• Author: Jason Denning
In Jason Denning - Landscape Photographer

Washington DC

My trip across the states wouldn’t be complete without visiting the capital. 

It’s a funny place being such a small square mile or so, apparently crime is a big issue in the surrounding areas which is crazy when it’s so close to the White house. 

There isn’t much to shoot in terms of cityscapes here but some interesting monuments and buildings, most of which I shot on 617 film so I will have to wait and see how they turn out. 

The nice thing about the area is that all the historic buildings are very clean which is nice change from London but then London is much more historic. 


There is also the annoying no tripod rule at most monuments which is very restrictive for my style of shooting but I still got most of the shots I wanted to get. This shot would have been great on my 617 camera but instead I had to shoot it handheld on my panasonic gf1 fonte dell’articolo. 


It was close to 40 degrees during my stay here which made shooting quite unbearable at times, especially walking around with my heavy gear. 


Read more
In Jason Denning - Landscape Photographer

Road Trip days 19-25: New York

It’s been a while since I’ve had the time to blog, but also pictures on this leg of the trip have been very sparse as the weather took a turn for the worse. 



New York is a crazy city, the roads are the worst I’ve ever driven on, the drivers are terrible, it’s noisy and dirty. It made me realise how nice London is. 

I arrive to a rainy New York on a Monday afternoon, not one to waste time I headed for downtown to explore. 

I soon realised this would be a hard city to photograph, all the buildings up close are a bit boring and it is a very messy city with lots of street clutter meaning getting a shot in the city very hard.

I then set about looking for a great view of the whole city to take and after lots of driving around along the east side river I could see it was a shot everyone had that included the Brooklyn bridge in the foreground. It’s a great shot but I need to try and get something different. 

I wondered if there would be something interesting to be found on the Brooklyn bridge as there is a walkway across the middle. 

I was right, there was a great spot looking down the bridge with the city in the background, a shot no one seems to have, so now I have to wait for a nice sunrise to get the shot. 

Finally Saturday morning was forecast to be a clear morning so I set my alarm for 4am and headed for my spot on Brooklyn bridge and discovered why no one had this shot, because everytime a car passes over the bridge it wobbles making it impossible in this low light to take the shot and a 24hr city like New York cars cross at all hours. 

Luckily for me half the bridge was closed so there were small breaks when I could take a shot, but then sometimes at a perfect moment a cyclist or runner would go by ruining the moment. But I got it! As the sun rose some mist floated across the water for a perfect scene, I was so happy as this was the first hot I had taken after 5 days here. 

This was by far the moat painful shot I have ever taken, I was there for 3 hours waiting for small lulls in the traffic to take a shot just to make sure I got it as I didn’t want to walk away to find the shot was blurry from the wobbly bridge. 

I got a handful of other shots that weekend wondering around the city, but didn’t see the sun again.  

Central park certainly comes alive on the weekend with Baseball games going on. This is the busiest city park I’ve been to and not even on a sunny day!

Read more
In Jason Denning - Landscape Photographer

Road Trip Days 15 & 16: Chicago

The weather was great as I arrived in Chicago at 3pm and headed for Downtown to explore and see what shots I could get before the bad weather they had due rolled in.

It’s an interesting city and I could see why they would shoot Spiderman and Batman here, I loved the transit system and how it was just placed on top of roads like a rushed job.

A walk along the Chicago river gives you a great view of the city with all the different architecture and I was able to get a few building shots.

For sunset I headed toward Michigan lake to try and find a nice clear view of the Chicago skyline, on the way I spotted a fountain, the Buckingham Fountain which looked like it was the perfect for sunset so I set up my shot and waited and boy did I get one of the perfect sunsets spreading across the shot.
This makes me very happy for my first day in Chicago!

On the second day I was not so lucky with the weather so I concentrated on finding interesting buildings to shoot in the city, only a few met my criteria for my style of shooting.

Read more
In Jason Denning - Landscape Photographer

Road Trip Day 13: Badlands National Park

I woke to beautiful day after yesterdays crazy storm. I listened to the howling wind and hail in my motel room before going to sleep.
I headed for Badlands national park looking forward to a day hiking around the hills as I had been in my car too much on this trip.
Annoyingly this isn’t a park for lots of hiking as the sides of the hills are quite steep and loose so it meant I was stuck to walking and driving around.

It’s a very interesting place to drive around with the formations merging with the grassland all around you.

I’m certainly glad I didn’t plan to spend more time here as there is only so much to see and do and it was so windy if was hard to get some shots as my camera would shake all the time.

Read more
In Jason Denning - Landscape Photographer

Road Trip Day 12: South Dakota

It was raining as I woke today, which was perfect as I planned to visit the Windy Caves Park.
Along the way the road took me through a windy creek as I followed the river with some interesting falls to photograph.

I also drove past Mount Rushmore, it’s alot taller than it would seem from photographs, for some reason I didn’t stop to take a picture, most likely because I could see an interesting angle that would be different to every other photo taken of the sculpture.

Windy Caves is an interesting place, named so because when it was discovered the wind coming from the opening blew that hats of its discoverers off, the whole cave acts like a giant barometer either blowing of sucking air depending on the outside pressure, and it stays a cool 11 degrees C inside all year round.
The caves are 150 miles long in total and I got to walk along about a miles worth but it wasn’t an easy place to photograph in the dark light.

Once I was finished in the Caves I started driving toward my motel for the night in Rapid City via Mount Rushmore again hoping I might spot a good location for a shot along the way, but a storm was coming in which I could no longer see the mountains, as darkness fell I could see lightening strikes in the distance heading towards me, I was seeing literally hundreds every minute flashing all over, I had never seen a sight like it. It was almost from a movie. I couldn’t resist heading back to the devils tower to see if I could get the perfect shot of it with lightening in the background, and after some waiting I got it before the storm came over me.

Read more
In Jason Denning - Landscape Photographer

Road trip day 10: Yellowstone National Park

 Today it was cloudy and raining so it wasn’t looking like I would get any shots today so I just went exploring some areas I had yet to see getting soaked in the process. 


It wasn’t long before I wished I had been around the trails near Old Faithful sooner as there were two shots I really wanted to get, but the rain meant they would not look good so I continued round and headed back to the car. 

But on the way back the sun started to appear from the clouds so I rushed to get my gear and was so happy to get the shots. 

The second one is one of my favourites from Yellowstone. 

Read more
In Jason Denning - Landscape Photographer

Road Trip days 6-9: Yellowstone National Park

I had a little lie today after my 2 5am wake ups then headed to Yellowstone for the next leg of my trip. It’s a 2.5 hour drive from Teton Village and I arrived at 2pm and headed straight to the ‘attractions’. 





I started off with the Geyser Basins, it’s an amazing place, but big so lots of driving to get the interesting spots. 
Luckily it’s nice and quiet as the season hasn’t quite started, this wouldn’t be a dun place in peaks times with people constantly walking on the wooden platform walkways wobbling your camera all the time. 
I love how it looks like a wasteland on another planet. 
The tough thing about this park is it’s very well photographed, so that means I need to try take different shots, hopefully my style is achieving that as I don’t want the same shots as everyone else. 
I would spend 20 mins or so in each spot waiting for the wind to blow the steam coming off the pools just the right way, most of the time it would blow at me so I’d be in a steamy rotten egg smelling mist. 
All through the park I would come across Byson wondering the roads.
They almost knew which side to walk on!
I then went to the famous old faithful geyser and had a 40 minute wait before she finally went off. It seems she is not faithful any more as her timings are becoming less predictable, quite a sight but the surrounding landscape and the light was a bit dull. 
I think I will mainly photograph the small details here, as the wider landscape is fairly boring, but I did spot  a shot looking over the middle geyser basin that I went to for sunset but there was no colour in the sky tonight. I will be back another night, maybe on a clearer day when the sun is lighting up the steam from behind. 
For my second day in the park I explored the east side of the park, there wasn’t much going on thermally open at this time of year but I stopped at Yellowstones best waterfalls, its just a shame there is only 1 vantage point for them so I didn’t take a pic on my medium format since it would only look like everyone elses shot. 
Whilst I was getting shots of the landscape most people around were tourists and wanted shots of them in the landscape, one Asian guy even spent 20 mins in the same location of as me on his own taking pictures of himself in front of different things in different angles, he was going cazy!
It made me think I should atleast get one of me there. 
Next was Norris geyser basin, lots more pools although these less colourful than the basins near old faithful. 

Mammoth hot springs was my last stop today, with more beautiful colours being created on the rocks as the hot water flows down the terraces.  Apparently this place regularly changes as the water flows change and looks totally different today than it did 30 years ago.  
I also spotted an opportunity for another self portrait. 
I was in the area at the perfect time for the low sun, but my last shot of the day of the main spring didn’t work out as the sun dropped behind some trees before it could light up the terraces perfectly. I will have to come back tomorrow early when the sun is at the right angle. 


I rose at 5 am for my 3rd day in Yellowstone since it was meant to be a clear day, and it was. Lots of shots were presenting themselves as I headed back to some spots I had seen yesterday. 

Driving along the Madison river I could see it steaming in places, something I didn’t see yesterday as I drove past midday, so I searched for a spot to capture it, the steam coming from it is very subtle and was more visible in motion. 


I don’t shoot wildlife unless I can get them within a beautiful landscape and today I was very lucky as the Byson were in the perfect place in front of the lower geyser basin, a shit that is a little dull without them there.  When I arrived all the Byson were all lying on the ground but after a bit of waiting a few started to stand.


I then headed back to mammoth hot springs, 
It’s a nice shot but still not perfect., I should probably have headed here first but the Byson shot is far better. 



For sunset I headed back to the spot or the geyser basin to get the sun shining through. 
Just I had finished taking this shot I was moved by the park rangers as apparently there are bears around so they don’t want anyone off the main trails or roads. 



At the time I thought it sucked as I may miss out on a nice sunset, but I remembered a spot I saw earlier and headed there and it ended up being far better than the the shot I would have got of the whole basin. 



A great days shooting!

After the last 3 days of long days and early mornings I was in much need of a lazy day so spent my 4th in my hotel room going over the shots and relaxing. It was a cloudy day so nothing was missed, hopefully tomorrow will be nicer for some more exploring. 

Read more
In Jason Denning - Landscape Photographer

Road trip day 5: Grand Teton National Park

I set my alarm for 5am today so I could  head to the Snake River spot I found yesterday for the sunrise, it was nice and clear and after 30mins walking across the hard snow I got this, my favourite shot of the road trip so far and thankfully a nicer sunrise than yesterday.  





Afterward I explored a little and hike up to Taggart lake whilst the snow was still frozen enough to walk on, slowly it gets softer as the day warms up making it difficult to get anywhere. 

There were some interesting creeks on  the way but nothing that jumped out at me to come back for at sunrise. 


I then realised as it was such a clear day I should see about going up


In a plane, so I headed to the local airport and even though they don’t do plane rides I was told to speak to some guy who said for the cost of the fuel I could go up, but only if he had time and he would call me at lunchtime  to let me know. Unfortunately he was too busy but it would have been awesome to get some aerial shots for only 20 bucks! 

I then drove through the town of Jackson just outside of the park, first I was greeted with this very easy to read sign. Yes this 1 road is actually 4 different roads!

Shortly after traffic was held up by these Deer crossing the 4 roads, right now in the valley spring is just beginning which means animals migrating to the park from their winter hide outs so this is a regular sight meaning you have to keep your wits about you on the road. 


Entering the town square you are greeted by these entrances, and I have been told they are real!


For dinner I went to the Snake River Brewpub and had an awesome meal – 

Slash & Burn Trout – Pan-seared Idaho trout served on a tomato, bacon, almond, Brussels sprouts & potato hash. Topped with sweet & sour onion relish.


I was in need of this after some of the junk I’ve had along the way.


   

Read more
In Jason Denning - Landscape Photographer

Road trip days 3 & 4: Grand Teton National Park

It was snowing as I woke, but that soon changed once I was on my way, the sun was out for the rest of the day but all the places I planned to stop along my way to Idaho falls were closed and there wasn’t much of interest I could see along the way so I ended up making it all the way to Grand Tetons national park for 6pm after almost 500 miles of driving. 




As soon as I was there I was spotting shots and got this one on the side of the road just before the sun went behind the mountains. 

I decided I wanted to get a night shot at this spot as it is a very clear night which means a night sleeping in my car, but I’ll also be able to get a shot of the sunrise too in the morning. 

The night shot was taken on film on my 617 camera so we will have to wait to see how it looks, to give you an idea I took this with my gf1 but this is only 2 mins whereas on film I left it for 4 hours soothe star trails  shoul look awesome. 



After 3 hours sleep in the back of the Subaru I drove around wanting to get a sunrise shot of the mountains reflecting in a lake but they were still frozen so I settled for this as time was running out. It would be nice if there were more to it than just mountains. 


I then explored the park scouting for other great spots for tomorrows sunrise, since the mountains face east sunsets aren’t so great. I found a spot by the Snake River that I will get up super early for. 
I drove across this dam spurting water from the bottom like this!


I am so tired now it will be an early night tonight. 

Read more
In Jason Denning - Landscape Photographer

Road trip to new York: Day 2 Washington to Montana

I left the hotel at 10 today having found  Palouse Falls, I decided to head there even though it was a diversion of my course as it looked like it was worth the extra time, and it was.

I spent 2 hours here and hiked to the top of the falls which was actually quite scary being stood right on the edge next to the raging water. I took a video so you could hopefully get an idea of it.



There was also lots of Beavers running around the area, clearly here to enjoy the view.

Afterwards I headed for Missoula, my destination for the night, after 450 miles and lots of rain and snow as I drove though the Valley along route 12 I passed from Washington to Idaho and to Montana all in the day. The weather meant there were no more pictures to be had on the way.

Finding my motel I also spotted this place in Missoula, if only it was open when I passed it at 11.15!

Read more
In Jason Denning - Landscape Photographer

Road trip to new York: Day 1 Washington

Today I headed off on my trip to new York via Yellowstone national park, Gand Tetons, Badlands and Chicago. 


My aunt was genuinely sad I was going even if she was putting this on for the camera. I will miss our good games of scabble. 




It started out a beautiful sunny day today as I was waiting to pass through the American border at 11am which took 2 hours! Lots of questions like why so much stuff in the car, how did I afford the car etc. They almost make you feel like you might be guilty of something. Welcome to America. 



Once through I headed to route 2 which went though the southern cascades which was meant to be a scenic route but unfortunately the clouds and rain spoiled any views, but there was this nice waterfall. 



The rain turned to snow as I headed over Stephens pass but once through the mountains the clouds cleared and I had a beautiful drive passing through Leavenworth, Washington’s Bavarian Village. An interesting place in the middle of the states!





and got this shot before the sun went down. 




Next stop was Dry Falls which is an area that in the ice age apparently would have had an awesome waterfall. Unfortunately the sun ha already gone down so the shot wasn’t worth getting on my medium format camera. 




Whilst reading about the area on the board I spotted a great looking waterfall called Palouse falls, I will have to find out where it is and if I have time to visit along the way. 


I then continued my drive to my destination for the night, Spokane motel 6, on the way stopping at Doxies for a nice greasy burger in a small town in the middle of nowhere. 



I arrived at the motel at 10.30, for  the last hours drive I was quite tired, and that wasn’t helped by some of the long straight boring roads. 

It felt so good to lie in a bed after a 11 hours in a car!

Read more