A Canyon Oasis in Baja California

First Light in the Canyon, Baja California, Mexico

I can’t remember the last time I heard some good news coming from Baja in the past year. It’s been a while since I’ve been down there because of all the media reports on the drup war, even David Muench told me to stay away from our border traffic areas and scenic parks. Of course I’m not one to stay away from something for too that I loved to photograph in the past. I finally gave in to my inner explorer and took a trip down to a very remote oasis deep in the Sonoran Desert of Baja. We passed through a couple of border towns in Mexico and the streets were full of people going about there business. I had a couple of guides that showed us around when we stopped at a super market to stalk up on food, water and spirits. I finished shopping quickly and went for a walk down to a taco stand with a friend from New Zealand. The walk was longer then I thought so I figured if anything bad is going to happen in Mexico now would of been a great time when I was seperated from the group and eco bus we were traveling on. Of course nothing happened and the only odd thing I saw was a hamburger truck passed by. Hmmm, in America or at least Los Angeles we have a lot of taco trucks it would be pretty ironic if they have hamburger trucks in Mexico? Hmmm.

At this moment I’m thinking this better not be the last time I’m seen. Easy to hide the feeling with a smile.

Here is a view of the basin below as we come down from the mountains.

Eventually we make it there and I get to explore this Sonoran Desert Oasis in the middle of nowhere.. .

After traveling so many miles via the eco friendly vegitable oil powered bus, walking across the San Diego / Mexican border crossing with only what you could carry on you in one backpacking trip and walking again from where the terrain became too difficult for the bus makes the beauty of desert something to cherish.

“I never saw a thing that the media used to keep me out of Mexico for over a year, Baja is different then mainland Mexico and TJ!”

Here is a little odd time lapse video I randomly put together to make my friends look like random free bird hippie types

I had never even thought of creating a time lapse video but I took my old 5D down into Mexico and it didn’t have the HD video on so I improvised.

Website: Portfolio
Workshop info: Scenic Photo Workshops
Private or small group workshop info: Learn.
Steve’s Photo Tips and How To Page
Steve’s Landscape Photographer Tools Page

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My Canon 5D Mark II Won’t Power Up

My Canon 5D Mark II won’t power up, why?

I had just finished uploading some images to a hard drive and showed up at a job and the camera would not power up. I switched batteries and still nothing. I ended up using a back up 5D to start and finish the job but getting used to the smaller LCD wasn’t making things easy.

I sent the camera back to Canon and remembered the last time it took about a week to get it fixed. I was told about Canon’s Professional Services (CPS) for pro photographers. I signed up for it in the morning and I showed up at the repair center later that afternoon. They asked for my membership number and instantly gave me a 20% discount. There are a few things you will have to do to qualify and they have different tiers with higher discounts so if you’re a full time working pro it’s something to look into. They called me the next day said it was ready to be picked up, the repair costed about $140. It was minor issue of the circuit board that connects to the power supply getting loose. Less of a serious issue this time around, the last time I forgot to click a link in the email they sent out to me to ok the repair so it took one week longer plus shipping on my end.

Here is a link to my last repair summary of the 5D Mk II. Better service with the CPS, I must say! Thank you Canon!

Twilight in Death Valley

When the light is gone in Death Valley it takes on a subtle and peaceful feeling.

This is a place where you may find desolation if you seek it out. You can watch the moon set and hear nothing but the wind.

Twilight is a time to watch the golden hues of the desert slowly disappear into the night sky.

And maybe watch them reappear as night turns to day once again.

Website: Portfolio
Workshop info: Scenic Photo Workshops
Private or small group workshop info: Learn.
Steve’s Photo Tips and How To Page
Steve’s Landscape Photographer Tools Page