Distractions Along The Way.

Are We There Yet?

Last Saturday my good friend Suzanne (aka Chubby Hiker Chick) and I set out to visit Bridal Veil Falls in the Franconia Notch area of New Hampshire’s White Mountains. The hike was an easy 2.5 mile out and back with a modest elevation gain of only 1100′. The weather was perfect, the sun was shining, it should have taken us well under two hours to reach the falls.

Not if I had anything to say about it. Due to my stopping at everything that caught my eye it took a lot longer than it should have to reach the falls.

Distractions, Distractions.

Unfortunately for Suzanne I kept getting distracted by every little forest scene, shadow, and hole in the snow along the way. The low sunlight streaming through the forest was simply too good to pass up!

Every peeling birch tree, curve in a stream, and yes, even a hole hole in the snow revealing Coppermine Brook underneath, caught my eye and slowed our progress.

The near perfect roundness of this small, trashcan lid sized hole through the snow had me step off the trail into thigh-deep snow, and climbing down the steep stream bank to get a closer look, and a photograph.

We definitely weren’t going to set any speed records on this hike.

Eventually we made it to the Coppermine Shelter where we stopped for a quick snack before the final two tenths of a mile to the falls.

Finally!

We did eventually make it to Bridal Veil Falls, and we were not alone. A group of ice climbers were taking advantage of the spectacular ice and the great weather.

After a few quick photos both Suzanne and I started getting a little chilly, so we decided to make our way back to the car. Unfortunately for her, even being a little chilled wasn’t enough to keep me from stopping along the way.

If my constant stopping was getting on her nerves, she hid it very well. Then again, her smile could have been hiding the fact she was plotting my demise. 🙂

Wonderland, Mountains in White

There’s no better time to be in the mountains than in the winter when everything is blanketed in newly fallen snow.

This view from near the summit of Hancock North Peak, one of New Hampshire’s 4,000 footers, is one of many spectacular views to be had in the White Mountain National Forest.

Along for the hike was my trusty Fujifilm X-T2 and XF10-24 lens. Both performed flawlessly in the single digit temperatures with 30+mph winds. Luckily for me the battery held up well in the cold.

Because I forgot my spares in the car! Oops.

Let Me Show You The Granite State.

Planning a visit to New Hampshire and don’t want to waste any of your precious vacation time trying to find the best spots to photograph?

Let me be your guide.

I now offer both personal and small group photo workshops and tours throughout New Hampshire.

From the rocky seacoast to the White Mountains, waterfalls to fall foliage, the Granite State is host to a wide variety of photographic opportunity.

My workshops are small, limited to 3 participants maximum, so I’m able to provide more personal attention to each individual. Plus, since most of my workshops are scheduled on an as requested basis, they are more often than not a private one-on-one experience tailored specifically to your photographic needs, wants, and physical abilities.

Here are a few of the scenic New Hampshire locations you could be photographing when you book a workshop with me.

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Whether it’s a spectacular sunrise on the rocky coast, or a winter sunset from the summit of one of New Hampshire’s tallest mountains, or anything in between, I will put together a custom photographic experience based on both your physical and photographic abilities.

The options are almost limitless.

Some examples of the workshop experiences I offer:

1 – The “Ride-along” 

On a ride-along though the focus will be on my own photos and scouting new locations, we’ll spend the day, usually in the White Mountains, taking pictures, scouting new locations, and discussing photography as we drive through some of New Hampshire’s most beautiful scenery. At only $125 the “Ride-along” is a very affordable investment in your photography where you’ll receive a good amount of the same personalized attention that you would on a half or full day workshop minus the ability to choose the locations visited.

2 – Half and Full day workshops custom made for you.

“Half-day” workshops ($250) usually run between 4-6 hours long, with a “Full day”($425) being from sunrise to sunset (with a break of an hour or so mid-day to rest up for the remainder to the day)

3 – Two Day Workshops and Tours. ($675)

On a two day workshop you’ll had better bring a lot of memory cards because we’ll be photographing a wide range of scenic locations and subjects throughout the state. Most of my two day workshops will be focused on a particular subject, such as waterfalls or autumn foliage, will often combine multiple types of landscape subjects. The vast majority of which are easily accessible from the road or via short and easy hike, making them perfect for people of all physical abilities.

4 – Multi-Day Backcountry Excursions. ($675 and up) 

If you’re an experienced hiker and backpacker looking to improve your photography, or you’re simply looking to capture landscapes that haven’t been photographed nearly as frequently as the more accessible locations, I offer 2, 3, or more days of photographing some of the most picturesque wilderness areas you’ll find in New Hampshire. Each day we’ll see and photograph majestic mountain vistas where we may be the only people for miles. Prior to all backcountry excursions a list of mandatory gear will be provided to each prospective participant with a full gear inspection made prior to hitting the trail. I reserve the right to refuse to lead someone I deem unprepared or who overstated their experience level. Safety is my primary concern while traveling in the wilderness. These trips are NOT for the inexperienced, or casual hiker.

And now the fine print.

To book a workshop contact me by clicking on the CONTACT page,

or call me at;  603-973-9886

A 50% deposit is required at least 60 days prior to your anticipated workshop to reserve your space on either a previously scheduled workshop or to book a private workshop, with the balance due within 30 days of the date. Cancelations made at least 30 days prior to the date of your workshop will receive a full refund. Cancelations made less than 30 days prior will be refunded less a $100 cancelation fee.

Meals, lodging, and transportation are not included in the workshop fee.

All workshops are rain or shine, within reason. In fact, in the case of a waterfall workshop you couldn’t ask for better weather than an overcast drizzley day. No refunds are given due to weather, though full or partial credit towards a future workshop will be given if the weather turns out to be truly terrible. Bad weather can result in great photos, but I’m not interested in venturing out if we’ll all be miserable.

Over the course of a multi day workshop, excluding backcountry, if time, location, and accommodations permitting, there may be some image review and post processing sessions during the mid-day.

Whether you’re an experienced photographer visiting the area and don’t want to spend your time searching out the best places to photograph, or a beginner who just bought their first camera, let me help you with your photography

Weekly Photo Challenge: Signs

Weekly Photo Challenge: Contrast

 Seasons Change

Windswept and frigid.

Lonely, beautiful in frozen solitude with just one other sharing the alpine majesty.

Only the winter wind breaks the silence.

 

Clouds fill the sky over sun warmed summits.

Trails come alive with mountain adventurers.

Seasons change, the mountains remain.

 

 

Seek The Peak

 

In a little over one months time I’ll again be hiking in support of the Mount Washington Observatory(MWOBS). Seek The Peak is an annual Hike-A-Thon fundraiser for the non-profit weather research facility located atop the tallest peak in the northeast, and home to the “Worlds Worst Weather.” The highest surface wind speed recorded by man, at 231 mph, was recorded here in 1934. No wonder the old summit building is chained to the ground!

As I did last year I’m seeking your support for this world-class research facility. And, to make it worth your while, I’m again raffling off two signed prints as a reward for your support. For each $10 (U.S.) tax-deductible donation made through my personal fundraising page  your name will be entered into a drawing for a signed 16″x24″ print of any of the photos found on my website.

That’s right, you as the winner gets to choose your prize!

But there’s more. For the person making the largest donation*(see the not so fine print below), you will automatically receive a signed 20″x30″ canvas gallery wrap of the image of your choice. Simple, make a big donation, take home a big print, no taking chances your name whether or not will be drawn.

*The not so fine print. The signed print is available to anyone worldwide. Sadly the signed canvas for the largest donation can only be shipped to the U.S. and Canada.

 

Please consider making your donation today.

Thank you, and see you at the summit!

Here’s a slide show of images made during last years hike.

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Weekly Photo Challenge: Threshold

Good times in Tuckerman Ravine.

There is a very high threshold that would need to be met when it comes to weather I’d consider too extreme to venture out with my camera.

Though honestly, if I think there’s a photograph to be made I don’t think there is weather too extreme.

And even when the weather doesn’t play nice, like this past Sunday when a couple of friends and I hiked into Tuckerman Ravine on New Hampshire’s Mount Washington, we were still able to have some fun and enjoy a fine spring day in the mountains. High winds, blowing snow, limited visibility and all.

This was our sunrise.

Climbing For A Cause.

I’m climbing again.

On July 19th I’ll be participating in the 14th Annual Seek The Peak , the premier hiking event in the country. Seek the Peak is a hike-a-thon fundraiser to benefit the nonprofit Mount Washington Observatory (MWOBS).

Now in its fourteenth year, Seek the Peak is one of MWOBS’ largest fundraising events, and a great way to get out and experience the White Mountains while helping a great cause.

Like last year, I also plan to be on the trail no later than 2:30 a.m. to be somewhere above tree line for sunrise. There’s something special about knowing that I’m likely one of, if not the only person on the mountain at such an early hour.

On behalf of MWOBS, I’m seeking your help.

Seek The Peak is one of the major fundraisers the nonprofit Observatory holds every year, and in a effort to solicit your donations I’m again raffling off 2 prints. This year I’m doing it a little differently. For last years hike, I chose the image to raffle off. This year, since your tastes very likely differ from mine, the lucky winner, selected at random from among all the generous people who make a donation through my fundraising page, will get to choose their own winning image.

This way, not only do you get the satisfaction of knowing you’re helping one of the worlds premier weather research facilities, you get to choose the image YOU want.

How it works.

When you visit my Seek The Peak fundraising page and make your tax-deductible pledge, each $10 (US) is good for one entry into the drawing. ($20 = 2 entries, $50 = 5), you get the idea. After the event in July, I will then randomly select one winner from all who’ve offered their generous support. That person* then gets to choose a signed, 16″ x 24″ print, from among any of the images on www.jeffsinon.com, or from any of the images shared here on my blog, or on my Fan Page.

(Images are regularly shared on my blog and fan page before they are uploaded to my website. All the more reason to subscribe, or become a Fan if you’d like to be among the first to see my latest photographs).

Didn’t he say he was giving away 2 prints?

Right you are! If you’re not one to take your chances, you REALLY want your own image from Jeff Sinon Photography, then this is for you!

The person* making the largest pledge in support of my hike, automatically wins a signed, 20″ x 30″ canvas gallery wrap of the image of their choice.

Last year, Stephanie from Love in the Spaces received a beautiful canvas of this photo of Mt. Washington. Her generous pledge of $40 earned her the top spot, so she automatically won the 20″ x 30″ canvas, valued at $200.

Cindy over at photos from the looney bin was the lucky winner of the 16″ x 24″ print of the same image.

Thank you all for your support!

Below is a slide show of the images I captured on last years hike.. 

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* The Fine Print.

– Your support is all you need to enter. Click HERE, any of the Seek The Peak links in the text above, or the Support MWOBS and WIN! banner in the sidebar, and make your tax deductible pledge.

– The winner of the print will be chosen at random at some time during the week following the event, but no later than July 26, 2014.

– The winners name will then be announced here on my blog, on my Fan Page, and via the email they provide when making their pledge.

– To be eligible to win the 16″ x 24″ print, you must live somewhere on this planet. Sadly, eligibility for the highest donor prize, the 20″ x 30″ canvas is limited to those living in the continental US and Canada.

– Other than your pledge, their is no cost to you. In fact, the cost of the print, the canvas, and the shipping, is coming out of my pocket, not any of the funds raised.

Weekly Photo Challenge: Good Morning!

Yes it was!

Many of you who read my blog regularly know how I often enjoy spending my mornings.

The morning usually starts out with a pre-dawn hike, often several miles through the still dark mountains,  just as often alone, racing the rising sun in search of a spectacular view.

 This past Sunday was no exception.

With autumn in full swing here in New Hampshire, I chose to welcome the new day atop Mt. Crawford in New Hampshire’s White Mountain National Forest.

Yes indeed, with this view before me not long after sunrise, it was a Good Morning!

And here I am taking it all in.

And yes it will be!

In one weeks time, this view will be the first thing I see as I poke my head out of my tent.

THAT will be a good morning!

Weekly Photo Challenge: Carefree

Footloose and fancy free, without a care in the world.

Most people know, or at least assume, I’m a pretty serious guy when it comes to my photography. That is until they look at my feet.

It’s pretty hard to take life too seriously while wearing my Fivefingers. I run in them, I have them on when I wade right in to photograph water lilies, the salty waves crash around them standing in the surf awaiting sunrise, and they’ve been to the summit of Mt. Washington, the highest mountain in the eastern U.S.  The only thing they haven’t seen is snow. Yet.

I wear them everywhere.

I have to thank Paula for the inspiration for this weeks theme. Until seeing her post I really wasn’t sure what I where I would take this weeks theme.