Ghosts of Tourists Past

Egypt Sunset

Balance

Petra Detail #3

Tye Die Petra

Petra Detail #2

Abby #2

Petra Detail #1

Obstructed View

Pyramids

Holy View

Bell Decay

Double Bell

Lone Bell

Crepuscular Ray

Bell Caves

The next few posts are all from a place called the Bell Caves located in the Beit Guvrin National Park in Israel. These are man made caves that were made mining for a soft limestone to put on roads. On the surface there was a thin layer of a harder rock so to facilitate mining they dug a small hole and then they would fan out as they mined down producing these bell shaped caves. The walls are quite beautiful and worth a visit if you make it to Israel.

Olive Trees and Jerusalem

On the Mount of Olives

Jerusalem Center

Rock Art

Geneva Cooling Ponds

Reeds Meet Rain

Pelican Point

I like how tranquil this scene is. I recently looked at a snapshot I took of the valley from the top of Mt. Timpanogos 10 years ago. It was a shock to see how few houses there were on the west and north sides of the lake back then. Now I look at Pelican Point and it saddens me to think some people want nothing more than to turn this spot into the end of a bridge. So that the wave of suburban sprawl can continue with greater convenience.

I wish maintaing places of peace and solitude carried a stronger weight in politics and business than money does. When I started down the path that has led to my life in photography I was heavily motivated in that direction by a few words from a teacher: "Why would you want to be rich and miserable? Do what you love and everything else will find a way to take care of itself." I find places and moments such as these far more rewarding than money.

Storm and Rocks

Sunset Breaking

Moss Out of Water

Private Fishing Spot

Old "Crap"

I have yet to figure out why I take these kind of pictures or what I will do with them. All that I know is that I am drawn towards subjects that show visible signs of character and life. Brett Weston, who was one of my early favorite photographers, had a similar infinity and explains one possible reason: "The taint of age can be very beautiful. The wreckage of man-made objects is something more beautiful than the new. Rust and weathering adds a patina of...well, I call it 'elegant shit' or 'elegant gorp'."

p.s. Happy Groundhog Day!

Shallow Water