Baldwin Steam Locomotive – Gorham,NH
The above image is of a 1911 Baldwin 0-6-0 steam locomotive on display at the Grand Trunk Railroad Museum in Gorham, New Hampshire USA. These old locomotives look so cool and I really enjoy photographing them. If time permitted, I could spend hours shooting all the different angles.
One of the long term projects I am working on involves the old historical railroads and these old steam locomotives fit in perfectly. These locomotives played important roles during the historical railroading days.
If you would like to see more images from the Grand Trunk Museum in Gorham,NH click here
Until next time
Mount Success – Douglas DC-3 Plane Crash
I recently was in the area of Mount Success in the White Mountains, New Hampshire and photographed the crash site of Northeast Airlines Flight 792. The site is located a short ways off the Appalachian Trail along the Appalachian Trail boundary. The boundary travels through the wreckage and one of the wings has a yellow boundary maker painted on it.
This was a twin-engine Douglas DC-3 Plane, which crashed on November 30, 1954 flying from Laconia to Berlin, NH. Seven people on-board survived the initial crash, but two later died from injuries while waiting to be rescued. The remaining five survivors were rescued on December 2.
Today, much of the wreckage is still visible and easy to explore for the most part. Many who visit the wreckage sign the fuselage. Signatures are dating back to the 60′s with some visitors signing each year they visit.
Photographing the site was tricky because of hot spots(unwanted bright areas from the sun). This site would be best photographed on a cloudy day when the light is diffused producing even soft light across the area.
If you would like to see more images of the wreckage click here.
The B-18 Bomber crash site on Mt Waternomee in Woodstock, NH is also very interesting.
This is a very special place.
Until next time..
Winter Photography Safety
One day during the winter (before sunrise) I was setup near the summit of Mount Pierce photographing the moon. Temperature was around 0-10 degrees. As I was doing this I watched a hiker come up out of the brush on the eastern side of Mount Pierce completely off track and no where near any trail.
Hikers not familiar with the Crawford Path on their way to Mount Eisenhower(on left in above image) always seem to drift off the trail a short ways after its junction with the Webster Cliff Trail(above image) and start circling around Mount Pierce towards the east like this hiker did. This seems to happen even more when there is no snowshoe track for them to follow.
After talking to me briefly he proceeded down near a rock cairn(you can barely make him out in the above image). As I watched him from my vantage point, it was clear he was very cold and completely out of his element. I actually started to wonder why he was even on the ridge? Maybe a first timer winter hiker? Not really sure, but experience was not on his side.
With the amount of jumping around he was doing it was clear how cold he was. He was ignoring all the warning signs (or didn’t notice them) that he was beyond his comfort zone. The cold was taking him over. He had already drifted off trail and was lucky to have recovered from that mistake. First time winter hikers should checkout HikeSafe.com for some great information.
I got a good laugh when I realized he was hand-holding sunrise shots(GWC).
Photographing along the ridges is no easy task during the winter and can be harmful to one’s self if not done correctly. A simple process like putting a lens cap can turn into a five minute nightmare. Perfect days are almost unheard of! Whiteout conditions are normal.
You can easily get a case of frostbite on the fingers or destroy a piece of camera gear if things go wrong. I have dropped rolls of film, lenses and other pieces of camera gear into the snow, which ruins a perfectly good day.
Everyone wants to capture the extreme weather of the mountains. Who doesn’t? It is awesome to hike in and even better to capture these conditions on film(digital).
To be successful photographing on the ridges I have always looked at it as a two step process. Here are two simple steps / suggestions.
1) Practice using your camera during winter conditions at lower elevations.
Know your camera inside and out. Practice taken off the lens cover and using a tripod with gloves. Don’t worry about changing lenses because you won’t be doing it in extreme conditions. In bad weather I use the same lens from start to finish. Getting a snowflake on the sensor will end your day.
2) Become comfortable hiking in winter conditions.
What jacket, boots, hat, and glove combination works best. A good glove set-up is important and I find a jacket with a large pocket in the front works excellent for storing camera gear.
After you get comfortable with both the above steps slowly join the two steps together and in time you will be bringing home great shots. You will also have a much better experience on the ridges when using your camera.
Shooting safely on the ridges is very important and great images can be made, but the most important part of winter is making sure you are safe.
Be Safe…..
Lonesome Lake – Cloud Cover
Here are a few more shots from when I was at Lonesome Lake in Franconia Notch State Park. Cloud cover was pretty heavy early in the morning as I passed by the lake. I also had a close encounter with a moose on the same day which you can see here.
Since I was heading deeper into the forest I couldn’t spend much time at the lake, but did stay long enough to capture some of the cloud cover.
The moose was one of the better ones I have crossed paths with this year. He was eating away without a care in the world.
Until next time!
Robert Frost Homestead
Robert Frost Homestead in Franconia, New Hampshire USA. Located in the White Mountains this is a great spot to checkout if you are looking to kill some time during the day. I always enjoy photographing old rural america and this homestead is perfect.
Nothing says "Rural America" better than this classic New England homestead! From the rusted mailbox to the chairs on the porch. Don’t think you can find a more rural setting.
Enjoy!
Lonesome Lake – Bull Moose
Yesterday morning (Thursday) I took a quick trip up to Lonesome Lake in the White Mountains, NH to do some exploring. As I came around a bend in the trail I was surprised when I bumped into a moose standing in the middle of the trail!
Thank god he was more interested in eating twigs than me. I watched him from a safe distance for almost twenty minutes, before he decided to move off the trail far enough so I could safely pass.
He could have cared less about me and almost seemed to be laughing the entire time I waited for him to move off the trail. Every so often he would look at me with this grin!
Have a great weekend!
Lincoln Woods Trail – Stream
Along the Lincoln Woods Trail in the White Mountains is a small stream that I have walked past countless times over the years when heading into the Pemi Wilderness. For one reason or another I have never given it a second look. Most of the time harsh light or being on a time frame (to get to a location) is the reason.
Early one morning a few weeks ago while heading into the Pemi the stream looked perfect. Better than some waterfalls I have photographed. I have never seen it look so inviting. Above is the small stream.
Enjoy!
Black Bears – White Mountains, NH
Bluff charges and tent ransacking are the topic of discussion these days. There have been reports of bears causing trouble for hikers and campers throughout the White Mountains, New Hampshire.
Recently bears raided the Thirteen Falls Campsite in the Pemigewasset Wilderness. They entered hiker’s tents and got away with food. A couple that experienced the raid stated the bears were not frightened by humans.
Many hikers carry Bear Spray by Counter Assault which works on all animals.
Be careful out there!
The Perch Shelter – White Mountains, NH
Just read "The Perch" shelter located along the Perch Path in Cascade Ravine in the White Mountains, New Hampshire will be closed from July 12 to August 20 while the Randolph Mountain Club (RMC) renovates it.
You can read the alert here.
Enjoy!
New Images Added to Archive
New editorial images have been added to the stock archive. Most imagery is focused around the White Mountains, New Hampshire USA. Feel free to take a look at the above link.
Or you can click here to view the New Images Gallery
Enjoy!
Giving into the digital era
As an editorial photographer(or purist to some), I never have done much blending or altering of images using the various graphics program. For years, anything more than color correction and dust removal has always been considered unacceptable in the editorial field of photography. It really seems the "As is As seen" shot is disappearing. The digital software today has made it possible to alter a image anyway you want.
As the industry changes I have been questioning if it is time to give in and start using all the available digital tools to "Create" images that would otherwise be impossible under normal conditions. I created the above image by combining two images in photoshop. Looks cool, but as a photographer I feel like I am breaking a code of ethics.
You may start seeing more "Created" images on ScenicNH.com
Enjoy!
Historical Logging Railroad Imagery
Are people interested in viewing historical images from the old logging railroads and camps of the White Mountains, New Hampshire USA?
The logging era is a very interesting part of the White Mountain history and I have found that many people are interested in it. I personally enjoy all aspects of the logging era, but this type of imagery is not made public on my website for a few reasons. Most of my historical images are part of my private collection and only viewable by request.
Lately I have been getting so many requests that I am considering making more of these images viewable on ScenicNH.com. There seems to more of an interest than I thought.
I am thinking of adding an "Historical image of the week" to the blog and see how it goes? Good idea? Bad idea?
Unsure at this point.
Enjoy!
Mount Pierce – White Mountains, NH
I have been working on images from this past winter season (with hopes to finish processing all in the next few weeks). Above is an image from the summit of Mount Pierce at dawn in the White Mountains, New Hampshire USA during the winter months. A half moon can be seen breaking through the clouds in the background.
This image will be part of the Dawn to Dusk Image Archive, which is focused around the White Mountains, NH.
Enjoy!
Smokey White Mountains, NH
The above image was photographed on (Friday)May 28, 2010 from a scenic pulloff along the Kancamagus Highway in the White Mountains, New Hampshire USA before the smoke from the wildfires around Quebec blew in.
(above)From the same scenic pulloff photographed on (Sunday)May 30, 2010 after the smoke from the wildfires around Quebec moved over New Hampshire. What looks to be a haze is actually smoke from the wildfires. Last known there were around 50 wildfires burning around the Quebec area. Media reports some of these fires are out of control.
Above is another shot from the Kancamagus Highway covered in smoke. The last few days have been bad "Air Quality" days and the smell of smoke has lingered. Hope they manage to get control of the Wildfires.
Until next time.
Missing Winter..
Missing Winter..
Last few days have been pretty hot here in New Hampshire. Can’t wait for winter.
Enjoy!
Pemigewasset Wilderness – Unattended Campfire
Sunday, I spent the day deep in the Pemigewasset Wilderness doing research and verifying information on the old East Branch & Lincoln Logging Railroad. It was a wonderful day, but what I stumbled upon caught me completely off guard.
As I worked my way along the East Branch of the Pemigewasset River (near Thoreau Falls / Wilderness Trail junction) I came across a campsite with a fire pit. This is pretty normal and I have found numerous campsites with fire pits, but what was different with this campsite is the FIRE was still going and the site was vacant!
I hesitated for a second thinking I walked into someone’s campsite, but after looking around it was clear they were gone. The camper / campers pulled the blanket of moss from the top of the boulder and stuffed it into and over the fire pit. They must have done this thinking it would put out the fire.
After pulling all the moss off the fire pit and throwing it into the river it was clear the embers were still burning! The rocks around the fire pit were so hot I couldn’t even touch them! I used one of my Sea to Summit bags as a bucket to put the fire out. I hung around for twenty or so minutes to make sure the fire was out.
The site looked to be of a soloists, but I could be wrong. It is pretty scary to think what the outcome could have been if I didn’t come across this campsite. This location is very deep in the Pemi and a fire would do major damage.
A few links on back-country camping & fire:
Click here to see what Smokey the Bear says about putting a fire out:
Click here for Back-country camping regulations in the Pemigewasset Wilderness
Better back-country ethics would be appreciated…..
Pemigewasset Wilderness – Perspective
One of the challenges of being a photographer is finding a different perspective on scenes that have been photographed thousands upon thousands of times. (above) The silhouette of hiker standing on Bondcliff in the Pemigewasset Wilderness with storm clouds on the horizon in the White Mountains, New Hampshire USA.
Wetlands along the Franconia Brook Trail in the White Mountains, New Hampshire USA during the autumn months. The wetlands in the Pemigewasset Wilderness are picturesque, but more importantly they support the wildlife in the area.
Rusted file along an abandoned sled road deep in the Pemigewasset Wilderness. Sled roads were used by teamsters to drag logs down from high on the mountains to the rails of the East Branch & Lincoln Railroad.
Early morning sun reflects off a large boulder along the East Branch of the Pemigewasset River during the spring months. The East Branch is littered with large boulders like this one.
Northern White Cedar tree on the river bank of the East Branch of the Pemigewasset River. The clear cutting practices of the logging era are gone forever allowing trees to flourish. The Pemi has recovered very well from the logging era.
I always try to work out of the box (straight scenic shot) when photographing locations. It makes the area a little more interesting.
How do you see the Pemi?
Enjoy!
Spring Waterscapes
Click here to see more spring waterscapes from the White Mountains, NH.
Weeks Act Exhibit – Plymouth State University
www.foresthistory.org/ASPNET/Policy/WeeksAct/index.aspx
You can also view the on-line Weeks Act Exhibit below:
http://www.plymouth.edu/gallery/weeks-act/
Logging railroads of the White Mountains, New Hampshire
Enjoy!
White Mountains, NH – Alpine Zone Winter
It is sad to see the end of winter come so quick this year. I guess it had to end sometime, but it feels like the season just started. One of my projects for this winter season was to document extreme weather conditions in the alpine zones of the White Mountains, New Hampshire. I spend so much time in the alpine zones during bad weather I decided to focus on it.
Over the last few years I have seen so many images showing the open ridges of the mountains as a warm friendly place during the winter season. Photographers use various methods to produce this “warm “ feeling. Two quick ways are by adjusting the camera’s white balance or using a warming filter. This effect can also be added to the image using Lightroom and Photoshop.
Down in the valleys a warm winter scene is what you aim for when making an image, but not in the alpine zone. The alpine zones of the White Mountains are cold places with temperatures constantly around zero, strong winds and whiteout conditions. Many days it only takes a few minutes for frostbite to take over your finger tips or toes. The fact that Mount Washington is home to some of the worst weather in the world should be considered when making images in this environment.
All of the winter and most of the spring season the above conditions can be found in the alpine zones of the mountains. As a photographer I have never really understood the obsession of creating a warm image in this kind of environment? Its not a warm and inviting place at all.
As a editorial photographer producing a cold, cold landscape as a warm friendly inviting place is somewhat falsifying the image. It is kinda on the same lines as adding or removing a person from a shot using photoshop. This practice has never been tolerated in editorial photography. Yes, the warm image has market value, but it is not a accurate representation of the scene.
My objective was to show the true alpine zone. Cold, strong winds and whiteout conditions! The real question? Did I successfully produce images that show the White Mountains during extreme winter conditions?
If you would like to see more extreme weather images click here.
Enjoy!
Mount Washington, NH
New images have been added to the image archive. Images include Mount Washington, New Hampshire.
Until next time..
Sawyer River Railroad – Livermore, NH
Sawyer River Logging Railroad – White Mountains, NH USA
Today is just another quick update for all the White Mountains, NH railroad buffs. The Sawyer River Railroad image collection has been added (and viewable) to the archive. You can view the images by clicking on the slide show above or the link below. Sawyer River River Railroad Image Gallery Hopefully within the next month or so I can add more information about this very cool line. I have been very busy for the last month so these quick updates are all I can offer.
Enjoy!
White Mountains Logging Railroads
Sawyer River Railroad – Camp Number 5 Artifacts
For all the White Mountains, NH logging railroad buffs out there.
I finally added images to the archive representing the White Mountains, New Hampshire logging railroad era! Most of the “Logging Railroads” images that I have on file are part of the private collection and not viewable to the public, but I decided to make a handful of these images viewable to the public.
Zealand Valley Logging Railroad Bed
Considered to be the most important part of the White Mountain’s history, the logging era forever changed the mountains many of us use day in and day out. The clear cutting practices of those days are no longer acceptable and forever changed the way the White Mountain National Forest is managed.
Pemigewasset Wilderness – Camp 13 Artifacts
Today, signs of the logging era are still visible. And if you know where to look you will find some fascinating artifacts from the logging era. If you decide to explore any of these logging lines keep in mind it is illegal to remove artifacts from the National Forest.
Click here to view the White Mountains, NH Logging Railroad gallery
Enjoy!
Mount Washington Wind Speed Broken
Mount Washington, New Hampshire USA
Since April 12, 1934 Mount Washington, New Hampshire has held the record for the highest wind gust ever measured on earth at 231 miles per hour. A wind speed that some thought would never be broken.
Never say never;
News stories have been reporting that a record wind gust of 253 miles per hour was measured on April 10, 1996 on Barrow Island, Australia during Tropical Cyclone Olivia. As of now it seems official.
Why it took 14 years to confirm this wind speed is a mystery, but it looks like the highest summit in the northeast no longer holds the record.
You can read the official news story here
Enjoy!
