze of the appropriately named Watchman:

After that, it’s a good breakfast in Springdale – the lovely little town that border the park – and then another good night’s sleep for our last big day.

Day 5 – Thursday, September 27

We start with one last sunrise – at the amazing West Temple – where we watch the sunrise climb down the peaks as it clears the 1,000-tall walls behind us:

From there, our workshop attendees have a choice… Zion doesn’t allow cars across most of the park – but they have an amazing bus system that will take you all over with stops every seven minutes or so. The inner canyon part of the park is small. Maybe seven miles top to bottom. The famous feature at the bottom of this canyon is the Virgin River – which come from the mountains to the north and is usually a chilly 50 degrees, even after the heat of the summer. Our goal is to head to the north end of the canyon – a place called the Temple of Sinawava, where we’ll don water shoes and hike up the Virgin River for a couple hours. Up river, you might see things like 1,000-foot tall canyon walls and river bottoms just sixty feet wide. They don’t call it the Narrows for nothing:

If the Narrows aren’t your thing – most of the lower river is more wide open:

The bottom line for our workshop attendees though is that river hiking – even in a low river isn’t the easiest thing in the world. The water still moves fast and it does so over uneven rocks. But the views are spectacular. So go with us upriver if you want (there’s inexpensive gear rental in Springdale) – or take an easy day seeing the rest of the park via the amazing bus system. Either way – Zion delivers…

One last dinner on Thursday night, a little more sleep – and then Friday morning we’re up early – not for a shoot – but for the five-plus hour drive back to SLC for our flight back to Peoria and the end of a week-long adventure. That’s what you can expect in a Conver and Vernon Photo Tour!

If you’re in for September, Ann and I will be talking to each one of you about what to pack, what to bring, and what to expect with some of more adverturous parts. If you’re not going this fall (and yes – we’re already sold out) – think about a trip down the road with us. We’ll work ya hard – but you’ll see amazing places and take amazing pictures. Thanks for checking us out – and you can always see the current workshop schedule over at eScapes Photo.

I don’t think anyone saw this coming. That Nebraska would be the basis of of my August desktop calendar. And yet – there it is. Iconic Chimney Rock in Western Nebraska (about 200 miles east and south of Guernsey, WY – don’t ask me why I know that – please). No Ireland (too soon). This just said summer to me. Brownish grass, dry rock, pretty light (at least) – yep – that’s the new standard for summer – either in the Midwest or on the plains of Nebraska.

So here you go – the usual suspects – in full color. I think this will look delish on my new Retina iPad. Just saying. The things you have to put up with on your birthday… for at least a few more minutes.

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Hey – what better way to set the tone for our nation’s 236th birthday than by making the July 2012 Desktop Calendar an image from my recent trip to Washington D.C. That’s right – I give you the Supreme Court of the United States – as captured on a wet and rainy March evening with nary a soul in site. It’s weird to think that the very next morning the place was crawling with folks as this image was taken the night before the opening arguments in the legal battle over the Affordable Care Act. But that’s Washington for you. Even the few police that were out that night we’re very kind to us… I loved the rainy context of the marble and the almost perfect symmetry represented by the building. All in all a fun shot to make – and hopefully a fun shot for you to stare at for 31 days! Until August!

So vote 5-4 in favor of downloading and grab one of six enticing arguments before the court…

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So I have this hankering to switch it up this month… to reach way back in the archives… and go a completely different route. Cows – yes – we’ve done cows before. But these cows are special. They’re Irish cows. Meaning they’re standing in Ireland – meaning I was standing in Ireland. Actually this photo – at Hore Abbey, at the foot of the famed Rock of Cashel – is seven years old now (and the cows are probably … well they were probably burgerized years ago). But I don’t mind that it’s seven years gone by. I don’t mind at all as I’m heading back to Ireland in a few weeks to make some more images. I won’t look for THESE cows but I might go stand in this same field and see who walks by…

So enjoy your lovely Irish Cow Calendar – in one of six delectable medium-rare sizes…

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