Sun setting during the full moon rise, March 10, 2008

One of the most beautiful adventures I've taken in a while was hiking a 500mm lens to the top of Stone Mountain. And to this day the magnitude of what I saw still takes my breath away. The trek started out a little late so nonetheless my comrades and I had to hike fast. I was amazed at how busy the mountain was, but it was an astounding almost spring day. We looked like a film crew hiking up the mountain, me with at least 25 pounds of gear, and who knows how much my friend and talented colleague, Sherman, was hiking up. He was hilarious-- video really requires some equipment. Regardless, we were both happy about getting the extra workout :)-- weird, I know.

I remember at one point hiking amongst full figured women, and one in which I was following who had a hand-held tuner tuned to the radio or something. I don't remember what was playing, but all of us hikers in that clump was listening and following.

Getting to the top took us about 40 minutes I think. As we went over the ridge, the wind picked up and started drying our sweat -- so if you ever go, don't forget to bring a hoodie. We got up there in time to unzip our bags, eat a light snack, scout, and set up tripods and cameras and lenses. We made sure everything was kept tidy so that packing up in the dark would be easy.

At the very peak of the mountain, the wind was whipping away, and when you shoot with a super duper long lens, that makes a difference. You have to be extra conscious of your shutter speed and even your trigger finger.

We had decided to go further down the east side of the mountain to block the wind, but before we did, luckily we stayed for the sunset over the city. It was re-donk-u-lous (aka, absolutely amazingly beautiful). And I'm probably mostly describing what I could see through the lens. With my naked eye, it was of course beautiful, but I just could not believe everything else I could see inside my lens. I think that is the first time I've ever enjoyed something more through the lens. As a photographer, the one thing that gets me is that I have to witness a lot of beauty through the lens, when all I really want to do is watch with my eyes. I've had to learn to (after taking my photos) take it all in-- and this is usually accompanied with a huge breath.

I never anticipated how fast the sun sets or the moon rises, but with an especially long lens, that sucker moves. That just adds to the beauty. I wanted to let my friends look but I didn't have a whole lot of time to spare as the sun dipped towards the horizon. As a lover of the sky and documenting the sky, I can't wait to go back.

My entire purpose of the trip was to shoot the full moon. And to shoot the full moon when it was orange. I was a little concerned before the trip because the moon was to rise at 7:33 pm and the sun set at 7:42 pm. I knew the moon was only that gorgeous orange after it rises when it is close to the horizon. So my concern was it still being light outside. Did you know that a full moon always rises around sunset? It was light outside, but there was also cloud coverage towards the eastern sky. Particles in the air is also what makes the moon go orange, so I needed particles too.

By the time the we could see the moon through the clouds, it was higher than I wanted it to be in the sky. Nonetheless, I didn't get the moon shots I wanted, but I sure did get other killer shots. And I will go back; I think I may start studying the sky from up there. Photo class trips anyone? Only stipulation is that we hike.

In summary, I'd describe what I saw that evening as "pretty sick". Both the sun and the moon, just shear beauty. And when it was all done, I took a moment to close my eyes, take at least 3 deep and full breaths, and on the last exhale slowly open my eyes. If you've never tried it, it will change your life as to me it is always an awakening-- an awakening to my overwhelming passion and my love for this abundant life. A special thanks to my comrades: Sherman for coming last minute and filming me and inspiring me further with the next project, Ryan for being a number one supporter and assistant and getting me the shots of me (woohoo finally), and Robby and Dawn for their love of the outdoors and the things I do.

I hope you enjoy these photos, and please, drop me a line..


taken during the hike up. City through Wires

Robby and Dawn

Yours truly

the sun is about to set

oh my-- first glance of the sun

Ryan steadying my setup

Robby and Dawn's happy arrival

yep, that's right

and again

the start of the series of sun going down over the city shots

that's me lost in the lens





pretty sick

lol. this is Robby and Dawn when I shout to them, "give me a good silhouette!"

another photographer in the distance. i love this shot





that's all of us minus ryan who is taking the photo





there goes the sun.. and our feeling of wow

me with now what appears to be a tiny lens; though most of you know that lens is a honker

Sherman breaking down the tripod during our move to shoot the moon with wind blockage

Dawn's more creative silhouette. you go girl! and robby, love your tripod :)

my abstract moon shot---subtracting to design elements

love this, especially the emotion from the woman

first site of the moon

this shot requires a conversation

exposed for the clouds and sky instead

Sherman and I about mid-mountain

:) -- oh I forgot the tags ;)-- love you Sherman