Category Archives: spring

12 Best California photography locations of 2010

2010/12/28 – 03:37

Discover my favorite photo spots of 2010.

2009’s top list was very successful. Many of my readers appreciated the short summary and keeping with this tradition, I hereby present to you my favorite places of 2010. This year was very exciting. I introduced my new iPhone application, a travel companion that makes all my articles available for offline consumption. I have traveled to many new places, collecting photographs and ideas for new location guides, and much more. I have revisited many places and I have discovered new places as well.

Wrapping up another fantastic year of photography, gives me the chance to go back to some of my favorites again.

By myphotoscout | Also posted in Announcements, Fall, Los Angeles, Northern California, Southern California, Summer, winter | Tagged , , | Comments (6)

How to photograph the Death Valley Racetrack

2010/04/22 – 04:57

The Racetrack Playa is a uniquely fascinating feature of Death Valley. A mysterious force moves the rocks across the lakebed, leaving intriguing tracks in the dry lakebed. Nobody can back up any theory with conclusive evidence, since no one has been able to observe the rocks actually moving, yet.

The tracks are a favorite subject for photographers and for visitors who muse over the mystery. Those who take the long and harsh drive to this remote valley reap plentiful rewards. No picture can prepare you for the fascination that will grip you once you walk on the playa and see the tracks. No other photo subject is like this.

The Racetrack is also one of the best places in California for celestial photography. Mountains surround the Racetrack Playa on all sides, eliminating light pollution. I witnessed the clearest night of my life, with the stars appearing closer than ever before.

Visit the Racetrack for a once in a lifetime experience!
Death Valley Racetrack

By myphotoscout | Also posted in Death Valley, desert, national park, Panamint Mountains, scenic drive, Southern California | Tagged , , , | Comments (4)

California Poppy Reserve – Antelope Valley

2010/04/13 – 04:58

California Poppies are the official state flower of California. Early explorers who saw fields of poppies mistook them for gold. California became the golden state, foreboding the Gold Rush that followed later. The Gold Rush days are long gone, but poppies still color the hills and attract people from all over.

The Antelope Valley California Poppy Reserve has the highest concentration of poppies. Meadows and rolling hills burst with color when the orange poppies and a wide variety of yellow flowers mix to create dazzling splashes of color. The sight attracts many landscape photographers. It is one of California’s most impressive natural miracles, lasting only a few weeks.

Come visit this natural wonder and see how California got its name.
California Poppies

By myphotoscout | Also posted in central valley, flowers, park, scenic drive, Seasonal, Southern California, state park, wildflowers | Tagged , | Comments (11)

Death Valley Wildflower Update

2010/04/08 – 23:04

Even the hottest and driest place in California harbors life. Wildflower seeds hibernate years below the surface waiting for a tiny drop of water. After the El-Nino rains shower the desert, life shifts into overdrive. Colorful flowers pop up and cacti put on a show, competing for pollinators, spectators, and photo-creators.
Death Valley Flowers

By myphotoscout | Also posted in Death Valley, desert, national park, Southern California, wildflowers, Wildlife | Tagged , , , , | Comments (6)

Wildflower Routes through Southern California

2010/04/07 – 06:01

Spectacular wildflower meadows and colorfully dotted rolling hills turn the Southern California landscape from burned brown into vivid scenery, all courtesy of the wet El Nino rains. As if a landscape painter slipped with his color palette and threw all colors onto his painting at once, the brilliant colors compete for your and the bees’ attention. I am not sure about the bees, but humans swarm all over, humming while enjoying the colors.

If you travel in California, you can easily plan a detour that takes you past a wildflower viewing area. Even if you have no immediate travel plans, the wildflowers are a worthy travel destination in their own right. The bright colors will lift your mood and reinvigorate you after the long rainy or snowy winter.
Wildflower Meadow on Highway 58

By myphotoscout | Also posted in flowers, pass, scenic drive, Seasonal, Southern California, wildflowers | Tagged , , | Comments (6)

Japanese Tea Garden, San Francisco, Golden Gate Park

2010/03/25 – 18:44

Keeping with the high art of form of Japanese Gardens, the Hagiwara Japanese Tea Garden in San Francisco delivers an astounding array of sights, sounds and smells in a small, easy to explore garden. The manufactured miniature landscape skillfully creates the illusion of natural scenes. Japanese Gardens have their roots in Buddhism and Daoism and thus, invite visitors to quiet contemplation, offering a retreat from the hectic day-to-day life. Besides creating a peaceful sanctuary, the Japanese Tea Garden also exhibits elements of Japanese culture and design that appeal to our western civilization. No wonder the Garden is one of the biggest attractions in the Golden Gate Park.
Makoto Hagiwara originally developed and expanded the garden from its small beginnings at a Midwinter Fair Japanese Village attraction. Unfortunately, authorities threw him into a camp during WWII and the park fell into disarray. Today, the restored and enhanced park shines again.
Bridge, Pagoda and Cherry Tree

By myphotoscout | Also posted in Bay Area, flowers, lake, landmark, Northern California, park, San Francisco | Tagged , , | Comments (3)

12 Best California photography locations of 2009

2009/12/31 – 05:26

Discover our favorite photo spots of 2009. I started to build this website in January of 2009 with the purpose of documenting California’s incredible diversity of photographic jewels and to help you get the most out of your visit. It quickly became obvious to me, that I have enough material for years to come. California [...]

By myphotoscout | Also posted in Announcements, Fall, Northern California, Seasonal, Southern California, Summer, winter | Tagged , , | Comments (8)

How to photograph June Lake Loop

2009/10/20 – 16:02

Take a scenic bypass from Highway 395 and discover a serene basin with four lakes, plenty of trails and many cool subjects for photography.

June Lake Loop veers off Highway 395, taking you to a gorgeous valley full of natural wonder. During the winter months, this area is popular with skiers and during the summer, fishing and boating are the main outdoor activities. The lakes meadows and creeks, surrounded by mountains, are a great find for nature photographers.
Creek near June Lake

By myphotoscout | Also posted in Fall, lake, Northern California, Seasonal, Sierra Nevada | Tagged , , , | Comments (1)

How to photograph the Wildflowers of Bear Valley

2009/04/28 – 06:00

The remote area around Bear Valley road cannot be found in many guidebooks, but holds one of the most spectacular wildflower displays in Northern California. Flower lovers and macro photographers will enjoy the blossoms along this long stretch of partially unpaved road.
Bear Valley Poppy field

By myphotoscout | Also posted in central valley, flowers, Northern California, Seasonal, wildflowers | Tagged , , | Comments (7)

How to photograph Wildflowers in Death Valley

2009/04/20 – 15:00

Spring turns the barren landscape of Death Valley into a colorful oasis. Wildflower carpets cover much of the valley, adding visual interest to many otherwise bland compositions. In this article I describe the best areas to look for wildflowers and how to shoot them.
Desert Gold Wildflowers in Death Valley

By myphotoscout | Also posted in Death Valley, desert, flowers, national park, Southern California, wildflowers | Tagged , | Comments (4)
Follow

Get every new post delivered to your Inbox.

Join 457 other followers