MajesticExposures

Ansel Adams: The Mural Project 1941-1942

2010-03-28T13:13:00.000-07:00

Old Faithful Geyser, Yellowstone National Park Wyoming, by Ansel Adams

On March 10, 2010 Secretary of the Interior Ken Salazar unveiled an exhibit within the corridors of the Department of the Interior of 26 never-before installed murals taken by famed photographer and conservationist Ansel Adams. The images, part of Ansel Adams: The Mural Project 1941-1942, have been installed on the first and second floors of the Department as originally envisioned by the artist and then-Secretary of the Interior, Harold Ickes.

Click HERE to view the 26 murals.

Red Rock Canyon Panoramics: Compact Camera or DSLR?

2010-02-13T11:28:00.000-08:00

The two panoramic photographs below were made on the same day at Red Rock Canyon in Las Vegas, Nevada. Both are composed of multiple frames that were stitched together in Photoshop to create a single panoramic. However, there is something very different about these two photos. One was made using a DSLR mounted on a tripod. The other was made using a handheld compact camera. Can you guess which is which?

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The DSLR used was a 10MP Nikon D80 with a kit lens. The compact used was a 10MP Panasonic LX3. I used a circular polarizer on both. Which camera captured which panoramic will remain a mystery, but the point I want to make here is that it's not the camera or lens that "makes" a good photograph. Rather, it's the photographer and the photographer's "eye" or vision for good composition. Without the "eye" and skillful execution, expensive camera gear will take you only so far. However, I do recommend one of the cameras in my previous post to allow for full creative control.

I have enjoyed sharing these two panoramics with my friends as well as professionals, and I would like to share some of the professional feedback:

Lewis Kemper said "Nice work!" Lewis is an accomplished nature and landscape photographer specializing in North America. Lewis worked at The Ansel Adams Gallery in Yosemite National Park from 1978 to 1980, allowing him to meet and learn from many great photographers, including Ansel Adams himself.

David duChemin said "Gorgeous work, makes me want to be in the mountains with snow under my feet." David is an author award winning travel photographer with extensive international assignment experience on five continents.

Moose Peterson said "~Very~ sweet! Nice use of technique and digital darkroom." Moose is a renowned photographer of North American wildlife and landscapes, author, and winner of the John Muir Conservation Award.

Joseph Linaschke called my panoramics "Gorgeous!" Joseph shoots for a variety of clients and is involved in video and film projects in Hollywood. He was also the official photographer for Seal's European tour in 2009.

Martin Bailey said "Wooh, very nice!" Martin was born in England but is now a Tokyo based nature and wildlife photographer, specializing in capturing the nature of Japan. He also runs a podcast and popular wildlife and landscape photography workshops.

Advanced Compact Cameras

2010-02-12T09:19:00.000-08:00

here are literally hundreds of various models of compact cameras on the market these days. However, there is only a handful of compacts that provide full exposure control while also recording images in uncompressed RAW format. If you wish to have creative control over the aperture, shutter speed, and even focus, then you will need one of these advanced compacts.

The advanced compact cameras listed below provide full creative control:

Panasonic DMC-LX3 10.1MP with 2.5x Wide Angle Optical Image Stabilized Zoom (Silver)

Nikon Coolpix P6000 13.5MP with 4x Wide Angle Optical Vibration Reduction Zoom

Canon PowerShot G11 10MP with 5x Wide Angle Optical Stabilized Zoom

Canon PowerShot S90IS 10MP with 3.8x Wide Angle Optical Image Stabilized Zoom

My personal choice was the Panasonic LX3, mainly based on the wide-angle Leica lens (24mm), 720p HD video capability, and its availability in silver. I am also considering the Panasonic GF1 or its successor as a future purchase, so I wanted to get accustomed to its user interface. Note that the LX3 is also available in black. The other cameras listed are available in black only, but that obviously takes nothing away from their technical specifications and their ability to provide you with full creative control over your images.

Finally, Samsung recently announced an advanced compact to compete with this bunch, the TL500. Click on the image for more information.

Majestic Exposures on Facebook

2009-11-22T12:09:00.000-08:00

Become a fan of my photography page on Facebook: Majestic Exposures on Facebook

San Francisco

2009-11-15T16:37:00.000-08:00

Introducing my collection of photographs featuring the beautiful landscape and cityscape of the City by the Bay - San Francisco. My photos have been set to music by Sara Bareilles that was recorded live in San Francisco, at The Fillmore. For detailed captions of each photo and to order prints, please visit the Majestic Exposures Store.

Waterfall

2009-11-15T16:27:00.000-08:00

A collection of my waterfall photographs set to "May This Be Love" by Jimi Hendrix. The waterfalls of Yosemite are prominently featured along with a few in North Carolina and Virginia. View more of my photos and purchase prints at the Majestic Exposures Store.

Vernal Fall of Yosemite

2009-09-13T07:28:00.000-07:00

The photo of "Vernal Fall" at left was made by Ansel Adams. According to the website for his gallery, he made this image around 1948 with a 4" x 5" view camera. The hike up the Mist Trail to Vernal Fall is short, accessible, and heavily trafficked. John Muir, in his book "The Yosemite," described the fall: "The Vernal, about a mile below the Nevada, is 400 feet high, a staid, orderly, graceful, easy-going fall, proper and exact in every movement and gesture …A good stairway ascends the cliff beside it and the level plateau at the head enables one to saunter safely along the edge of the river as it comes from Emerald Pool and to watch its waters, calmly bending over the brow of the precipice, in a sheet eighty feet wide".

With this being one of my favorite photographs by Ansel, I had to head up the scenic Mist Trail and photograph it myself. Danyell and I headed up the trail, passing the popular foot bridge viewpoint and setting up on a rock ledge that juts out into the banks of the Merced River. Hiking up was quite strenuous so we hung out on "our" rock ledge for a while to rest and recharge. This viewpoint was so beautiful and peaceful, away from the crowds with nothing but the rush of the waterfall and the whitewater flowing past us. This was easily my favorite waterfall and hike within Yosemite. After a strenuous ascent, there is nothing better than a payoff of a spectacular and unique view of Nature. It's even better when I'm able to capture Nature's beauty with a camera and share this imagery. Below are a few favorite Vernal Fall photographs that I took.

Vernal Fall Vista

Notice the tree stump to the right of the falls. This stump belongs to the same tree that appears in Ansel's photograph above. Very cool.

Below left is Vernal Fall that features a composition similar to Ansel's, although from farther away at a slightly different angle. Below right is Power of Vernal Fall, the title of which is self-explanatory for this the close-up shot.

If you're interested in fine art prints of any of the photos above, simply click on any photo to consider the available options.

Here is a little video clip that I made of the beautiful Vernal Fall in action.

Leica M9: I want one!

2009-09-09T18:22:00.000-07:00

Henri Cartier-Bresson is one of my photographic idols, and he is probably the most famous Leica user. According to wikipedia, Cartier-Bresson acquired a Leica camera with 50 mm lens in Marseilles that would accompany him for many years. He described the Leica as an extension of his eye. The anonymity that the small camera gave him in a crowd or during an intimate moment was essential in overcoming the formal and unnatural behavior of those who were aware of being photographed. He enhanced his anonymity by painting all shiny parts of the Leica with black paint. The Leica opened up new possibilities in photography — the ability to capture the world in its actual state of movement and transformation. He said, "I prowled the streets all day, feeling very strung-up and ready to pounce, ready to 'trap' life."

This is Cartier-Bresson's first Leica:

Click on the M9 above or here for more information about this beautiful innovative digital camera.

New Digital Camera Format: Micro Four Thirds

2009-09-05T11:00:00.000-07:00

I'm in love with the brand new digital camera format called "Micro Four Thirds".

This new format is a standard created by Olympus and Panasonic that allows for the design of smaller bodies without sacrificing the quality and custom functions of digital single lens reflex (DSLR) cameras, while also providing for interchangeable lenses.

Designers eliminated the mirror and prism viewfinder system of SLR cameras which reduced the distance between the lens mount to the sensor, which in turn allowed for smaller diameter lenses and smaller bodies overall. The bodies end up being about the same size as a compact 35mm film camera, except with interchangeable lenses and professional functions.

Since there is no built-in viewfinder, composing photographs is done via live viewing on the rear LCD screens, just like on compact digital cameras. I don't think this is a negative aspect at all considering most people are accustomed to composing photographs in this manner already. When I was buying my first DSLR, I was surpised that very few models provided live viewing. It seems like a downgrade from the compact digital cameras that I had gotten used to. Manufacturers are now starting to incorporate live viewing into DSLRs more and more. With the micro four-thirds system, the viewfinder is eliminated instead of the popularized live view. However, for those that like to use a viewfinder, some of the models released thus far do in fact have separate viewfinders that can be attached to the flash bracket on top.

My favorite micro four-thirds camera released so far is the Olympus EP-1. Olympus based the aesthetics of the EP-1 on their classic half-frame 35mm PEN, as shown in the photograph above. I prefer the silver and black version, but Olympus has also created a white body with tan trim that's very cool. The EP-1 has all of the features you need to make beautiful professional quality photographs, and it even captures HD video. Compact, classic styling, interchangeable lenses, and full of features. Fabulous.

Although Panasonic already has several micro four-thirds models on the market, they are following Olympus's lead by releasing the brand new, classically styled Lumix GF1. The GF1 and the EP-1 are shown side-by-side below. Beautiful cameras.

Crazy Clouds in Las Vegas!!

2009-08-23T21:03:00.000-07:00

There were some really crazy cloud formations over the Las Vegas Valley today, especially this evening just before sunset. Here's a few snapshots - no editing has been done to these photos.

The first photo was taken while looking eastward toward the Strip. The rest of the photos were taken looking westward toward my neighborhood and Red Rock Canyon.

Fountains of Bellagio

2009-08-16T10:02:00.000-07:00

Vegas Fountain Panoramic Story by Benjamin Padgett

I created this collage of the Bellagio fountains from three separate photographs that I captured from the same viewpoint. Each photo depicts a different freeze-frame from throughout the fountain's choreography to Gene Kelly's "Singing in the Rain". These frames were then placed within my three-paned collage to create a one-of-a-kind panoramic view of the fountain show. Silhouettes of the crowd look toward the fountains and help indicate the immense scale of the fountains, as the Bally's, Paris, and Planet Hollywood casinos form the backdrop. Elegant cast-iron lampposts provide embellishments to the overall scene, as does the base of the Eiffel Tower in the central photo.

According to Steve Wynn's vision, Bellagio's fountains were designed by Water Entertainment Technologies, also known as WET Design. The fountains are set within a 9-acre man-made lake inspired by Lake Como in Italy. According to WET, the fountains are "located within the lake and spanning its 1,000 foot length is an array of over 1,000 water expressions and over 4,000 individually programmed white lights... WET invited designers, musicians and performance artists to choreograph the fountain to the different musical selections. The result is a rich and dynamic collection of performances in water, each unique and expressive of its own musical character and the artist who created it. The performances range from delicate and whimsical to grand and commanding."

Award-winning choreographer Kenny Ortega was invited to choreograph the fountains to Gene Kelly's "Singing in the Rain". Ortega knew Kelly personally and professionally from early on in his career. He choreographed tours for Madonna and Michael Jackson, and he also choreographed dozens of films, including the 1987 blockbuster "Dirty Dancing". Recent work includes choreography for all three High School Musical movies, Hannah Montana, and the upcoming remake of "Footloose" starring Julianne Hough.

Ortega wrote about his fountain experience:

When Steve Wynn and WET Design invited me to creatively participate in the opening of the Bellagio Fountain, I knew instantly what I wanted to do: Pay homage to Gene Kelly, my longtime friend, mentor, and teacher. It has been forty-six years since Mr. Kelly danced his way across the silver screen in ‘Singin' In The Rain’, and yet his performance still stands as one of the most loved and respected.

This new medium posed numerous challenges, but the greatest challenge was to somehow have Gene's wonderful spirit come alive and dance across the lake.

I wanted to capture the emotion that I felt when Gene performed this classic: his childlike exuberance, his exciting choreography while splashing from puddle to puddle, swinging around lampposts and, finally, whistling away carefree and in love.

To Gene, with love -

– Kenny Ortega

Below is an exceptional video that captures an aerial view of the fountains, choreographed to another beautiful song, "Con te Partiró (Time To Say Goodbye)" performed by Andrea Bocelli and Sara Brightman. Claire Kahn spoke of his fountain choreography for this song:

The music itself is perfect for the fountains. It grows and develops in strength very gracefully... Its build is smooth and even, from a delicate beginning to a powerful end. This allows me to create a visual expression with the same transition. I find that the best results in my work with the fountains come when the water activity starts with soft, tranquil movement and then transitions to a finale of explosive impact, giving the show passion and drama.

As a still photographer, I hope my images portray just a little of the grace and beauty of the fountains as experienced in person. Although there is no substitute for the real thing, I hope you will take a look at more fountain photos in my Vegas Gallery (click here). The photo at the top of this blog entry can be found in my Collages Gallery (click here). Perhaps these photos will inspire you to visit the fountains yourself. Or if you have already seen the fountains, perhaps my photos will help you remember and cherish your experience.

Charleston & Las Vegas: Historical Link

2009-08-09T07:28:00.000-07:00

It may come as a surprise to many that there is a substantial historical link between my former home of Charleston, SC and my current home of Las Vegas, NV. These two cities are very different and 2,300 miles apart from one another, so allow me to explain.

Among the College of Charleston's Class of 1836 was John Charles Fremont. The image at the top right of this blog entry depicts Fremont. In July 1838 he was appointed a Second Lieutenant in the Corps of Topographical Engineers and assisted and led multiple surveying expeditions through the western territory of the United States and beyond.

During one expedition in 1844, Fremont found two natural springs in the Las Vegas Valley, then part of Mexico. On May 3, 1844 Fremont wrote, "After a day's journey of 18 miles, in a northeasterly direction, we encamped in the midst of another very large basin, at a camping ground called Las Vegas - a term which the Spaniards use to signify fertile or marshy plains, in contradistinction to llanos, which they apply to dry and sterile plains. Two narrow streams of clear water, four or five feet deep, gush suddenly with a quick current, from two singularly large springs; these, and other waters of the basin, pass out in a gap to the eastward. The taste of the water is good, but rather too warm to be agreeable; the temperature being 71 in the one and 73 in the other. They, however, afford a delightful bathing place".

That was all Fremont would write about the location that would become Sin City, but because more than 20,000 copies of his 1845 report of this trip and its map were immediately published by Congress and distributed to anybody who wanted one, Las Vegas became an important stop on the way West. Mormon colonists brought wagons to Utah over his routes, and the first railroad through the region would water steam engines at springs that Fremont had first made known to the world. Although he may have not been the first person to visit the area, it in fact was John C. Fremont who literally put Las Vegas on the map. The portion of Fremont's map with Vegas labeled is shown at the top left of this blog entry.

The primary street in downtown Las Vegas was named after Fremont when the city was officially founded in 1905. Fremont Street later became the first street in the city to be paved. Today, the vibrant street is lined with casinos, including the Fremont Casino. Another legacy of John C. Fremont is Mount Charleston. With an elevation of nearly 12,000 feet above sea level, Charleston Peak is the highest peak amongst the Spring Mountain range that runs along the west side of the Las Vegas Valley. Fremont himself is responsible for naming the peak during his exploration of the area, in honor of his former home of Charleston, South Carolina.

To mark the historical link between Charleston and Las Vegas, I have brought together all six of the photographs in my portfolio that feature the College of Charleston, John Fremont's alma mater. These photos feature Randolph Hall and Porter's Lodge, both of which are masterful examples of architecture that are rightfully listed on the National Register of Historic Places. If you're interested in getting prints of any of these photos, simply click on the photo.

Randolph Hall was completed in 1829 and was known as the Main Building during Fremont's attendance. This building was designed by William Strickland of Philadelphia, but it was much smaller at that time - it did not yet feature the signature Roman Ionic columns and colossal central portico. These features were added in 1852 per a Roman Revival architectural design by Edward Brickell White of Charleston. The two-story Porter's Lodge was known as the Gate Lodge at that time, and it was also designed by White that same year. The wrought iron gates of the Lodge that are prominently featured in my photos were also designed by White, but were actually crafted by the prolific and renowned ironsmith Christopher Werner. Werner is perhaps best known for his "Sword Gates" on Legare Street.

"Randolph Hall"
All six Roman Ionic columns of the colossal central portico can be seen in this head-on shot of Randolph Hall's façade. The red dome on the roof peaks through branches of huge Southern Live Oaks. The green shutters impeccably compliment the Pompeian red coloring of the aged Roman cement stucco.

Anyone who is familiar with Randolph Hall may notice something out of place. The stairs in the foreground are not permanent, but rather were a temporary installation used during filming of “The Patriot” starring Mel Gibson and Heath Ledger. I think it improves the aesthetics of the meager, narrow sidewalk that lies under this movie prop. As for historical authenticity, I have no qualms about including the prop in my photo, as Randolph Hall likewise did not exist during the American Revolution - the time period that "The Patriot" is set within. The filming of other productions has also featured beautiful Randolph Hall, including the television series "Army Wives" and the 2009 suspenseful thriller starring Kevin Costner, titled "The New Daughter".

"Randolph Hall Gate View"
The east side of Randolph Hall's columns and portico appears in the distance through an arched gate structure. The iron gate crafted by Christopher Werner opens up to a red brick pathway that leads to the Hall and Cistern Yard, as the fenced-in grounds are called. The Cistern Yard is beautifully landscaped with majestic Southern Live Oaks and Palmetto trees, while classic cast iron light posts provide embellishment. The overcast day compliments the mood, as the white clouds that peak through the branches are better suited for the neutral, muted tones of the overall scene than a blue sky would have been.

"College of Charleston Gate View"
I took this photograph from within Porter's Lodge looking out onto George Street. Christopher Werner's ironwork within the arch is the focus of the photo, with subtle architectural elements emerging from the dark shadows to further lead your eye toward the iron gate and to the trees beyond.

"Randolph Hall Columns & Shadows"
This photograph was captured one Saturday morning from upon the portico of Randolph Hall. The morning sun was low in the sky such as to cast long shadows of the massive columns. Symmetry, repetition, and shadows are some of my favorite things to capture in black & white, and there are many variations of all three present in this scene. The light-colored stone in the foreground breaks up that symmetry and repetition while at the same time complementing and adding interest to the overall picture.

"Randolph Hall Columns & Shutters"
One of the massive Roman Ionic columns of Randolph Hall's portico is prominently featured in this black & white photograph, along with huge multiple paned glass windows with correspondingly large multi-sectional wooden shutters. I love the weathered gray shades on the column, and the roughed-up fluting of the column adds interest. I wonder exactly how and when that fluting became roughed-up?

"Randolph Hall Iron Gate"
This black & white photograph featuring the façade and iron work of Porter's Lodge is one of my personal favorites in my entire portfolio. I really love the tonal range from white highlights to black shadows with all shades of gray in between. I also think it's really cool how the shadows of the vertical iron bars are equally spaced between the actual bars, creating the illusion that the shadows are bars, too. It's also cool how the highlights of the curved iron along the top of the gate appears to gradually fade into the black shadows.

Sources: www.MajesticExposures.com, www.1st100.com, www.absoluteastronomy.com, memory.loc.gov, www.robertwynn.com

Two Meeting Street | Charleston, SC

2009-08-01T07:00:00.000-07:00

Two Meeting Street is one of my favorite architectural works in historic Charleston, SC, or any other location for that matter. This present-day bed & breakfast was completed in 1892 in the Queen Anne style of architecture. Hemisphere Magazine provided a fitting description, referring to it as the jewel in the crown of Charleston's bed and breakfast hotels.

The most distinct architectural elements of this mansion include the two-level, arched wrap-around piazza and the round turrets with windows that are curved, topped by conical roofs. One of the round turrets extends out from the second floor and is supported by a beautiful circular corbel, which really compliments the arched piazza. The mansion is painted white, and it is also decorated by authentic Tiffany stained glass windows.

These beautiful features have led to it to be called the "Wedding Cake House". This nickname is quite appropriate, as this home was a wedding gift! According to tradition, a wealthy Charleston merchant celebrated his daughter's marriage in 1890 by providing a check for $75,000 which was then used by the newlyweds to build the home. If adjusted for inflation, the gift is the equivalent of about $1.8 Million today. A gift of that value is truly remarkable, especially in the post-war South. The Two Meeting Street Inn was first used as a guest house back in 1946, and it is still owned and operated by decedents of the original owners.

I have two photos of this architectural beauty in my portfolio. Above is "Meeting Street Porch", a black & white photo that frames the arched piazza with the branches of a huge Southern Live Oak along with an ornate wrought iron entry gate. The photograph was taken from along the South Battery side of the property using Kodak T-Max film. At right is "Meeting Street Snow", a color composition on film that again captures the arched piazza along with another wrought iron entry gate, this time from the Meeting Street side of the home. The presence of snow on the wrought iron and the landscape makes for a truly unique image, as snowfall in the subtropical climate of Charleston is quite rare. I am very fortunate to have been in the right place at the right time! If you like these photographs and would like to purchase a fine art print of one or both, you can visit my online store by simply clicking on either image. I believe both of these photographs artfully represent the grace and historical beauty of Two Meeting Street as well as Charleston, and I am happy to share them with you.

Inspiration in Las Vegas

2009-07-24T17:21:00.000-07:00

Sunrise over Las Vegas, June 2009
(click on the photo to enlarge)

One source of constant inspiration is watching the sunrise over the Las Vegas valley from my home every morning. The photo above isn't the best in terms of quality, but I think the colors are amazing and worth sharing. Living at a higher elevation provides an amazing view of nearly the entire valley, including the world famous Strip, aka Las Vegas Boulevard. Located just beyond the boundary of the Red Rock Canyon National Conservation Area, my neighborhood sits at about elevation 3300 feet above sea level while the average elevation of the Strip is around 2020 feet. The valley dips to a low of around 1500 feet on the other side of the Strip, as the entire valley drains into the lake at the center of the posh Lake Las Vegas neighborhood where many celebrities own homes, including Celine Dion. This lake feeds into Lake Mead, the lake created as the massive Hoover Dam holds back the waters of the mighty Colorado River.

Now after that brief geography lesson, I will talk more about the amazing view! Looking out over the valley when it is dark is truly magical. As there are few large trees in Las Vegas, the valley floor is lit up by millions of lights that are located along streets and on thousands of homes and businesses. As heat waves rise up from this portion of the sandy Mojave Desert, it transforms the illuminated valley into an ocean of shimmering glitter. Seeing this reminds me so much of watching the sunlight or moonlight shimmer over the waves of the Atlantic Ocean off of the coast of my former city, Charleston, South Carolina.

Of course, the major focal point of the view is the Strip. I have an unobstructed view of at least 12 miles of Las Vegas Boulevard, extending from the Fremont Street area (downtown) down to the South Point Hotel & Casino. The limits of the "official" strip of megaresorts extends from the Stratosphere Hotel & Casino down to the Mandalay Bay Hotel & Casino - a 4.5 mile stretch of the boulevard. Some of the newer hotel/casinos between those two anchors, such as the Encore and the Palazzo, are multi-Billion (billion with a B) developments. Another major development along the Strip that is well under construction is the CityCenter, which is an $11 Billion project being built on a 76-acres that will include several high rise hotels, condos, and casinos in the range of 37-61 stories. Modern sculptures and large public art installations created by world famous artists will also be part of the development at an estimated cost of $40 Million. The first two hotels of this development are scheduled to open by the end of the year, but the skyline is already being lit up a little by the signage that's on the top of those towers. The scale of modern architecture in Las Vegas is truly a source of inspiration.

One of the most remarkable features of the Strip is the light that emanates from the top of the Luxor, a pyramid-shaped hotel that was originally Egyptian theme. The hotel maintains only a little of that theme now, as it has been renovated into a more contemporary style. As for the light, this bright beacon aims straight up into outer space. It's made up of thirty-nine 7000 watt bulbs, and it can in fact be seen from space. The Luxor light along with the Stratosphere makes for easy navigation while driving around the valley at night, as the Stratosphere is at the north end of the Strip and the Luxor at the south end. My favorite aspect of the Luxor light is what happens when it is cloudy or foggy at night. As this massive beam aims straight up into the clouds or fog, the light disperses throughout all of the adjacent water particles within the clouds or fog to make the entire night sky glow! It is truly an amazing sight to see the night sky be so brightly lit.

It's very exciting to see the Strip all lit up, especially knowing that so much fun is being had down there. On any given night there are dozens of spectacular shows going on along with tons of live music, and of course the casinos are bustling with gamblers at the tables and slot machines. Then there's the luxurious pools and a hugely diverse nightlife scene. Tens of thousands of people from all over the world are gathered 24/7 in the hotels and casinos all along the Strip to have as much fun as possible during their vacations.

There are also countless talented performing artists living their dream in that small stretch of roadway. There aren't many cities in the world where there is such a dense concentration of shows that allow for performing artists to display their talent. Being a creative person myself, I am deeply inspired by the abundance of creative talent present in this city. I wish the visual arts had a larger presence in the Las Vegas community, but with entertainment being the focus of visitors and the hotels that cater to them, the visual arts do not get the funding or attention that it deserves. I am hopeful that the abundance of visual art that will be on display to the public at the new CityCenter will help fuel the visual arts scene in the years to come. Until then, I will continue to be a frequent patron of the phenomenal displays of performing arts continually offered in Las Vegas, gaining creative inspiration and motivation from each performance and every single performer.

Sunrise over Las Vegas, April 2009
(most of the major resorts or areas are labeled - click on the photo to enlarge)

Behind the Camera: "Yosemite Valley Cloudscape"

2009-07-17T16:31:00.000-07:00

This is one of my favorite photos that I've ever taken. I took this photo of the amazing Yosemite Valley in the summer of 2008.

Visiting Yosemite is probably on the 'bucket list' of countless photographers, as it was the home base of the legendary Ansel Adams. It was indeed quite an experience to see in person the beautiful peaks, valleys, and waterfalls that were captured by the skilled eyes and hands of Ansel. His portfolio of Yosemite photos is incredible, especially considering that most of his photos were taken with medium or large format cameras with manual settings. He didn't have the luxury or convenience of automatic digital photography. Ansel couldn't take dozens or even hundreds of images and sort through them later. He could take only two or three exposures of a scene, sometimes only one. Then he would take those negatives into the darkroom and develop them with pure mastery, and with no Photoshop assistance, of course.

Ansel has several famous photos from this same viewpoint within Yosemite National Park. This viewpoint is called "Tunnel View", as it is an overlook of the valley just before a 1.5 mile stretch of Wawona Road passes through a tunnel near Turtleback Dome and Bridalveil Fall. From this viewpoint, many of Yosemite's famous features can be seen. El Capitan is on the left, Half Dome near the center along with North Dome, and of course Bridalveil Fall.

My wife Danyell and I arrived at Tunnel View about an hour or so before sunset in order to find a good spot to take photos. I moved around to several areas before settling on this viewpoint. Danyell stationed herself on the rock wall just behind my tripod as we watched the sunlight get warmer and drape the valley in increasingly beautiful light. About 15 seconds before this exposure, I noticed a series of wispy clouds traveling through the sky, rather quickly from my right. I immediately adjusted my camera on the tripod such that I could frame the valley along with these unique clouds flying by. As soon as I got my camera adjusted, the clouds appeared in just the right spot as shown and I was able to snap this single exposure. And seconds later, the wispy, curvy cloud formations were gone. I knew immediately that I had captured something special and unique. It was a very Ansel-esque moment, where the light, the clouds, and the scenery all meshed together for one special moment, just for me and my camera. We stayed only a few minutes more because I knew that I wasn't going to be able to top that image.

Although I can remember those details as if it is yesterday, it may be surprising to some that thoughts of that special moment isn't the first thing that comes to mind when I see this photo. Actually, I think about how amazing and caring Danyell is. While I was loving every moment at Tunnel View, little did I know that Danyell was experiencing an excruciating headache after a long, draining day of hiking and sightseeing She didn't reveal how much pain she was in until I had packed up and we were on our way back to the lodge, and it wasn't pretty. It's remarkable that she was able to mask her pain for me as if nothing were wrong, such that I could concentrate on my camera and so I could take my sweet little time in photographing the sites that I had dreamed of visiting for many years. While I am not surprised by her kindness and selflessness, I am forever grateful that she allowed me the opportunity to capture this special one-of-a-kind, once-in-a-lifetime photograph.

Yosemite is enchanting, inspiring, and majestic. And there's simply nothing comparable to selfless love. That's what "Yosemite Valley Cloudscape" means to me.

International Publishing Deal

2009-07-14T20:34:00.000-07:00

I have just inked a licensing deal with an international art publishing company - Posters International. Two posters featuring six of my Charleston photos are being published, which will then be marketed to major art buyers. The bottom line is that these posters could show up in your local Target or Kohl's, or other stores that sell home decor like Bed, Bath, and Beyond or Pier 1. Hopefully this is just the beginning!
The posters have been titled "Through the Gate", I and II. I have my own versions of these posters available on my website, MajesticExposures.com.

Website Updates

2009-07-14T19:49:00.000-07:00

I have just updated my main website, MajesticExposures.com. I've added a new "Collages" gallery, and I revised a few of the other pages - Welcome, Buy, and Blog. My store has also been customized so that this blog, the store, and my main website all look similar.

I'm working through some technical issues in the latest Mac versions of Safari and Firefox, but it should work fine in all other browsers, including PC browsers such as Firefox and Internet Explorer. If you experience any problems while navigating my website, please let me know!

86 Market Arts - My Photos Are Being Sold in Downtown Charleston, SC

2009-07-04T14:06:00.000-07:00

A small selection of my photos are being offered for sale at 86 Market Arts in historic downtown Charleston, South Carolina!

86 Market Arts is a great gallery offering tons of amazing art prints and custom framing at affordable prices. I am so excited and proud to have some of my art featured. If you're in Charleston some time, please stop by 86 Market Arts to support the gallery - by buying a photo of mine, of course!

- Benjamin

86 Market Arts
86 N. Market Street
Charleston, SC 29401

Featured on RedBubble

2009-07-03T12:59:00.000-07:00

Several of my photos have been featured on RedBubble, an online community of artists similar to Flickr, but with a much higher level of aesthetics and professionalism overall. Groups that have featured my photos include National Parks of the World, Fountains and Water Features, Selective Coloring, Scenery, and Beautiful South Carolina. The photos below have been featured in 2008 and 2009.

Red Rock Canyon Contest Winner

2009-01-07T14:58:00.000-08:00

"Mount Wilson, No. 2" was awarded First Place in the 2008 Red Rock Canyon Photo Contest, in the Creative Nature category. The photo was on display at the Lloyd D. George Federal Building in downtown Las Vegas September through December 2008. The photo was then on display at the Red Rock Canyon Visitor Center. The photo was also published in an issue of the park’s newspaper, the Red Rock Keystone.

ArtsCrawler - My Cool Art Blog

2008-12-26T15:10:00.000-08:00

Websites that sell art and related products such as CafePress, Zazzle, Art.com and others are over-saturated, and my self-proclaimed job will be to crawl art sites for great art. My wife Danyell & I sell art and artistic products ourselves and have become a little jaded due to our quality work being buried amongst a ton of uninspiring "art". I hope you'll use Arts Crawler to discover great art that you'll want to decorate with & share with others.

If you come across art that you think deserves more attention and would like me to feature it on my blog, then please email me for consideration.

Check out the new blog at ArtsCrawler.com!

- Benjamin

My Photos Part of Law Firm's Web Design

2008-12-01T19:44:00.000-08:00

The web designer for a law firm in Charleston, South Carolina used several of my photos for the firm's website. Check it out...

Featured in Miami Travel Guide

2008-08-16T13:55:00.000-07:00

One of my South Beach photos is featured in the 5th edition of the Schmap on-line travel guide for Miami, Florida. I love South Beach with a passion!

Photographic Portrait of Charleston

2008-06-20T12:26:00.000-07:00

Three of my photos were published in a beautiful color photography book featuring Charleston, South Carolina and the Lowcountry, as that flat low-lying portion of South Carolina is called. The book’s name is “Charleston, South Carolina and the Lowcountry: A Photographic Portrait”. The book was published in June 2002 by Yourtown Books and Twin Lights Publishers.

Unfortunately, this book is out of print. However, used copies can be purchased from Amazon.com! It is important to note that the publisher released a new version of the Charleston book in 2008, but it does not feature my photography. Their photo books were previously compiled by conducting contests, but unfortunately, now each book features work by only one professional photographer.

Below are the three photos that appear in the book.

Top 10 in Bulk Sales!

2008-03-17T22:19:00.000-07:00

ArtistRising reports that two of my images were among the Top 10 in bulk sales in the first quarter of 2008 among all artists. Both images are from my Charleston in B&W collection, and they are shown below.

“Shadows & Stairs No. 2”

“Randolph Hall Columns & Shutters”

In the second quarter of 2008, I also received very good bulk sales on four other B&W images featuring Charleston, South Carolina.

Eye Candy

2007-12-01T22:16:00.000-08:00

I was a featured artist in this Imagekind newsletter in December 2007.

Las Vegas Contest Winner

2007-08-15T21:59:00.000-07:00

Three of my photos taken in Red Rock Canyon were honored in the 2007 Scenes of Summerlin Photo Competition held annually in Las Vegas. All wining photos from the competition were on display at the gallery within the Summerlin Library and Performing Arts Center thru November 2007. In addition, the photos were displayed at the Summerlin Art Festival (Sept 29-30).

“Mt. Wilson No. 1, Red Rock Canyon”

"Desert Moon"

“Rainbow Peak No. 1”

Featured Artist on Imagekind

2007-03-17T19:54:00.000-07:00

I was featured on the homepage of Imagekind in March of 2007.