My response is always the same. That’s an impossible question to answer. It’s akin to when people ask me what my favorite country is. For me, I love every country I have been to for totally different reasons, so it’s impossible to name just one. And for someone looking to jump into the amazing world of mirrorless camera systems, there is many factors that will have to be considered before making your purchase. What kind of photographer are you? Are you a landscape fanatic or just looking to capture those every day moments? What is most important to you in a camera and lens system? Megapixels? Speed? Compact size and light weight? And the most important question of them all, how much are you willing to invest in your photography passion?

Well I am here to help you make the right decision that is best for you. I have broken down the list into the ‘type’ of photographer that the kit is meant for, as well as the budget that photographer is willing to invest.

This guide is meant to be a jumping off point for your decision, and doesn’t answer in depth questions. If you have any questions about what might be right for you and your style, please feel free to send me a DM on my Instagram or send me an email. I would love to help you get the right system to fuel your creativity!  

General Gary – Travel And Documentary Photographer

I am starting with this genre, as I think it is the most descriptive fit for me and my style, and I also think this is what many of my readers would describe themselves as. We love to travel, and we want to have the best all around kit to best document what we see across the world.

Under $3,000

Sony a7 III Full-Frame Mirrorless Interchangeable-Lens Camera Optical with 3-Inch LCD, Black – $1,799 ($200 Off!)

I have said it before and I will say it again. In my opinion, the Sony A7III is by far the best all around camera on the market, especially for the ridiculously fair sub $2,000 price point. And right now, it’s on sale for $200 off! I am not going to get technical in this post, as there are plenty of other resources online to analyze specs. But what I can tell you is that I use a variety of Sony cameras in many different locations and projects around the world, and the Sony A7III delivers an absurd amount of features, killer full frame image quality, and fantastic low-light performance. The A7II was a great camera, don’t get me wrong. But the third generation of Sony cameras added the two most sought after features that hard core photo enthusiasts wanted. A better battery and dual SD card slots. While the dual card slots are a great addition for wedding photographers and photojournalists, I mainly just take advantage of the fact that I don’t have to switch SD cards nearly as often. But the one thing that always drove me crazy about the earlier versions of the Sony mirrorless cameras was the horrid battery performance. It wasn’t rare for me to blow through 5-8 batteries a day when on assignment. Luckily Sony listened to our concerns and redeveloped a bigger battery system that lasts forever! If you aren’t a hardcore landscape photographer who wants the freedom to crop 61 Megapixels, than most likely, the A7III is a camera that will fit your needs. This is also the one camera I continuously recommend for casual photographers who are looking into upgrading to the full frame universe.

Sony 24-70mm f/4 Vario-Tessar T FE OSS Interchangeable Full Frame Zoom Lens ($798)

When people ask me about which ‘everyday’ lens they should get, the 24-70mm is always my answer. This is by far the most useful walk around lens that will be able to let you capture wide angle shots at 24mm while also getting in closer to the action and creating background blur (bokah) for portrait photos at 70mm. Now, Sony makes two variations of the 24-70mm lens, this f/4 and the f/2.8. While the f/2.8 is an amazing lens, it’s also three times the price of the f/4. So unless budget is not a problem and you really need the faster performance and better low light capabilities of the f/2.8, this f/4 should fit the needs of most casual photographers.

Under $6,000

Allright, so you really want to up your photography game? Well, believe it or not, you can get a killer Sony kit of one full frame camera and 4 lenses for under $6,000, covering the entire focal range spectrum from super wide angle 12mm to super telephoto 200mm. 

Sony a7 III Full-Frame Mirrorless Interchangeable-Lens Camera Optical with 3-Inch LCD, Black – $1,799 ($200 Off!)

See Description Above

Sony 24-70mm f/4 Vario-Tessar T FE OSS Interchangeable Full Frame Zoom Lens – $798 ($100 Off!)

See Description Above

Sony FE 70-200mm F4 G OSS Interchangeable Lens for Sony Alpha Cameras ($1,398)

For someone just starting their photography journey, a 70-200mm lens is a lens you didn’t know you needed to have. But that all changes once you have one. The telephoto focal range allows for great bokeh, even though the minimum aperture is f/4 as opposed to f/2.8. The rule is, the more telephoto the photo is taken at, the more natural background blur is generated. In addition to being a nice portrait lens, the 70-200 doubles as a great landscape lens. While most think of landscapes only being photographed with a wide angle lens, once you start zooming in on dramatic snow capped mountains with storm clouds swirling, you will quickly realize some of your favorite landscape photos are being captured with this lens.

Sony – FE 12-24mm F4 G Wide-angle Zoom Lens – $1,673 ($100 Off!)

This. Lens. Is. Fun! Before using the Sony 12-24mm lens, I was always limited to 16mm being my widest focal range. Now, 16mm is wide, but not nearly as wide as those extra 4mm get you! 12mm is SUPER wide. And the best thing about this lens? At 12mm, there is not much fish-eye effect, which is common in most lenses this wide. While this is a great lens, there is a better wide angle alternative for landscape shooters that we will cover below. But if you want to round out your casual travel kit, the 12-24 is a great lens.

Under $10,000

Break out the rewards credit card! If you are serious about your photography and have the financial means, the Sony A7III all around bad ass camera can be paired with Sony’s absurdly beautiful G-Master lenses. Yes, they are expensive. But treat them well and this kit could last you decades. 

Sony a7 III Full-Frame Mirrorless Interchangeable-Lens Camera Optical with 3-Inch LCD, Black – $1,799 ($200 Off!)

See Description Above

Sony FE 24-70 mm F2.8 G Master – $2,198

As discussed above, the 24-70mm range is the ultimate ‘one lens’ solution. It will cover most situations you find yourself in, and with the G Master f/2.8 lens, Sony took their most popular lens and made it faster and sharper, leaving us pros drooling over the resulting images.

Sony FE 70-200mm f/2.8 G Master OSS Lens – $2,598

As with the above 24-70 G Master, Sony took a lens that wasn’t broken (the 70-200 f/4) and just made it 100 times better. This lens is as close to telephoto perfection!

Sony – FE 16-35mm F2.8 G Master Wide-angle Zoom Lens – $2,198

We haven’t talked about the landscape photographer’s focal range yet, but I intentionally saved it for this lens. While the Sony 16-35 f/4 wide angle is a decent lens, I have noticed a huge difference in my landscape images when taken with the 16-35mm G-Master f/2.8. If you are serious about landscape photography, this should be the first lens in your bag.

Casual Carl

Casual Carl is just getting into photography. Casual Carl wants to hone his new found passion with an entry level mirrorless camera that is light, easy to use and won’t break the bank. Well don’t you worry Casual Carl, Sony has you covered.

Under $500

Sony Alpha a6000 Mirrorless Digital Camera 24.3MP SLR Camera with 3.0-Inch LCD (Black) w/16-50mm Power Zoom Lens – $448

Normally I wouldn’t put a pre-made kit in this buyer’s guide, but since the kit with the 16-50mm zoom lens is only $50 more than the camera itself, it’s a no-brainer. The Sony a6000 is one of the best-selling APS-C cameras in Sony’s lineup, and for good reason. It’s the perfect camera for Casual Carl. Now, there is a big difference between APS-C sensors (cropped) and 35mm sensors (full frame), so if you aren’t sure of the difference, a quick Google search will give you all the information you need.

Under $800

Sony Alpha a6000 Mirrorless Digital Camera 24.3MP SLR Camera with 3.0-Inch LCD (Black) w/16-50mm Power Zoom Lens – $448

See Description Above

Sony E 55-210mm F4.5-6.3 Lens – $348

Well, you got your 16-50mm focal range with that insane Black Friday sale on the a6000 kit, so why not complete your go anywhere/see anything focal range with the versatile 55-210mm?

Under $1,600

Sony Alpha a6000 Mirrorless Digital Camera 24.3MP SLR Camera with 3.0-Inch LCD (Black) w/16-50mm Power Zoom Lens – $448

See Description Above

Sony E 55-210mm F4.5-6.3 Lens – $348

See Description Above

Sony – E 10-18mm F4 OSS Wide-angle Zoom Lens – $798 ($52 Off!)

While the kit 16mm lens is wide, it’s not wide enough for some of the landscape photos you may want to take. That’s where the beautiful 10-18mm comes in. If you didn’t read the crop vs full frame articles yet, the most important thing to know is that the focal length of lenses is not equal. Because the a6000 is a crop sensor, all of the lens focal lengths should be multiplied by about 1.5 to give you the 35mm (full frame) equivalent. So essentially, this 10-18mm crop sensor lens is about about 16-30mm full frame lens. Bottom line? This is the best (and only) ultra wide angle for the Sony APS-C system.

Under $3,700

Sony Alpha a6000 Mirrorless Digital Camera 24.3MP SLR Camera with 3.0-Inch LCD (Black) w/16-50mm Power Zoom Lens – $448

See Description Above

Sony – E 10-18mm F4 OSS Wide-angle Zoom Lens – $798 ($52 Off!)

See Description Above

Sony Alpha 16-55mm F2.8 G Standard Zoom APS-C Lens – $1,398

Now, I know what you are saying. “But Michael, you just told me to buy the kit with almost the exact same focal range kit lens” Yes, yes I did. But that is because it’s a great price. You are essentially getting a $200 lens for $50. But, just because the focal length is similar doesn’t meant the lenses are equal. Just like any product, there is high quality builds and lower cost builds. The kit lens is lower cost, while this lens is KILLER. The difference in quality is going to be night and day. So if you want the quality and have the financial means, get this lens and sell the kit lens, give it to a friend, or keep it as a backup.

Sony Alpha 70-350mm F4.5-6.3 G OSS Super-Telephoto APS-C Lens – $998

This long range focal lens can get you insanely close to the action, whatever it is. On Safari? Zoom right in on Simba’s eye with this 105mm-525mm full frame equivalent. Any time you have a focal range that large, photo quality can suffer a bit. But hey, Casual Carl just wants to photograph an elephant without getting trampled.

Casual Carl – Alternate APS-C Camera Bodies

The reason why I made all of these bundles with the A6000 camera is because it’s an incredible deal for Black Friday Weekend. But, if Casual Carl wants a newer, more advanced, and more expensive, APS-C Body, check out these two alternatives. 

Sony Alpha A6600 Mirrorless Camera – $1,398

Real time tracking and eye auto focus, for both people and animals, is incredible for a crop sensor camera of this size. With 5-axis in-body optical image stabilization, the Sony a6600 is about as close to a full frame camera as you can get while staying in the APS-C world.

Sony Alpha A6100 Mirrorless Camera – $648 ($100 Off!)

There really isn’t much difference between the A6600 and the A6100, and for more than half the price, the a6100 is a GREAT camera to pick up at $100 off it’s retail price.

Casual Carl Goes Full Frame For Under $1,000!

Just because you are casual and don’t want to sell your car to join the full-frame community doesn’t mean that you can’t with this incredible kit! 

Sony Alpha a7II Mirrorless Digital Camera with 28-70mm Lens – $998 ($732 Off!)

Remember when I complained above about the second generation battery life? Well that still applies, but does it really matter when you can get a brand spanking new full frame Sony Mirrorless camera AND a kit lens for over $700 off? For just $998, this is a STEAL. You could also get just the A7II body for just $100 less and pair it with any of the other full frame lenses mentioned above or below.

Landscape Larry

We all know Landscape Larry. He will be at the overlook for sunrise 2.5 hours early just to claim his spot. And rightfully so, as he has some awesome photos to take with his Sony Landscape Kit! 

Under $4,000

Sony a7R III: 42.4MP Full Frame Mirrorless Camera – $2,498 ($300 Off!)

The R Series of the Sony Alpha A7 cameras were made for landscape photographers. Higher Megapixels and more dynamic range give landscape shooters all the tools they need to capture those stunning sunrises and sunsets. While you can get a pretty incredible deal on the A7II at the moment, I am going to only recommend the A7rIII and A7RIV strictly due to the battery. As I mentioned, the old batteries don’t last long at all under normal conditions, so imagine how quick they go when shooting frigid landscapes. There is nothing worse than having to take off your gloves to change a battery every 15 minutes in negative temperatures, trust me. Save yourself the pain and get the newer models.

Sony 16-35mm Vario-Tessar T FE F4 ZA OSS E-Mount Lens $1,248 ($100 Off!)

Well you are Landscape Larry, aren’t you? You need a landscape lens! While not as sharp as the 16-35 f/2.8 G Master, at almost $1,000 less expensive, you won’t really care about the minor differences in pixels for those epic landscapes, will you?

Samyang 14mm F2.8 Ultra Wide Lens for Sony E-Mount – $249

Why am I including a manual focus and manual aperture lens in Landscape Larry’s kit? Because this is the go to Astro Photography lens for many photographers. Sure, there are comparable lenses that take great nightscapes. But they have bells and whistles and cost thousands more. I have been using this for my astro photos for almost a decade now, and it simply gets the job done. And at a constant $249, it is easy on the wallet.

Under $8,600

Sony α7R IV Full-frame Mirrorless Camera – $3,498

The King! My dream camera. The A7rIV takes an already unbelievable A7rIII and makes it even better. The biggest perk is also its biggest problem? The 61 megapixels will have you pixel peeping the fangs of a sprinting jaguar, but will also be very bad for your external hard drive budget.

Sony – FE 16-35mm F2.8 G Master Wide-angle Zoom Lens – $2,198

The ultimate landscape lens! See description above.

Sony FE 70-200mm f/2.8 G Master OSS Lens – $2,598

Get in tight on those majestic mountains!

Samyang 14mm F2.8 Ultra Wide Lens for Sony E-Mount – $249

I mean, you spent $3,500 on the camera. Save a couple bucks on this perfectly capable astro lens.

Prime Pam

The older I get, the more I become Prime Pam. I love prime lenses. The look you get from prime lenses just can’t be recreated with zoom lenses.Go ahead and argue with me. I will just sit here enjoying my dreamy prime photos.  Not to mention, prime lenses are much faster aperture, making for easier and cleaner low light photography. 

Under $8,600

Sony a7 III Full-Frame Mirrorless Interchangeable-Lens Camera Optical with 3-Inch LCD, Black – $1,799 ($200 Off!)

I am making the A7III big in this final kit, because I cannot stress enough how amazing this camera is for the price. And right now, at $200, you should NOT miss it.

Sony E-mount FE 24mm F1.4 GM Full Frame Wide-angle Prime Lens – $1,398

This may be my all time favorite lens. I shot almost exclusively on it while adventuring in Morocco and Jordan for five weeks, and my images were killer. In my opinion, a 24mm prime is the best photojournalism lens, and this incredible glass from Sony is one of the best 24mm ever made.

Sony Distagon T FE 35mm f/1.4 ZA Standard-Prime Lens – $1,498 ($100 Off)

This lens, like the 24mm, is glorious. A standard focal length, the 35mm will get you sharp images while not being in your subject’s face. Because of the de-click aperture ring in both this lens as well as the 24mm, these also make great video lenses.

Sony FE 85mm f/1.4 GM Lens – $1,798

The ultimate portrait lens. There is something about the look of people through an 85mm prime that can never be copied. If photographing people is your thing, this is the lens for you.

FE 135mm F1.8 G Master Telephoto Prime Lens – $2,098

I wish I had this lens. Sadly, I do not. But I did get to use Sony Artisan Colby Brown’s while we were in Mongolia, and this may be my new favorite portrait lens over the 85mm.

The Bill Gates Billionaire Bonus!

Let’s be real. None of us can afford these unicorn lenses. But, if, by some off chance you can, please purchase through my affiliate links and I will be your best friend forever. And I will buy the beer. 

Sony 400mm F/2.8-2.8 Fixed Prime Camera Lens – $11,998

*Heart Eye Emoji*

Sony FE 600mm f/4 GM OSS Lens

*Heart Eye Emoji AF*

The post The Ultimate Sony Camera and Lens Buyer’s Guide For Every Budget appeared first on Resource Travel.

Oh, and on top of all these awesome products, 10% of each sale goes to a variety of charities. Since day one, the 5 Day Deal flash sales have generated over 1.6 MILLION dollars for charities around the world. So while you are becoming a better photographer this winter, you will also be helping to make the world a little better place.

Aurora HDR 2019 ​

So, I have a confession to make. When I first started in photography over a decade ago, I was always baked. HDR baked! For some reason, I thought those horrible, oversaturated, bad acid-trip HDRs looked cool. And when I uploaded them to my Instagram, my non-photographer friends kept commenting about how cool they looked too, so down the HDR rabbit hole I went. Only as my style progressed did I realize two things. One, my editing was horrible. And two, HDR is simply combining shadow and highlight information from multiple exposures, and when done properly, can increase the dynamic range of a photo in a natural look. From all I have heard about Aurora HDR, it’s a great program to help you blend the exposures together with a finished product that looks natural. Of course, I am sure there are some presets and sliders that will help you obtain the bad acid trip look, but for most of us, working with a TIFF file loaded with light information will be enough.

Joel Grimes: ‘The Artist’ ​

Joel Grimes is a master at his craft. His work is jaw dropping, beautiful and clean. While it is not the type of photography I do (studio lighting, composites), there is no doubt the man knows his stuff when it comes to finding inspiration, making a vision become reality, and running a successful photography business. So when he touches on all of this and more in a 12 lesson course, you sit down and take extensive notes.

Secrets to Amazing Photos from the Masters

As I mentioned, I have been a full time photographer for a decade. I feel like I know my stuff. But, there is ALWAYS something new to learn. And the best place to learn is from other photographers. Marc Silber has condensed years of knowledge he has gained from some of the world’s best known photographers into a complete course. While I feel I may know most of what is outlined, as I said, seeing how other’s in your field approach their art is always a valuable learning experience.

Get Camera Confident

I have known and respected Lauren Bath for years. She knows travel, and she knows social media. So much so, she was able to leave her stable income as a chef to jump into the travel photography business and quickly made her Instagram one of the better curated and most followed on the mobile platform. So like above, I may know a good amount of what Lauren teaches in this course, but to learn her angle is a valuable lesson I will absorb for a long time.

Start to Finish 1&2

Ryan Dyar is a landscape photography god, and this course is exactly what I need. I take a lot of landscape images, and 0.01% of them ever see Photoshop. Why? Because, quite frankly, I don’t know how to use Photoshop! Not like the master landscape photographers, anyway. Focal length blend, focus stacking and luminosity masking are three things that have been on my ‘Need to Master’ list for years now. I can say without a doubt, this will probably be the most valuable product for me in this year’s bundle.

Photoshop For Lightroom Users

As mentioned above, almost all of my editing is done in Lightroom. While it works great, there is many ways to make my photos even more dynamic by bringing them into Photoshop for some additional tweaks. Combined with Ryan Dyar’s above class, I look forward to finally being confident and efficient in my Photoshop editing.

Charity Bonus Additions

The below three products are only offered in the Charity Bonus Bundle, which is another amazing deal, bringing together over $1,200 worth of products for just $24.

Master Collection: 200 Creative Overlays

If you haven’t met the team behind Pro EDU, well, I feel sorry for you. They are maybe the most fun group in the business. But not only are they fun, they maybe the hardest working guys in the photo educator business. So while I have never used overlays in my work before, watching their trailer about how it can add drama to your images has me frothing at the mouth and thinking about all of the possibilities with some of my older photos sitting stagnant in my Lightroom catalog.

Astrophotography: Post Processing the Milky Way

Oh man, I love love love shooting the Milky Way! Who doesn’t? Surprisingly, photographing the Milky Way is actually much easier than most people think. But, EDITING Milky Way photos? Now that’s a major pain in the you know what. Luckily the awesome photographer Nick Page gives us a step by step guide on how to make those Milky Way images pop off the screen, brining your viewers on a stargazing adventure like no other.

Understanding Exposure & Your DSLR

I have been leading photography workshops for over 7 years now, and the first thing I recommend to my team members and the last thing I leave them with is these words. “Read Understanding Exposure by Bryan Peterson!” In my opinion, it is the bible of mastering photography. I learned my way around a camera and making an ‘exposure’ with this book, and still read it every year to refresh myself on the core fundamentals of photography, which also helps me clearly convey these lessons as a photo educator. I cannot stress it enough. Read this book, and read it often.

So there you have it! This year’s 5 Day Deal is jam packed with some insane goodies, at an even more insane price. So go on, get yourself a Pumpkin Spiced Latte, but a log on the fire, and improve your photography today!

The post 9 Photography Tools I Am Excited About That Won’t Break the Bank appeared first on Resource Travel.

The entire collection of video software programs, educational tutorials, video music, and LUTs would run you around $1,800 if purchased separately. But for the next five days only, the bundle can be had for a remarkable 95% off, costing just $89. Do I make a small commission if you purchase from my links here? You betcha. But that doesn’t mean that this isn’t a phenomenal deal on video tutorials, tools and resources. I myself will be buying this and taking advantage of all of the resources included. But, these are the five I am most excited about.

The post Seven Video Creator Tools I Am Excited About That Won’t Break the Bank appeared first on Resource Travel.

On his website, Studer describes that there is a very deep and meaningful reason behind the photo series and short film.

My intention with ‘Space to Roam’ was not to necessarily focus on the astronaut, but rather to showcase the otherworldly scenery found in Southwestern America’s public lands in hopes of protecting them.
Just a couple days ago, an ex oil & gas lobbyist was appointed to lead the US Interior Department…a huge threat to America’s public lands. I strongly feel like we need to preserve them for future generations to experience.

While Studer has chosen not to disclose the locations used in the production with ‘astronaut’ Kyle Hague, delicate landscapes like this are sprinkled in the American Southwest, which makes Studer’s mission for trying to help preserve them an important one. With the recent downsizing of Bear’s Ears National Monument, there is no more crucial time to speak up about the importance of your public lands then now.

Follow Andrew Studer on his website, Instagram and Facebook. 

The post Astronaut Photo Series Aims To Help Preserve The American Southwest’s Otherwordly Landscapes appeared first on Resource Travel.

The photographer behind the image, Ami Vitale, is a well-known documentarian who photographs have appeared in countless international publications, but most notably, National Geographic. For the Nikon Ambassador, her interest in photography started as a passport to meet new people and experience cultures all over the world. But, as her travels increased, Vitale’s lens became a tool to educate and raise awareness for the causes that she found herself gravitating too. 10 years ago, that passion found a main focus. African wildlife and the critically endangered rhino.

Over the years, Vitale has told both uplifting and heartbreaking stories about the rhinos plight. And now, Vitale wants to include us in the story. In partnership with the online fundraising platform, Omaze, Vitale is bringing two lucky people to join her in Kenya to visit the last two living female northern white rhinos at the Ol Pejeta Conservancy. And best of all? Even if you do not win the sweepstake style contest, your donation goes to helping protect the rhinos and other endangered wildlife at the Ol Pejeta Conservancy. For more information on the prize details and how to enter, head on over to the dedicated site on Omaze.

After I gladly bought myself 1,000 entries, I was lucky enough to sit down with Ami Vitale to talk about her passion for rhino conservation, how her relationship with Sudan started, how his passing affected her, and whether we can win the battle to conserve these endangered creatures.

Unfortunately, far too many animals are on the endangered list. With limited time and resources, what was it about Africa’s endangered species, specifically the rhinos, that drew you in?

I had the privilege of meeting Sudan nine years ago, and he changed the trajectory of my work.  I heard about a plan to airlift four of the world’s last northern white rhinos from the Dvůr Králové Zoo in the Czech Republic to Kenya. It was a desperate, last-ditch effort to save a species. At the time, there were only eight of these rhinos left, all living in captivity. He looked ancient, part of a species that has lived on this planet for millions of years, yet could not survive mankind. The moment I saw these magnificent creatures, I quickly understood how important it was to share this story with the world. We are witnessing extinction on our watch and poaching is not slowing down. It’s entirely possible, even likely, that if the killing continues, these rhinos—along with elephants and a host of lesser known plains animals—will be functionally extinct in our lifetime. The plight of wildlife and the conflict between poachers and increasingly militarized rangers has received much-needed attention. But very little has been said about the indigenous communities on the front lines of the poaching wars, and the incredible work being done to strengthen them. We often forget that the best protectors of these landscapes are the local communities. Their efforts are ultimately the best immunization against forces that threaten both their wildlife and way of life.

You have taken many incredible images in your career, but maybe none has resonated as much with the public as the emotional moment you captured Joseph Wachira comforting Sudan, the last male Northern White Rhino, as he passed away. Even though you had been working with Sudan and endangered rhinos for almost a decade, how did this moment change you?

To watch the last of something die is something I hope never to  experience again. Sudan’s death could mean the extinction of his species, but if there is meaning in his passing, it’s that all hope is not lost. This can be our wake-up call. In a world of more than 7 billion people, we must see ourselves as part of the landscape. Our fate is linked to the fate of animals. My hope is that Sudan’s legacy serves as a catalyst to awaken humanity. There is a universal truth and we are in this intricate web together.  There is so much that connects us all to one another,  whether we understand it or not and the loss of any species has a ripple effect on other animals and on all of humanity too. The future of nature is the future of us.

When you first met Sudan, you described him as being surrounded by smokestacks and humanity as he lived in the Dvůr Králové Zoo in the Czech Republic. As a photographer who has devoted most of her career to conservation efforts, how do you keep a positive outlook when you see the harm that mankind has brought to these ancient animals?

There are incredible stories where people, who often have no political power or resources are creating impact and change in their own communities. I am constantly reminded in the power of individuals to create the world we want to live in and I think sharing these stories and images of hope are what motivate action. What is happening without fanfare in some of these places I have the privilege of working in is nothing less than a miracle. It is the beginning of a transformation in the way  communities relate to the wild animals they have long feared, with potential implications for communities and wildlife across Africa.

This opportunity for two lucky winners to join you for five days at the Ol Pejeta Conservancy in Kenya really seems like a dream trip. Above all, what are the feelings and experiences that you wish for the winners to leave with?

I expect people will leave with a sense of wonder and hope. Because Love IS going to be what saves us all. The first step in caring about our natural world is by falling in love. Once you are in love, you have the courage and desire to make miracles happen.

In your article for TIME, you describe the love that surrounded Sudan in his final moments. For all of the outpouring of love for Sudan, there is a fair amount of people who do not share the same love for conservation efforts. How do you see this seemingly never-ending battle looking like in 10 years? 50 years? 100 years? Is there any hope?

Planet Earth is the only home we have and we have poked some big holes in our shared little life raft. Personally, what saddens me the most is that our children may not get to experience and benefit from the variety of life we have today. There is a good chance that like the northern white rhinos, a whole host of species will eclipse into myth, like unicorns. We are about to condemn all future generations to eternal poverty.  So what must we do? What happens next is in all of our hands.

Everyone here has the capacity to make an impact by making your voice heard. The truth of the matter is very, very few people are actually engaged in the fate of our planet.  And a friend said this to me. Its so important. The messenger matters as much as the message. It’s important that EVERY one of us be that messenger. This project with Omaze is about collaborating and shining a light on those who are caring for the environment in all its forms – from glaciers to deserts, to elephants to the tiniest of ants that inhabit the earth.  Our future depends on all of them. It’s also about taking this message to a variety of different audiences… If more people are involved, then, absolutely, we’ll come up with solutions. Get involved. There is a role for each and every one of us.

Follow Ami Vitale on her website, Instagram, and Facebook

The post A Conversation with Ami Vitale About Rhino Conservation and How You Can Win a Trip to Kenya appeared first on Resource Travel.

Many who come to Stanley for the first time during these long summer days wonder how such a gem could only have a population of 62 residents, as the road sign leading into town claims. While warm and comfortable in the summer months, Stanley does an about-face in the darker winter days. Average daily high temperature in January? 26 degrees Fahrenheit. Average nightly low? -2 Fahrenheit.

So why would I leave the comfortable confines of my downtown Boise apartment in the dead of winter to make the short two and a half hour drive to one of the coldest places in the Pacific Northwest? Romance my friends, romance. Braving this frigid air in the name of romance wasn’t what I was expecting when I wrote about the 11 reasons why I moved to Idaho.

I will admit that I usually run the other way when I see the words ‘All Inclusive’ when booking my travel plans. On the road, I like to live moment to moment, willing to abandon ideas and plans as the adventure plays out, and usually on a shoestring budget. But when I saw the ad for the Stanley High Country Inn’s Winter Romantic Getaway, I was intrigued. My partner, Laura, had recently put in long days studying to get her massage therapy license, on top of her almost nightly job in a restaurant. So when she passed her exam, I thought a quick weekend getaway would be a nice way to celebrate, and those words, ‘All-Inclusive’ and ‘Stanley’ rang in my head. I quickly called and reserved a room, the ‘Ace of Diamonds’ suite, and just like that, our mid-winter romantic weekend to Stanley, Idaho was booked. But would braving some chilly nights be worth it?

Yes, yes, and yes. We had one of the most fun, adventure-filled and cozy weekends imaginable. Would I recommend it? Highly. Just be aware of where you are visiting (let’s talk about layers, people!) and enjoy a romantic winter weekend in Stanley, Idaho. Still need to be convinced? Here are 7 reasons why you should book a romantic, all-inclusive winter weekend at Stanley High Country Inn with some pretty photos to prove it.

There is no denying it. Whether it is 90 degrees or -15 degrees, the Sawtooth Mountains are some of the most photogenic in the west. And you won’t have to go far to see them, as there is no better view of these mighty mountains than from smack in the middle of town. But to get an even better view, and with some beautiful fences in the foreground, head up the hill to Stanley Pioneer Park.

Stanley isn’t a place to sleep in, however. The rising sun hits the Sawtooths, casting a beautiful early morning light on the snow covered peaks. And even though you won’t get light on the mountains at sunset from town, the winter sky often lights up in bright oranges, pinks and purples as the sun hits the horizon.

To get a view of the back of the Sawtooths with some late afternoon light, drive five miles west on Highway 21 to the hill just behind the turn off for Stanley Lake.

Idaho has the most usable hot springs in the United States, with 130 being deemed ‘soakable’ out of the 340 that dot the state’s landscape. And some of the best are in the Stanley region. If searching for primitive hot springs in freezing cold conditions along the Salmon River isn’t your thing, reserve the hot spring cabin behind the Mountain Village Resort for a hot soak with an unobstructed view of the Sawtooths.

Even though winters in Stanley are relatively empty, the hot springs are still popular with day trippers from Boise, so to find solitude, early morning soaks with a cup of coffee is a great way to guarantee that you will have the tub all to yourselves. And if you are really brave, there is no better place in Idaho to enjoy an adult beverage while stargazing. Just be aware, the temperature may be below zero degrees at night, which is fine when you are in the hot spring, but the wet walk back to the car may be a bit painful.

For years, Stanley has been my heaven on earth, so if you had told me that my favorite moments from this trip would have been spent indoors, I would have laughed it off. But not the case during our stay at the Stanley High Country Inn, thanks to the mouth watering meals and wonderful service from executive chef TJ Degnan and his partner and restaurant manager Maggie Staas. As part of the all-inclusive stay, guests are treated to welcome appetizers on Thursday and a full dinner on Friday and Saturday nights. Oh, but did I mention three days worth of brunch as well? The meals were some of the best I have ever had, and I surely did not expect to get that in the dead of winter in the ghost town of Stanley. Even though we were the only guests, the level of care and detail that Degnan put into his creative dishes was extraordinary. Honestly, as amazing as the adventure-filled weekend was, I would have been perfectly happy eating everything TJ and Maggie could throw at us while sitting around the warm and inviting dining room fireplace.

While Stanley is surrounded by incredible mountains, none of the peaks are ski-able. There is no ski resort here, so one way to get out and enjoy some of the winter sun is to rent some snowmobiles from Todd, the friendly and knowledgeable owner of Sawtooth Traxx and get lost on the trails that take you to some of the frozen over lakes in the valley. We opted for an afternoon excursion to Redfish Lake Lodge, normally bustling with lake loving boaters during the summer. During the winter however, the road to the lake is closed and only accessible via snowmobile, snowshoe, or cross country skiing. With not a cloud in the sky and the sun shining bright, there was a number of people on the trail who opted to warm up their cold muscles via a snow shoe hike. While the temperatures were below freezing, you wouldn’t have known it from the smiles that graced the faces of the Saturday afternoon adventure hounds.

Once we arrived to the lodge, we walked down the pier and enjoyed and afternoon snack as we overlooked the frozen lake. With not a soul around, we listened to the silence as the afternoon sun began to disappear behind the Sawtooths. We headed back to town, and the four-hour adventure had us wishing we had booked the sleds for the entire day.

By the time Saturday afternoon had rolled around, the frigid air hardly seemed to bother us anymore, and we were anxious to stay outside in this winter wonderland for as long as possible. Luckily for us, the team at Stanley High Country Inn had two fat bikes for us to take out for a blue hour ride. Blue hour (the hour after sunset, which literally casts a blue hue in the sky) is maybe my favorite time in Stanley. And it’s even better in winter, as the snow shines bright as dusk descends. We rode our bikes up a small hill on Wall Street until we reached Stanley Pioneer Park and the snowmobile track entrance. We rode along the fence until we had wide open views of the Sawtooths as we peddled on the well groomed snow. There is something beautifully eerie about being on this track during blue hour. We zoned out and enjoyed the calmness, which lasted minutes before two friendly snowmobile riders zoomed past, encouraging us to race them out to the lake. The realist in me declined, but Laura doesn’t like to lose. So she gave it her best shot, until being left in the dusty snow about 7 seconds after the race started.

As I mentioned, Laura just started working as a massage therapist, so when I heard there was a well known masseuse in Stanley, even through the winter, I thought it would be nice to put her on the massage table for a change. And of course, while I was at it, I couldn’t say no to wrapping up a busy, adventurous weekend without getting one myself. And what a way to end the weekend it was!

Pamela “Noeau” Day trained and lived in Hawaii, so her massages all have hints of the famous Lomilomi style of long, flowing strokes. We felt as if we were in a different universe as Day did her magic. We left in a state of euphoria, and we both agreed that Day gave us one of the best, if not THE best massage both of us had ever had. Amazing how this massage wizard is living a quiet mountain life in the frosty Sawtooth mountains. Check out the winter spa menu on the Meadow Creek Inn website and make sure to treat yourself before you finish your romantic getaway to Stanley.

There are many reasons to love Stanley, Idaho. But perhaps my favorite is the quiet solitude that isn’t hard to find, even in the summer months. But if you want to disconnect and spend a romantic weekend alone with your partner, you will be hard pressed to find a better time or place than winter in Stanley, Idaho. As far as I could tell, we were the only non-locals in town that weekend, and given that there aren’t many locals either, Stanley can feel like a ghost town at times, which is more than welcomed when you live an often crazy and chaotic ‘normal’ life.

Life in Stanley, Idaho is different. Life in Stanley, Idaho in the dead of winter is very different. It isn’t for everyone. But if you are looking for a quiet weekend with your partner full of amazing food, beautiful scenery, a little bit of adventure and a lot of smiles, then spending a romantic getaway at the Stanley High Country Inn is just what you both need.

Follow Michael Bonocore on Instagram, Facebook and his website.
Follow Stanley High Country Inn on their Instagram, Facebook and their website.

The post 7 Reasons to Embrace the Cold for a Romantic Getaway in Stanley, Idaho appeared first on Resource Travel.

If you are one of Chris Burkard’s 3.3 million followers on Instagram, then you undoubtedly have a steady feeling of FOMO hitting your feed daily. There is no other way to describe it. Burkard posts some of the most incredible outdoor photography out there today, and it seems like his life is one big adventure. Well, spoiler alert. It is. Check out the article Burkard wrote for Resource Travel about how adventure is his biggest inspiration.

But, not everything always lines up perfectly in Burkard’s globe trotting life. Sometimes, the 32-year old photographer from Pismo Beach, California has those trips that don’t exactly work out as planned. But for Burkard, the stakes are always higher, as much of his travel is for large adventure brands.

Such was the case when I ran into Burkard in Patagonia last April. He was shooting a campaign called #SpiritOfExploration for the Montblanc 1858 Collection, and I was in the wild and remote region co-leading a month worth of workshops with my friend Colby Brown. Just as our first team departed from El Chalten, Argentina, a massive storm system rolled through. Suddenly, the postcard views of Mt. Fitz Roy and Cerro Torre were no where to be found, instead replaced with a wall of white. A thick wall of white. And that wall had a lot of rain. Sideways rain. And wind. Oh man, that wind. We got a taste of the real Patagonia, one of the most brutal and extreme environments in the world. 

To give you some context as to what is behind that wall, here is a photo I took at sunset shortly before the storm system came through. 

Well, as that storm rolled through, so did Chris Burkard. Needless to say, this wasn’t the conditions that he nor the film crew was expecting or hoping for. But, impressively, they took the cards they were dealt and told an engaging and beautifully filmed story about how the spirit of exploration can live on, even when the weather is your worst enemy. I sat down with Chris Burkard in between his adventures to follow up with him about his time in Patagonia, how the story of the film changed over the course of the harsh nearly two-week period, and about how he finds inspiration to keep shooting, even when the things aren’t going his way. We were also lucky enough to get some behind-the-scenes photos of the adventure from Ryan Hill.

We have talked extensively about your film ‘Under an Arctic Sky’ where things didn’t quite go as planned, but somehow in the end, the final adventure was even more exciting then the original plan. In this short film for Montblanc, it seems that lucky break you got in Iceland never materialized in Patagonia. With so much riding on this project, how do you keep yourself inspired when another day goes by without that lucky break? And more importantly, when it was all over, did the thought of ‘what could have been’ haunt with you when you returned home?

Dealing with adversary, especially bad weather days, is something that I’ve become very accustomed to on projects over the years. Almost so much to the point where they seem like a necessary part of the process, as it makes those lucky breaks so much more rewarding when they happen. I find that when things aren’t going the way I envisioned, my inspiration turns from what’s actively happening to what could be. It gives you time to really think about how you’re going to capitalize when things turn around, how you may approach things differently, and making sure your fully prepared for when it happens. Focusing on those things keep me inspired and help me stay positive.

I would lying if I didn’t say I thought of what could of been, but that’s a natural part of any creative process. Looking back I’m really satisfied with what the project embodied because I feel it really showcased the raw elements of exploration. We didn’t try to sugarcoat the experience or make it something it wasn’t. It was an honest look at what happens when things don’t go to plan.

In the film, you spend time in a mountain home with a very photogenic local farmer. Who was this man? And is meeting him an experience that may be would not have come to be if the weather did go as planned?

He is an old time sheep farmer turned alpinist and a bit of a local legend in Patagonia as he was the first porter in the region that helped guide the likes of Yvon Chouinard and a lot of the original pioneers of climbing in Patagonia. Our local guide is a long time friend of his and had told us a few stories about him so when we had some extra downtime due to weather we knew we had to meet him. It was pretty crazy being able to hear about the early days of climbing in Patagonia and what those guys went through in the pursuit of progressing climbing. That encounter is a great example of something that wasn’t originally planned for but ended up being one of my favorite memories of the trip.

I am imagining the final film concept wasn’t what the original storyboard looked like, but to me, the final result lives up to the #SpiritOfExploration campaign even more so than the original concept. Was there ever any doubt in your mind that the film would have told an original and inspiring story?

The exciting part of embarking on any type of expedition like this are the elements that are unknown. You can plan as much as you want but when you are dealing with such fickle things like weather you never really know what is going to happen, or if anything will even go to plan. But that is what the spirit of exploration is really about. It’s about not knowing. It’s about coming face to face with and acknowledging that risk and deciding to go anyway.

I was less concerned about telling an inspiring or original story than I was about really authentically capturing what I feel is the spirit of exploration. For me that was what took precedent. Embracing those highs and lows and showcasing what that rollercoaster really looks like was what I was most focused on and what I think we were able to convey.

In the film you said “A trip like this humbles you. If everything goes perfect, you walk away completely unchanged.” When all was said and done, how did this far from perfect and challenging expedition to Patagonia change you?

More than anything this trip inspired me to want to get back to Patagonia. The raw force of the conditions there were nothing like I’ve experienced before so I’m dying to get back and see more of the region. It has such a rich history of exploration and my experience there really just reinforced how many stories there are to be told there.

See more from Chris Burkard on his website, Facebook, and Instagram.

See more from Ryan Hill on his website and Instagram.

The post Braving The Extreme and Merciless Weather of Patagonia With Chris Burkard appeared first on Resource Travel.

On Rustad’s website, he describes the incredible about of work that went into developing the nearly eight minutes of jaw dropping scenes from some of South America’s most pristine locations. 

One year of travel, nine countries, countless hours on buses, motorbikes, and cars. Hundreds of thousands of images taken. 30TB of data used, 5 months of editing. The time-lapse film features South America like it has never been before with images from Brazil, Venezuela, Guyana, Colombia, Argentina, Chile, Peru, Bolivia and Ecuador.

And Rustad is right. We have never seen South America quite like this. We sat down with the filmmaker to talk briefly about the process of making a film of this magnitude. 

“The sheer amount of work that goes into these films, and this one in particular, is staggering. What was the most challenging aspect of creating this film?”

I think being in a completely new country where everything is different from home was the most difficult thing about this project. I didn’t know the language, any people, and most importantly I didn’t know how the nature behaved. As time went by I got more experience and things got easier, and I got more confidence that I could handle the conditions.

“Most of your scenes involve remote sections of nature. Is so much solitude challenging when creating your films? Do you ever feel the need to stay in a town for a couple of days to find some human interaction?”

I enjoy spending time with only nature and myself, so that was never really a problem. A book or a podcast can make me feel a little less lonely if needed.

“Can you tell us a little about your next project? How about your ultimate ‘dream’ film?”

I’m aiming for a trip to Pakistan this summer if everything goes as planed. A big dream for me would be to do a sequel in Africa, but that would require extensive planning and funding.

After watching Rustad’s vision of South America, it’s easy to get excited for his trip and film from Pakistan, as well as his other future adventures. We will undoubtedly be sharing his future work here on Resource Travel, but in the meantime, Follow Morten Rustad on his website, YouTube, Instagram and Facebook.

The post Beaches, Mountains, and Deserts: See The Diverse Beauty of South America appeared first on Resource Travel.

For the first episode, host Kishore Sawh dons his finest sport coat as he spearheads a panel discussion about ‘landscape photography’ with a who’s who of outdoor adventure photography.

Erin Babnik, Jacob Riglin, Chris Burkard, Keith Ladzinski and Pete McBride are no strangers to the outdoors, extreme environments and conservation efforts. Collectively, the formidable five-some has almost 6 MILLION followers on Instagram, with Burkard, Ladzinski and McBride being regular contributors for the holy grail of photography journalism, National Geographic.

So when you have the chance to watch these five brilliant minds sit down together and just chat about their passion for their art, you mine every ounce of knowledge out of the experience as you can.

I watched the discussion twice over, and I learned just as much the second time around as the first. I have collected a list of my favorite quotes from the show, but to really get the lesson behind the words, I advise shutting off all distractions and watching the discussion yourself.

“A photograph now is more of a communication tool than anything.” -Chris Burkard

Chris was talking about the advance of photography as an art form over the years. He related his recent experience of studying Ansel Adam’s archives, and how the archivist explained that, in Ansel’s day, photography was more a tool for science than an art. Keith talked about how most of the photographs being taken today are almost strictly for the personal memories, bringing full circle how far the ‘art’ of photography has come since Ansel Adam’s day.

“There is an element of loving a place to death…and maybe part of the story I am trying to tell is that we have to protect this place. If your canvas is going to be the outdoors, isn’t there a question for us as storytellers to protect it?” – Pete McBride

The group discussion turned to how to keep people engaged in such a saturated social media society. Pete recounts how he revisits places that he used to enjoy by himself years ago, whereas now those same places have dozens of people constantly crammed into them, most trying to get the same photograph. Whereas Pete’s career has been focused on conservation, he brings up an important point. Maybe we all need to do a little more to help prevent us as a society from ‘loving a place to death.’

‘Be educated as to what the local issues are. Don’t travel blindly. Open yourself up to more awareness of what you are doing and what you are shooting. This is our responsibility as photographers.’ – Chris Burkard

Chris touches on an important point here. Why are you traveling in the first place? Is it to experience the culture, try the food, or get that one photo for Instagram? Whatever the underlying reason is, open your eyes and ears and get to know the community, the land, and the people that you are visiting. You are in their home. Show respect by getting to know the land and its inhabitants that have been there for centuries before you arrived and will be there for centuries after you leave.

“Photography is my life. Most of the time I am taking pictures, it’s for me. I think most people shoot for the joy of shooting. Whenever you are doing the thing you love, you get tunnel vision. And that’s such a cleansing of the mind.” – Keith Ladzinski

It is so great to hear Keith talk about the fact that a lot of the photos he takes still get his passion and creative juices flowing. With the impressive resume that he has, you would think almost all of his photography work is ‘for others’ and not for himself. This is a powerful line that reinforces that no matter how much work you get, how much stress you are under, it is possible to still enjoy what you do.

“An agency once gave me great advice.  They said: ‘Your website is important, but if we want to hire you, we are going to look at your blog.‘  And they were right. They want to know who YOU are. They want to know who we are as people, because they want to spend time with you.” – Chris Burkard

Great advice. A website full of portfolio worthy images may look great, but brands don’t want to work with someone who doesn’t fit into their culture and share the same values as them. Don’t be afraid to be yourself on social media and on your blog. There is only one you. It’s better that business and your followers engage with you because they can relate to the real you. They feel like you are just like them and not some faceless avatar devoid of a personality. They will be much more loyal in the long run.

“I didn’t go to Brooks or a photo school to learn , I just figured it out. I mean, where do you go to learn the business in arts? It’s just going to take time.” – Keith Ladzinski

Preach on brother Keith. There is no playbook for how to succeed in making your passion a business these days, even for a National Geographic photographer such as Keith. Trial and error, hearing no a lot, and lots of sucking is how you learn (more on that later)

“You are only as good as your last story or your last image. You can never rest on your laurels.” – Pete McBride

In this fast moving age of social media and photography, you can easily be discovered and explode in popularity overnight. But, you can just as easily be forgotten overnight as well.

“Don’t cut corners when it comes to preparation. Less planning on the actual research of a trip and more planning to make sure you are prepared” – Jacob Riglin

Jacob nails it with this quote. So many of us are focused on the what to do when the time comes that we quickly find out that we aren’t PREPARED for that time when it comes.

“You just do what it is that you do. You do it as well as you can. And just work REALLY freaking hard at it, and things tend to work out.” – Erin Babnik

While I am not in complete agreement with the last part of this sentence, the rest is spot on. Quit comparing yourself to everyone else. Just do what YOU do. Kick ass at it, and work your tail off doing it. Even with all of those traits, after years of it, things still might not work out the way you envisioned, but at least you gave it everything you got and became a better photographer and entrepreneur in the process.

“I don’t even know where my next paycheck is coming from.” – Chris Burkard

I have known Chris Burkard for years and have heard him say this countless times, and each time it just drives the point home more and more. Obviously Chris is well known and has a roster chalk full of big name clients. Is he struggling to put food on the table every month? Most likely not. But the point is, choosing to live the life of an independent creative requires a life-long commitment. If you wanted to know that your bank account will have x more dollars every month, you can get a desk job with a steady paycheck and day-dream about traveling. But if you actually want to DO the traveling, follow your passions and own your own business and be your own boss, you can’t take your foot off of the gas. Ever. Because you never know where that paycheck is coming from. And if you do take your foot off of the gas, that next paycheck might not come at all.

“You invest in so many little things that accumulate into bigger things” – Chris Burkard

This is a great follow up to another comment Chris made earlier in the show. “Everyone wants to know when my ‘big break’ came. There was no magical big break.’ Chris is talking about how success can only come from investing your time and energy (and even money) in lots of small projects. While none of those might ‘put you on the map’ instantly, the cumulation of all of those lead to bigger projects, bigger goals, and more importantly, bigger ‘breaks’.

“It’s not for everybody. You have to put the time in. You have to hear the word ‘no’ alot. You have to suck. You have to do all these things before things work for you. There is no playbook.” – Keith Ladzinski

This great quote ties back into both Keith’s original point about there not being a playbook and Chris’ quote about there is no ‘big break.’ You just have to grind. You have to get rejected. You have to suck. All of those failures will not only help make you hungrier for success but also give you valuable lessons about both the industry you are trying to break into and about life.

“A lot of information that people are looking for, you have to remind them that it’s really easy to find on Google.” – Chris Burkard

No description needed. Do the work yourself and stop looking for everyone else to tell you how to do it.

“You gotta suck. Then you emulate. Then you find your voice. But you have to enjoy the failures.” -Keith Ladzinski

As Keith said before, this isn’t for everyone. If you are the type of creative who doesn’t accept failure and learn from it, you will never find your voice.

“If you want to create art and illustrate, go nuts. But own it. Don’t pretend like you were the only one to see it like that.” – Pete McBride

Pete is discussing editing images. Coming from a National Geographic background, Pete explains that most photo editing wasn’t allowed. Photographers would have to turn over their RAW files to Nat Geo as a way to have their work checked or edited by the magazine. Pete and the other panelists describe the new wave of digital art, where photographers might replace skies, remove objects and more. None of them had a problem with creatives sharing their passion for digital art. But own it. I think this relates to photos and sharing your life in general. For every picture perfect scene you share on Instagram, there was five moments where real life got in the way. You experienced trials and failures. Own it. Share it. Show your followers that not everything is a perfectly manicured Instagram feed. If it isn’t ‘real,’ don’t claim that it is. You will only contribute to an environment where people are going to extremes to get the likes, no matter the real-life expense.

“Don’t ask for food in a Russian jail cell” – Chris Burkard

Wise words from a wise man.

“No image is worth risking your life’”– Pete McBride

Seriously, please. Do we really need to keep saying this? Life is beautiful. Stop doing stupid things.

“A great photographer shares what they fear losing most” – Chris Burkard

Maybe this relates to the above comment. Maybe a great photographer fears losing their life? Their connection with nature? Their public lands? Their adventures? Sharing their lives and their passions, knowing that they may not always have that chance, has brought these five photographers to where they are now.

What did I take out of that comment? Stop creating for everyone else. Create for yourself. Art should fuel your soul, expand your creativity, and become a means for expressing yourself. If you aren’t doing it for those reasons, then why are you even bothering?

All photos by Michael Bonocore  while filming the SmugMug film on Chris Burkard.

The post 18 Thought Provoking Quotes From Five of the World’s Best Photographers appeared first on Resource Travel.

10) Jettegrytene

Rustad describes Jettegrytene as a true hidden gem. A big river used to have a home here, but when a hydro power plant was built, it partially dried out the river, revealing incredible shapes and textures from the rocky land that lived below the river.

Find hotels, restaurants and activities around Jettegrytene.  

9) Nærøyfjorden

Maybe the most scenic fjords in Norway, Rustad says that this UNESCO site is one of your best options if you are looking to see that ‘classic’ Norwegian fjord view. With mountains rising over 1,000 meters above the scenic river, Rustad says that the best views are obtained via hiking to one of the towering peaks. Although for those not up for some cold weather exercise, he also recommends the local ferry boat for a unique view.

Find hotels, restaurants and activities around Nærøyfjorden.

8) Lofoten

We have shown you Lofoten before, as it is easily one of the most photogenic spots in the world. But Rustad explains that it is so far down on his list due to the increase of tourism. Even with those extra visitors, Lofoten is still a place where one can find solitude, especially if willing to brave its rough climate. Northern Lights and midnight sun can be found here, so don’t let the influx of posts in your Instagram feed dissuade you from visiting one of the most scenic places in Norway.

Find hotels, restaurants and activities around Lofoten.

7) Helgeland

This long stretch of coastline in the north features mountains, glaciers and islands. While Norway has the second most coastline in the world, Rustad says this is some of the prettiest Norway has to offer.

Find hotels, restaurants and activities around Helgeland.

6) Hardanger

Rustad says May is the prime time to visit the Hardanger fjord, as the blossoms are in full bloom. Even if you miss the blossom season though, there is still plenty around the area, including the legendary Trolltunga (Troll tongue.)

Find hotels, restaurants and activities around Hardanger.

5) Valdres

Rustad says he has been lucky enough to spend two summers in Valdres, but it is another one of his hidden gems that is photogenic year round. It is also the gateway to Jotunheimen, home to some of Norway’s biggest mountains. Rustad describes Valdres as a place most people just drive through, as it lies between Oslo and Bergen, but as his time-lapse clips show us, Valdres is worth an extended stop.

Find hotels, restaurants and activities around Valdres.

4) Lovatnet Lake

Rustad says this glacial lake is just how you would imagine Norway, and based on his video, it looks like it. For photographers, the calm water leads to perfect reflections of the surrounding mountains, leading to no shortage of postcard worthy images. So set up your hammock lakeside, you may be here a while.

Find hotels, restaurants and activities around Lovatnet Lake.

Now, the next three locations are so unique, Rustad has deemed a three way tie for first place.

Tie 1) Femundsmarka National Park

The third biggest lake in Norway lies in this national park that straddles the Norwegian border with Sweden. Lakes, forests and mountains can be found everywhere, but one of Rustad’s favorite locations is called ‘The Oasis,’ a small, calm pond surrounded by trees. “Definitely, one of the coolest places I have ever photographed!” explains the photographer in his video. Although we are pretty sure the abundant reindeer might have something to do with that. Rustad says that hiking and camping are necessary in order to get the most out of your visit to Femundsmarka National Park, but the reward is one of the most peaceful places you will find in Norway.

Find hotels, restaurants and activities around Femundsmarka National Park.

T1) Varangerhalvøya National Park

The remote northern peninsula is probably the furthest away you can get from civilization in Norway. The National Park lies up against the Arctic Ocean and is rugged, wild, harsh and cold. But as Rustad says, you can expect to see scenery like no where else in Norway.

Find hotels, restaurants and activities around Varangerhalvøya National Park.

T1) Senja

Although tourism in Senja has been increasing, Rustad says it is still no where near Lofoten’s influx, but in his opinion, Senja is just as, if not more, beautiful than Lofoten. 1,000 meter mountains, coastline, northern lights and orca whales make up just a fraction of what’s to see in Senja.

Find hotels, restaurants and activities around Varangerhalvøya National Park.

Follow Morten Rustad on his website, YouTube, Instagram and Facebook.

The post 10 Must-See Places in Norway appeared first on Resource Travel.

While the National Forests are still protected, much like National Monuments, that protection level isn’t as impenetrable as National Park designation, as was the case when the Department of Interior slashed the protected lands in Bears Ears National Monument. 

So how does this new campaign aim to help protect the millions of acres of National Forest? According their website, the team hopes to inspire people to get out and use their National Forests and raise their voices as to how those forests are used in the future.

 

We aim to engage new, diverse voices in national forest planning and management through visually stunning content and multimedia tools for engagement that tell the story of why our forests matter in ways that people resonate with, from rivers and trails to wildfires and wilderness. 

We push industry standards to utilize technology, creativity, and the power of storytelling to break down barriers about how public lands are managed, make the connection about what our forests mean to everyone, and how they can have a say in the future of those lands they love.

Of course, with the launch of this endeavor, the team decided to show the world how beautiful the National Forests are, so they spent years returning to the rugged and remote Bridger-Teton National Forest in Wyoming. As evident in the film and photos, this National Forest is brimming with beauty, and for us solitude seekers, without the crowds of the two National Parks it lies between, Yellowstone and Grand Teton.

As always, the Pattiz brothers take us on an adventure to the most stunning pieces of wilderness in the United States. We are beyond excited to help them share this beauty as they continue to release films for ‘Your Forests. Your Future.’ and ‘More Than Just Parks.’ 

Stay tuned to Resource Travel as we share their next film in the series from Dixie National Forest in Utah.

The post See The Untamed Beauty of Wyoming’s Bridger-Teton National Forest appeared first on Resource Travel.

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My original plan this past summer was to collect as much footage as normal, but to not put out a “Monsoon V” until 2019 when I had two years worth of crazy haboobs and lightning to make it truly spectacular. But the monsoon had different plans and put on a pretty dang good show in 2018, starting off with a decent dust storm on July 5th, then the best haboob chase I’ve ever had on July 9th, an epic green hail core on July 11th and finally another fantastic dust storm day on August 2nd.   Sprinkled in there…more dust storm, some at night, spectacular lightning, and tons of microbursts and stormy clouds, plus a few rotating supercells to put some icing on the cake. It was one of the best monsoon seasons I’ve chased, so I couldn’t help but get to work on Monsoon V after just one chasing season.

The first haboob of the season rolls through central Arizona, seen here along Casa Blanca road east of 347

A monster haboob approached Vekol Valley Road along Interstate 8 on July 9th

An unexpected sight in Arizona…a monster green hail core on a storm that looks more like it belongs on the central plains of the United States than it does out in the deserts.

A severe thunderstorm kicks out a bolt that lands in the mountains northeast of Willcox, AZ as seen from Highway 191

Two bolts slam into the ground near Bowie, Arizona, absolutely dwarfing the Chiricahau Mountians.

A lightning caused wildfire continues to burn as a thunderstorm moves towards it.

A gorgeous haboob crests these mountains south of Sacaton, Arizona

A huge haboob swallows not just most of Phoenix, but here in downtown Tempe

A gorgeous rainbow and downdraft move over Marana, with lightning flashing in the middle of it.

A lightning bolt lands near Castle Rock in the mountains of the Coronado National Forest

Stoic saguaro watch as lightning blasts the landscape around them.

A lightning bolt exits the clouds above and pierces the clouds capping a mountain range south of Interstate 8 in southern Arizona

A set of strong bolts rai down over the Sil Nakya community on the Tohono O’Ddham nation

A beautiful thunderstorm on the east side of the McDowell Mountains.

A stunning sunset storm out in Vicksburg, Arizona lasted for almost two hours.

The post Haboobs, Lightning, and Hail: See the Frighteningly Beautiful Arizona Monsoon appeared first on Resource Travel.

In the early evening of October 7th, 2018, Musk’s company SpaceX launched a Falcon 9 rocket, carrying the Argentine satellite SAOCOM 1A, into orbit. The rocket delivered the payload satellite into orbit 12 minutes after it launched from Vandenberg Air Force Base, 160 miles northwest of Los Angeles. If you saw Musk launched a Tesla carrying ‘Star Man’ towards Mars, you will remember that the coolest part of the launch was when the first stage boosters came back to earth and landed perfectly on the landing pad bullseyes. And last night was no different, as this launch marked the first time SpaceX has had a successful launch and return on the west coast. The return of the first stage is meant to help limit the cost of launching payloads into orbit, as the company can reuse them for future launches.

The timing is interesting, as the display the launch gave stargazes was nothing short of breathtaking. A daytime launch, a cloud covered night, or many other factors would have limited the awe that this launch provided. But less than an hour after sunset, during photographer’s dreamy ‘blue hour?’ Something tells us the timing and the show it provided was orchestrated from the brilliant and creative mind of Musk.

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UPDATE: This photo has been featured as the NASA Astronomy Picture of the Day!! Who else was out/saw the bright light in the sky tonight? It was the SpaceX Falcon 9 rocket launch! We took this in Solana Beach in San Diego, California! I have a bunch of other photos, but I loved this one of Rachel, Kona and I toward the end of the launch! Keep an eye out for more soon and tag me if you got some photos, too! @SonyAlpha A7RII – @SigmaPhoto 14mm f1.8 ART Quickly edited on a @Dell XPS 15 2-in-1 #sandiego #rocketlaunch #spacex #falcon9 #solanabeach #california #nightphotography_exclusive #nightphotography #nightscaper @spacex #induropushfurther #space @startalk #nightsky #stargazing

A post shared by Jack Fusco (@jackfusco) on Oct 7, 2018 at 8:31pm PDT

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@spacex Falcon 9 taking off above Downtown LA. Shot at 1 second interval alongside @rajajavid and @la_reflections!

A post shared by Emeric's Timelapse (@emerictimelapse) on Oct 7, 2018 at 9:42pm PDT

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Caught this goodie tonight. This is a very quick edit but just wanted to show you the goods from Aspendell. Unbelievable to catch this over some brilliant aspens. This is with my 50mm. 1 shot for the foreground one for the sky. Camera didn’t move, so this is a true blend and the true position that it shot up. ••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••• www.bay-photography.com ••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••• #supreme_nightshots #abc7eyewitness #nightphotography #night_shooterz #nightimages #agameoftones #universetoday #amazing_longexpo #longexpoelite #milkywaychasers #natgeospace #earth_shotz #heatercentral #jaw_dropping_shots #igrefined #eclectic_shotz #usinterior #earthofficial #awesome_photographers #fantastic_universe #artofvisuals #lost_world_treasures #igpodium_night #nightscaper #beautifuldestinations #usaprimeshot #falcon9 #depthsofearth #allbeauty_addiction #spacex

A post shared by Landscapes-Astro-Cityscapes (@bay.photography) on Oct 7, 2018 at 10:40pm PDT

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I’m gonna go out on a limb and say the Space X launch tonight was one of the craziest things I have ever seen with my own eyes. felt like watching a sci-fi film in real life… i thought stuff like this was only possible in CGI. Got lucky camping at El Capitan with clear conditions.. iPhone for the win.

A post shared by Chris Burkard (@burkgnar) on Oct 7, 2018 at 9:00pm PDT

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The SpaceX Falcon9 launch and stage one separation as seen from downtown Los Angeles. I used two cameras, an unmanned Canon 6D with a 24-105mm for the wide shot. I wasn’t sure exactly where the launch and trajectory would happen on the horizon, so I kind of guessed on the composition. Now that I know for next time I could pan more to the left to get the city skyline more in the shot. Meanwhile I used my Sony a7r3 with a 70-200mm trying to follow closely and get some close ups. It all happened so quickly and I was so overwhelmed by it all. What a good night. . . . #timelapse #timelapsephotography #losangeles #dtla #spacex #elonmusk #falcon9 #launch #rocket #space #nasa #vandenberg #igersla #conquer_la #conquer_ca #weownthenight_la #video #videoftheday #fireball #astrophotography #sonya7riii #canon6d #sonyalpha #canon #abc7eyewitness

A post shared by Kevin Johnson Visuals (@kevinjohnsonvisuals) on Oct 8, 2018 at 8:38am PDT

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Holy carp! My milkyway workshop group and I just watched the Falcon 9 rocket launch in Joshua Tree National Park! This is a jpeg sent from my Sony and is unedited! #falcon9 #rocketlaunch #sonyalpha #spacexfalcon9 #spa #spacex #vandenbergafb #spacexlaunch #spacexlaunch2018 #elonmusk

A post shared by Sean Parker Photography (@seanparkerphotography) on Oct 7, 2018 at 8:33pm PDT

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Recycling hits new heights! SpaceX recycled part of their Falcon 9 rocket on the west coast tonight. I captured a timelapse sequence and stacked the resulting 17 images to render this single composite image. I captured a lot of media tonight, but this is my favorite render of them all… the composite still that shows the whole launch and landing in one scene. I imagined this shot last night…. it is very very close to what my mind's eye envisioned. This is what my #PassionTherapy is all about. I think of the hardest and most difficult captures I can imagine, and go out and see what happens. This image was a success. Not everything I tried worked…. but the things that did… I am very proud of. Nikon D800E Nikon 14-24 set at 15mm F/16 ISO 100 30 Second continuous exposures for 17 image captures Stacked in Adobe Photoshop Processed in Adobe Photoshop Lightroom #Spacex #Falcon9 #Rocket #Launch #BigSur #BixbyBridge #PassionTherapy #saocom1a

A post shared by George Krieger (@georgekrieger) on Oct 8, 2018 at 3:39am PDT

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Falcon 9 Launch, OK this was seriously one of the coolest things I have ever seen! It was amazing through the camera's view finder, but when I looked away from the camera – it filled the entire sky! AWESOME!! (the best photo will have to wait until after Image Competition!) #falcon9 #spaceX #thefutureisnow #danholmesphoto #exploration #space #satelite #shotoncanon #canon #photography #photooftheday #tesla #elonmusk

A post shared by Dan Holmes (@danholmesphoto) on Oct 8, 2018 at 8:34am PDT

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Last night I was packing up from my first session in #joshuatree when I saw a strange light starting to grow on the horizon. I put my camera down and started shooting, watching as the #spacex shuttle launch grew. Truly insane to see it in a dark zone, it is like nothing I have ever seen (also not knowing it was going to happen was an amazing moment). . . . . . . #createcommune #wanderlust #night #milkyway #joshuatree #astronomy #lightpainting #illgrammers #begrammed #artofvisuals #visualambassadors #gramslayers #milliondollarvisuals #ig_color #streets_vision #theimaged #igtones #igtones5k #optimalmoments #losangelesgrammers #nasa #shuttle

A post shared by Jason Fisher (@jasonfisher) on Oct 8, 2018 at 8:32am PDT

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Composite of five shots from last night’s rocket launch from Vandenberg AFB. . . . #vandenberg #spacex #elonmusk #rocket #space #aboveandbeyond #composite #california #falcon9 #satellite #longexposure

A post shared by Chris Daly (@christopherjdaly) on Oct 8, 2018 at 10:51am PDT

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Rockets move pretty fast, if you don’t stop and look around once in awhile, you might miss it. Elon Musk & SpaceX putting on an AMAZING light show tonight in the skies above Southern California. One of the best photos I’ve ever shot. What an amazing time to be alive! • • • • • #NakedPlanet #traveldeeper #GlobalCapture #awesomeearth #main_vision #earth_shotz #timelessuniverse #universetoday #ourlonelyplanet #igrefined #IG_Color #fantastic_universe #elonmusk #earthofficial #awesome_photographers #shotsofresh #purplepassport #usinterior #huffpostgram #sonyalpha #awesome_earthpix #awesome_globepix #wildcalifornia #artofvisuals #abc7eyewitness #spacex #nbc4you #bealpha

A post shared by Thomas Snyder (@fantomfoto) on Oct 7, 2018 at 8:27pm PDT

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The post See Elon Musk’s SpaceX Rocket Light Up The California Night Sky appeared first on Resource Travel.

But there I was, boarding this historic vessel in McCovey Cove, situated just outside of the San Francisco Giants stadium. The friendly and knowledgeable Oakland-based crew had come here to pick us up for a perfectly timed sunset cruise along San Francisco’s Embarcadero to the Golden Gate Bridge, where we would briefly cross the bridge towards the Pacific Ocean before heading back to dock as blue hour descended on the famed city by the bay.

The late arriving ‘San Francisco Summer’ provided near perfect weather and conditions to test out Sony’s newest lens, the G Master 24mm f/1.4. A group of journalists in town to cover Sony’s #BeAlpha community event had stayed an extra day to get a hands on preview of Sony’s latest addition to their high end E-Mount lens lineup.

As a travel photojournalist, I love using a wide angle focal length. Not only does a wide angle lens capture daily life across the world in a way that makes the viewer feel as they are closer to the action, but it also forces a photojournalist to get closer and more intimate with their subjects. I have often found that my favorite travel portraits and street scenes were captured after I had started a conversation with my subjects, photographing them from up close after they felt comfortable with me. After recently spending three days studying my friend David Duchemin’s travel photography course, I have been inspired to focus on getting closer to the action on my travels. So when Sony put their just announced 24mm f/1.4 G Master  in my hands for a day, I was overjoyed. Owning two Sony cameras and depending on them to capture my travels around the world, I must have sounded like a broken record when I commented to my fellow journalists over and over that this may be my dream travel lens. The lens that forces me to be a more engaging and attentive photographer.

Of course, I own a 16-35mm lens, but being that it is Sony’s original f/4 lens and not the updated G Master 16-35mm f/2.8. My wide angle images rarely look sharp to me, so I hesitate to depend on it for a casual stroll around the many locations around the world that I visit, knowing that I won’t be able to capture fast moving street scenes and portraits that live up to the high standards my readers expect. But after using this 24mm f/1.4 G Master, I am confident that this lens will be in my daily travel bag for years to come.

With the limited amount of time that I had with the lens, I wasn’t able to put it through the use that I normally would as a travel photographer. Using this lens in a place like Chefchaouen, Morocco would have been incredible. But on this warm California day, I found myself cutting through the choppy waters of San Francisco Bay, photographing the hustle of the metropolis from the outside. I was excited to see the images appear on the Sony A7rIII LCD, and when I imported them into my Lightroom Catalog, they did not disappoint. So far, I am in love with this lens and cannot wait to take it with me on an upcoming 5 week trip to Morocco and Jordan as I lead photography workshops for The Giving Lens. Follow my Instagram to see my images using this lens starting in late October.

Editor’s Note: Sony paid for me to come to San Francisco for this event, but I was not compensated in any additional way. My opinions on this lens are my own.

For an in-depth video look at the 24mm f/1.4 G Master, check out DPReview TV video at the bottom of this article. 

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