The Dahl Mountain Culture Photography Exhibit {featuring Two of My Photographs!}

I'm eager to share with you about the upcoming Mountain Culture Photography Contest Exhibit to be featured at the Dahl Arts Center in Rapid City, SD. 

I stumbled upon information about this contest back in January, attended the artist prep session and submitted three of my photos. Of the 200+ entries received, only 36 were selected and two of them are mine! (See below)
I'm so excited to have my work hung in a gallery! I enjoy walking through the Dahl and viewing the exhibits. Now to be part of one of those exhibits I feel like I've accomplished something great!
If you are in the Rapid City area April 1- May 7, you can see my pieces on display in the Inez & Milton Shaver Gallery and Lobby Gallery, as part of the Dahl Mountain Culture Festival. 
There will also be an Artist Reception on Friday, April 1, from 5-7 pm.
To see all of the artists to be featured in the exhibit, click here.

 'Mountain Gems at Willow Creek Falls'

 

I almost missed this.
I'd hiked Willow Creek Trail's two mile loop back in November, bringing my camera along just in case.
I wasn't expecting to find something like this so had left my tripod in the car (you always need it when you don't take it, right?). Thankfully, the waterfall was only 10 minutes into the hike so I went back for the tripod. In order to capture this angle, I had to cross the creek, scale a large boulder and shimmy down the other side over icy covered rock.
I'm so glad I did! This photo has become one of my favorites. 

'Grand Tetons Dressed in Pink'

 

 This past October, my husband and I spent our 10th Anniversary in the Tetons.
It has been a desire of mine for some time to visit and 

explore this beautiful part of the US.
I wanted to find this particular spot where Ansel Adams created his famous photograph.
(It wasn't hard, there was a large sign at one of the viewing points along the highway.)
I found this location, during the day, a few days prior to taking this picture with plans to come back early morning for good lighting. I was hoping for clear views of the mountain range but was thrilled with the color that came that particular morning. The pink only lasted a few seconds.

The Clouds at Sunset {SoDak Style}

In the past week or so, the clouds have been just amazing! Wednesday night at sunset, the colors seemed to explode! 
The vast open sky and the brilliant sunsets are reason #2 why I live here. Reason #1 is my husband. 

During my high school days, my dad was pastor of a small church in the community I now live in. We'd arrived from northeastern IL and WI. Needless to say, the treeless prairie (there are some but not like Wisconsin) and open sky took some getting used to. After graduation, I moved back to IL to pursue my photography education and be near extended family and the city (Chicago). 

The colors of South Dakota always stuck with me.
The sunsets. The sky. 
I remember telling people about it. A lot. I also remember being anxious to leave that small community. 

My husband and I were just acquaintances when I moved back to IL. Through email and instant messaging a friendship grew and now here I am. A cattle rancher's wife of 10 years and counting.

Sometimes I like to think that God made the colors of South Dakota just for me. The details in how the light touches the earth bring me so much joy. The creativity of this marvelous Creator God has me captivated beyond words that I can express.

These photographs were taken literally in my backyard.
Most photographers have to travel out of the city, or their town to capture the beauty of creation. I get to step right outside my door. 

This is our cozy ranch house, dwarfed by these incredible pink clouds. 

The Badlands in B&W

Last week I posted about my favorite hiking pants as I prepared to go on a hiking trip through the Badlands with a few friends.

Since we were there from mid-morning to mid-afternoon I converted my photos to black and white. During the day, the sun casts a harsh white light on the world. It's not usually an ideal time of day for shooting landscapes. Since I knew my photos wouldn't be very exciting in color, I converted them to black and white. 

The clouds and the deep color of the sky were perfect! 

Hiking Pants

This is kind of an odd post for me to write but its a rather big deal for me. 

I'm tall.
I love to hike.
Most main stream outfitting brands do not make hiking pants for tall women. If they do, the style and fit look horrible on me.
A few years ago I did a thorough search for hiking pants that will look nice and are all the length that I need. In jeans, I typically prefer a 33-37" inseam, depending on what I'm wearing. Flats I like a 33" but with my cowboy boots definitely a 37".

Hiking pants tend to come in 32". 
Short. 
Awkward. 
I don't want to feel uncomfortable when I'm hiking. All you tall girls out there know what I mean. ;)  

Anyway, I came across Prana's Halle pant. 
Amazing! 
The tall comes in a 36" inseam! (They also come in 30" and 32".) With my hiking boots this is just perfect, with my trail shoes I roll up the back cuff so it doesn't drag.

                        

These are the best hiking pants I have ever had! I've had my pair for three years now. They are still in perfect condition and they've been through a lot of rough country treking. They don't tear (at least not yet). They roll up into capris if I get hot. They are my most comfortable pants! Ever.

I decided to write this post this week because 1)I'm going hiking tomorrow and will be wearing them and 2) I just bought my second pair in a different color because I wanted options. And having two pairs of the most comfortable pants is awesome! 
Granted, these are not cheap pants for hiking. But good hiking gear is never cheap and it's been well worth the investment. I don't wear them just for hiking either. I wear them for about anything but church, riding and art shows. 

So for all you ladies out there looking for great hiking pants, I've found them for you!

 

(I'm on the far right, wearing my awesome Prana Halle's.)