Zanderography

#3 at The Commanche

Fri, 13 Jun 2008 7:13:26 PDT

Today was the first proverbial day of summer. The sun came back. It didn't snow. Frisco had their BBQ and the Farmers had their market Me? I bought a house. Not today, but a few weeks ago. I'd been feeling a bit under the weather so news of its note. But yes, I'm a homo-wner. Today we rode our bikes from my house to the Breckenridge Town Party for the ribbon cutting of our new arts center. It's one step up from the summer camp amphitheater. I love it. I rode my bike home and into my shed and sat on my deck.Life is good This shot is another from the Commanche Drive-in.

Land Locked

Sun, 18 May 2008 8:18:09 PDT

Though not nearly as impressive a land lock as this ship, a new find at the Commanche Drive-in found my lens this afternoon. And as one season ends, and another begins, I hope to find my camera in my hands more often - and my ass at the computer less often. Unfortunately a lively blog requires a numb computer ass. Today Tim and I got out of town to drier (and warmer) climates In Buena Vista, home to Mt. Yale and Cottonwood Hot Springs (which we took advantage of after our bike ride). If we had hit the Basin first(which is still skiing like it's mid-march) it could have been a perfect Transition day...

Ski Shot with A-basin Jason

Sun, 30 Mar 2008 3:30:18 PDT

As ski season three draws to a close, the year would not be complete without Jason and Susan's Annual Beach Party. This year's was �Snowflakes and Sweethearts: Prom at the Beach.� Unfortunately, not unlike the rest of the season, the weather was cloudy and snowy - not at all ideal beach weather. Still, we made the most of the afternoon with burgers, booze, and the newest addition to our Beach Arsenal: The Ski Shot. This also marks the third year in the 10-year A-Basin Jason Retrospective. Well, I guess it's not really �Retro” until year 10, but that won't stop me from posting the latest shots each year.

107

Wed, 13 Feb 2008 12:13:53 PST

A few weeks late, but here's the story on Crested Butte. Snow. As is in more snow that I knew what to do with. Well, I knew to ski, but what I did could hardly be considered skiing. They've just been getting pummeled all season. Twelve inch, Fifteen inch, Eighteen inch dumps all the time. And that much three days in a row. All the time. So much snow that Good Morning America or some other lame east coast news show came out to do a feature on the town, and the town decided not to remove any snow from the streets to better show off their bounty. So this shot was actually taken from the sidewalk, over a drift, towards a Main St. business. The sidewalks had ten foot mounds on either side with small cut outs every fifteen feet or so to escape to the street. I actually had to escape through one of them the next morning when a monstrous snow blower with it's mashing teeth chased me out of the snow corridor. So I tried to ski Mt. Crested Butte, but I got my ass whooped. Ten to fifteen foot cliffs were the norm, with plenty bigger if you wanted. My last run of the last day I found myself in a chute that simply cliffed out at the end - mandatory air. That was enough for me. Maybe next year.

Last Minute Shave

Sun, 03 Feb 2008 7:3:24 PST

Lots of new photos to post, hopefully I'll get a few up this week (as opposed to 1 or 2 a month) The International Snow Sculpting Competition came and went, and I have few new shots to add to the collection. This is Team Vermont adding some final touches to their sculpture. I'll try and find a good shot of the winner, Team China, later this week. I spent a few days in snowy Crested Butte this week and I have a new shot or two from there, as well. They've been getting HAMMERED with snow this season, and we caught two 12"+ days. What's more, they haven't been removing the snow from town and there are towering mounds of snow everywhere - to the point that you can't even see the store fronts. More stories on that later. Besides that, it's a sleepy Sunday night. The Giants just upset the Patriots (boo). I'm trying to get ahead on some work (and make up for too much ski time) but there's more snow on the way this week so it doesn't look like I'll be getting much rest from the mountain...

Mylo

Sun, 13 Jan 2008 4:13:03 PST

My new roommate, Carl, tasked me with babysitting Mylo a few weeks ago. He also let me borrow his kick-ass new camera, so one afternoon I decided to do a quick portrait session with Mylo during our walk.

Winter Aspen

Mon, 24 Dec 2007 9:24:47 PST

Guest Blog! from the little sister... It's christmas time in the Clarks Summit Zander abode, all crowded in the kitchen listening to Christmas with the Rat Pack. Its hard to believe that xmas has pounced upon us already, but this year is certainly more joyful then any of the past, well I cant even remember how many. mom's got all her chickies in the nest (nate's girls do love when he comes back to the east coast) so all is well in the world... christmas whirlwind began in true out of control fashion with Nate and I arriving home early this morning (4am) after nate's flight was delayed oh, about 8 hours. gotta love the NYC airports. we've got the capobianco/zander version of the feast of the seven fishes tonight at the uncle's house, then early morning 'round the tree tomorrow with mommy, pick up the dad and bring him over for breakfast and daddy time, bring dad back home then cocktail hour starts at 4 followed by a lot of eating and of course the traditional buck dice game (sort of a more refined version of yahtzee complete with the ancient buck dice shaky cup) where we gamble with quarters. and of course after a few glasses of wine/beer/rum and cokes the utter zander goofyness ensues. for example a few years back my mom had found one of her father's old aprons that when one lifted a flap on the front of the apron there appeared to be a stuffed thing that had the likeness of male genitalia. mom disappeared for a minute and then comes running into the room lifts up the flap, giggles and darts away again before anybody is really sure what happens. ahhh, holidays with the zanders, always a fabulous time of year...

Exasperation

Sat, 08 Dec 2007 10:8:41 PST

Meet Tom and Iris - two fellow artists here in town. Last night we had a reception at our co-op gallery, Arts Alive, for our Holiday Small Format Show. Tom and Iris were completely fabbergasted because I won my first award for my photography - an �Honorable Mention� for Sourdough Powder! Actually, The Thomas was recounting childhood tales about romping in the woods playing Tarzan in a loincloth and his sister's red boots. Apparently dressing in drag as a child makes good artists. Who knew?

Detroit Jewel

Thu, 15 Nov 2007 5:15:57 PST

A relic of a stove in the secret little town of Crestone, CO.

There's Gold in These Skies

Wed, 31 Oct 2007 12:31:12 PDT

Happy Halloween I didn't even realize it was Halloween until I started this post, and now I wish I had chosen a more scary photo. Boo. Today marks my last day in Frisco-town as I move on to bigger and better things in the booming metropolis of Breckenridge! Sure, it may only be nine miles down the road, but Breck is the big city to us country bumpkins. As some of you may know, I'm a bit type A - and between the move and getting my new car I've been a bit stressed. I need routine and order and it's been lacking lately. To compensate, I've been listening to this great seminar by David Allen, "Getting Things Done". From what I understand, his book and methodology have been around for quite some time, but it's all new to me. For all of you project managers, small business owners, creatives, and geeks out there, check it out - you won't be disappointed. Merlin Mann over at 43folders.com has adapted the GTD processes for the tech industry, as well.

Happy Trails Taxidermy

Fri, 26 Oct 2007 7:26:36 PDT

A bit morbid, perhaps, but you can't help but to laugh. Found whilst exploring with Leo near Black Canyon National Park. New Music of the week is Schuyler Fisk. It turns out she's responsible for the perfect harmonies backing up Joshua Radin all this time and I had no idea. Then yesterday her name popped up in my RSS feed for the song 'paperweight' which was hand picked by Zach Braff for his movie The Last Kiss. Anyway, I've spent the last 24 hours trying to find all of her music I can, but have been coming up short - just a few tracks on her web site and her mySpace page. Schuyler, if you're out there, when can we expect an LP, or at least an EP? And on a side note, I think I'm in love with you. Not in that crazy stalker way, but just in the �you're - beautiful - and - are - an - amazing - musician - and - I - hope - you - make - it - to - Colorado - soon� kind of way. Let me know if you need a concert photographer on your next tour. Maybe you can write a song about me.

Windows

Sat, 13 Oct 2007 11:13:56 PDT

Cold cold cold in Frisco. And that's why we don't spend much time here in October and November and go to the Desert instead.

Arches Sunrise

Tue, 02 Oct 2007 9:2:07 PDT

Moab in the fall - every time I visit it reminds me why I love where I live so much. A quote found in an old card found whilst cleaning and (slowly) preparing another move (not far - only to Breckenridge) Peace. It does not mean to be in a place where there is no noise, trouble, or hard work. It means to be in the midst of those things and still be Calm in your heart.

Telluride Rainbow

Sun, 23 Sep 2007 7:23:17 PDT

It took a few weeks, but I've finally rediscovered my muse. All it took was a weekend away from the computer and Summit County for the fall trip to Telluride Leo and I had been planning since our last jaunt there almost two years ago. Renowned for their fall aspens, we've been waiting for the perfect autumn weekend for our road trip. Unfortunately, schedules dictated we leave this weekend and we were a few weeks early for the peak aspen season. No matter, the scenery was peaceful and idyllic and Leo and I took our time roaming the Colorado countryside looking for photographic opportunities. This shot came as our sunset was cut short by the predicted rainstorm (which ended up cutting our whole trip a day short). Coming back down Last Dollar Road frustrated by the abrupt finale to golden hour and getting rained on, the sun broke through a small hole in the storm and shot down a perfect rainbow. I hopped out of the car and snapped off a few frames before the fleeting moment had disappeared. So even though the weekend was abbreviated, it at least server the purpose of reuniting me with my camera and instilled some excitement to shoot the final few weeks of fall. With a snow storm predicted for Frisco tomorrow, I may be able to get a few elusive snowy aspen frames on Tuesday...

Holiday Reveler

Tue, 28 Aug 2007 7:28:29 PDT

Nothing new this week, so another Holga from the 4th. My show is three weeks past and I'm finally ready to return to my photography after a few weeks of rubber-band avoidance. According to my journeys, the essence of life is about finding it's perfect balance - between work and play - perception and reality - art and science - the list goes on...Yet somehow I find myself doing all of one then all of another. In the case of the past few weeks, my computer and I have been spending way too much time together, with my camera hidden away under my bed. That's not to say I haven't had my fair share of sunshine either - as it turns out the mountains have as much to offer in the summer as the winter, though I traverse their grades on two wheels rather than two planks. But the summer draws to a close this week and crisp fall is threatening - the mountain peaks have even seen their first snowfall already. And so I find myself in transition again, with M.J. getting ready to start the next phase of his life and me finally settling into my mountain community. I'm not sure where the next few months will take me, but I know I won't be far from the Ten Mile Range.

Broken Hinge

Wed, 08 Aug 2007 10:8:02 PDT

Sorry for the lack up regular updates recently - all of my time has been going in to getting ready for my big show! (This Saturday, 4-6pm at the Breckenridge Theater) This shot was also from our weekend in Crested Butte, taken after breakfast as a pleasant cloud burned out of the valley. We awoke to blue skies at the camp site, but as we descended into town, a monstrous cloud enveloped the town. We literally drove into the cloud and we treated to a creepy scene driving through the misty farmland. The morning's shots were graced with the wonderfully diffused light through the fog.

Sounds of Sunday

Mon, 30 Jul 2007 8:30:28 PDT

Spent the weekend in Crested Butte, CO mountain biking with Leo, Greg, and co. What an absolutely incredible place. A bit off the beaten path, the Crested Butte is a mountain in it's own right, but the town and surrounding area lies in a beautiful valley with only a single road leading in. We entered via Cottonwood Pass, which is only open a few months a year, but at least provided a more direct route from Summit County. The valley is lush and green, with rolling hills right out of the Sound of Music. No beetle kill and no drought here. The boys introduced me to some serious mountain biking - well above my ability level - but as exhilarating as it was terrifying. Our first ride was the legendary 401. As I told people I was heading to the Butte all week, the first thing I heard was "401" "401" "401". And for good reason. After a 6 or 7 mile climb up a mellow road, we turned onto a steep muddy singletrack. As I huffed, puffed, and pushed my bike up the hill, the forest gave way to beautiful meadows with tall grass and a smattering of wildflowers. I couldn't enjoy the scenery as I struggled upwards until we finally created the mountain and began the downhill. A narrow path cut its way through handlebar deep wildflowers, skunk cabbage, and unruly grass as we wound our way full speed down the mountain. As we descended into tree line, wildflowers gave way to bright aspens, and we switchbacked down the thousands of feet we had just acended. I tumbled, endo-ed, cursed, and grumbled my way down the mountain - but for every trip over the handlebars I had a few thousand feet of smooth, narrow singletrack and a wide smile on my face. Sorry no photos of the actual biking. I had a hard enough time keeping up with my rockstar friends, let alone time to photograph. This shot was taken just off Main St. in historic Crested Butte.

Driver

Fri, 20 Jul 2007 4:20:10 PDT

A bit of a break from Hawaii as I get some Holga film developed and run through photos taken over the past few weeks. This shot is from the 4th of July Parade in Breckenridge this year. This was actually my first Summit County Independence Day, and just let me say, they do it right.

Stolen Scene from Na Pali

Fri, 13 Jul 2007 3:13:29 PDT

Not much to report today in Zanderland. EXCEPT SAVE THE DATE - August 11th at The Breckenridge Theater I'll be having my photographic premier, "Sealevel" - images from the Panama and Hawaii collections. It's Friday afternoon on a beautiful July afternoon. I think I'll go outside.

Queen's Bath

Sun, 08 Jul 2007 7:8:29 PDT

I got in a lot of trouble for this photo. On the North Shore of Kauai, near Princeville, lies (one of many) Queen's Baths - though I believe this particular one is the most famous. The ocean has carved a large pool into the the soft volcanic rock, creating a warm bath of water that the ocean periodically refreshes during the day. There are "Queen's Bath's" all over the Hawaiian Islands - I suppose whenever Hawaiian royalty found a nice spot to lounge they claimed it for the Queen and forbade the commoners to visit. So while this shot isn't of the Bath itself, it was taken from the coast right next to the Bath. This was taken on one of our last nights in Hawaii, and John, Erin, and I were on our way to pick up Greg and Leo from their two day Na Pali Coast trek (while M.J. was at home preparing a huge BBQ for everyone). We were due to arrive at the trail head at 7pm, and Queen's Bath was only 6 or 7 miles south of the pick-up point, so we made a quick detour. Well, though I had been out shooting many sunsets, this one was by far the best we'd had the entire trip and I was torn whether to leave before the sun had dipped below the horizon and keep our schedule, or stay behind to catch the sun *quot;pop" the clouds. Well, John and Erin, patient and understanding this was the night I was waiting for, pushed me to stay as long as I need ed to get my shot, and I obliged with much appreciation and got what was probably my best shot of the entire trip. Unfortunately we were an hour late picking up the weary hikers and as such, late for dinner.