Malibu has long been a mythical place to me. It is mentioned in songs, it evokes memories of old surfer movies from the 1950s, it is where I know many celebrities and sports stars currently live, and I know from studying its geography it is close to LA, but still a good drive, thus offering relative access, but far enough away to be its own world. To get to it one is treated to a stunning drive on the PCH with the Santa Monica Mountains to one side and the vastness of the Pacific Ocean on the other.
My work photographing rural land properties in New Mexico has taken me to Rio Arriba County many times. I have passed by Echo Amphitheater at least twice before, but did not have time to stop. Third time being the charm, on the return from a property shoot on the way to another, right there was Echo Amphitheater with time on the schedule to explore this great natural wonder, and if I may say so, produce some stunning images of a place that is certainly New Mexico True.
For over a decade (or my whole life?) I daydreamed about driving up the Pacific Coast Highway in California going from Santa Monica, turning right where there is no more Road left, then following the Pacific Ocean all the way up to Monterey, stopping at such famous places as the Bixby Bridge. Recently I got to fulfill that dream and had my DJI Mavic Pro drone with me. I got bold, and flew it right under the bridge!
Since living in Japan, I have adopted their custom of viewing the first sunrise of the new year, which is often paired with seeing the last sunset. For 2017, I was able to see one of the more epic views for the sunset, having climbed up to the top of Cave Rock, all of Lake Tahoe was spread out before me. The sun dipped below dramatic clouds just above the horizon casting golding light on snow capped mountain peaks and reflecting off the lake itself. It was even more special because of who I was with, my whole family made it to the top of the rock, Jessica (girlfriend), Kiki (beloved puppy), and Artie (Jessica's dog).
Last week I spent four days in Taos and the Rio Arriba County area photographing rural properties. When traveling back to Taos from a property 2 hours away in the mountains, going around a bend revealed this spectacular sunset valley view.
The Japanese have a custom of watching the first sunrise of the year. My first year living in Japan friends took me to a Buddhist temple at midnight on New Year's Eve and then to a beach at sunrise. I really like this custom. So this morning shortly after 7am I took my camera and tripod out onto the frosty ground and watched the sunrise over an Iowa cornfield. You can see five jets already streaking to far off destinations so early in the new year!
