It has been disappointingly dry this winter and spring here in the desert of California. My upcoming Joshua Tree Photography Guide will not be without a desert bouquet or two, though, since previous superbloom seasons were quite productive.

ISSUE 38 - April 2025

IN THIS ISSUE:

• Featured Print
• Range Masks
• Workshops
• Upcoming Travel
• Where to see my art

This issue's feature print from Lassen Volcanic National Park is a bit out of the ordinary for my featured prints, because it is a familiar location to some photographers. It is very similar to two prize winning photographs seen from this location by other photographers, one taken but not seen before I made this image and one after. So it must have appeal!

As landscape photographers, we are commonly asked "Do you post process your images?" I now try to avoid any defensiveness that would assume the asker has any preconceived notions about whether post-processing is good or acceptable. Instead, the answer is "Yes!" Of course!" I add that almost photos the person has seen involve some degree of post processing, whether completed by the camera, smartphone or photographer. Then I might ask back, "What do you like to see?" Some people like saturated images, some like soft images, some like high contrast, etc. 

You non-photographers might enjoy glancing at the instructional lesson on Range Masks, linked below, to see how post processing might be completed.

To order any prints, state what you are looking for on the contact form.

This is a continuation of the series on using masks to enhance images in Lightroom and Photoshop's Adobe Camera Raw.

These extremely useful tools will change the way you edit many images. It may be worthwhile to work on an image of your own as you read through this article on Range Masks. Read the article 

If you happened to catch the movie, Caddo Lake, you saw how truly beautiful and sometimes eerie this hidden gem can be. This will be my fourth year on the lake with our boat captain. This year, are headquartered in a modern, tastefully designed house on the bayou that should appeal to all the photographers. Be sure to read testimonials and see results achieved by previous participants.

To see finished images from swamp trips, visit the Swamp Gallery. 

All workshops are custom designed for small groups of photographers, usually three or four, but a maximum of six. These workshops are planned around our mutual timing, not just my timing. Because I don't advertise, you save. Because you are with friends, there is more good natured fun! Just the days you want and a very reasonable cost! Request your preferred times early. Offerings are limited each year.

As the California desert heats up, I will be making my final daytime trips to Joshua Tree NP, but there will also be time to show up in remote areas for some starry skies. Barbara and I will be in the San Juan Islands in June with some of our brood and then on our own in central Washington for an additional week.

The majority of my work is on my website, but it can also be seen at several outside locations. If you are looking for something you don't see, send me a note. 

I will be showing at the Mother's Day Art Festival on the square in downtown Prescott, May 10-11. My goal will be to reduce my inventory at that festival as I do not plan on participating at art festivals in the future. There will be some special deals, including a number of items on sale at below cost. I am tired of paying for a storage locker!

My work was juried in to Desert Art Center last October. A small number of current pieces can be seen there.

I am also a member of Artists Council in Palm Desert. The organizations's photography showcase is during May where two of my large "Dunescapes" will be on display.