The story.

Lake Pleasant, Arizona

I read a blog recently written by a fairly new photographer who was also new to hiking. Her new passions were all about landscape photography. I can understand that. Landscape photos are my favorites as well. Witnessing images like the one above are what it's all about for me. Not only does it get me back out in nature sometimes, it also allows me to be there when nature is at it's most beautiful state.

Most of the time there is a little more to it than just being there. Right? Not so fast. First you have to know where to go, then you have to get there. I took the photo above during a trip to scout for locations. I had used Google Earth to pick a point that I thought might give me a great view during the sunrise.I even decided on which trails I needed to use to get there. I left my house and got to the trail long before sunrise. This is where things get interesting.

Hiking, anywhere can be a dangerous thing to do. Add in a little pre-dawn darkness and it could be deadly. Before I attempted this hike in the dark I spent years getting to know the environment I was living in. It can be steep. It is always rocky. And even if you never see one of the many arthropods, reptiles or mammals that inhabit the desert there are plenty of other things that can trip, prick or otherwise make you bleed. Except in very rare occasions I carry a very good flashlight. When I leave home the batteries are always fresh. When I have the flashlight with me I also have a fully charged set of replacement batteries.

Once you've learned how to take care of yourself, and your equipment. Don't forget to learn how to take care of your surroundings. My goal is to capture and document the world as it is. I don't want to change it or make it more beautiful. I just want to leave it as I found it. I learned a long time ago that a good news reporter never wants to be a part of the story. They simply want to bring the story to us. I bring you the world as I found it. Unaltered by me. The story? Well, that's mine.