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Off the Deep End – How I started Deep Sky Astrophotography

In Astrophotography, General, Learning Center, News, Travel by jfischer4 Comments

My progression in photography started with a desire to spend more time outdoors, in the fresh air of nature and away from a computer screen. After a couple years of exploring the natural landscapes under the light of our nearest star – the sun, I began to explore and work some in the field of wide field astrophotography landscapes, capturing the natural world under the wide open night skies. Experimenting with different focal lengths ranging from the ultra-wide 14mm all the way to 50mm primes on my full frame Canon …

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The PNW Chronicles: The Mountains

In PNW, Travel by jfischer1 Comment

For a Texas born and raised photographer, I consider the Pacific Northwest my second home.  I traveled west most of my young life, most of my relatives lived in California or Oregon, so every year we almost always boarded the first flight headed that direction after the end of the school year.  And while I’ve visited Southern California enough for all the Hollywood glamour to more than fade from my eyes, the Pacific Northwest has done more than an equal amount to capture my soul.  From the coasts to lush …

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Death Valley National Park – February 2018

In Travel, Trip Reports by jfischerLeave a Comment

For my first major trip of 2018 I set my slights on a location I had not visited since I was a kid in the back seat during a family vacation – Death Valley. I distinctly remember driving through Death Valley during some family vacation, it was late enough that the rental Town Car had an outside temperature gauge which was of course an interesting stat for a dash through the valley in what was most likely June, but I’m also fairly certain we didn’t stop to experience the valley …

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The Adventure Truck

In General, Learning Center, Reviews, Travel by jfischerLeave a Comment

I started in photography in early 2012, by 2013 I was taking out of town and out of state photography trips on a fairly regular basis. As my camera kit grew, and I rediscovered my interest in camping as well, it soon became obvious that my current truck just wasn’t fitting my needs any longer. The 2003 GMC Sierra was a great truck, but a regular cab truck and camera gear just didn’t mix well. I was piling up my passenger seat with the camera bags, making taking another person …

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The PNW Chronicles – Central Oregon Coast

In PNW, Travel, Trip Reports by jfischerLeave a Comment

What I consider the Central Oregon coast and what locals might consider it may in fact be slightly two different regions, though I’m sure there’s a lot of overlap.  What we can probably agree on is that the cities of Lincoln City, Depoe Bay, Newport, Waldport, Yachats and Forence would be considered on the central coast.  I’ve spent most of my time in the stretch around Newport as my parents, until just recently, had a summer home there.  Both of my two major photo trips to Oregon have included several …

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The PNW Chronicles – North Oregon Coast

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You can’t think of the northern Oregon Coast without thinking about the iconic sandy shores of Cannon Beach with its iconic Haystack Rock standing like a beacon but actually is a safe haven for hundreds of sea birds.  However there is much more to see and explore along the northern end of the Oregon coast than just Cannon Beach.  That said, don’t pass up an opportunity to spend an evening on the beach! All roads lead to Cannon Beach.  In this case that’s more or less true.  Highway 101 heads north and …

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Sailing the British Virgin Islands aboard Arabella

In General, Travel, Trip Reports by jfischerLeave a Comment

I’ll never forget the look on my friends face when she said she was leaving the company we both worked for and was taking a position on a yacht to be a deck hand and steward.  It was the same look I get when I start planning my next photography adventure – only this was that glimmer a hundred times over.  She was, to put it lightly, floating on air.  And soon she’d be floating on the ocean – aboard the gorgeous 3-masted schooner Arabella.  As she gushed over the …

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The PNW Chronicles – Southern Washington Coast

In PNW, Travel, Trip Reports by jfischer2 Comments

If you are traveling to the Pacific Northwest, and you’ve decided to fly into Seattle because the flights are cheaper, you might as well take in a little bit of the splendor that is Washington State before hauling tail down into Oregon.  Or you could spend an entire week, or month, or likely year wandering just the endless beauty that is Washington.  The first I can help with, the second, is still just a dream for me as well.  So for the moment let’s just focus on the amazing sights …

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The PNW Chronicles Vol. 2 – Prologue

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If you had asked me back when I first picked up my first DSLR camera where I was planning to take it – I wouldn’t have had a clue.  Within a few months I was taking it on my first photo trip to a state park in Mineral Wells, Texas.  The following year it followed me to Montana and Wyoming.  Then it went to the Pacific Northwest with me for the first time.  The following year it was back through Texas on a full week of exploration and adventure.  This …

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Dallas and the flooded Trinity River

In General - Tips and Tricks, Travel, Trip Reports by jfischerLeave a Comment

With rain in the forecast seemingly every day again lately, it might just happen that we come close to the rainfall totals here in Dallas that we experienced last year.  And with the peek of the North Texas rainy season nearly upon us, and a few minutes to kill, decided to sit down and try to quickly put together a few thoughts on where and how to capture the Dallas skyline when the Trinity River is swollen or full on flooded. Most of my visits to the levees along the …