I have had questions about ordering prints from my Landscape Photography book, “At Home in the Parks”. I use a separate site to order prints from my travels here is the link. https://joelgeistphoto.pixieset.com/athomeintheparks/
To order just click on the image you would like, on the top row there tabs above it. There is a shopping cart, click there and then it will open a menu to choose the size and type of print. This site uses a great quality pro lab, I thought a lot about the format and how I could simplify my process for people ordering. The image below is a visual aide so it is easier to explain.
The white space will be larger on 12×18 and larger prints as the mat overlap is 1/4 an inch each side on all mats and does not scale with the size of the image. My recommended frame and mat size is as follows; 8×12 matted to 12×18 frame, 12×18 matted to 16×24, and 16×24 would mat to 20×30. You may be able to just frame a 16×24 the border would be about an inch and a half on three sides and a little over 3/4 on the top. Note Panoramic images will have differing borders. Most places will offer dry mounting of the image and I do recommend it so the print doesn’t warp over time.
I put a lot of thought into the border spacing and I think this format gives it a nice finished look. I am not offering gallery wraps on these prints as the colors tend to shift slightly and they lose a bit of sharpness being printed on canvas along with the wrap crop makes them impossible to print exactly how I intended the image to look. How you frame a landscape photo is your choice but typically I like to use a black gallery style basic frame and white mat as it goes with nearly any decor.
If you have any questions feel free to email me through the contact tab on this site. My book is also available at the link below.
At Home in the Parks
Announcing my new direct print book from my journey. Also the first in-depth look at Death Valley photos.
click here for the link
I am so happy with the quality of the printing and shipping from Blurb direct print. I am very happy with my paper upgrade although it added significant cost, it allows the colors of my photos to show through amazingly vibrant with great detail. If you would like to order just click the link above to see the preview and order. I will be going in-depth on some of the images, their titles, and traveling tips when going to these places.
Also if you would like to purchase prints, I have a new format I think you will like. My ordering site cannot handle panoramic formats as of yet but I decided I wanted people to be able to mat the images without losing part of the image anyway so I made a border with the title and my name and year taken. So if you would like to buy prints from the book and some not in it, just click the link to go to the gallery and click on the image and then on the shopping cart.
“Waves of Change” To purchase prints click here https://joelgeistphoto.pixieset.com/athomeintheparks/
In the first in Depth Look We will be taking a look at the cover photo and Death Valley National Park. The image is titled “Waves of Change” as the dunes of Death Valley National Park are always changing. The clouds kind of cooperated but giving a muted contrast; I originally had intended for this image to be black and white but when processing I thought I color would give it the feeling of the welcome cooler temps with the cool blue color temperature in contrast the heat of the desert. The hard-line on the S curve of the dunes is what I saw from across the dune field. I actually had passed it and was off to the back right when I saw it. I walked back over my footsteps so my tracks would not be in the shot. In the dunes this often adds significant distances to my hike but that is how I did things before the digital age and that is how I continue to because it saves time and if feel better knowing I don’t have to spend an hour fixing footprints to make them natural. Footprints in the dunes can be fixed in Photoshop but I am photography purist and like to start with the cleanest image possible and I also do not do sky, sun, or moon placements it may add some sand trudging but its worth not losing some of the great textures that lay in the sand.
There was a ton of smog in the air from L.A. like a dark colorless haze, muting all colors, leaving only scorching heat and no visual interest in the skies which persisted for two days. I hiked the dunes in search of just using the lines in the dunes since the weather was not helping me much.
“Barren Allure” to purchase prints click here https://joelgeistphoto.pixieset.com/athomeintheparks/
“Barren Allure” was a golden hour photo, this happened to be evening. Golden hour is the hour before sunset or after sunrise in which the sun is not overhead but at an angle which gives it the warmer light from the sun being more filtered from the atmosphere and longer shadows. This is the beauty of Death Valley as a landscape photographer, even without clouds and a windy day you can capture photos that can be simple and yet the sand and textures can produce great photographs without much help.
“Zabriskie Point at Sunrise” to purchase prints click here https://joelgeistphoto.pixieset.com/athomeintheparks/
Zabriskie Point is an amazing feature of the park and sunrise can lift your spirit, seeing the golden rock faces glow in the soft morning light. Then the shadows become harsh and then the blistering heat right after it. This image did not make my cut into the book but I wanted to show some variety to the park.
I could spend all of my time at Death Valley in the dunes but there is so much to see elsewhere and in certain times of the year it transforms into a different place. There are many other places to explore in the valley such as Badwater, but it was only a mud pit this time of year, Devils Golf course which is an amazing feature of salt deposits and the Painters Palette which is full of color and a great drive through but I need to explore that area more for a great spot next time. There is one place I have wanted to go but I did not have the funds to get there which is the wondrous Racetrack, it requires a high clearance 4×4 or a guide and since I am driving my HHR it still eludes me.
I missed the super bloom this year but I would rather battle the heat than throngs of people who are attracted to the bloom. Beware of summer heat it is called Death Valley for a reason. These were taken in early May and temps were right around 100 each day.
The desert will dry you out quickly, I take a gallon of water when I go out two hours before sunset. I headed out planning on being out for about three hours. Temperatures were above 100 and I was carrying about 25 pounds of gear plus my water and set out into the dunes. Dehydration can sneak up on you quick and walking the dunes is very grueling. The beating sun and its rays reflected off the sand cause you to sweat more than you realize because the dry air evaporates it almost immediately. Being here twice before I am familiar with dangers of heat exhaustion but my trusty Barmah hat gives plenty of shade and I wear a long sleeve Heatgear shirt designed for hot weather and it is perfect for hiking in high temps it wicks away moisture and evaporates it quickly which cools you to a certain extent, and it also keeps the sun off of your skin.
If you have any questions about anything on travel here or any photos feel free to ask in the comments section below.
Bears Ears National Monument review
So there are two sides to every story and my stance on the monument review has not changed even though over the past week I have spoken to many conservative pro border shrink views. It may not affect a visitor experience to a certain extent as there is so much to see here. The shrinking borders will have deep ripples on the Native American and Science communities. Without protection many could sites be lost or damaged in the process.
This photo is a sign of what could happen if these sites are not protected as this photo was private land and the antiquities act was not signed at the time of the desecration. I do not have any examples of any that I have come across that were recently desecrated but it is not outrageous to think that many places will be marked on or just demolished due to commercial purposes and lost. Although some may say there may be better management of Bears Ears and Grand Staircase Escalante through it’s shrinking borders but that is highly subjective. The science community could be affected if areas are sold where there are many fossil records that are being uncovered in this wonderful and rare place.
This is a highly remote area with no services in most places, and any company would be nuts to think that the coal here is economically practical to mine and truck out; as there are no railroads close to ship the coal. That being said the coal market is dwindling with China and India recognizing solar as a more viable source of energy for the health of their public. The coal plant closest to the facility is going to be shut down in 2020 so local plant usage is out well. Many areas in Wyoming, North Dakota, and many other coal dependent state economies are cutting production due to a soft coal market. If they still wanted to continue mining in a way that is not going to disturb cultural remains or large fossils uncovered it would make the attempt a time intensive and kill any profits they would have due to shut downs in these instances. This land is not viable to mine for so many reasons yet that is the main reason given for the shrinking of Grand Staircase.
This land holds more beauty than one would think. Yes it is desolate but Highway 12 is one of the most beautiful and scary drives you will take in the US. The winding road goes over the ridges from Dixie National forest to Grand Staircase Escalante, (which will now be the Escalante unit). These photos were about two miles from Escalante River close to 12. 
The Bears Ears I visited last april and did not have much time in it but I did stay a day in the Valley of the Gods which is an amazing spot much like Monument Valley. I posted this first photo in a previous post not knowing that the Bears Ears border cut would include “Valley of the God’s”, but I had to repost as it a favorite of mine.
The winding washboard road going through the Valley of the God’s has these beautiful red buttes and spires along the way. It is a drive if you can get through the washes that I would highly recommend. MY Chevrolet HHR named Helen, handled it ok but do be careful and walk the washes to make sure they are safe first. I spent the night here and was moving out as soon as I saw the rain clouds above that came through as this rain could have stranded me for a day or longer. Always carry enough food and water when entering remote areas that have the possibility to strand you. This was a great experience and it is a shame this will not be part of the revised Bears Ears National Monument.
The red rocks here are great for color or black and white photography. The hiking here is fairly easy but highly rewarding. This area is thought to have Uranium and that is the push behind most of the Bears Ears reduction in size. Nuclear power is also on decline after the Japan incident. Since these plants need a lot of water they have to be built in an area where an accident would have severe consequences, the radiation levels in Pacific ocean life has increased significantly since the tsunami that caused the reactor breach. We also have enough nuclear weapons to destroy the world 40 times over so why do we need more of this ore that the mining produces hazardous waste and the use also produces the same.
No matter what side of this argument you are on, if you look at what is happening rationally as the area is not economically viable to mine the resources they are after. It is also are not in our best interests as a country. If they tell you that there will be an economic boom in the area they may be overselling this fact heavily. This push to allow the executive branch this sole power to appoint people in a committee to shrink parks and monuments go against the will of the people and however this case goes it could set precedent on many other state’s parks and monuments once the supreme court rules on the subject. So if they suddenly found some reason to shrink other parks for monetary reasons they could much easier than the process that is already in place. I do however believe in the day of wildfires and higher temperatures we should allow some brush clearing and felled log clearing by logging companies to minimize catastrophic fires that are unmanageable as long as it is done with the least amount of environmental impact in these large vast areas. If you liked this post and the photography on my National Parks Tour I would invite you check out my new book and buy on Blurb a direct printing service, to keep this great adventure rolling.
If you have Questions on the book or anything on this topic please feel free to comment below. If you want to donate to the Defense of Bears Ears National Monument fund go to this link https://act.nrdc.org/donate/monuments-appeal-171201?source=WBSNMOPET&_ga=2.5002679.521913668.1513101767-190537161.1513101767
National Monument review and why we need to speak out
My National Parks personal project is kind of a new aspect of my work, that has been on pause as of late, it has given me the time to reflect on my photographic adventure. Along the way I have visited places like John Muir rock in Kings Canyon, and the Snake River overlook where Ansel Adams took his great image The Tetons and the Snake river. I spent a day trying to find the best place to shoot a shot that looked as close as possible and then had to come back when the light was right two days later to get this shot.
These places stir a reverence to times when the National Park Service was in its infancy and many of the parks we now know and love were not even conceived then. The Parks establishment took the dedication of men like Muir, Adams who became park advocates and countless others such as John D Rockefeller who bought land and donated which became part of Grand Tetons. They spoke out and convinced the presidents and politicians that these lands were sacred and should be kept undisturbed.
After 4 months on the road 24 National parks and countless national forests and monuments I found each has their own story of people who fought long and hard to protect each one. In March during my journey I saw the news of the executive order from our 45th president in which it would allow the sale of National Forests, monument and even park lands to be determined by a congressional committee. So with one quick whip of the pen he put in to motion the unraveling years of work by conservationists, scientists from many fields, philanthropists and artists. These lands not only hold beauty and wonder but many are Native American sites that have been there for hundreds and some thousands of years. Why would we sell these lands? All I can answer is greed. The push for oil in our country now knows no bounds oil rigs surround the park I visit most often Theodore Roosevelt National park.
Now many would say wow what a great image but this image is disappointing to me, as the yellow light in the background is not northern lights, a sunrise or even close city lights. The lights are from oil flares in the distance. People wonder why darkness in a park is even necessary well like humans animals have biological clocks and this intrusive light affects their normal routine. Not only are the rigs flares having an impact but this photo in the south unit shows just how close the rigs are to the park in some places.
On a trip to Glacier I swung into Theodore and got some great photos (in a future post), I stopped along the road and walked in about 100 yards to get this shot of a rainbow which was rare this year as it was a big drought year. It was an ok shot but did not lend itself to any wide-angle composition as this rig and others would have been in the frame. I was so disappointed that just down and left of this beautiful scene was an oil rig.
The fence is the park boundary and the rig is basically right next to it with another on the hill in the background. Now I can only hope this company is operating under strict EPA rules however the watershed protections have also been drastically reduced so they can put things like this closer to our parks and rivers. Not good, and especially if you look at enlarged section of this photo.
That is standing water next to oil holding tank and rig, granted this was after a rain of about an inch but it makes me wonder how safe it is next to a national park? Murphy’s law of what can go wrong probably will. So this president wants to loosen restrictions on watersheds and rewrite boundaries for parks and monuments that were made for a reason by past presidents.
The review board set up by Donald Trump results have not yet been fully released Ryan Zinke the department of interior has said that Bears Ears National, Grand Escalante, and Cascade-Siskiyou all are going to be affected. It is not a coincidence that each of these monuments all have resources that companies want. Fates of other parks have yet to be determined.
This landscape photo was shot in Bears Ears which contains uranium an extremely toxic ore to mine with radioactive waste that needs to be contained, Cascade Siskiyou holds many trees the logging industry is after, and Grand Escalante contains rich coal reserves. This administrations erosion of environmental water shed policies, border review have shown that they are not in this for the American public. If the money gained from these resources actually would do any good like providing healthcare, education for our youth, paying down our national debt some would argue it is a fair trade. I however do not believe this to be true they are merely looking to line the pockets of big business; and rob the American public of lands that for historical or conservation reasons have been set aside to be protected from mining, drilling and logging. Regardless of who put them there they deserve to be preserved and protected for the wildlife as well as for people to visit. The reasons these parks are large is because they are large tracts of land with no services and they are adjacent to many national parks or monuments. They serve as safe avenue for animal migration, and keeping the areas next to parks undeveloped and wild. In the case of Bears Ears there are many Native petroglyphs and ruins throughout the area. We should not have to see oil rigs next to a boundary of a park or worry about the water not being safe due to mining and drilling in national park watersheds. Let us also not forget that many of these lands were originally Native American reservation lands given by treaties which were broken, so now the government wants to break an agreement with the American public.
We love our Public Lands for many reasons hiking, camping, photography and in some forests and grasslands hunting and fishing and they need to be protected for the uses they were intended. Pristine wilderness is something that takes decades to bounce back from logging and mining should never be sacrificed we are moving towards a greener society and before we get there fully lets not sacrifice the places we have left for a quick buck. Do not let your voice go unheard speak out to your state representatives!
Six month photographic journey into the National Park System.
For two months I have stared at a blank screen some how waiting for the words to miraculously appear from a journey which some would call a futile effort, yet others would say it was the time of my life, but for me I think it will be the first of many adventures that cannot be summarized in a mere blog post. The range of emotions ran the gamut from the calmness and serenity of the sun setting in the desert, to sheer and utter terror on a four mile hike out through Chiracahua Canyon in the dark seeing large close-set eyes following me.
As the country was being divided by the media, and a President who sought to unravel works of former administrations of protecting places for our enjoyment and the conservation of ecosystems that support diverse life. I was envisioning fulfillment a dream that had built in my soul since I saw the works of Ansel Adams the amazing photographer, and advocate for the National Parks.
There I was with my 40th birthday soon staring me in the face and little I had planned to carry out by 40 actually finished. Which I suppose is what most of the people feel when they hit 40 since most of their great things in life probably weren’t planned at all. I read Kerouac’s On The Road many years ago and it rang so true in certain parts. The excitement of the open road the dotted lines flying by, the T in the road with an arrow in either direction that you just ask yourself for the answer, or when it comes down to it a flip of the coin. So I started to set the plan in motion to rid myself of the chains I had wrapped myself in by society telling me I needed the newest things, a nice apartment, a great paying job, and a hefty savings to enjoy my life when I retire. As I begin to rid myself of things and wants or expectations of what my life should be, I found a greater understanding of what makes my life fulfilling to me.
So this is the first post of many about my travel, and the places I have seen, and hopefully my skills as a landscape photographer can get you some enjoyment and a feeling that our National Parks, National Monuments, and national forests/grasslands need to be protected. You may say wait a minute these places are Federally protected. Well there are many things that threaten these places as well as our environment in general. I ask you to join me here and to keep checking back as I post experiences and photos over the last 6 months. A journey through our great American shrines to the beauty that brought our immigrant ancestors to this land and shaped generations of conservationists, artists and scientists to ask questions and fight to save them. These are the places we think of when we try to explain the beauty of our country to others.
This is Oxbow Bend in the Grand Tetons National Park. When we visit serene places like this we can take in the view and gain perspective of trivial problems and hit the emotional reset button. In our lives we have been conditioned to distance ourselves from nature so we can be closer to Modern conveniences, cell coverage, shopping, restaurants, a comfortable bed and wifi. The understanding I have gained in my travels, that although these things are nice they distance us further from our natural place on this earth and the connection we have with it. This is the first to come of many so stay tuned you can follow me on twitter, fb, linked in just click link on top right.
High School Senior Photography for 2018 Grads
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I will be back in North Dakota for the summer after being away for twenty years. I can’t wait to starting shooting High School Senior Portraits here in North Dakota and the upper midwest. Growing up here I loved the the wide open landscapes that are sweeping and vast. I would love to travel to rural towns and simplify my clients lives by coming to them and make Great Senior photography available to many who live far from towns. My style of photography allows me to show up and scout for an hour or so and come up with amazing senior portraits in any location.
So if you love your small town, farm, or favorite spot I can make something happen anywhere. Sessions are $400 for a two hour session and sunset times fill in fast so schedule soon! There are some travel charges if more than 60 miles from Bismarck 58504 zip, 50 cents a mile over 60 miles, or if you have a friend or friends that would like to do theirs on the same day I will wave the travel fee. I provide you with a usb drive or dropbox sharing if you prefer, of your final edits and a release, Then you can get them printed where you want to.
So Contact me today! Please leave info where you want the shoot done and if you have any questions in the comment section.
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Facebook- https://www.facebook.com/JoelGeistPhoto/
Wedding day first look planning
As a wedding photographer, I want every one of my weddings to produce great images that everyone loves and will let them remember it forever. Your wedding does not have to be grand in size, venue or dollar amount to be special. Whatever your wedding budget is there is a goal that all couples seem to have, and sometimes overlook the one that should be the most important. For you to have a great time spending your wedding day together!
I have found those who choose to have a first look before their ceremony or are willing to put a solid block of time between the ceremony and reception for a staged one seem to get a lot out of it. I try to set up at least fifteen or twenty minutes to photograph a first look and some of bride and groom formals. In the last wedding I shot it paid off with great results. Morgan and Mitch had a great country wedding and they set aside a good block of time for a first look in which they had a special spot picked out. There was a clearing with some old trucks parked in the backwoods where they would sneak out to meet each other in high school. So we got Morgan ready and had Mitch meet her where they had so many times before, it was a great spot because it had meaning and will remind of that forever, as a bonus it fit right in to their country theme.
After this short session, they had time to chat and relax together, while I shot what was going on. They had no trouble feeling relaxed in front the camera for the rest of the day. So when you are planning your wedding day don’t think of first look as just time for photographs think of it as part of your day to be enjoyed and a way to feel at ease in front of the camera. And if you are close to some place special between you two, feel free to tell me and if time permits I am always open to suggestions. Just make sure you can add in the time to make it happen, most photographers should be happy to assist with any photo related scheduling questions well in advance of your wedding day.
If your interested in having me photograph your wedding I do have some 2015 dates still available click this link http://www.joelgeistphoto.com/contact/
Feel free tell me about your first look stories in the comments section. (you can click “comments” on the top the article if you are in the blog roll instead of post page.)
Beautiful Country wedding in Mercer, North Dakota with Morgan + Mitch
I traveled to Mercer, North Dakota for a wedding two weeks ago. It was a such a pleasure to photograph a great couple. This country wedding was blessed with great weather, a setting that was very special to them, and a lot of friends and family who helped make this day so very special. Morgan + Mitch were high school sweethearts and the backyard where I photographed their first look was the same place where they used to sneak out and meet each other years ago. Here are some highlights from this great country wedding filled with good times.
Congratulations! I wish the best for Morgan + Mitch and I was honored to share in this special day to remembered!
Feel free to leave comments below, tell me what you think.
Senior Photography Portrait Session
So it is time for Seniors of the class of 2014 to head into their final year of high school. I have a lot of fun photographing senior portraits. I photograph them on location to fit a seniors personality, because no two are exactly alike. Their senior photos should not be either.
I had the opportunity to shoot a session with Drake from Milford Massachusetts before my upcoming move to Baltimore Maryland. Drake is involved with wrestling, track, student council and is looking at architecture as his major. It was a great shoot and I was very pleased with his portraits. I had their proofing session and was very pleased that Drake and his family had a tough time choosing.
My thanks to Drake a really a great young man, best of luck in all you do!
Massachusetts FoamFest 2013
Every once in a while it is very refreshing to photograph a really fun event where people don’t take themselves very seriously and are just out to have some fun. I was contacted to help shoot this event as a sports photographer but it turned out that the photo booth got backed up and I ended up shooting groups for much of the two days.
It was a weekend about having fun groups of friends and families descended on Haverhill, Massachusetts at Kimball Farms where they set up a fun 5k and obstacle course. I was stationed at the finish line and had to pop back and forth photographing team and family groups. It was a long day but it was great having people, not worried about how they look in the photo and nearly all of them had fun poses that showed they had a great day. The finish line turned into a mud pit late in the day and many ended the 5k race with a foamy mud bath.
Here is a slice of last weekend at the New England Foam Fest.
