Aerial of Mount Augustine volcano

Aerial view of Mt. Augustine volcano, Alaska Peninsula. Canon 5D Mark III, 24-105mm f/4L IS, (32mm), 1/2000 sec @ f/4, ISO 400

Alaska’s southwest coast is a well known region of the Pacific rim of fire, dotted by active volcanoes and rugged mountains. In 2006, this volcano, Mt Augustine erupted and I photographed it from the Kenai Peninsula (see below). On my recent trip to the coastal region of Katmai National Park, weather conditions required that we fly a more northerly route which took us by this volcano. It was a great view, and pretty much a grab shot taken through the plexi-glass window on the airplane as we flew by. Far less than ideal conditions for aerial photography, but never the less, a very immense view. With some contrast and exposure modifications, I was able to remove the muddy look caused by the plane window. I know I’ve reiterated this before but it is an important note to make regarding shutter speeds when shooting from aircraft: use a high one! I shot this at 1/2000 of a second, to ensure sharpness. It is also interesting to note that in these two images, the volcano is approximately the same size but due to closeness, the 32mm and 700mm focal lengths reveal the variation in distance from the actual volcano.

Mt. Augustine active volcano, March 2006, view from Kachemak Bay, Homer, Alaska, across the Cook Inelt. Approximately 75 miles from the Volcano, which sits as an island off the coast of the Alaska Peninsula. Incandesence lava flows on the North and North east flank. Canon 1Ds Mark II, 500mm f/4L IS w/1/4x (700mm), 89 seconds @ f/5.6, ISO 400

During this week I’ll be backpacking and camping in the Gates of the Arctic National Park in Alaska’s remote arctic region. It’s a big area and more specifically I’ll be in the Arrigetch peaks, a dramatic conglomeration of granite spires which are breathtaking to say the least. Packing for a trip that requires me to carry everything for miles on a backpack, including camera gear, mountain clothing and food (in a big bear proof canister required by the Park Service), is not a small task. Time will tell how it all works out. I’m excited to see that place from the ground as I’ve only flown over it in the past. Here is a shot I took a few years ago from my friends plane. I’ll share some imagery upon my return.

Aerial of the Arrigetch Peaks, rugged granite spires in the central Brooks Range of arctic Alaska, Gates of the Arctic National Park. The name means 'fingers of the outstreched hand' in the Inupiat language.

Flying in Bush Alaska

One can access a little bit of Alaska by car, some by water, a lot on foot, and a whole lot by air. When it comes time to getting around in Alaska’s arctic–which has across its lateral spine the monstrous Brooks range–it is time for wings. Much of my remote photographic ventures in the arctic have began and ended with air transport, and the in-between travel has been by hiking and on the river system.

Coyote Air De Havilland Beaver airplane with bush tires for landing on rugged surfaces.

For the safe coming and going, I have pilot Dirk Nickisch to thank, with Coyote Air. Besides being a skilled pilot, Dirk is also an airplane mechanic and understands what kind of machinery it takes to run the complex business of air taxi in the Brooks Range. These images show the modified wheel system on Dirk’s beaver, which are formidable tires that enable landing in some pretty crazy locations.

If you have ever been dropped off in the remote wilderness of Alaska’s arctic, miles and miles away from human civilization, then you will certainly appreciate the buzzing sound of that little airplane when it returns to pick you up a week or two later. And, when you watch Dirk land the plane, you are also thankful for these beefy tires!

The shadow of the Beaver on the tundra in the Noatak Preserve.

Noatak river flows out of the Brooks range in the Gates of the Arctic National Park, Alaska. Canon 5D Mark III, 24-105 f/4L IS (28mm), 1/1000 @ f/5.6, ISO 400

I’m often asked if I shoot black and white. The answer is no, in general. My world is one of color, and while I appreciate both the constraints and liberties of excluding color from an image, I generally prefer the invoked psychological elements that the inclusion of color creates.

But throwing away color opens up some creative opportunities as well, and I’m fond of all imagery that exhibits a powerful use of light and composition. Just for fun, I thought I would play with this photo for a few minutes in Lightroom. It was a pretty quick rendition of the file by reducing the saturation to “0″ and then cranking the blacks and contrast. It creates a rich and energetic scene, which in reality, is far more dramatic than what the human eye actually saw.

I took the image while flying with Dirk Nickisch of Coyote Air, as we traversed across the Noatak river valley in Alaska’s Brooks range. If you have followed my blog, you already know that I’m particularly fond of the magnificent Brooks range. If you are open to the idea, it will change your life in just a few glances, through its sheer immensity and wild ruggedness–it is sort of a quick work of self reduction.

When shooting aerials–use a high, high, high shutter speed, reduce wind drag on the lens as much as possible, and isolate yourself from the plane vibration, and shoot a lot of frames.

Compare with the color version.

Aerial of waves rolling on the long the sandy shores of Softuk bar, Gulf of Alaska, southcentral. Canon 5D Mark II, 24-105 f/4L IS, (45mm) 1/12500 sec @ f/5, ISO 400

The beaches of the outer perimeter of the Copper River Delta, in southcentral Alaska, are broad and sandy. They open to the Gulf of Alaska and the Pacific ocean, so weather can be tumultuous on its shores. On this pleasant day, I did some flying over the Copper River Delta region and we made a landing along this beach, where shorebirds were flying by, waves rolling, and sounds and winds of springs were in the air. The long shallow beach accounts for the repetition of pattern in the waves, as they slowly roll upon the beach. I grabbed this shot out of the rear window of the plane when we banked to make a landing.