Lake Solitude

ISO 400     f/7.1     1/200     18mm

My roommate had the brilliant idea of waking up on Saturday morning at 7:00am.  Brilliant indeed.  Lake Solitude is nearly at the top of Big Cottonwood Canyon.  The hike to the lake is a relatively easy 1 mile hike.  With a view like this, it makes me hope that my roommate has more "brilliant" ideas in the future. 

NIKON D3300

AF-S DX Nikkor 18-55mm 1:3.5-5.6G VR II

Salt Lake Sunset

ISO 100     f/4.5     1/60     18mm    

A big rainstorm had just rolled in and I was hoping to capture some more lightning pictures.  Sadly, there wasn't much lightning, but there was this.  The photo was taken up by the H-Rock (which has come to be a favorite spot of mine - it's easy to see why).

NIKON D3300

AF-S DX Nikkor 18-55mm 1:3.5-5.6G VR II

Cannon Beach, OR

ISO 200     f/10       1/400      28mm 

ISO 100     f/2       3s      18mm

During my last week in Portland I decided to drive to the coast right after work to see the popular Haystack Rock.  It took an hour and a half each way, mostly due to the 55 mph speed limit the whole way, but it did give me time to listen to my book on tape.  I arrived with enough sunlight to get a few good daylight pictures, and then there were enough clouds to make a pretty good sunset.

NIKON D3300

AF-S DX Nikkor 18-55mm 1:3.5-5.6G VR II

Downtown Portland & Mt. Hood

ISO 100     f/5.6       1/50      55mm 

ISO 200     f/5.6       1/500      200mm 

Still on my trip in Portland,  I found a pretty sweet lookout over downtown with Mt. Hood in the background.  It's called Pittock Mansion.  I got lucky this day because most of the days I was in Portland it was cloudy/rainy. What a beautiful backdrop to have Mt. Hood so close. 

NIKON D3300

AF-S DX Nikkor 18-55mm 1:3.5-5.6G VR II

Multnomah Falls, OR

ISO 100     f/25       10s      23mm  

Still in Portland.....Multnomah Falls is a popular destination, and its easy to see why.  This picture was taken at the base of the falls, but there is also a trail that takes you to the top.  It's full of switchbacks and it's actually pretty strenuous, but there's a great view at the top.  I captured this picture using a long exposure and a neutral density (ND) filter.

NIKON D3300

AF-S DX Nikkor 18-55mm 1:3.5-5.6G VR II

Portland, OR Temple

ISO 400     f/5.6       1/125      18mm   

Work took me up to Portland, OR for 4 straight weeks.  I had never been to the pacific northwest before, so I was pretty excited to go.  I stayed about a 15 minute walk from the Portland temple and I was able to catch a shot with a nice sunset in the background.  This is one of the prettier temples I've visited.

NIKON D3300

AF-S DX Nikkor 18-55mm 1:3.5-5.6G VR II

Puerto Vallarta, MX

ISO 100     f/16       1/200      28mm

I planned a celebration trip for after taking the TE (Technical Evaluation test for work).  I found a great deal at the Marriott resort in Puerto Vallarta.  Tyler and Tim came along too for the week long getaway to paradise.  We were pretty much beach bums the whole week, but we did venture into downtown Puerto Vallarta one evening, and that's where I caught this picture.  Sometimes the timing is just right.

NIKON D3300

AF-S DX Nikkor 18-55mm 1:3.5-5.6G VR II

Sugarhouse Park

ISO - 100     f/3.5    1/400     18mm

Shot on one of the last good Fall days of November.  Sugarhouse Park is 5 minutes from my house and I drive past it every day to and from work.  This big oak tree was just asking me to take its picture.

NIKON D3300
AF-S DX Nikkor 18-55mm 1:3.5-5.6G VR II

Weehawken, NJ

ISO - 100     F/4     Exp. 1.6 sec    55mm

Work sent me to Weehawken, New Jersey for two weeks.  My hotel was located in Jersey City right along the Hudson River.  The weather was pretty uncooperative most of the time, but the rain let up one night and I was able to capture the beautiful skyline of Midtown Manhattan.  This was one of my first attempts at night photography and I actually think it turned out pretty well.  And don't worry, I made it over to the city several times (big thanks to my big bro and friends for entertaining me and showing me some great restaurants!)

NIKON D3300

AF-S DX Nikkor 55-200mm 1:4-5.6G VR II 

Montauk - Lighthouse

ISO - 1600    F/4    Exp. 1/640    55mm

Who can resist taking a picture of a lighthouse?  There's just something about them that requires a photograph.  This was also taken during the trip to Montauk - with a sepia-esque touch up.  

NIKON D3300

AF-S DX Nikkor 55-200mm 1:4-5.6G VR II