To learn, read. To know, write. To master, teach.

Part One: Read

Winter Storm Clouds and Half Dome, Yosemite Valley,
Yosemite National Park, California 2008

1/100 sec at f/16, focal length: 200mm, ISO 100, Aperture Priority
- November 2, 2008 4:25am PST. Photographed with Canon EOS 20D, EF 70-200mm f/4L, Tripod Mounted


Read something completely un-related to technique, gear or software. Learn from expanding your visual literacy. Study the works of those that you admire. Draw inspiration from fellow photographers, painters, writers, street performers, etc. Read about art, read about math, read about spatial relationships, read about quantum physics, read about mayanism, read something that will shake you out of routine and cause your mind to think in a new way.

When studying photographs that make the muscle in your chest go thump thump, try and pay attention to why it's thumping. Where is the light coming from? What is the quality of that light? What is the color palette? What makes the composition interesting? How are the lines and shapes arranged to strike balance? What is the photographer trying to say or convey? Mentally be an active participant in what you're reading and you'll learn so much more.

I'm always in the market for learning so please share what you're reading in the comments below. Doesn't have to be about photography, just something that we can learn from, which is any thing really!
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Where does life begin?

Morning reflections on Willow Creek,
Sierra National Forest, California 2009

0.3 sec at f/22, focal length: 159mm, ISO 400, Aperture Priority
- May 31, 2009 8:28am PDT. Photographed with Canon EOS 5D Mark II, EF 70-200mm f/4L, Tripod Mounted


I've read recently (sorry don't remember where) that life doesn't begin until you step out of your comfort zone. I don't know what that has to do with this image but I like it and I like this image too.

I have loads of topics brewing in my head to write about here, but the time to collect them into intelligent, sensible, cohesive thoughts is not presenting itself. So for now, I'd like to invite everyone to post a comment with a link. Could be a link back to your blog, inspiration, interesting quotes, useful gear, any thing really, just remember this site is for all ages.
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Your opinion matters - Black & White or Color?

Approaching Storm, Bass Lake,
Sierra National Forest, California 2009

6 sec at f/22, focal length: 17mm, ISO 50, Aperture Priority, 0 EV
- June 3, 2009 8:02pm PDT. Photographed with Canon EOS 5D Mark II, EF 17-40mm f/4L, Tripod Mounted


Something we've been doing at Bill' blog is posting both a color and black & white version to get some feed back from the readers. It's been constructive and interesting to see how others are perceiving the differences. So with that in mind, let us see what the mob has to say.

Click thru to see the black and white version


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Schwarzenegger proposes to close 220 of 279 California state parks!

Sunrays through Coastal Forest,
Point Lobos State Reserve, California 2009

1/10 sec at f/22, focal length: 17mm, ISO 100, Aperture Priority, -1 1/3 EV
- February 7, 2009 1:57pm PST. Photographed with Canon EOS 20D, EF 17-40mm f/4L, Tripod Mounted


80% of California's state parks are in danger of being closed due to the Governor's attempts to close California's budget deficit. Arnold has proposed to cut over $200 million dollars of state general fund money to state parks which would push the aforementioned amount of parks into "closure" as well as upwards of 1500 state employees to be laid off.

Cutting the funds may theoretically be a good idea to help close the state deficit if there were a solid plan already in place that would allow the parks themselves to generate enough income to sustain their expenses such as raising entry and camping fees, or raising car registration $10/year per vehicle and allowing free entry to California residents (as proposed by a former state legislator and would have raised $260 million for state parks). The problem, though, with this drastic cut resulting in parks closing just after Labor day, is that parks can't really close. The state will just be reducing supervision and protection. Gates and bathrooms will be padlocked but visitors will have no boundaries and could easily walk in. Then vandalism and poaching will most certainly follow.

If you live in California you should use this link to write a message to the Governor and your state legislators that you want the parks to be kept open! The Sierra Club has made this form very quick and easy to fill out so please do take a minute and send this message. Here's the link again.

You could also write to the editors of your local paper and encourage them to write a story and raise public awareness of the situation. You might even consider "donating" an image taken in your favorite state park to help illustrate the story and maybe encourage the editor that much more to push it along.

And as to the image posted here. This was taken at Point Lobos, one of my personal favorite state parks. It also happens to be on the list of parks to be closed. If you'd like to view the full list of parks to be closed, you can do so here.
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The many shades of green

Lupine leaves after the storm,
Sierra National Forest, California 2009

0.4 sec at f/22, focal length: 50mm, ISO 400, Aperture Priority, +2/3 EV
- May 30, 2009 2:47pm PDT. Photographed with Canon EOS 5D Mark II, EF 50mm f/1.8 II, Tripod Mounted


I guess if there's green foliage with rain drops, I'm going to photograph it.

Also, for those of you out there who might be using twitter, you can now follow my tweets, as they like to say, at twitter.com/johnoconnorfoto. And if you haven't yet caught on, this whole social networking thing is the "way of the future".
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What's this? An update?

Allium in Willow Creek,
Sierra National Forest, California 2009

2 sec at f/22, focal length: 140mm, ISO 100, Aperture Priority, +1/3 EV
- May 30, 2009 3:38pm PDT. Photographed with Canon EOS 5D Mark II, EF 70-200mm f/4L, Tripod Mounted


Well it's been long enough, and my guilt has finally gotten the best of me, so here is a new image...and it's about time.

We went camping this past weekend in the Sierra National Forest with some good friends and had an amazing time...even in spite of the crazy thunderstorms we've been having! Just after a large group hike during one of the thunderstorms, my friend Bo and I went on another hike with photography as the main agenda. We were camping right on this river and so hiking up and down stream seemed to be the natural course. I don't know if either of us felt like we came home with something jaw dropping, but spending time in the forest and letting the concerns of the materialistic world wash away with the rain was rejuvenating for the soul and more than enough fulfillment than coming home with a new portfolio piece!

Enjoy and be sure to take a look at Bo's post from our camping trip, on his blog at www.amomentpreserved.com.
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