ESTABLISHED 2010 - Beyond The Campfire was created to encourage readers to explore the great outdoors and to observe it close up. Get out and take a hike, go fishing or canoeing, or simply stretch out on a blanket under a summer sky...and take your camera along. We'll talk about combining outdoor activities with photography. We'll look at everything from improving your understanding of the basics of photography to more advanced techniques including things like how to see photographically and capturing the light. We'll explore the night sky, location shoots, using off camera speedlights along with nature and landscape. Grab your camera...strap on your hiking boots...and join me. I think you will enjoy the adventure.

Sunday, July 9, 2023

Being In The Moment - Chasing The Sun

 In order to truly find yourself in the moment, often requires following a simple axiom; Be willing to place yourself at that point of greatest potential. It is an axiom I learned from a former National Geographic photographer, Dewitt Jones, and many times employing this concept to my photographic efforts has resulted in some amazing opportunities.

As I continue Chasing The Sun as a new project, applying that basic principle of being at the right place at the right time along with being technically prepared has once again proven itself a viable approach to capturing unique moments of light. Making it work requires planning and forethought along with some timely luck. 

Part 1 has now been posted. Please enjoy!


Part 2 of this project will take me to a location I have visited a good number of times the past few years, Barren River Lake. The plan is to canoe into a new campsite and be ready for what nature may present. While pursuing this project, I will explore how the sun offers itself as a photographic entity. The nature of this will require I photograph sunsets and sunrises, but not exclusively, for I will also attempt to capture how the morning light or evening light indirectly affects the landscape. Those kind of shots are often the most difficult to plan for.

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