Congratulations to Mark Metternich for winning Feature Thread of the Week with 7 votes - View Previous Winners
What an awesome photographic season in the Southwest so far! Even though the monsoons have been significantly down in volume compared to the last 10 years, the smoke from the very unfortunate California fires and the unfortunate Northrim fire has had a major enhancing effect on many sunrises and sunsets.
Below the photo (in the first post) is a crazy story about the generator image...
I hope everyone is enjoying their summer so far! Great light to you!
Over the years I have developed a bit of a reputation for taking people to some more original locations and sometimes where no one goes. Last year after driving across the US from Florida I had thought someone had stolen my Honda generator at an RV park in Texas (it runs my portable window AC, laptop and a large monitor in the VERY hot midday when I have downtime between tours to work on images). It is such a critical piece of equipment, I ended up buying another one in Page Arizona (for $1200 or something). So, this year, as I am 4 wheeling into some very difficult and very remote locations to make sure the terrain has not changed too much (every year is different) and to make sure I can still get my vehicle into the locations, I came over a hill and boom! There is my generator! Exactly 1 year later (almost to the day)! . I now know, it fell off my vehicle last year, and not even a single person in a year had come by and picked it up! I was totally amazed! I thought the area was special and not frequented by people, but not that remote! I'm going to put oil and gas in it soon and see if it works! Now I might have a backup!
The 4Runner:
Well, my wife talked me into breaking down and getting a brand new Toyota 4Runner. As a minimalist, I have never had a brand new vehicle in my life! But with dependability/liability being so critical taking people to remote 4 wheeling locations, I easily saw her point. Wow, what an awesome vehicle! I feel so spoiled. With the 3 inch lift, the Toyo MT's and such... it gets me wherever I want to go now with ease. I just bought it the other week with no miles, and it is approaching 5000 already!
The Image:
After intensive weather research, it looked like the area might produce some nice light with a heavy thunderstorm going by in the distance (from right to left).
Sony A7R2
Canon 11-24@24mm
50 ISO (expansion for cleaner noise profile)
1/100th
f/8
16:9 crop
Processed as a Photoshop RAW Smart Object The Lightning Trigger
Bugs, scorpions, and rattlesnakes:
I think because of the unusual drought in the SW and lack of thunderstorms we have really noticed a shift in several things. A lot more bugs at locations we have never experienced them before. More rattlesnake activity and encounters (2 on this tour alone) much more scorpions (at a location I have been maybe 50+ times and have never seen even one)!
So if you are out in the SW this year, be careful!!!
Lastly, if my replies are very delayed, it is because I flew back to FL (here 2 days) to see my stepsons football game, and now back to the SW (into September) then Glacier National Park for the peak of fall, and then I have to drive all the way back across the US back to Florida, then fly to Oregon to finish out the peak of Pacific Northwest Fall, then late fall Georgia Cypress Trees, SC Waterfalls and home to the Florida coastline. Too BUSY!
I hope everyone is doing great, getting great photos, and great light to you!
xterra07 wrote:
Great scenery
Have you tried other triggers and prefer yours?
Thank you!
Actually, I wanted to go with what people were saying was the best, which is the original company. So, no. But because I lead about 15-20 photography workshops a year I have had many clients on my SW workshops that have had all kinds of other knock-off brands. At this point, I am convinced that paying a little more for the original "The Lightning Trigger" is worth it. I have seen many other brands not perform so well. Also, a side note. I 4-wheel drive a lot, and this type of technology does not do well-getting rattled and beat up a lot. So be very careful with it. I have broken at least one (it quite performing well).
Great light and lightning as a special bonus. Fine work as usual, Mark. Great luck with the generator. Looks like you got the "trail model" on the 4Runner. Good pick, the locking diff and descent control come in handy.
. I now know, it fell off my vehicle last year, and not even a single person in a year had come by and picked it up! I was totally amazed! I thought the area was special and not frequented by people, but not that remote! 
I'm going to put oil and gas in it soon and see if it works! Now I might have a backup! 
