wbeem's photostream  

I think most photographers enjoy getting an elevated view of a city skyline. Las Vegas has a few different places to do that, but the Stratosphere is the tallest. In my opinion, though, it's not the best view of The Strip. You have a few challenges shooting up there.

The wind at that altitude can be exceptionally strong. You'd think a tripod would help, but they do not allow a tripod or even a monopod up there. You have to pass through security and they aren't joking about it. A guy in front of my had a 6" long table tripod and they took that away from him. I have my own opinions about people confiscating my property (that I won't let them do it), but the other side of that is you don't go up. I'm OK with that. Private property, they can make their own rules.

That's why I brought my Manfrotto Magic Arm with me. I called ahead and the guy on the other end of the phone said it was fine. Of course, the woman working security scans had no idea what it was and she wanted to deprive me of it. I asked for a supervisor. After some time dealing with a voice on the other end of the phone and explaining that it doesn't touch the ground, doesn't cause a safety issue and so forth, they finally approved it. The upper deck has a railing all the way around, so I had plenty of places to attach the clamp.

Of course, that wind was blowing it all over the place. It held my camera up, but it was shaking hard in that wind. I ended up taking some shots with it, and some handheld at higher ISO. It was a reminder to not feel too clever. I could keep it somewhat still by pressing my face close and holding the sides with my hands, but I really missed my tripod up there.

When I explained to the security guard that it didn't post a safety hazard, she said that wasn't the problem. "They just don't want anyone taking professional photos up there and selling them."

OK with me. I'm not going to sell it. I'm giving it away. As I've mentioned before, my photos are freely available under a Creative Commons Non-Commercial license. If you want to use this photo for personal use, all you have to do is give me credit and provide a link back to this my blog at williambeem.com

That lonely surfer out there must’ve been praying for some waves, but they just never came. I know a bit how he feels, except that I was praying for some clouds during this sunset at Blind Pass, between Sanibel & Captiva islands. You can’t always get what you want. However, he’s proof that you get what you need. Without that silhouette, there wouldn’t be a reason to show this photo.

Please visit the blog at williambeem.com

One of the things that seems to spark intense debate among photographers is cropping. It seems like such a simple thing, but I’ve witnessed a few fierce arguments over how a photo should be cropped, or even if it should be cropped it all. Some people will become rather obstinate about how you screwed up with the original capture because you should’ve been closer, used a different lens, or any other number of excuses because you didn’t get the composition they wanted in-camera. It’s entertaining to watch if you aren’t involved.

People quote rules as if they were carved in stone. Never have your horizon on the middle, this would be better if it were composed by the Rule of Thirds or along Phi. Much like the Pirate Code, I think of these rules more as guidelines. They’re good advice, but you can ignore them if you want.

There is only one rule that I think is imperative. Create your photo to make yourself happy. I experimented with different cropping on this photo. No doubt, some folks would actually prefer one or two of the crops that I rejected. If they were paying me, I’d crop it any way they wanted and give them the result. Since I wasn’t paid to take this photo, I decided that the result I liked best is the one I composed. Critics will always be there, but that doesn’t mean you have to let them push you around.

Please visit the blog at williambeem.com

My mother would be very unhappy if she saw me leaning over the edge of the Hoover Dam to get this photograph. On the other hand, she doesn’t like to fly, so I was pretty sure she wouldn’t be around to chastise me. Some little boy ran and hopped up on the ledge near me and his mother was quick (and quite right) to scold him for it. His father, on the other hand, told her to lighten up a bit. That must be the joy of parenting. It’s a good thing my mother didn’t see me when I was on that bypass bridge looking back at the dam, either, but that’s another story.

I can tell you that February is a wonderful time to visit Hoover Dam. The weather is comfortable and the crowd level is relatively. Compare that to summer time when it’s blistering hot and many times more crowded. It must be like a trip to hell in those months. Folks who work there tell me the handrails are so hot during the summer that you would rather fall down some steps than grab them.

Please visit the blog at williambeem.com

Lions love me. You can tell he just wants to pounce on over and say hello, right? That’s why I figured this was the perfect photo to show on Valentine’s Day. Nothing but love!

It’s not like he’s imagining me with steak sauce, or anything like that.

Please visit the blog at williambeem.com