Edith Creek Waterfall Memorial Day Picture, Mount Rainier National Park

A few hour break in a two week stretch of major storms.  Edith Creek Waterfall over Memorial Day Weekend.  Out of the house at 2:30 and back in bed by 7:00.

Photoluck Returns Spring 2010

Photoluck is returning this spring on select Thursdays.  See the schedule in the right hand column of this blog for dates and times.  We are adding a special Photoluck session this season that will take us into Mt. Rainier National Park for a unique treat!  This Rainier Photoluck can't be free like the others, but will be one heck of a deal!  Further details to follow.

....Breathe....Learn from others....Set goals....Reflect....Recharge....explore creativity.....share your intent....Grow with your photography and have a good time.

Come share your images at our weekly Photoluck Dinner.  Bring a digital file(s) of your favorite picture(s) and your dinner/beverage of choice (just your own), we'll do the rest.  Bring your spouse (they have to bring a photo too) and pass this on.  Photolucks are Free!

Photolucks take place at our headquarters.  204 National Park Highway (that's 2nd street to you locals), Morton, WA. 98356.

Adam

Sense of Place.

I'll never forget one of my first serious forays into the mountains, a question that was asked, and whose answer has eluded me ever since.  Perhaps the questions that cannot be answered are the best, as this question has stood the test of time, and been a common thread through my life.  Sometimes answering questions with words can feel limiting, and at best I feel I have only alluded to the answer.  The question came after a big storm when we emerged from our tents to spectacular lighting, spindrift and winds, creating a light dance in the peaks around us;  "How do you explain this to the folks back home?"  was put forth.  Words fall short, maybe only providing a signpost pointing to what we experienced.

It is for this reason that I gravitated towards photography as a way to show the folks back home what we had seen.  Photography is nothing less than "Drawing with light."  Light is electromagnetic radiation of a wavelength that is visible to the human eye.  In physics, the term light often refers to electromagnetic radiation of any wavelength, whether visible or not.  Energy can become mass, and vice versa (remember E = mc²).  In other words we can become light and light can become us.  Is "Drawing with light" the way to show the folks back home what we see on our journeys?  Can we relate to light, better than we can relate to thoughts?  It's as close as I can get!  Another signpost towards the experience.

Or, maybe those who have never been will never know, and that is it.
Rene' Daumal, a 20th century French para-surrealist, said it well in The Art of Climbing Mountains, from Mount Analogue

'...What is above knows what is below, but what is below does not know what is above. 
One climbs, one sees. One descends, one sees no longer, but one has seen. 
There is an art of conducting oneself in the lower regions by the memory of what one saw higher up. 
When one can no longer see, one can at least still know...' 

- Rene' Daumal

Adam

Chinook Pass opens Friday, May 22 at noon.

Just in time for Memorial Day weekend, Chinook Pass will open Friday, May 22 at 12:00.
Providing some of the best views of Mt. Rainier from the east side of the mountain, it's a sure sign that summer is on the way here in the park! One of my most popular images was made on Chinook pass, but don't expect to see the ground up there for a long time yet, there is still almost 13 feet of snow!!!!

For Chinook Pass telemetry click here.

Adam

Images at International Mountain Guides, Mt. Rainier.

Now that I am tweeting on twitter, I have a feeling my blogspot bloggins are going to get shorter. If I would have said that 10 years ago, you would have thought I was crazy.

Just a quick update here. On your way to The Mountain, stop by International Mountain Guides headquarters in Ashford to check out some of my photos.

Adam

Expose your photos correctly while climbing Mt. Rainier

When climbing Mount Rainier you will encounter conditions like you've never experienced before.  So will your camera.  There are two photographic problems and two very simple techniques that will help you mitigate them.  You will greatly improve your images when shooting on the mountain if you follow these recommendations.  Yeah!  It should be noted that I am only offering "quick and dirty" techniques in this article, that can make huge strides in your images with very little "know how."  If you are interested in pro level control, please check out our Photography Workshops on Mt. Rainier.

The first problem you will encounter is that the snow will deceive your camera's built in light meter and result in severely underexposed images.  You might have seen or taken images in the past that were taken on snow where the snow looks drab and gray, and the person whose picture you were taking is nothing but a black silhouette.  The second problem is only a problem during sunrise and sunset, BUT these are the times that are best for photography so listen up!!

Let's start with getting proper exposure when shooting in any uniformly bright environment..... like snow.  The light meter in all cameras thinks that the world is 18% gray (middle gray).  This value works well for an "average" scene, whatever that may be, but fails when the world is "really light."  This is where digital cameras make it VERY easy to compensate in a controlled way.  Each manufacturer and camera model vary, so get out the camera manual and learn these functions.  You will need to "compensate" for the camera's attempt at a proper exposure by using the exposure compensation function.  Snow should not be gray, it should be white, which is 1 to 2 stops brighter than middle gray.  The quick and dirty solution is to set the exposure compensation in the range of +1 to +1.5.

The overall effect will lighten up the snow and expose your dark subjects more accurately.

•••••••••••

The second issue is one of white balance.  What is white balance you ask.  In the old days you had daylight balanced film and tungsten balanced film.  If you shot under tungsten lights with daylight balanced films the pictures looked yellow.  Add fluorescent lights, sodium vapor, etc. and the mix got quite complicated.  Luckily today, no matter what the "color temperature" of the light source, you can tell your camera that white is white, and your pictures will look correct.  Most people leave their cameras set on "automatic white balance."  Depending on your camera, it can do a pretty good job, most of the time. (Especially on snow!)  The problem that arises is when you are capturing climbers at sunrise/sunset and the mountain is glowing with beautiful reds and oranges.  Your auto white balance will decide that there is a reddish color cast and correct for it.  AAAAGGGGGHHH!!.....Skillfully rendering your beautiful sunset WHITE.  The solution is simple.  Just set your automatic white balance mode to "daylight."  This is effectively the same as shooting with daylight balanced film.  You can leave your white balance set to daylight during the rest of the day too.  Just remember to switch out of "daylight white balance" for the celebratory beers in the tungsten lit bar after the climb!

Past Accolades for Kilimanjaro Climb and Safaris. Tanzania, East Africa.

"I wanted to let you know what a tremendous experience this was for us and how pleased we were with the whole IMG program from start to finish. From the initial contact with you (Eric Simonson) and Phil Ershler, through the whole trip planning process, to the expedition itself, everything was highly professional and first class in every respect. Your personal communications to me by email and rapid response to any questions or concerns in advance of the trip were greatly appreciated. The local arrangements through the Keys Hotel and the assistance of and experience with the African guides, cooks, and porters were beyond expectations. I also cannot speak highly enough about Adam Angel. Not only did he do a great job coaching us through our progressive trek into high altitude, but he also became a wonderful companion and friend, and undoubtedly greatly facilitated the camaraderie that quickly developed amongst the climbers.

I don't know when I may get another chance to climb, but when I do, you can be assured that if at all possible, it will be with IMG. It appears that you set the standard in guided mountaineering, and I thank you for making possible this once in a lifetime experience for my son and me."

—Michael B.

"We had an incredible experience on our trip. The climb was awesome! IMG had everything well organized from the excellent accommodations before and after the climb to the coordination of the porters and cooks on the climb. Adam was a pleasure to climb with. He took a personal interest in each person achieving their goals for the climb and did everything he could to help make that happen. He had a great sense for when he needed to provide specific direction to the group and when it was okay to let the group just experience the mountain. Hope we have the chance to climb with him again. We look forward to our next adventure with IMG."

—Rob & Julie L.

"What a fun trip. And all I have to say is who ever thought up the porter concept was brilliant. It's not bad strolling up and down a mountain when you don't have to schlep your own stuff. Seriously, Tanzania is an amazing country. Kili is a beautiful mountain and the safari was just the right length of time. I also very much enjoyed climbing with Adam Angel. He's a very nice guy and excellent tour guide. The group was lots of fun and got along very well. Just a wonderful trip all the way around."

—Monica R.

"I just wanted to send a short letter to thank you and Adam for a excellent trip to Kilimanjaro. Adam did a great job throughout the climb and I would definitely recommend IMG and Adam for anyone wanting to do a climb."

—John S.

"I think I should first speak of Adam, for without his expert guidance and leadership, our climb could have been quite different and not as successful... at least for me. Although I have done some climbing, I was perhaps the least experienced of the group. And although I had trained religiously for months, I was not prepared for many of the challenges that confronted us. Adam was there for me and everyone, for every step of the way.

Not a headache was to go by without him knowing about it. When they did occur, Diamox was not the preferred cure; rather going back to the basics of breathing and drinking. He talked about what we should wear each day and how often we should snack and drink water. He instructed us as to the use of our poles: how long or short they should be or if we needed one or both. And when I encountered some problematic spots on the Baranco Wall or wherever, he was there to get me safely to the next point. By the time we had reached Barafu Hut, he had laid the groundwork: he had instilled so much confidence in us of his abilities as a leader. Little did we know how important that confidence in him was for us to reach the summit.

I know that Adam spoke to you about the wind and the less than perfect conditions on summit night. Regardless, Adam was unbelievable. He was decisive. He shouted out instructions all along the way: to eat, to drink, to breathe, to rest step and for me to stand up straight. He was quick to have our packs taken off and carried by a Chagga, when we were being carried and thrown down by the wind. And he yelled encouraging words that we were doing so well and that our bodies could do it and not to let our minds tell us it couldn't!! And because of his leadership and good judgment, no one was hurt, and we reached the summit safely.

All in all, it was an experience of a lifetime. And I thank you for including me in the group."

—Susan G.

Photoluck (like a potluck but with photos)

Friends of Adam Angel Photography and the Mt. Rainier Institute of Photography.  Starting every Wednesday night on October 15th....Breathe....Learn from others....Set goals....Reflect....Recharge....explore creativity.....share your intent....Grow with your photography and have a good time.

Come share your images at our weekly Photoluck Dinner.  Bring a digital file of your favorite picture and your dinner/beverage of choice (just your own), we'll do the rest.  Bring your spouse (they have to bring a photo too) and pass this on.

5:30 PM,  204 National Park Highway (that's 2nd street to you locals), Morton, WA.  98356.

Adam

Commercial Use Authorizations, Mt. Rainier National Park.

Mount Rainier National Park Mission Statement

"Together we preserve, for future generations, the natural and cultural resources in Mount Rainier National Park.  Through a variety of high quality park experiences, we promote park values, personal connections, and responsibility for the environment in our local and global communities.  With integrity, teamwork, pride, and motivation, we demonstrate environmental leadership and deepen our understanding of the park’s ecosystems.  We value our diverse range of individual contributions by showing respect and concern for each other and the park.  The Mountain inspires stewardship.  Its protection and preservation is our legacy."

Mt Rainier National Park is truly a unique and special place.  It is an island of ecosystems and climates, with many scientific, experiential, and creative treasures.  In putting together the Mt. Rainier Institute of Photography's application for a Commercial Use Authorization (CUA) in the park, I came across the park's mission statement.  It was such a relief to read it and to know that the park is in such good hands.  Part of Mt. Rainier National Park's General Management Plan is the Commercial Services Plan, which includes administering concessions and commercial use authorizations within the park.  By administering all commercial services within the park, the resource that Mt. Rainier National Park is can be protected.  Both Concessions and CUA holders are held to the highest standards when operating in MRNP.  By using a service that is operated under a Commercial Use Authorization and administered by the National Park Service, you are not only getting the very best in business practices, you are helping to protect the resource.  There are several companies operating photography workshops in Mt. Rainier National Park without Commercial Use Authorizations, and in addition to operating illegally are not operating within the scope of good environmental practice.  They and their clients may be subject to disciplinary action from the National Park Service.  CUAs are available to these companies and I hope that you will hold them to this standard.  As you investigate the available options please keep this in mind.

Adam

Rainier Mountain Festival 2008

I plan to be at the Rainier Mountain Festival on September 13th and 14th, 2008.  This is a fantastic occasion to reconnect with colleagues, clients, friends, AND make new friends.  I don't plan to be tied down to a booth, but will be roaming around with information on next year's Mt. Rainier Photography Workshops.  There are plenty of events for all ages, so bring the whole gang.  See you there!

Adam Mt. Rainier Photography, Mount Rainier Photography, Mt. Rainier Photos, Mount Rainier Photos.

Mt. Rainier Photography at VisitRainier.com

The Mt. Rainier Institute of Photography is now listed in the workshops section of VisitRainier.com.  Visit Rainier is THE online visit you need to make before visiting the Mt. Rainier National Park Area.  The content is so thorough, accurate and entertaining that even the locals use it as a resource.

Summer on Rainier......

August 19^th.  Pouring rain.  Snow Level on Mt. Rainier down to 6500’.  Summer still hasn’t really arrived.  Since moving to the Pacific Northwest 13 years ago, I haven’t seen a summer like this.  It is weather like this that creates the unmatched beauty of the NW.  The trees are so big.  The rivers so wild.  The glaciers unmatched in the lower 48.  This is the price we pay for the staggering beauty that unleashes itself when the sun does come out. So for this week, when I thought I would be shooting pictures of wildflowers and dramatic alpenglow on Mt. Rainier, I turn the camera down and shoot the finer and often overlooked detail of Mt. Rainier National Park.  One morning last week I went to a favorite shooting spot in the park.  I arrived an hour before sunrise and stood there with 4 other photographers in the cold fog waiting for it to lift.  It never did, but I talked for hours with a photographer from the east side of the mountain, which turned out to be enriching as making a good image…. That didn’t stop me from trying though.  Like my experiences climbing the mountain, Rainier does what it wants, and whether or not it fits in to my agenda it is always spectacular.

 

Rainier Digital Photography Workshops 2009

Join us on Mt Rainier for fun, excitement, achievement and camaraderie.  Containing more glacial mass than the rest of the Cascade Volcanoes combined, there is is no mistaking Rainier as the pinnacle of Cascade Grandeur.  Get to know Mt. Rainier National Park intimately with experienced instructors who have a deep knowledge of the park.  This is our home mountain.  Nobody can match our knowledge, access, or facilities of, to, and around Mt. Rainier National Park. 

Our Rainier Workshops originate at the studio of Adam Angel Photography in historic downtown Morton.  We provide private van transportation for all shooting excursions, and gourmet fare along the way.  For the Master Class (long class), field excursions are followed by image critiques, photoshop instruction, as well as fine art printing techniques at the studio.  The Shooter’s Class (short class) is for the more experienced photographer who is looking for field instruction, logistical support, and more time in the park shooting with good folks.

Please visit www.MtRainierPhoto.com for more information.

Mt. Rainier Institute of Photography

Mt. Rainier’s greatness inspires greatness in us.  Ten years ago I came to Mt. Rainier to become a climbing guide.  Somehow as a young adult I knew that Mt. Rainier would teach me many lessons and take me further than I could imagine.  Climbing Mt. Rainier led to travels around the world, and ultimately to the desire to articulate the “sense of place” that I encountered on the world’s great mountains.  Photography became my vehicle to show the folks back home what I had seen.  What’s interesting to me is that this path didn’t lead to the places that I thought it would.  It led me on a journey of self discovery, personal growth, and creativity.

Today, my goal for the institute is to foster personal growth in concert with  nature’s grandeur through creativity.  The workshops that we offer take advantage of my knowledge of the mountain from it’s icy top to it’s lush and ancient bottom.  They incorporate a nice blend of shooting time in the field and of classroom and lab instruction.  All of this is packaged together in a fun, inspiring, memorable, and educational workshop.  I look forward to spending time with you on Mt. Rainier during the summer of 2009!                                                                                                ~Adam Angel

New Website www.MtRainierPhoto.com

The Mt. Rainier Institute of Photography has posted the new website at www.MtRainierPhoto.com.

This launches the beginning of Adam Angel Photography's Digital Workshops in Mt. Rainier National Park.  These workshops in the park will be operated under a Commercial Use Authorization (CUA) administered by the National Park Service.  The CUA has not been issued yet, but we anticipate receiving one sometime in September/October.  We have gone ahead and launched the websites, so that we will be available in the search engines when it is time to start workshop registration.  In the mean time, please feel free to contact us if you have any questions.  See you in the mountains.

Adam