Rachid Dahnoun Photography

Photographing in June in Yosemite National Park

2010-06-16T18:44:00.000-07:00

A beautiful afternoon at the Valley View pullout

Winter sure did stick around for quite a while but warm weather is finally here. As soon as the temperatures started to get hotter I decided it would be a great time to head down to Yosemite National Park to photograph. I was especially excited because I knew that all of the waterfalls were going to be at their peak flow. If you've never been to Yosemite to watch the waterfalls in the spring you should put it on your itinerary. It is a true demonstration of nature's power and a sight that everyone should see once in their life.

First light on Upper Yosemite Falls

Waterfalls weren't the only thing to photograph. The photography opportunities in the valley are absolutely endless. The light changes almost every minute and you could literally spend a lifetime chasing it, and some people do. There have been so many occasions when I have been walking back to my car thinking that I'm done shooting a location and find myself scrambling to get my gear set up again to capture the ever changing light. It always keeps me on my toes.

Half Dome at sunset

In Yosemite each season really has it's own character. I can't wait to head back in the fall to photograph all the colors.

10 Tips for Getting that Extraordinary Shot

2010-06-05T10:20:00.000-07:00

Go out when the light is interesting. Sunrise, Sunset, “the Golden Hour,” Storms, Misty Days, ect…

Remember that light makes your picture. If you start to think about photographing light versus the subject you will probably surprise yourself.

If you can, always have a tripod and shutter release cable with you. You never know.

Pick subjects that are interesting and that get you excited. If you aren’t excited, then your pictures probably won’t be exciting either.

If you are going to shoot something that is photographed a lot (monuments, tourist attractions, sunsets, ect…) think about a way that would make the shot different from everyone else’s. Use an ultra wide angle lens, go when the light is especially interesting, take the shot from a unique angle, experiment and have fun.

"Last Light" - taken in Baja, CA

Shoot a lot of pictures. The great thing about digital is that you never run out of film. Shoot, shoot, shoot and edit later. I probably have one shot that I really love for every fifty I take. Get the picture?

Preview your images if you are unsure about exposure or composition. Be aware though, this will burn your battery faster than normal, so if you're on the tail end of your battery life, don’t hit that preview button.

If you aren’t sure about the right exposure, BRACKET!!!! The camera is smart, but you are smarter.

Remember that taking the picture is only half the battle. Making a nice print is something completely different. Make sure you have a program that you feel comfortable using to get the most out of every picture you take. Look at a digital file as a negative. Many times cameras do a great job of getting a good shot, but it’s in your digital darkroom where extra fine tuning can be done, to make a great picture outstanding.

BACK UP ALL YOUR FILES!!!!!!!!!!! If your computer crashes or gets a virus you may loose everything. I highly recommend owning an external hard drive with duplicates of all your work. Can you imagine loosing every picture that you have ever shot?

"Dry Creek Sunrise" - taken in the Dry Creek Wine Country, CA

Photographing in La Jolla, California

2010-06-01T18:50:00.000-07:00

Last week I headed down to Southern California to relax, surf and photograph for a week. The weather was all over the place. I had a hard time catching a window of really good light until, finally, I was rewarded with a 5 minute window one evening in La Jolla.

"Sunset at the Cove"

A few hours before sunset I was wandering around on the coast scouting a possible location for a good shot. The skies were completely overcast and I wasn't holding my breath for any sort of dramatic lighting. About 30 minutes before sunset the clouds started to break up with the sun popping out in small increments. I scrambled to get my gear out and headed for a location I looked at earlier. When I arrived I knew my opportunity for a good photograph was very limited -- the sun was almost about to dip below the horizon.

The lighting was very dramatic and it required me use a 3 stop and a 1 stop Graduated Neutral Density (GND) filter to account for the full dynamic range of the scene. I also switched to my wide angle lens and used a vertical format so I could capture the beautiful purple flowers in the foreground. Lastly I stopped my lens down to f 22 to create the star burst effect on the sun. After taking 10 photographs the light was gone and that was it.

With patience and a little luck I was able to come away with an image that I am very happy with.

Mountain Biking on Gooseberry Mesa in Utah

2010-05-17T13:58:00.000-07:00

With the winter season coming to a close in Lake Tahoe some friends and I decided it was high time to get the mountain bikes out. With snow still in the forecast in May, the biking in Lake Tahoe wouldn't be ready until sometime in June. That meant only one thing - it was time to load up the cars and head for Utah!

After hearing a lot of great things about the mountain biking on Gooseberry Mesa, we decided that would be our destination. With the car already packed, my friend Sean got off work at 11pm and we started the overnight drive through the Nevada desert. After multiple cups of coffee, several delirious 4am conversations and 11 hours later we pulled into camp. Sean and I set up camp and slept for the better part of the day - not too late though, since we had to fit in an afternoon ride.

"Wesley King takes a break at sunset on Gooseberry Mesa"

"Dan Keenan rides on Gooseberry Mesa with Zion National Park in the background"

Once we awoke we got the bikes unloaded and headed out to see what all the hype was about. Within 10 minutes I could see exactly why we had heard so many good things about the biking on the mesa - IT WAS EPIC! Extremely technical slickrock combined with a mix of singletrack provided some of the most fun I've had on a bike in awhile. The unobstructed view of Zion National Park in the background wasn't too shabby either.

Over the next couple days we really gave the place a going over. It took a little bit to settle into the kind of technical riding style that Gooseberry demands. It is completely different from any type of riding that I have ever done. In Lake Tahoe you become accustomed to long climbs with fast moderately technical descents. Because of it's extreme technical nature, Gooseberry riding is much slower and precise. Fast short sprints up very steep sections of slick rock, mixed with tight corners and sharp turns keep you on your game 100% of the time.

"Sean Cronin mountain bikes on the very skinny terminus of the North Rim Trail. There is a 300ft drop on either side of him"

One of my favorite parts about riding on Gooseberry Mesa has to be the camping. Because the mesa is on BLM (Bureau of Land Management) land the camping restrictions are very loose. You can pretty much camp wherever you want and it is all free of charge. It is important though that you bring enough supplies with you. There is no running water or much else in the way of home comforts on the mesa. The only facility in the immediate area is a lone toilet that is, sometimes, stocked with toilet paper.

The biggest benefit to camping on the mesa is that all of the rides are accessible from camp. You can simply crawl out of your tent, make breakfast and get on your bike and ride. There is no need to drive anywhere. Within minutes of riding on one of the several double track roads you can be at the entrance to all of the trails.

"The view of Zion National Park from camp"

"Corey and Sean relax by the fire"

"The night sky from camp, note the shooting star"

After about four days we had ridden every trail on the mesa, in both directions. We decided to go check out some of the other trails in the area. We did a 15 mile loop on Little Creek Mesa (about a 20 minute drive from Gooseberry), and car shuttled the Jem trail (also about a 20 minute drive).

"Dan gets some air on the downhill section of the Jem trail"

"Heading back after the ride on Little Creek Mesa"

Even though there was a lot of good riding off the mesa, the accessibility of the trails from camp won us over for the rest of the trip. We continued to link up different sections of trails and come up with creative and cool lines all over the mesa. Trails like God's Skateboard Park provided entire afternoons of entertainment.

The possibilities on the mesa are endless and the trails are still definitely in the baby stages of development. The appeal for a strong intermediate rider will be the ability to ride a lot of the terrain and simply have to walk sections one is not comfortable with. On the other end of the spectrum Gooseberry has terrain for the most advanced rider with stunt possibilities that range all the way up to the extreme. It all depends on how creative you want to get. Our favorite trails included: God's Skateboard Park, South Rim Trail and Hidden Canyon.

"Corey finishing a climb on the South Rim Trail"

"Corey sprinting up one of the many short technical climbs on the South Rim Trail"

"Dan riding on a small ledge in God's Skateboard Park"

"Corey on the South Rim Trail"

"The merry go round section of the Hidden Canyon Trail"

"Sean climbing some slick rock in God's Skateboard Park"

The likely choice for many people heading to Utah for a mountain bike trip would be Moab. Even though the riding at Gooseberry isn't as extensive as Moab, the mesa offers up some of the best slickrock and singletrack riding in the lower 48, with virtually no crowds. So my advice to you would be to load up the bikes and get out there before everyone else figures out what they've been missing.

"Sunset on Gooseberry Mesa"

Kirkwood Mountain Resort - THE Best Day of the Season - Light Dry Blower Snow and Photographing with the RSN Film Crew

2010-04-01T13:40:00.000-07:00

Yesterday, March 31st, was probably the best day of the season at Kirkwood Mountain Resort. Mother Nature graced us with almost 3 feet of light, dry snow that we don't typically get here in the Sierra Nevada. I woke up at 5am to make sure I had enough time to get my gear ready and dig the car out. It wasn't hard to motivate since I was headed out to Kirkwood for what I already knew was going to be an epic day. Even further motivation was provided by the fact that I was going to be able to head up with the RSN (Resort Sports Network) film crew an hour before the lifts were open to the public and photograph all of the RSN athletes!

Many people would claim that this kind of light dry snow only falls in Utah or Colorado - Craig Garbiel takes a face shot for the critics!

When I moved out from the east coast 8 years ago I was only planning on staying in Lake Tahoe for a winter. It was Kirkwood, specifically, that changed all that. Days like yesterday are the reason I will continue to make my home here, most likely, for the rest of my life. The photo above says it all.

It looks like we're not done yet either. We've got storms lined up for next week, and after that I'll be headed down to Tioga Pass with a group of great friends to photograph some classic Eastern Sierra big mountain lines. Stay tuned!

Photographing the Kirkwood Powder Cat for Kirkwood Mountain Resort and Expedition Kirkwood

2010-03-27T11:27:00.000-07:00

Last week I was contacted by Kirkwood Mountain Resort for what turned out to be my best assignment all winter - photographing the Kirkwood Powder Cat and the terrain it accesses. With perfect snow and blue skies I couldn't have asked for a better day. I'd like to give a big thanks to Jon Copeland and his staff for organizing the shoot! As we loaded into the snowcat for the first run everyone was completely stoked! The scenery around Kirkwood is second to none. The snowcat took us all the way up to Martin Point for our first run. The views of the Kirkwood Valley and the Sierra Nevada were absolutely breathtaking. Below, Jon Copeland unloads the gear. As I dropped in to set up the first shot I was greeted with over 2 feet of fresh powder. Here is my friend Alex ripping a turn in my first action shot of the day. It only got better from there. Skiing for the camera isn't easy but a seasoned veteran like Jon Copeland makes it look effortless. It took me a few minutes to set up this shot. I explained to Jon exactly where I needed him to make a turn and throw up some spray. He followed through, no problem. It turned out to be my favorite shot of the day. Photographing skiing and snowboarding is tough. It takes a combination of great skiers and snowboarders, great weather, good equipment and of course, a capable photographer. It's all about waiting for that perfect day with perfect light. They don't come around often so you have to watch the weather and have a crew ready to go at a moments notice. I love every minute of it. When you come back with great shots it's always worth the effort. Thanks again to Jon Copeland, his awesome staff, and Kirkwood Mountain Resort for making this shoot possible.

Skiing and Snowboarding Emerald Chute Overlooking Emerald Bay in Lake Tahoe, CA

2010-02-06T11:32:00.000-08:00

What an EPIC day! Great weather and even better snow prompted my friend Sean Cronin and I to go ski and snowboard a line we both had been looking at for sometime, Emerald Chute above Emerald Bay. Because of the south facing aspect of the chute it was important we descend it in the early morning before the avalanche danger became too high. It took us about an hour and a half to gain the ridge from the road and about another 45 minutes to negotiate the top of the ridge to the entrance of the chute. The views from the top of the chute are absolutely unreal. It feels like you could just dive right into Emerald Bay. After we were back at the car, all Sean and I could talk about was how privileged we are to call such an amazing place home.

"Sean Cronin skis Emerald Chute with Emerald Bay and Lake Tahoe in the background"

Skiing and Snowboarding The Cross on Mt. Tallac in Lake Tahoe, CA

2010-01-29T22:51:00.000-08:00

Mt. Tallac is simply one of the best backcountry peaks in Lake Tahoe, not to mention the Sierra Nevada. Yesterday I had the pleasure of riding/skiing with some good friends and descending down "The Cross," one of the steepest and most coveted lines on the mountain. We couldn't have asked for a better day. Mild temps, great snow and not a stitch of wind on the peak. I'm sure it won't be the last time I trek up to the summit this season.

"Sean Cronin skins up the North Bowl of Mt. Tallac"

Once on the summit we took a quick lunch break and descended about 100 ft to the entrance of The Cross. There was a pretty large cornice built up over the drop in. It took us about 20 minutes to break part of it away so we could enter safely. It was all fun from there.

"Corey Welsh drops into The Cross on Mt. Tallac with Lake Tahoe in the background"

"Cat Keenan smiles after her line through the Elevator Shaft in The Cross on Mt. Tallac"

The entire day was spectacular. Deep powder snow, a great line and good friends. Who could ask for more?

The Great American Southwest - Death Valley, The Grand Canyon, Lower Antelope Canyon, Monument Valley and Zion National Park

2009-11-29T16:49:00.000-08:00

I was finally packed and ready to go. My trip to the American Southwest was becoming a reality at last. As I pulled away from my home in Lake Tahoe, I knew I was going to see and photograph some of the most iconic places in the world. On my trip I would have the pleasure of visiting Death Valley, The Grand Canyon, Antelope Canyon, Monument Valley and Zion National Park. And what a trip it was.... The American Southwest is like no other place on earth. The landscape is awe-inspiring and sometimes surreal. There is such a diverse amount of terrain located in a relatively small area that it provides for endless photographic enjoyment. My first stop was Death Valley. I didn't have much time in Death Valley but the sunrise at Zabriskie Point was not to be missed.

"Zabriskie Point Sunrise"

From there I continued east through Las Vegas, across the Hoover Dam and onto Grand Canyon National Park where I arrived just in time for some great afternoon light and a wonderful sunset.

"Grand Canyon"

The real treat in Grand Canyon National Park was the Big Horn Sheep that I came across. Not two minutes after being out of the car and walking along the rim of the canyon I ran across this amazing creature. He posed for several minutes along the edge of the Grand Canyon and then went on about his business. I couldn't believe I walked into such an amazing opportunity. Sometimes you go looking for great photographs and sometimes, by dumb luck, they find you.

"Grand Canyon Big Horn"

After darkness took over I headed for Page, Arizona and made camp. I awoke early and grabbed some breakfast in town. Eager to start photographing, I headed east out of town towards Lower Antelope Canyon. I chose Lower Antelope vs. Upper Antelope because it seemed to me that less people went into Lower Antelope. Instead of having to book a tour and get on a bus in town (Upper Antelope), I was able to drive up to the entrance to Lower Antelope Canyon, pay my fee, and go exploring.

"The Bird"

Lower Antelope Canyon is one of the most serene, peaceful and enjoyable places that I have ever had the pleasure of being in, let alone photographing.

"Sand Wave"

"The Womb"

Lower Antelope Canyon is much narrower than Upper Antelope Canyon. I found myself contorting my body in all sorts of various positions to get the angles that I wanted.

"Hot and Cold"

As an added treat I was able to photograph several beams of light penetrating from the canyon's roof. I heard this was only possible in the summer months. Going to the canyon in October I had written off the prospect of photographing the famous light beams. Turns out, for just a few seconds, I was able to capture a couple beautiful displays of light. They only occurred for about ten seconds apiece, but it was more than enough time to get a good shot.

"Piercing Light"

"Canyon Light"

The next day I made my way out to Monument Valley. Whenever anyone thinks of the American Southwest they probably have a vision of Monument Valley in their head, whether they have been there or not. The Mitten formations in the valley are some of the most iconic formations in the world.

"Monument Valley Sunrise"

I arrived to the valley in the afternoon and took a lot of shots. Some were ok but the real treat was the sunrise the next morning.

"Monument Valley Silhouettes"

"The Mittens"

It was on to the last and final stop of the trip, Zion National Park. The easiest way to describe Zion is that it's like a sandstone Yosemite, at least at first glance. When I pulled into the valley I was surprised to find that the fall colors were still in full swing.

"Zion"

After taking a drive around the park I headed over to the ranger station to get my permit for the next day's hike, The Subway.

"The Subway"

The Subway is one of the most unusual canyons in the Southwest. The approach isn't easy but it's well worth it. Once you reach The Subway, and yes it does really resemble a subway, you will most likely stand there and recap in your mind the millions of years it took to form such an amazing canyon.

"Dark Pools"

"Autumn Flow"

"Serenity Falls"

After leaving Zion I headed back across the Nevada desert on Hwy 50, The Loneliest Road in America, to finish up some shots for a project I'm working on for Nevada Magazine............but that's for another post.

Photographing the Eastern Sierra and Yosemite National Park

2009-10-22T11:05:00.001-07:00

Last week I had the opportunity to take a quick two day trip down to the Eastern Sierra and then up and over Tioga Pass to Yosemite National Park. The fall colors in the Eastern Sierra were unbelievable. I spent most of my afternoon shooting around the June Lake Loop area.

"June Lake Loop"

"Silver Lake"

For the late afternoon and sunset I made my way over to Mono Lake to photograph the amazing tufa formations that grace the area.

"Mono Lake Tufas"

After camping that evening at the base of Tioga Pass, I woke up early (4:00am) and drove into Yosemite National Park to photograph the sunrise over El Capitan and the Merced River. As much as Yosemite has been photographed over the years, it's easy to see why. Everywhere you look in the valley is one amazing shot after another. As the sun made it's way higher in the sky, I took a break and grabbed some breakfast.

"Reflections of El Cap"

"Cathedral Spires"

"El Cap" "Yosemite Falls"

I spent the rest of the day hiking on the Mist Trail. The waterfalls (Vernal and Nevada Falls) were really cranking from all the recent rain and snow. As I reached the top of the Mist Trail I realized that it was only noon. "Why not continue up to the top of Half Dome?," I thought. So I did. I still had a lot of hiking to do, so I put my camera away and headed for the top. The view did not disappoint. I must say it was probably one of the best hikes I've ever been on.

"Vernal Falls"

First Winter Storm in Lake Tahoe

2009-10-06T17:15:00.000-07:00

Just like clockwork the weather at my home in Lake Tahoe is changing. It is just early October and we have already had our first snowfall. The aspens haven't even really begun to turn yet. The sudden change in weather and new snow made for some amazing photographic opportunities. I headed out to Bonsai Rock on Lake Tahoe's east shore to photograph the storm coming in. It was an unbelievable display of color and light. I shot at Bonsai Rock until the storm was right over my head. For the rest of the afternoon, I headed back to the south shore of the lake to photograph Mt. Tallac. The light snow coverage really brings out the grandeur of the mountain, revealing all the subtle details of the terrain. I went home that night knowing I had captured something great. What a good feeling!

"Storm"

"Kiva Meadow"

"First Snow on Mt. Tallac"

Sauvignon Blanc harvest for Sbragia Family Vineyards

2009-09-25T14:23:00.000-07:00

I just returned from the Dry Creek wine country where I went down to photograph the Sauvignon Blanc harvest for Sbragia Family Vineyards as well as a family portrait for them. I was also lucky enough to wake up to an amazing sunrise that I photographed on my way to the shoot. It is an amazing time to be in wine country right now. Harvest is in full swing and if you're lucky you will have the opportunity to see the grapes being crushed right before your eyes. Watching and photographing the Sauvignon Blanc harvest has to be one of the funnest things I've photographed in awhile. Fifty or more workers were literally running through the fields to get the grapes harvested as fast as possible so that they would arrive in good condition to the winery to be crushed. All in all, it was a great morning.

"Sunrise in Dry Creek Wine Country"

"Barn in Dry Creek"

Harvesting Sauvignon Blanc in Dry Creek Wine Country for Sbragia Family Vineyards.

The Sbragia family. Photographed on their Old Vine Zinfandel vineyard in Dry Creek just outside of Healdsburg, CA.

Bodie, CA - A real live California Ghost Town!

2009-09-15T18:56:00.000-07:00

Yesterday my girlfriend Regina and I took a drive down Highway 395 along the Eastern Sierra Nevada to check out a place I've been wanting to photograph for sometime, Bodie, CA. Bodie is a ghost town located just south of Bridgeport, CA. It was a great way to spend the day. I will definitely have to go back to photograph this location again. All the old buildings, vehicles and equipment just letting time have its way with them in an unbelievable setting was a joy to photograph! Every photographer should visit this place.

"Cruising Through Time"

Does Expensive Gear Make You a Professional Photographer?

2009-09-14T11:44:00.000-07:00

I was just in an online forum where an aspiring photographer asked if having expensive gear makes you a professional photographer. Several photographers said absolutely while others had mixed opinions. It's an interesting topic of discussion so I thought I would put my response on my blog. My answer is as follows: Creativity and execution is what makes a great photographer. You do need a certain amount of "good" gear to get the job done but that isn't where it ends. Take a stroll into the gallery of the late Galen Rowell in Bishop, CA. Most of his images were taken with a 35mm film camera. Sure you can see the grain in a lot of photos but some of the images are so stunning so who cares (oh and they sell just fine too). Work with what you can afford and let your creative vision dictate the market for you. If you produce something new and interesting, chances are it will sell. With that said, the true definition of a "professional photographer" is someone who makes his/her living off of their work. With such a saturated image market these days you had better come up with something creative to set yourself apart from the crowd.

"Bonsai Rock, Lake Tahoe"

Mossbrae Falls, Dunsmuir, CA

2009-09-08T12:23:00.001-07:00

I finally had time to go through and process some photos I took at Mossbrae Falls up in Northern California about a month ago. The falls flow out of a hillside and are fed by a natural spring. Because of this, they flow year round. The atmosphere and location of the falls is absolutely unbelievable. Another wonderful thing about the waterfalls is that they aren't advertised. Many locals in the area know about the falls but you won't find directions to them in any tourist pamphlet.

"Mossbrae Falls" (1)

"Mossbrae Falls" (2)

"Mossbrae Falls" (3)

A Beautiful Afternoon and Sunset at Pyramid Lake, Nevada

2009-09-05T13:22:00.000-07:00

On my way to photograph a geothermal power plant in the Nevada desert for Nevada Magazine, I stopped by Pyramid Lake and was lucky enough to photograph some of the best afternoon light and one of the most beautiful sunsets that I've seen in a while. Pyramid Lake is located about an hour north of Reno, NV and is an absolutely beautiful place to spend the day photographing, fishing or simply just lounging around. The lake is named for the large pyramid rock formation located on the lake's east shore seen in the photographs below.

"Pyramid Lake" (1) "Pyramid Lake" (2)

"Pyramid Lake" (3) "Pyramid Lake" (4)

Sbragia Family Vineyards BBQ - Dry Creek Wine Country

2009-09-01T13:11:00.000-07:00

This weekend I had the pleasure of photographing at the Sbragia Family Vineyard and Winery located in the fabulous Dry Creek Wine Country in California. They hosted a BBQ and wine tasting on their beautiful outside patio that overlooks all of Dry Creek. Along with the delicious burgers and amazing wine, The Tom Finn Band provided great live music. For all of you who are unfamiliar with Dry Creek, it is located west of Napa and Sonoma. It is home to some of California's best wine production. Unlike Napa and Sonoma the vibe in Dry Creek is mellow. You won't see stretched limos taking large groups of people from winery to winery. Instead you'll find a much more relaxed atmosphere away from the crowds that affords some of the best wine tasting in all of California. It is an experience not soon forgotten. I want to give a big thanks to the Sbragia Family for inviting me to photograph at their vineyard!

"Ed Sbragia greets guests at his tasting room in Dry Creek"

"Sunset at the Vineyard"

"Golden Light"

"Fall is on the Way"

"The Tom Finn Band played a great live set for the BBQ"

"A couple hangs out on the Sbragia's beautiful outdoor patio overlooking Dry Creek"

It is the beginning of September which means the grape harvest and crush is just around the corner for all wine makers in California. I have been lucky enough to have been invited back to Spragia Family Vineyards and Winery over the next few weeks to photograph this great event. Stay tuned for new photos of the crush!

Tangier, Morocco

2009-07-27T15:19:00.001-07:00

I looked out the window of the airplane and watched the Spanish coastline disappear and give way to the Straight of Gibraltar and finally Cap Spartel and the beginning of the African coastline. It had been 11 years since my last trip to Morocco. My father and I were on our way to attend my cousin Kaoutar's wedding in Tangier. It would be a three day traditional Moroccan wedding and I would be around more family members than I could count. Below are a selection of photos from my seven days in Morocco. I wish I could have stayed longer but such is life. Enjoy.

"Hercules Cave - The Mirror of Africa"

The Hercules Cave is located just outside of Tangier just south of Cap Spartel. This is the cave where Hercules himself is mythed to have resided before undertaking his 12 tasks that earned him immortality. The cave outline is also the mirror image of Africa.

"Cap Spartel - The Atlantic Meets the Mediterranean"

This is the "Cap of Africa." It is the exact point where the Mediterranean and Atlantic Ocean meet with the Cap Spartel lighthouse to guide the way. A boat passes around Cap Spartel at sunset.

"Old Meets New"

The Old Walls of the Tangier Kasbah perched above the Port of Tangier.

"Fountain in the Kasbah"

A courtyard within the walls of the Kasbah. Morocco's beauty and soul usually lies through a door or behind a plain looking wall.

"The Rooftops of Tangier"

Tangier has grown considerably in the last 10 years. This is one of the only views left of the city looking down on the Mediterranean that isn't obstructed by large buildings. In fact, to get this shot my cousin and I snuck up to the roof of one of Tangier's five star hotels. The souq (market) is the center of Moroccan culture. The souq is a virtual maze of shops and cafes that sell absolutely everything you could ever think of. It is a photographer's dream. I could spend months just photographing in the souq. From the wealthy Moroccan family going to get their groceries to the three shadows sitting in the corner smoking kif (a mix of marijuana and tobacco), it is one of the most eclectic places I have ever been.

"Olives in the Souq"

"Entrance to the Petite Souq" "Streetside Shopping"

A street side vendor selling everything from hookahs to flip flops and traditional Moroccan mirrors. Olives are a huge commodity in Morocco. Olive shops line the souq, one after another. You don't have to really go around looking for an "organic" label in the souq. You can also bet that all of the fruits and vegtables will cost about a tenth of what you pay in the United States and are of better quality. A Moroccan wedding is an experience unto it's own. The elaborate ceremony and dress is absolutely beautiful. It is a three day celebration involving a lot of tradition and protocol. Oh, and the food is really good too. Soccer is the life blood of many African countries. Whether an actual soccer ball or a crushed up can you will always find children playing in the streets and parks. Like much of the world, western ways are descending on traditional cultures and values. Here, McDonalds looks over Tangier and the Mediterranean. My cousin Mounir sits on the same rooftop overlooking the city. Islam is as prevalent as ever in Morocco. Although Morocco is very liberal compared to other Arab nations, their religion is very visible in their way of life.

"The Minaret of Tangier"

This is the largest mosque in Tangier. The balls on top of the mosque are said to be kept in balance by the influence of the planets. I hope to return to Morocco sooner than later. It is such an amazing place filled with vibrant people. The small size of the country has no bearing on the amount of culture that lies within it's borders. There is a surprise around every corner.

Madrid, Spain

2009-07-12T14:42:00.000-07:00

As I walked down the streets of Madrid I felt like I was in New York City. Big bustling intersections and a sea of people gave way to large buildings reaching for the sky. The sound of horns echoed off the steal structures reverberating in the warm night air. Suddenly I felt someone grab my arm and turned to see that I was being held by a scantly dressed woman who asked me in English, "you lonely tonight?". Without saying a word, I discarded her hand from my arm and continued down the street with a plethora of Spanish insults echoing behind me. Continuing on, I zigzagged through the city and came to my destination, Plaza Mayor. All of a sudden I had left the 21st century and walked back in time to a square rich in Spanish history. From old town meetings, beheadings and the tapas restaurants that now lined the square, the history of Madrid became much clearer to me. The beautiful Spanish architecture reflected off the cobblestone streets from the rain that had fallen several hours earlier. Eagerly, I grabbed my camera and began shooting. After taking shots from every conceivable angle I took a seat at one of the open air cafes and ordered a few tapas and a glass of wine. This was the Madrid I was looking for.

Plaza Mayor, Madrid, Spain

I awoke early the next day and immediately got onto the Visions tour bus. Even though it was obvious to me that this was one of the biggest tourist gimmiks in the city, I had been told by a friend back in the states that it was a great way to quickly see all the sights of Madrid and get a lay of the land. She was right. My 15 euro did for me in two hours what would have taken me several days of exploring. After getting off the bus after one loop around the city, (you can get on and off when and wherever you like all day) I had seen all of Madrid's major sights and it was easy to decide which ones to revisit. I spent the rest of the day exploring the Catedral de Santa María la Real de la Almudena, as well as making sure to continually gorge myself on the tapas readily available on every street. The cathedral was especially interesting to me. Finished just recently in 1993, it reminded me how much Catholicism, was such a major influence in the Spanish culture, past and present. As a photography bonus it also offered me a birds eye view of the city. After walking through the the church museum and getting my rooftop view of the city I descended down to the church's main hall that contained some of the most beautiful architecture I have ever seen. The amazing vaulted ceilings adorned with colorful stained glass windows and a large pipe organ were indeed a site to behold.

Main Hall of Catedral de Santa María la Real de la Almudena, Madrid, Spain

Stained Glass in Catedral de Santa María la Real de la Almudena, Madrid, Spain

That evening my father and I headed out to Casa Lucio, one of the most famous restaurants in Madrid. We hadn't made reservations but our goal wasn't to eat. We were looking for a nice place to sip on a good bottle of Spanish wine. Casa Lucio didn't disappoint. After looking over their extensive wine list (3/4 of which I had never even heard of) we settled on a bottle of 2004 Arzuaga Reserva. Needless to say, it was wonderful.

Casa Lucio, Madrid, Spain

Madrid was just starting to unfold before me but unfortunately it was time to move on. Regretfully, I would never make it out to the Spanish countryside. That would have to be for another trip. But I felt like I had gotten to take in some of the best Madrid had to offer. It's beautiful architecture, rich history and amazing wine had given me the tiny glimpse of the city that I was looking for. Now it was off to Morocco. Tangier was only an hour plane ride away but I might as well have traveled to the moon.

18 Airplanes In 30 Days

2009-07-02T11:17:00.000-07:00

"Julia Pfeiffer Burns State Park" - Big Sur, CA

I've been traveling for almost a month now. I left home at the beginning of June and have been "full steam ahead" ever since. From the awe inspiring Big Sur coastline of California, to the subtle beauty of South Carolina's lowcountry, and then abroad to the New York City of Europe - Madrid, Spain and finally to the gateway and cap of Africa - Tangier, Morocco. It's been an amazing trip filled with beautiful scenery and inspirational people. Traveling always helps me keep the world in perspective. It's so easy to zero in on your immediate environment and forget about the big picture. It's given me a lot of time to reflect on my own life and think about accomplishments, failures and things I hope to do later in life. One thing that has been on my mind for awhile is to keep a better record of my day to day experiences. It turns out the best way to do this for me will be this blog. Not only will I be able to write about my experiences but, being a photographer, I will also be able to share all the wonderful images that I capture along the way. Thanks for reading and enjoy!