These images are lame, but stay with me. It’s only ten minutes, after all. This was not an easy exercise. If you have the goods, this process is so much more enjoyable, but on this day, as you can see, I didn’t have the goods. And I was using a new camera for the first time; never a good day to expect something grand. (It’s not my camera, just a loaner.) We arrived at the trailhead, just as the sun was creeping up and over the Sangres. Orange tape and a “trail closed” sign met us there. The Frijoles Fire was still raging, and the air was filled with light smoke. We could be selfish and ignore the sign, as others did, but we went to Plan B, drove my van down the mountain five or six miles, then parked and began the climb back up to my friend’s van. The reasoning was that the trail was closed for a reason, and with a wind change, the fire could become troublesome. Get into trouble high up in the backcountry, and you will strain resources to come and save your ass.
Not to mention, you might die.
Being out is all that matters, at least to me at this point in my life. Yes, I was making images for my notebook, but this is more about hike and less about photography, unless the fire comes and I get to become a photojournalist again. Oxygen choices as the trail winds up and up. 8,000 feet, 9,000 feet, 10,000 feet. We encounter no other hikers, but do see three mountain bikes on the seventeen-mile trail straight down into Santa Fe. I’ve never been a downhill guy, and this trail is hardcore for someone like me. I see this trail, and me on a bike, and have visions of my medical card and the extent of my coverage.
The point is you shoot, edit, design, and print. These might make my journal, just for fun. This is an exercise I’ve done countless times. Edit from camera to phone, five minutes, AirDrop to laptop, open BookWright, set timer, design, done. Mixing color and black and white, nah. Type decisions, not great. Sequence, not great. Frustration, yes. Contemplation of all life decisions, yes. Questions said life decisions, yes. Distraction, yes. Move on, yes. Begin dreaming of going out again, YES.
Comments 12
Nice read. being out doing stuff is all that matters. I like that 10000 number there and can imagine a book design in elevation steps … hmmm
frank
Author
Our intended goal was 12,600. Next week.
I agree. The more years that pass, the less it becomes about the photography, and more about just being outdoors hiking, cycling, reading…whatever. The camera is there to record a slither of time as proof that you actually did something that day.
Author
That’s EXACTLY how I feel. I love photography, and the camera is always there, but the notebook is the secondary prize to the experience. And you, like me, run, hike, paddle, sail, whatever. THAT is job one.
I find it interesting on burns. How nature works.
Living in the mountains of North Idaho. We have firs, is a red fir on the right side. First photo.
Author
I’ve got pics of them exploding as a big fire draws near. That will get your attention.
I was in Santa Fe one time when a couple hiked up into the high country unprepared. And stayed too late. The man started hiking down for help, but a helicopter came up to rescue the woman. The helicopter pilot pushed the safety margin and took off with the rescued person too late, getting dark. The blades hit some trees, and one of the rescuers was killed. getting into trouble in the mountains endangers the rescuer as well as you
Author
The parking lot is full of these people, and IG has only made it worse. Gotta get that pic of the changing aspen; guess I’ll sleep in, leave the trailhead at noon, litter along the way, take no water or rain shell and then beg for help when I get into trouble. IG and the Internet have reduced many adults to clueless infants.
Hi Dan, just a workflow question – when you do these quick/mini project book layouts that you don’t intend have printed, just curious are they left in the bookwright tool, or do you save them, or are they exported out of bookwright to another location?
Author
Great question. I keep an open document in BW. I just keep adding to it and adding to it, and when I reach the page limit, which is rare, I start a new one. It’s a digital testing ground.
Check this out, in New Hampshire, where i hike: “Under state law (RSA 206:26-bb), authorities can seek reimbursement from recreationists whose reckless behavior or severe lack of preparation (such as starting too late, lacking proper clothing, food, water, or headlamps) causes an avoidable rescue.” they don’t charge the hiker if they were prepared but had an accident. And hikers can purchase an annual “Hike Safe” card that indemnifies them against rescue fees and contributes money to suppor the state’s search and rescue fund. Won’t stop the idiots but you cannot say we don’t try.
Author
That’s the way it should be!