What I am Thankful For

November 24th, 2011

As many of us sit down with friends and family today, its a good time to reflect on life and whats important. I am thankful for the love of my life (my wife), my son who is an inspiration, the friendships I have made and my passion for the art of photography, travel and life on this planet. I am thankful for all of you that help make to it worthwhile to share my life, experiences and knowledge. And maybe most of all…I am thankful for my large ears, that allow my son to grab on and feel safe and secure while we are playing around the house:)

Peace and love from “The Browns”!

New Business Cards Finally Arrived

November 22nd, 2011

I was stoked to see a FedEx box on my porch this morning that contained my new business cards, both for Colby Brown Photography and The Giving Lens. I blurred out the phone numbers to attempt to prevent spam phone calls :)

All thanks go to +Lauren Hurst of Spry Media for designing and getting these printed in a hurry. It was certainly about time for an update!

In album Behind the Lens (54 photos)

New Business Cards

Behind the Lens: Going The Extra Mile

November 21st, 2011

Photo © +Casey McCallister- Taken in The Narrows in Zion NP in Utah

One of the most asked questions I get from my workshop students is “How can I take more compelling photographs?” While many might expect some magical formula that would help them take their images to the next level, the reality is that it is a mixture of various undefinable things. Passion, Creativity, Perseverance, Vision and more times then not…..going that extra mile.

With the digital age of photography fully upon us, there are more people with quality cameras now then ever before. These means that more and more individuals have the ability to capture life on this planet. In order to help separate yourself from the fold, sometimes you have to be willing to do more then the next guy. Some of my best images have been taken in the off season, with crappy weather and in an environment that most would cringe at. This past year I found myself in the middle of sand storms, working in IDP refugee camps, high in the Himalayas in Winter, surrounded by snow, sleeping in my car and up to my chest in 40 degree F water….all while carrying around 30 to 40lbs of camera gear.

Having said that, you do NOT have travel the world to take these kind of images. Instead you have to find your own boundaries and learn to push them. I promise that you will find that not only will your photography improve, but that you will learn alot about yourself in the process.

In album Behind the Lens (53 photos)

THE CANON 1Dx – Understanding the New Flagship Camera

November 20th, 2011

Recently Canon announced their latest flagship camera, the 1Dx that aims to blend the 1Ds full frame series of cameras with the AF and speed of the 1D series. Needless to say, it looks close the the perfect camera I have been looking for ever since I noticed the many short comings of the 5D Mark II that have led me to use my 1D Mark IV more often.

Canon has released 3 articles that cover some of the more exciting aspects of this new camera. Check them out if you wish to learn more…..

 

 

AF System:
http://www.learn.usa.canon.com/resources/articles/2011/1dx_af_pts_article.shtml

Multiple Exposure Blending:
http://www.learn.usa.canon.com/resources/articles/2011/1dx_multiple_exposures_article.shtml

100,000 RGB Metering:
http://www.learn.usa.canon.com/resources/articles/2011/1dx_rgb_meter_article.shtml

Behind the Lens: The Subway in Zion National Park

November 15th, 2011

What a day! The Subway is easyily one of the most sought after locations to photograph for any photographer visiting the Southwest. It is however one heck of a hike in. After a day of hiking for 9 hours, I am spent. I think a burger and beer is in order…

I havent seen +Scott Jarvie surface back at the car yet…but I am pretty sure he is still alive ;)

Behind The Lens: Temple of the Virgin

November 14th, 2011

After an interesting night where I was able to finally meet “The Jarvie” (+Scott Jarvie ) for the first time in real life, our group headed to the Temple of the Virgin for sunrise. While the light took a while to show, it ended up being a great morning of shooting.

Soon we head to the Virgin River to scout locations as well as secure our permits to head to the subway tomorrow morning.

In album Behind the Lens (52 photos)

Temple of the Virgin – Zion NP

Behind the Lens: Zion National Park

November 13th, 2011

As +Peyton Hale and I rolled into Zion NP after a 10 hour drive from Dever, Colorado (my home), we had little time to set up and search for a spot. Shooting the Watchman over the Virgin River at sunset is like like shooting the Taj Mahal when you go to India. You know that it has been done before…but you still have to do it.

Later tonight +Scott Jarvie & +Jim Davis join the party, followed by +Casey McCallister tomorrow morning. Needless to say it should be an entertaining week of shooting to say the least.

In album Behind the Lens (51 photos)

Zion National Park, Watchman Sunset, Utah

The Watchman at Sunset

QUOTE OF THE DAY

November 10th, 2011

“But after all the methods, models, theories, and esoteric “secrets” are revealed, one eternal law of reality remains: The quality of our lives is shaped by what we do, moment to moment – by each choice we make and each action we take. Will we choose the main highways or the back roads of life? Will we travel the mountain paths or seek the forest wilderness? Will we contract or expand, struggle with or embrace life unfolding? Each of us must answer such questions for ourselves and make our own choices on this sacred journey, as the winding path appears beneath our feet.”
~Dan Millman

In album Just Cause (11 photos)

The Road