What a wild week. I just returned from our workshop to the Ancient Bristlecone Pines. There were 20-odd participants for this year’s workshop and due to a conflict in lodging instead of a first night in Lone Pine we had a first night in Ridgecrest and went out to do some evening and night photography at the Trona Pinnacles. Good grief it was over 100 degrees in that part of the Mojave!!!
The next day we began our high altitude adventure by going up to Whitney Portal. Then we went on to the White Mountain Research Station/Crooked Creek. This high altitude facility is operated by UCLA and as an educational facility, workshops from, or hosted by, City College can utilize the facilities. The on-site manager, Tim, is a marvel. He is a former wilderness ranger and one of the best chefs in the mountains. I think returning participants to these workshops do so as much to have some more of Tim’s cooking than anything I can bring to the table.
On Friday afternoon while taking it easy to start the altitude adjustment process, I was captivated by a collection of bones and things that have been found in the area over the years. Following my presentation on the processes and thinking of fine-art photographers we went out to the porch and I did a demo of painting with light. I had earlier staged a little still life with a few of the various items and since it was now dark after the lecture, it was perfect timing for the shot. And here it is…
A still life of skulls and bones at the Crooked Creek Research Station. The lighting was accomplished with an LED wand using painting with light techniques and over 25 separate exposures. Shot with a Canon 5D MkII with Canon 24mm TS/E Tilt Shift Lens.
Using a 10-inch LED light wand as the source I took over 25 separate exposures to be assembled into this final version.
So, since returning from that trip I have had time to do laundry, get my other car back from servicing, plan a quick shoot in the morning, and from there will leave for the Brooks Teacher’s Conference and will be there until Sunday. I did not have time to process other shots from the trip so they will have to wait for now but I could not wait to assemble this example of Painting With Light.
If I have time to work on more of the images from this trip while at the conference I’ll try to add them, but based on previous conferences I’m making no promises.
Travels with Rocinante 
Although the clouds hampered some of the Milky Way shots of the Bristlecone Pines, there were still plenty of opportunities of capturing great images. David, thanks for coordinating the workshop!
You are very welcome. I always have a blast there and hope the participants did as well!