Climbers on the classic traverse of Matthes Crest, Yosemite National Park, California (click for larger view)

Exploring the high peaks of the Sierra Nevada Mountains of California is a magical experience. The Range of Light, as John Muir affectionately called it, is essentially in my backyard (just a few hours drive away) and I try to make the most of it throughout the year. Winter is a fantastic time to discover the vast solitude that awaits the backcountry skier, late spring and summer provide ample opportunity to backpack to secluded lakes and hidden valleys, and autumn, my favorite time of year, is perfect for sharing the lofty summits with good friends.

Many of the peaks in the range average over 13,000 feet and the views stretch far and wide. Photography in the crisp, clear alpine air needs no polarizing filter to faithfully reproduce the deep indigo hue that looks as if it must have been tweeked in Photoshop. My go-to lens in these high and wild places is the Nikkor 16mm, which has a wide field of view, provides maximum depth of field with extremely close focusing, and is very compact making it especially easy to climb with.

Climbing photography is challenging as vantage points are often limited and safety always comes first. But the heightened sense of awareness that is a requirement when scaling the peaks has a dual benefit - that of visual clarity. Great shots have a way of presenting themselves, and capturing those images is often just a matter of living in the moment.

Skier under Banner and Ritter Peaks, Ansel Adams Wilderness, Sierra Nevada Mountains, California

Backcountry skiing in the Sierra Nevada is a perfect winter counterpart to the Desert Solitaire of Edward Abbey’s Utah. This popular and often crowded summer destination takes on another form during the shortest days of the year where deep in the wilderness that rare form of quiet is still plentiful. 

Whether you want to ski your own private bowls or just enjoy the tranquility and unique photographic opportunities, it’s all there for the taking. Proper equipment and skills are obvious requirements and outdoor retailers like REI not only sell all the appropriate gear, but also offer classes in technique and safety.

Jack Johnson’s well known line sums it up nicely when it comes to many things and especially outdoor photography. It’s wonderful to visit and photograph beautiful locations, to have a permanent (or so we hope) record of our experience long after the trip is over, but an added plus is always being able to savor those moments with someone else.

A recent exchange online got me thinking about all the benefits of sharing your photographic adventures with a friend or partner. Beyond the obvious pleasure of simply enjoying a tropical sunset together or wandering down a forest trail and savoring the smell of wet pines after a storm, there’s another big perk – perspective. Having someone in your landscape images can often add a unique visual element that gives the viewer a sense of place, and with action shots the benefit of being able to give direction (although utmost care is needed here) can make for much more compelling imagery.

In this image, my wife Maureen and I are just starting off on a 16 mile journey down the Na Pali coast of Kauai. Shooting this close to the water is always risky business, but I managed to keep my equipment dry with the careful use of a drybag while my partner helped line up the perfect shots. So the next time you’re heading out to shoot bring a friend, and don’t forget to let them get in on the action.

In honor of the first mountain stage in the Tour de France yesterday, I couldn’t resist sharing another image from the recent Tour of California. As the riders (many of whom are now in France) climbed the infamous Rock Store grade a fourth time and the spectators became increasingly more bizarre, the whole scene could easily have been mistaken for the Alps or Pyrenees in July.

The final stage of the Tour of California professional cycling race came through the nearby Santa Monica Mountains recently and provided a great opportunity for some dramatic shots of the world’s top cyclists. The four lap circuit on one of southern California’s steepest climbs was tough enough to slow the normally high-speed peloton and the fans lining the course created a spectacle like those in the Alps during the Tour de France.

Climbing in the Tuolumne Meadows area of Yosemite National Park is a magical experience. The domes and spires in this part of the High Sierra stretch as far as the eye can see and the crisp, clear alpine air at over 10,000 feet is a refreshing alternative to the often crowded Yosemite Valley. It was here that  John Muir spent his summers, and from these lofty summits he named it the Range of Light.

This image was taken on Matthes Crest, a popular route that traverses a spectacular knife-edged ridge and provides a unique alpine experience. My favorite climbing lens is the Nikkor 16mm, which has a wide field of view, provides maximum depth of field, and is very compact making it easy to climb with. Photographing climbs is always a challenge as vantage points are limited and safety always comes first. But great shots have a way of presenting themselves and capturing these images is often just a matter of living in the moment.

This image was taken on a backcountry ski trip over Tioga Pass in the Sierra Nevada Mountains. For adventure photography one of my favorite lenses is the Nikkor 16mm. Its small size and easy handling make it a perfect choice for fast action and its wide field of view really lets the viewer connect with the scene. An added plus is the beautiful sun star that is achieved when the lens is stopped down to its smallest aperture.