Uploads from Stephen Oachs (ApertureAcademy.com), tagged soe, with geodata

The Furrows - Foggy Sacramento River California

nobody@flickr.com (Stephen Oachs (ApertureAcademy.com)) — Sun, 28 Dec 2008 22:23:23 -0800

Stephen Oachs (ApertureAcademy.com) posted a photo:

UPDATE: This image was featured in the August 2009 issue of Popular Photography Magazine. It was selected 1st in the "Your Best Shot" contest.

On the last morning of my stay in Redding California, Chaybert (Brian Rueb) picked me up from my hotel before sunrise. It was extremely foggy with some slight drizzle in the air. Brian said he didnt have long so he'd take me to a local spot "not too far". He was extremely secretive about the location and he might of threatened to blindfold me if it hadnt been for the intense fog that shrouded the entire area keeping me from establishing any landmarks during the journey.

We weaved through a few side streets then jumped on a freeway (I-5 I think) for a few minutes then off and onto a side road. Next, he said "normally I climb through the blackberry bushes..." and points to a 20 foot thick wall of skin ripping sticker bushes..."but then I found this path...and it's an easy hike to the water." I sighed with relief.

We walked about a quarter mile to these rocky shapes that had clearly been carved out by water and time. The fog still hung low to the river so we quickly picked some compositions and starting shooting. I really liked how the distant trees looked sillouetted in the fog so I was sure to include them. The fresh green moss wasnt as slippery as it looked but we still stepped cautiosly from rock to rock just in case.

As we wrapped up, the fog began to lift and the mysterious feeling of this place began to dissapate. Walking back to the car, I wondered if Brian might club me or slip a black tied bag over my head to ensure I wouldnt be able to identify the location of these river tiles and share with others. He didn't, and I swear I don't really know where this place is...HAHAHA

Fly Geyser - Black Rock Desert

nobody@flickr.com (Stephen Oachs (ApertureAcademy.com)) — Sun, 05 Oct 2008 12:20:44 -0700

Stephen Oachs (ApertureAcademy.com) posted a photo:

Chaybert-StephenOachs Road Trip - Day 2

The next morning, after meeting up with Chaybert in Reno Nevada, we got up before sunrise and returned to the Fly Geyser area, which we had scouted the night before to setup for a sunrise shoot.

We arrived at the private gate that blocks the entrance to Fly Geyser. We climbed over the fence and tresspa...I mean entered the property with permission from "Bruno", the man who seems to own most of Gerlach Nevada. Again, Brian will tell this story with great detail so I'm simply summerizing here.

Sunrise came quick and we were a bit paranoid that even with permission from...Bruno, that we didn't want anyone wondering why were were on private property taking pictures, so we hastily took some snaps and returned to the gate...and back to the safety of the public road.

So what is this place you ask? Fly Geyser is the result of the property owner, back in the 1960's, drilling for a water well and instead striking a geothermal pocket. In the past 45 years this accidental man made geyser has constantly spewed mineral rich, boiling hot, water and all those minerals built up to create the other-worldly formation.

As for the Black Rock Desert, it's vast and empty. This is a giant area that feels like time forgot (except once a year when they host the Burning Man gathering). We did see Kangaroo Mice and I swear one night, while camping, they were ganged up outside the tent plotting on how to get us, but now in hind sight I realize it must of just been the wind making that scratchy, chattering, deathly sound ;)

Stay tuned for Day 3...

http://www.lighttheexpedition.com

Emerald Bay Sunset - Lake Tahoe

nobody@flickr.com (Stephen Oachs (ApertureAcademy.com)) — Sun, 25 May 2008 16:39:28 -0700

Stephen Oachs (ApertureAcademy.com) posted a photo:

To say I spent my Memorial Day Weekend chasing the light is an under statement. I traveled from Lake Tahoe to Mono Lake and everywhere in between in search of good light and photographic opportunities. The ironic thing about this Lake Tahoe Sunset, over Emerald Bay, is that I took it on my very first stop, just after arriving in Lake Tahoe. The rest of the weekend was spent traveling between rain and snow storms. BIG STORMS! 32 degree's at Mono Lake in May?! Global warming?!

Lower Antelope Canyon Beam

nobody@flickr.com (Stephen Oachs (ApertureAcademy.com)) — Wed, 30 Apr 2008 10:16:45 -0700

Stephen Oachs (ApertureAcademy.com) posted a photo:

I took this shot in Lower Antelope Canyon near Page Arizona. The trick to capturing light beams is timing, and huge handfuls of sand thrown into the air. Then, as the dust settles back down the light hits it and creates an amazing scene. As for timing, we waiting until the light was coming through the whole in the rocky ceiling. There were about 6 photographers standing at this spot, all taking turns throwing sand and jockying for pole position, or should I say "composition" position. It was an amazing and fun place to shoot.

Grizzly Bears In Yellowstone - 1st Place National Wildlife Magazine 2007 Photography Contest

nobody@flickr.com (Stephen Oachs (ApertureAcademy.com)) — Thu, 20 Dec 2007 17:47:30 -0800

Stephen Oachs (ApertureAcademy.com) posted a photo:

1st Place Winner -- National Wildlife Magazine 2007

The National Wildlife Magazine awarded this Yellowstone Park photo, "Bears Play Fighting," First Place - Mammals Category - in their 2007 National Wildlife Photo Awards Contest!

http://www.nwf.org/photozone/index.cfm

Extended Gallery Here

Sumatran Tiger

nobody@flickr.com (Stephen Oachs (ApertureAcademy.com)) — Thu, 20 Dec 2007 17:38:11 -0800

Stephen Oachs (ApertureAcademy.com) posted a photo:

San Francisco Zoo