Arizona ~ Taliesen West ~ Desert Light in Black and White

Cholla shot from the patio of Taliesen West ISO 400 1/1000 sec handheld f-16 Nikon D4 Lens 28-300 at 300mm

Wow, it has been more than a month since I posted a blog...but it has been a busy season, so I am forgiving myself for making other priorities! However I am up caught up now so...here are a few updates. I had the pleasure of making a trip to Arizona over the Christmas holiday visiting my nephew and traveling with my sister. I knew ahead there was not going to be much time for any serious photography, but I did pack my bag and tripod just in case the opportunity presented itself.
After arriving my sister settled in with her son at his place and I settled into the Best Western in Tempe. The next day we visited Taliesen West. It was a bluebird sky day...and we made it there in the afternoon so the light was bright but the sun was lower on the horizon. I love the Cholla Cactus that grow there and when the light is low they glow back lit. I did carry my camera as photography is allowed outside the property but not on the interior spaces.

ISO 400 1/1000 sec handheld f-16 Nikon D4 Lens 28-300 at 58mm

As we walked around the pool area of the property I saw the outside glider sofa 50's style, which I enjoyed as the light on the subject and the subject itself I enjoyed. I made a compositional choice to crop the sofa on the right side when shooting the image.
As we passed through the house and then around to the back of the house I again saw the matching glider through a portico space...looking toward the pool, I composed and made another shot. All the monochrome conversions were made in Google Nik Silver Efex Pro2. If you ever get a chance to visit Arizona ~  touring Taliesen West is a don't miss! Look for more on Taliesen West in color on another blog post.

2015 is off to a great start with two private tutoring sessions and I have finalized scheduled workshops for Capital Photography Center.
My DSLR and iPhone workshops, sponsored by Capital Photography Center, are on line for registration now and posted through March.
We are still accepting registrations for the Magnificent Mediterranean Photo Cruise in May 2015 if you want to join the group click here: Magnificent Mediterranean Photo Tour
I look forward to presenting at The Horizon Photography Summit, February  27-March 1 Wilmington DE and The Photo Beach Bash, March 21 in Rehoboth, Delaware.
If you live in the Baltimore ~ DC  ~ Delaware ~ Virginia area, I hope you can join me in the field.
Have an interest in a personal photography tutoring session? Shoot me an e-mail and we can work it out! Thanks for a great year in 2014 and for following my work and blog! 

ISO 400 1/1000 sec handheld f-16 Nikon D4 Lens 28-300 at 190mm