San Rafael Swell Utah Part 1

First Stop: The Wedge Overlook
The Wedge is also referred to as the little Grand Canyon of Utah.  It really comes up out of nowhere when you are driving to it.  It is a relatively short distance from the city of Castledale.  You take a unmarked road just north of town and then in a while you will find signs for the wedge and other attractions.  

MK Tunnels and Buckhorn Wash Campground

Indian Rock Art Right in the Campground

The Buckhorn Wash Pictograph Panel

Leaving Buckhorn Wash Area

Bridal Veil Falls - Provo Canyon

****WARNING*****

Do not attempt to make this hike unless:

1.  You are in good physical condition

     2.  You have experience with rock climbing and scrambling

     3.  You have other people with you

     4.  There are good weather conditions

The Falls

Bridal Veil Falls is a highly visited area of the Provo Canyon in Central Utah. It attracts many visitors passing through the canyon and is a great recreational place for locals and tourists alike.  There are many parks in the canyon as well as a well-maintained bike path through the canyon.  There are many activities that you can do while in the canyon.  Some very leisurely and others that will give the thrill seekers a memorable experience.  The Hike to Bridal Veil Falls Restaurant is one of the later.

The restaurant has been abandoned for years.  There used to be a tram that would carry visitors up to the building.  It claimed the title as the worlds steepest tram but an avalanche in 1996 ended its years of operation.  Since then the structure has been abandoned but visited by a few determined hikers.  

There were plans to return the restaurant to working order but in 2008 there was a fire that sealed the fate of the used to be Eagles Nest Lodge.   After the fire the cables for the tram were cut and the hollowed out structure remains.

There is an old maintenance trail that leads from the base of the falls up to the restaurant it is NOT maintained and is a strenuous hike.  

These Images are from before the fire

BEFORE VS AFTER THE FIRE

These images are from after the fire

The Trail

This picture was taken when i was on a black hawk helicopter flying up the canyon.  It shows the trail from a better view.  It was taken years ago and I didn't think to get a shot with the lodge in it but it should help!

This is what the trail will look like while standing at the base of the falls

There are a few steel cables left but it will be a good idea to bring rope.  The rope up there needs replacing yearly due to the heavy snow and ice wearing on it all winter.  You may need one adventurous and experienced person in your group to climb up without rope to hold onto, tie down the rope, and throw it down to the rest of those in the group.

As you can see there are some VERY steep and sheer parts of the trail.

Once you get to the top of the falls it takes a little trail finding skill to find the turn off to head up the side of the mountain.  If you go too far up you will end above the restaurant and it is not easy to get back down.  If you don't go far enough up before turning right then you will find yourself at a dead end.  

(yes I have been in both situations)

Keep an eye out for another thin metal cable heading up the mountain on your right... it might take some time and trial and error depending on the shrub cover. I tried to draw it as accurately as i could on the firs picture of this section.  

Good luck, have fun, and be safe!

If you have any questions, comments, or suggestions about the hike leave a comment below

Here is a link to some more pictures on my brothers blog DBOBIKE:

http://dbobike.blogspot.com/2012/08/abandoned-restaurant-atop-bridal-veil.html

The Value of a PRIME

The Value of a 50mm PRIME

First off... What is a prime? 

I wont get into technical definitions; so simply put a prime lens is a lens with a set focal length.  There are pros and cons to any lens, but "cons" could also be considered to be good things by some. I do not know every prime lens out there but from the ones I am familiar with here is a quick list of pros and cons.  

Pros:

     1. Usually have a shallow depth of field (large aperature)

     2. VERY Sharp Pictures

     3. Well built

     4. Fast focusing

     5. Price vs zoom lenses is low

Cons:

     1. You have to move to change the framing of your subject

Pros:

1. Shallow Depth of Field 

Camera: Nikon D80

Lens: Nikkor 50mm 1.8g

Aperture: f1.8
Shutter Speed: 1/640

As you can see the small aperture that is commonly found with prime lenses creates a very small area of focus that can allow you to be creative with your pictures.  A 50mm prime lens is also Ideal for portraits especially when you are not using a full frame DSLR.

Camera: Nikon D80

Lens: Nikkor 50mm 1.8g

Aperture:  f1.8

Shutter Speed: 1/1250

2.  VERY Sharp Pictures

A prime lens has simple but high quality "glass."  Zoom lenses will have a "sweet spot" where they are sharpest and then the rest isn't as good of quality.  A prime lens is a "sweet spot" in and of itself.  It is sharp and it is easy to get those sharp photos that you are hoping for.  You can see in the picture how crisp the details are in her eyes.

Camera: Nikon D80

Lens: Nikkor 50mm 1.8g

Aperture:  f2.2

Shutter Speed: 1/400

3.  Well Built

Because there are less moving parts (and on most modern primes all the moving arts are internal) the lenses are naturally more secure than a zoom lens.  If any of you have owned a zoom lens over a long period of time you will be able to notice that they can "relax" over time and not feel as solidly built.

4.  Fast Focusing

This will of course depend on the lens itself but for me I have noticed that Prime lenses are super quick when it comes to focusing.  They are simply built and therefore preform well.  Also, because of the large aperture (small f-stop) a prime lens will have an easier time capturing light, and because of that will still focus quickly in low lit situations.  

5.  Price

The price of a 50mm prime is very low when compared to the world of lenses.  However some of the other primes can get more expensive. For example I bought my 50mm 1.8 for $220 but a 85mm 1.4 Professional Lens runs at $1700. A 50 mm on a DX camera (not full frame) is a great option for those who don't have thousands of extra dollars but still want great results!

CONS:

1.  You have to move to frame your subjects

Camera: Nikon D80

Lens: Nikkor 50mm 1.8g

Aperture:  f2.5

Shutter Speed: 1/320

For this shot it would have been easier if I had my zoom lens and could have stayed on the trail to take the picture.  However, I wanted to use the shallow depth of field so I set my camera on the settings I wanted, and left the trail, moving closer hoping not to scare off the squirrel.  This is an inconvenience but it allowed me to get the feel I was looking for and gave me a fun experience.  Using the prime forced me to think about my shot rather than just simply stopping clicking the button and moving on (as you see so many people doing).  So although it is a con, moving to frame your subject can keep you creative and innovative with your photography.  

In Conclusion:

My recommendation for every Photographer of any skill level would be that they have a 50mm prime in their kit.

REVIEW: B+W ND 110 Filter

B+W 10 Stop Neutral Density Filter

B+W is a optic company that was founded in Berlin, Germany in 1947.  They are renowned worldwide for their optical quality and functional designs; and many believe that B+W is the best company in the world. They make a wide variety of products that are very good and I own a few of them, but today I want to talk specifically about the ND 110 (their 10 stop filter).

Below is a before and after the filter shot which illustrates the effects that the filter has.

1/640 second

34 seconds

You can readily see the effects that this filter enables you to give to your pictures. Granted similar effects can be achieved without this filter by taking pictures on a cloudy day or at the early light of the day or just as the sun is going down. Are you tired of missing the shot because of bright lighting? These pictures were taken seconds apart at 12:05 PM (usually  considered the worst time of day for taking pictures of waterfalls).  The sun was very bright and there were just a few wisps of clouds in the sky.  This filter allows you to get that perfect silky flow of water under any lighting condition.

Now some people argue that the B+W ND 110 gives a brown hue to the entire image. comparing the two pictures above there is little difference in color even though the scene is naturally very brown in color. Here is another photo that I used the filter for to show how there is not a recognizable hue shift. This image is still a very "cool" temperature to it even using the filter.

The use of the B+W ND 110 will introduce a whole new dimension to your photography.  It allows you to show movement or to eliminate movement (I will explain). This next photo shows both how you can show movement and eliminate movement.  This picture was a 5 min exposure.  As you can see there is a lot of movement shown in the water and the leaves.  The movement that was eliminated was people.  There was a constant stream of people walking across the bridge but because the shutter was open for so long, they weren't in the frame long enough to register on the sensor.  This is a trick that architectural photographers have been using for a long time.

Here is another example of the filter being used to eliminate motion.  This is a picture I took of the Latter Day Saint Temple in Washington DC.  The highway below me was filled with cars.  However, with the use of the  B+W ND110 It looks as if the highway is abandoned.  

Here is another example of what the filter can do when there is a breeze and clouds in the sky.

I would highly recommend the purchase of a  B+W ND 110.  Yes they are a little pricey but the price is matched with the quality of the product.  You will not regret your decision.

One purchasing tip I have for you:  When buying a filter (of any type) always purchase the largest possible size you would want.  That way you can use a step down filter converter to use the filter on other lenses.  If you buy a 52mm filter for a 52mm lens that you have and then you also have have a 72mm diameter lens you will not be able to use the filter on both lenses.  However if you purchase a 77mm filter you can buy step down rings for all your lenses and save a lot of money.  

My Recent Trip to Zion National Park

National Parks have an indescribable magnificence about them. My passion for photography developed largely from visiting majestic locations and having the desire to capture what I was experiencing to remember and to share with others.  I am lucky enough to live fairly close to a lot of National Parks. Zion National Park is one of my favorites to visit.  I went there this past month and here are a few of the shots I took!  Enjoy!

Man made hoo-doo

Camera: Nikon D80

Lens: Nikkor 18-200 VRII

Aperture:  f3.5

Shutter Speed: 1/125

Court of the Patriarchs

Camera: Nikon D80

Lens: Nikkor 18-200 VRII

Aperture:  f3.5

Shutter Speed: 1/80

Trail to the Emerald Pools

Camera: Nikon D80

Lens: Nikkor 18-200 VRII

Aperture:  f25

Shutter Speed: 8 sec.

View Down the Canyon

Camera: Nikon D80

Lens: Nikkor 18-200 VRII

Aperture:  f3.5

Shutter Speed: 1/100

The Great White Throne from below Angels Landing

Camera: Nikon D80

Lens: Nikkor 18-200 VRII

Aperture:  f5.6

Shutter Speed: 1/40

Late Season Butterfly

Camera: Nikon D80

Lens: Nikkor 18-200 VRII

Aperture:  f5.6

Shutter Speed: 1/25

Virgin River

Camera: Nikon D80

Lens: Nikkor 18-200 VRII

Aperture:  f16

Shutter Speed: 198 sec.

Virgin River

Camera: Nikon D80

Lens: Nikkor 18-200 VRII

Aperture:  f16

Shutter Speed: 173 sec.

Virgin River

Camera: Nikon D80

Lens: Nikkor 18-200 VRII

Aperture:  f13

Shutter Speed: 172 sec.

Small Falls on the Virgin River

Camera: Nikon D80

Lens: Nikkor 18-200 VRII

Aperture:  f11

Shutter Speed: 174 sec.

Virgin River

Camera: Nikon D80

Lens: Nikkor 18-200 VRII

Aperture:  f25

Shutter Speed: 83 sec.

Shoe Tree outside the park

Camera: Nikon D80

Lens: Nikkor 18-200 VRII

Aperture:  f3.5

Shutter Speed: 1/400

Hop Valley Trail up Kolob Reservoir Road

Camera: Nikon D80

Lens: Nikkor 18-200 VRII

Aperture:  f3.5

Shutter Speed: 1/800

Sign outside of the Hop Valey

Camera: Nikon D80

Lens: Nikkor 18-200 VRII

Aperture:  f3.8

Shutter Speed: 1/60

Out in the Zion Wilderness

Camera: Nikon D80

Lens: Nikkor 18-200 VRII

Aperture:  f10

Shutter Speed: 340 sec.

Shed Antler on Wildcat Canyon Trail

Camera: Nikon D80

Lens: Nikkor 18-200 VRII

Aperture:  f5

Shutter Speed: 1/80

Kolob Reservoir Road

Camera: Nikon D80

Lens: Nikkor 18-200 VRII

Aperture:  f4.

Shutter Speed: 1/125

Zion out in the distance

Camera: Nikon D80

Lens: Nikkor 18-200 VRII

Aperture:  f8

Shutter Speed: 1/200