fall | kritterspix

Mind the Shade

Posted on October 21, 2018 by kritterspaw

There are so many things to remember when trying to make a good photograph. I recently talked about Keep It Clean, and reducing clutter in a photo. Another important consideration is Shade and Light.

In the photo above, it’s easy to see the large disparity between exposures – intense shade and shadows in the water, and blown highlights in the sky and trees. To make the photo successful, I could have done an HDR to take multiple photos with the proper exposure for each separate condition (Shadow & Highlights), and them merged them later.

Or, using the light that I had, I could cut out the blown highlights in camera, and turned my attention to where the light was more even and exposed for the shadows just by looking down. Cutting out the highlights yielded a more interesting and focused composition.

Remember… mind the Shade & Light, when composing that pic.

Keep it Clean

Posted on October 20, 2018October 20, 2018 by kritterspaw

Fall colors had me ga-ga like a little kid with a new toy, wandering around snapping shots of all the beauty everywhere I looked. But when I got home and looked at my photos, I got a lot of ‘scraggle’, like that below.

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While I tried to be aware of all my photography rules: Simplify, Simplify, Simplify, I pulled out contrasting yellow leaf color against dark trunks and green backgrounds. But what I got was ‘scraggle’… busy, busy, busy. Somehow when running around snapping the photos I didn’t see the little twigs that added clutter and distraction.

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Instead, I should have been keeping it CLEAN, by pulling out singular subjects and isolating them for a more interesting and uncluttered shot.

The shots I took that CUT THE CLUTTER, took the prize and won my favor and the viewer’s eye.

First Snow

Posted on October 20, 2018October 20, 2018 by kritterspaw

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We had already scheduled a trip to check out how fall colors were coming along when we got 6″ of fresh heavy snow. The cold snap helped the colors along, bringing out brilliant reds in the maples, and golden yellows among the oaks.

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The ground was covered with a blanket of fallen color on the fresh white snow. It was a thing of beauty to walk among nature and all her glory.

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We even found these fresh bear tracks leading through the forest, who surely must have been enjoying the cool weather and the awesome environment we were witnessing.

For more Fall Color photos check out my blog here… https://kritterspaw.com/2018/10/20/snowfall/

Grand Canyon North Rim, Point Sublime

Posted on October 5, 2018October 5, 2018 by kritterspaw

While at the Grand Canyon North Rim, we decided to take in Point Sublime, another overlook we had never been to. The map shows it’s only 17 miles… so we figured it would take maybe an hour to get there. NOT!!

We stopped at the Backcountry Office to get our Permit to camp there. The Ranger told us that we should take the long way for our truck, instead of the shortcut for short wheel base Jeeps. We had no idea the trek would take almost 4 hours.

The dirt road is not well marked, and the rough map is difficult to follow. The drive along the way is lined with aspens and a gorgeous drive.

The turn at Kanabownits was basically the last sign we saw. We turned around once, but decided to stick it out. The road along the way was worth the drive… we were anxious to see the overlook.

At the end of the long drive we were rewarded with a stunning vantage point. We set up our camp as we took in the views we had all to ourselves.

Photos just don’t do it justice. It was worth the price of admission (free!).

Grand Canyon Aspen Fall

Posted on October 5, 2018 by kritterspaw

The first signs of fall are in… starting at highest elevation and dropping to lower elevations, it’s beginning to look like Fall Colors.

We were at Grand Canyon North Rim this past week, and the Aspens are in full Yellows. Love the golden hue against the deep greens of their neighboring Firs and Ponderosas.

The colors were made more beautiful by the ferns that adorned the ground in varying shades of green and brown.

Nature is at her most beautiful and happiest as she smiles upon us all with full color. Gotta love it.

Lockett Meadow Aspen Yellow

Posted on October 12, 2017October 12, 2017 by kritterspaw

Lockett Mdw_IR.jpg There’s a chill in the air, you know what that means. Snow is on the way, and fall is in the air. It’s been a busy time around here, but we are trying to get out to check out the fall colors. I posted our first glimpse here… https://kritterspaw.com/2017/09/29/first-fall/

In an effort to diversify our fall outings, we planned a picnic to Lockett Meadow to check out the aspen color. Lockett Meadow, just outside of Flagstaff, is known for it’s fields of yellow aspen… and it didn’t disappoint.

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The woods were ‘aflame’ with yellow, bursting with brilliant yellows against aspens’s signature white truck. It made a delightful setting for our enjoyable and relaxing day out. Even Journey enjoyed it.

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With the winds we are experiencing, I don’t expect the leaves to last long. The roads are alive with leaves scattering and blowing across our path as we walk among nature’s beauty. Catch it while you can, and enjoy it while it lasts.

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First Fall

Posted on September 27, 2016September 27, 2016 by kritterspaw

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Living in the woods, I would be hard pressed to pick a favorite season, as we have all 4 of them. They all have their own beauty. Having said that, I do love Fall. As a photographer, Fall provides such photographic possibilities. While it is a grand subject, made busy by the very trees and leaves that make it beautiful. The trick is to separate out the color from the busyness, while maintaining the intent.

Our Fall has only just begun, but it is coming fast. The temps are dropping, as are the leaves. So these are the first Fall photos of the year, but there promise to be more…. and I can’t wait for the challenge and the beauty that comes with it.

Fossil Creek

Posted on November 30, 2015November 30, 2015 by kritterspaw

While our fall with all it’s colorful glory, has come and gone… at lower elevations such as Camp Verde & Cottonwood, fall is in full color.

Just off SR260 along FR708, a LONG washboardy dirt road, is Fossil Creek. The distinctive yellowy orange cottonwood leaves are falling everywhere.

I never tire of the abundant aqua waters cascading over endless rocks and fall trees, making for a sublime serenity.

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We sat and had lunch and watched the water go by. What better way to relax and spend the day.

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Snow Trees

Posted on November 13, 2015 by kritterspaw

The Forest Service seems to close the roads the minute we get snow… and keep them closed until Spring. So we jumped into action immediately after our first snow storm, and went directly to the Mogollon Rim to see if we could capture the Rim in snow. Unfortunately, the fog rolled in, and the view over the rim was a complete whiteout. Check out my First Snow pix on kritterspaw.com.

What do they say… one closed door leads to another open door. In my case fog lead to some very cool Snow Trees with the last remnants of fall color on pristine snow in an eery fog. It reminded my of an enchanted forest.

Fall Colors

Posted on October 22, 2015 by kritterspaw

We were quite anxious to go out and get Fall Color photos this year… but we have been so consumed by our projects that it nearly passed us by. We had friends come up from U.K., and they gave us the excuse and opportunity to make the journey to the rim to enjoy Fall and it’s gorgeous bounty.

Actually, the leaves were nearly gone. I think they snapped into color just as we got that big cold front and wind that moved through… then brushed them right off the trees onto the ground and against trees making for interesting juxtaposition.

Every year brings something new. Now that we live somewhere with 4 seasons we can take full advantage of it and enjoy all it has to offer.