Adam Angel Photography and International Mountain Guides

New Digital Photography Workshops and Kilimanjaro, Serengeti, Ngorongoro 2010

2009-11-05T15:34:00.000-08:00

2010 schedule update.

I will be leading the International Mountain Guides Kilimanjaro Climb and Safari in June, 2010. There are still spaces available at the time of this writing. Contact me or check out http://www.mountainguides.com/kilimanjaro.shtml for more information.

We are in the midst of overhauling MtRainierPhoto.com, but couldn't wait to tell you about some of our new workshops in 2010. These workshops are in addition to the Rainier Workshops already posted at MtRainierPhoto.com.

They include:
The ever popular comprehensive 3 weekend series "Digital Process and Print"
- March 13th - 14th, March 27th - 28th, April 10th - 11th.
Download the PDF brochure.

Digital Camera Basics (*NEW) - January 9th, 2010.
Download the PDF brochure.

Studio Lighting & The Portrait (*NEW) - January 10th, 2010.
Download the PDF brochure.

Black & White Intensive (*NEW) - January 16th-17th, 2010.
Download the PDF brochure.

If you sign up for "Digital Camera Basics" and "Studio Lighting and The Portrait" together receive $25 off.

Progress on the Gallery has slowed down as we have become busy with other projects, but is still creeping along. If you are passing through Morton, shoot me an email and I will give you a quick tour of the future gallery.

Adam

Phil Ershler's 25th Everest Anniversary

2009-10-20T11:54:00.001-07:00

Eric Simonson and George Dunn have written a wonderful tribute to Phil Ershler's 25th Everest Anniversary. October 20, 2009 marks 25 years since Phil made the first American ascent of the North Face of Everest. Read more about it here.

Phil was and is a great mentor to me. He gave me my first gig as an international mountain guide and continues to be an inspiration and an advisor.

Thanks Phil!

Adam

50th anniversary poses new challenges for Serengeti

2009-08-24T08:45:00.000-07:00

By Wolfgang H. Thome, eTN Africa | Aug 22, 2009

The Serengeti National Park just celebrated its half century anniversary amid reports on the growing challenges for the national park by human encroachment, demands for concessions by lodge developers and increased tourist traffic into the park.
Unlike in the Masai Mara Game Reserve, the Kenyan extension to the Serengeti ecosystem, there are substantially less lodges and tented camps located in the Serengeti, a standard wildlife conservationists intend to maintain for the long term benefit of the park

Click here for the rest of the story.

Mount Rainier Flight Photos

2009-08-20T17:06:00.000-07:00

We had a great evening flying around Mount Rainier.

Adam. Checking out the scene.

The approach.... looking good.

Tahoma Glacier, Sunset Amphitheater and the Puyallup Glacier at sunset.

Thanks Jenni!

Flying off into the sunset.

Mount Rainier Flight

2009-08-19T09:03:00.001-07:00

Tonight IMG Guide Jenni Fogle is flying us around Mount Rainier! We plan to take off around 7:30 and shoot in the late light. The weather forecast looks good and we are really looking forward to it.

Jenni flies KC-135’s and Global Hawks for the Air Force Reserve and is a climbing guide in Alaska, Washington, and California.

I can't wait!
Adam

Travel Portraits, “Another Reason To Visit The Himalayas, and East Africa.”

2009-08-17T08:52:00.001-07:00

Need some basic tips for making great travel portraits? I've recently posted a free PDF download titled Travel Portraits, “Another Reason To Visit The Himalayas, and East Africa.”

Nothing overly detailed here, just a short primer to help you get started. Enough to give you a little inspiration (and bravery) to make portraits of strangers, and a little technical guidance. It's broken down into 3 sections:

Part 1 “The Approach”
Part 2 “Equipment”
Part 3 “Making the Image”

You can download the article here.
I look forward to traveling with you.
Adam

Mount Rainier Gallery Renovation Continues..

2009-08-16T15:52:00.000-07:00

I love the smell of acetylene in the morning....

Brad Klein (aka SkiPig) is the mastermind behind the gallery renovation and the one who convinced me pick up a hammer again. He is the one who made me realize that all of this was possible....

Brad is the ultimate socialite and networker. In the past month he has found free scaffolding, and a friend with an acetylene torch. The scaffolding has been scabbed together and works great. The torch arrived with an operator who works for beer. Somehow things come together at just the right moment. Not very fast, but progress nonetheless. Just about right for an out-of-pocket project. Dennis (he likes Sierra Nevada Pale Ale) started cutting this morning and put in a couple of hours before running out of O2. Hopefully we'll be able to finish up the boiler removal next weekend...

Here are some pictures of his handiwork...

The first cut...Pipes not seen for almost a century...
It's OK, his mustache will protect him from the sparks!
Piece by piece, Brad and Dennis reverse the original maker's handiwork from almost a century ago.

We also just received the request from Mayor Jim Gerwig and the City of Morton for our portion of the match portion of a sidewalk grant. A grant which will redo 60 feet of sidewalk along the south side of the building. That project should occur next summer if everything falls into place.

Adam

The Photographer's Ephemeris - BETA

2009-08-07T22:11:00.000-07:00

I simply cannot remain quiet anymore. I must sing it to the world. One of the best pieces of software living on my computer these days is "The Photographer's Ephemeris." Stephen Trainor offers the Ephemeris for free, and it is a Beta version. i.e. "THE SOFTWARE IS PROVIDED “AS IS”, WITHOUT WARRANTY OF ANY KIND." Take it from me, it works great and is a simple joy to use.

From Stephen's website:

Landscape photographers typically wish to plan their shoots around the times of sunrise/sunset or twilight, or alternatively when the moon is in a particular place in a particular phase.
While times of sunrise etc. are readily available on various sites on the internet (direction of sunrise etc. less so, but still readily found), there are fewer programs available which combine such information with a topographical map allowing the photographer to match the astronomical to the location.
A typical use might be to determine when the sun will set along the axis of a mountain valley, or when a full moon rise will rise across a lake.
The application uses Google Maps providing users the ability to select a location and determine the time and azimuth of sunrise or sunset for a given date or dates.
The software displays the combination of the key data together with a topographical map, courtesy of Google, in one program for either Windows or Mac.

I use it daily and cannot imagine going back to the days of compiling this information myself.
Thank you Stephen! Click here to visit his website and download the program. Please support his project!
Adam

News from Arusha and Kilimanjaro, Tanzania

2009-07-24T09:57:00.000-07:00

Pertinent news for the region of Tanzania that we visit.

BY ADAM IHUCHA, ETN STAFF WRITER | JUL 23, 2009
"Arusha, Tanzania (eTN) – Drought in Tanzania’s northern highlands has reached deadly proportion, killing nearly 100 cattle in Longido and wildlife along the sprawling borderline of Kilimanjaro and Amboseli National parks." Click here to read the rest of the story.

BY ADAM IHUCHA, ETN STAFF WRITER | JUN 24, 2009
"Arusha, Tanzania (eTN) - As the impact of the ongoing economic crisis hits Tanzania's fragile tourism industry, nearly 1,160 breadwinners have lost jobs." Click here to read the rest of the story.

Adam

Updated photos of the future Mt. Rainier Photography Gallery

2009-07-15T14:41:00.000-07:00

Not pretty yet, but pretty empty. Moving along on the Gallery. Time to start putting things back in........

Still on the two year plan!!!
Just received some free scaffolding from Pat Hart. Thanks Pat!

Adam

June 2009 Kilimanjaro Climb

2009-07-10T09:28:00.000-07:00

Absence does make the heart grow fonder. Three years after my last Kilimanjaro expedition I returned with a fantastic group of IMG climbers to go to the top once more.The hiatus renewed my excitement in the mountains, wildlife, and people of Tanzania. The specialness of the region was more apparent than ever to me this time. My understanding of this place, fortified over previous expeditions, gave it a certain familiarity, the kind of familiarity that relaxes you. North Central Tanzania is a fertile, vibrant, organic place. Kilimanjaro sustains it’s rivers during the dry seasons. Our journey takes us from the mountain top glaciers to the heart of one of the most amazing ecosystems in the world, the Greater Serengeti Ecosystem. As a photographer, I returned with a new eye, as a climber I returned with a renewed desire to stand upon the “Roof of Africa.”
Our local staff of 45 porters, cooks, and guides worked hard for us on the mountain. We arrived in each camp to the smell of fresh coffee and popcorn, our tents already set, and washing water soon on the way. Our team made it to each camp in record time and was very proud of their effort. (That was until I pointed out that their average age was about 25 years younger than our typical climb!! Then it didn’t seem so impressive…..:-)
We had great weather the whole climb and the scenery was as good as it gets. All 12 of us made it to the top in good style. Congratulations, Thea Handelman, Mary Grendell, Ashley Ryniak, Suzzane Weinstock, Steve Huff, Dan Talbert, Helen and Charles Frohlich, Jonathan Halata, and Bill and Will Bavinger for making to the top, Uhuru Point. I won’t forget it.

Safari was a blast as usual and a more than adequate reward for the sweat left on the mountain during our climb. Oh, and what happens on safari stays on safari…………..
~Adam Angel

Kilimanjaro, Serengeti, Ngorongoro and Tarangire 2009

2009-06-13T10:55:00.000-07:00

We are leaving for Tanzania tomorrow and will return the on the June 28th. I'm looking forward to the trip and will post images when I return. All emails (to info@mtrainierphoto.com) and phone calls to the Mt. Rainier Institute of Photography will be forwarded/answered to/by my apprentice, Greg Lund. While Greg might not have all the answers, (because I know that you can think up some pretty tough questions) he can answer many of your basic questions, and if he doesn't know the answer he will parlé your question to me, via my almost daily satellite phone contacts.

All emails to Adam@AdamAngel.com will be answered as soon as possible by me, but that might not be until end of June or early July.

Adam

Paradise Valley Road Open

2009-06-06T10:12:00.001-07:00

The Paradise Valley Road is open today for the 2009 Summer Season on Mt. Rainier.
Stevens Canyon Road is anticipated to remain closed until the end of July.

Adam.

2010 Kilimanjaro Photography Expedition.

2009-05-28T17:42:00.000-07:00

For 2010, we plan to offer a "Photographer's Extension" to International Mountain Guides' regularly scheduled June Kilimanjaro Expedition. The price and length is yet to be determined, but please contact us if you are interested in more information as it becomes available. East Africa offers one of the best environments in the world for an enriching cultural and wildlife experience. This is the only photography workshop in Tanzania that features a summit climb of Kilimanjaro with an experienced high altitude climbing guide and professional photographer. Please contact Adam if you want to be added to the Kilimanjaro contact list.

Chinook Pass opens Friday, May 22 at noon.

2009-05-22T08:15:00.000-07:00

Just in time for Memorial Day weekend, Chinook Pass will open Friday, May 22 at 12:00.
Providing some of the best views of Mt. Rainier from the east side of the mountain, it's a sure sign that summer is on the way here in the park! One of my most popular images was made on Chinook pass, but don't expect to see the ground up there for a long time yet, there is still almost 13 feet of snow!!!!

For Chinook Pass telemetry click here.

Adam

Ken Burns, The National Parks, and America's Best Idea.

2009-04-21T09:49:00.000-07:00

Last night over 2000 Washingtonians and I had the privilege of attending a presentation at Benaroya Hall in Seattle. The presentation, hosted by KCTS 9, was an splendid evening with Ken Burns and Dayton Duncan who discussed and presented clips from their upcoming epic documentary The National Parks, America's Best Idea. I knew that Burns made wonderful films, but after listening to him speak and gaining a smidgeon of insight on his world view, I am further impressed. Ken is truly a visionary, not just in the media of film, but in humanity, and as he said last night, these documentaries are ultimately about us. He confessed that he has been telling the same story about us over and over again, just with different packaging.

I must tell you that I left the presentation last night profoundly re-energized about the magnitude and importance of our National Park System. I will certainly carry this with me this summer as we explore Mt. Rainier National Park photographing its wonders.

The documentary is 12 hours long and airs this fall on your local public television station. The series will be available in High Definition (As Ken said, "5 times better") and is available on DVD and Blu-ray. From the 6 short excerpts that were shown last night, I plan to add this series to my collection. You can pre-order The National Parks, America's Best Idea from channel9store.com and save 25% with this promotional code: NPBURNS. The offer is good until 9-15-09 and cannot be combined with other offers.

You can also hear a "Weekday" interview with Ken Burns here.

See you on The Mountain this summer.

Adam

Kilimanjaro Climb and Safari 2009. Tanzania, East Africa.

2009-01-18T12:03:00.000-08:00

I have added another Kilimanjaro trip to my schedule this year with International Mountain Guides. The trip will depart on June 14 and return on the 28th. This expedition will not be a photography workshop, it will however include many of the same exciting elements. If you have any questions please drop me a line 206-497-9660, or shoot me an email, Adam@AdamAngel.com. Again, for those of you who I have talked with, you know how excited I get about this trip. This will be my 10th expedition to Kilimanjaro and Serengeti, and I remain excited. This is truly the trip of a lifetime. As of January 18, 2009 there are only 5 spots left.

Adam

Past Accolades for Kilimanjaro Climb and Safaris. Tanzania, East Africa.

2008-11-09T12:27:00.000-08:00

"I wanted to let you know what a tremendous experience this was for us and how pleased we were with the whole IMG program from start to finish. From the initial contact with you (Eric Simonson) and Phil Ershler, through the whole trip planning process, to the expedition itself, everything was highly professional and first class in every respect. Your personal communications to me by email and rapid response to any questions or concerns in advance of the trip were greatly appreciated. The local arrangements through the Keys Hotel and the assistance of and experience with the African guides, cooks, and porters were beyond expectations. I also cannot speak highly enough about Adam Angel. Not only did he do a great job coaching us through our progressive trek into high altitude, but he also became a wonderful companion and friend, and undoubtedly greatly facilitated the camaraderie that quickly developed amongst the climbers.

I don't know when I may get another chance to climb, but when I do, you can be assured that if at all possible, it will be with IMG. It appears that you set the standard in guided mountaineering, and I thank you for making possible this once in a lifetime experience for my son and me."

—Michael B.

"We had an incredible experience on our trip. The climb was awesome! IMG had everything well organized from the excellent accommodations before and after the climb to the coordination of the porters and cooks on the climb. Adam was a pleasure to climb with. He took a personal interest in each person achieving their goals for the climb and did everything he could to help make that happen. He had a great sense for when he needed to provide specific direction to the group and when it was okay to let the group just experience the mountain. Hope we have the chance to climb with him again. We look forward to our next adventure with IMG."

—Rob & Julie L.

"What a fun trip. And all I have to say is who ever thought up the porter concept was brilliant. It's not bad strolling up and down a mountain when you don't have to schlep your own stuff. Seriously, Tanzania is an amazing country. Kili is a beautiful mountain and the safari was just the right length of time. I also very much enjoyed climbing with Adam Angel. He's a very nice guy and excellent tour guide. The group was lots of fun and got along very well. Just a wonderful trip all the way around."

—Monica R.

"I just wanted to send a short letter to thank you and Adam for a excellent trip to Kilimanjaro. Adam did a great job throughout the climb and I would definitely recommend IMG and Adam for anyone wanting to do a climb."

—John S.

"I think I should first speak of Adam, for without his expert guidance and leadership, our climb could have been quite different and not as successful... at least for me. Although I have done some climbing, I was perhaps the least experienced of the group. And although I had trained religiously for months, I was not prepared for many of the challenges that confronted us. Adam was there for me and everyone, for every step of the way.

Not a headache was to go by without him knowing about it. When they did occur, Diamox was not the preferred cure; rather going back to the basics of breathing and drinking. He talked about what we should wear each day and how often we should snack and drink water. He instructed us as to the use of our poles: how long or short they should be or if we needed one or both. And when I encountered some problematic spots on the Baranco Wall or wherever, he was there to get me safely to the next point. By the time we had reached Barafu Hut, he had laid the groundwork: he had instilled so much confidence in us of his abilities as a leader. Little did we know how important that confidence in him was for us to reach the summit.

I know that Adam spoke to you about the wind and the less than perfect conditions on summit night. Regardless, Adam was unbelievable. He was decisive. He shouted out instructions all along the way: to eat, to drink, to breathe, to rest step and for me to stand up straight. He was quick to have our packs taken off and carried by a Chagga, when we were being carried and thrown down by the wind. And he yelled encouraging words that we were doing so well and that our bodies could do it and not to let our minds tell us it couldn't!! And because of his leadership and good judgment, no one was hurt, and we reached the summit safely.

All in all, it was an experience of a lifetime. And I thank you for including me in the group."

—Susan G.

Photoshop CS4 for October 08 Workshop Participants

2008-09-23T13:14:00.001-07:00

Well Folks:

The Photoshop gods have decided to release a Photoshop update pretty much during the workshop. The upgrade is from CS3 to CS4. That's either good or bad timing depending on how you view glasses half full of water. I am excited about the upgrade and know that CS4 will GREATLY enhance, improve, and speed our digital workflow. I've been looking carefully at the updates and they are very exciting. Lot's of WOW factor! It's a whole new world. Again, this is a significant upgrade that will shake up and improve the way we work on images.

So, here is the plan. If CS4 is available by the time the workshop starts, I will teach the new CS4 tools and techniques. So no matter what version of Photoshop you currently have, either plan on upgrading to CS4 if it is available, OR simply download the 30 day free trial and install it just in time for the workshop, so that you can follow along during the workshop with your 30 day free trial.

Remember if you are only planning on using the trial, Do not install until the workshop begins, so that you can make sure to have access to it during every weekend of the workshop.

I would think that it will be ready by the workshop, but in the event that it isn't, you will need CS3. Note that they have disabled the CS3 free trial!

Here is the link to the webpage where you can be notified when the new version and trial becomes available.

http://www.adobe.com/cfusion/mmform/index.cfm?name=cs4_notify&loc=en_us

I will be shooting in the Tetons from Sept. 24 to October 5th, so I might be hard to reach......

Adam

Harvest

2008-09-22T10:23:00.000-07:00

Without even looking at a calendar it is apparent when an equinox or solstice in nigh. There is a definitive moment when in total presence and clarity, I stop for a second, and say to myself "Fall is in the air." I can't put my finger on it, and I can't describe exactly what it is, but when it happens... I know. All of the times that I have scented that change in 36 years come together as an annual moment of continuity in my physical existence. This happens every year for each changing of the season, and I have no doubt that my senses are far more accurate than the calendar's interpretation. It is around these events that I feel most alive, and for a while after college and before settling down, these profound moments coincided with traveling. A summer job ends and there is time to roam until the ski season starts. You meet travelers along the way on similar journeys. Now that I am settled into one community, I can experience elements of that change that I haven't experienced since I was the reason for my parents nesting. My parents nested down for the winter in 1972 for me; and from 2005 on.... I nest for my child. It is time to harvest from the efforts of the year. I won't wait until December, I want to have a few months to enjoy the fruits and to ease into a cozy nest for winter with my closest loved ones. I feel this excitement today, as we reach a new plateau with our daughter. This week the whole family will travel together to my old stomping grounds in the Tetons. Again, the circle is coming round.

Rainier Mountain Festival 2008

2008-08-31T08:31:00.000-07:00

I plan to be at the Rainier Mountain Festival on September 13th and 14th, 2008. This is a fantastic occasion to reconnect with colleagues, clients, friends, AND make new friends. I don't plan to be tied down to a booth, but will be roaming around with information on next year's Mt. Rainier Photography Workshops. There are plenty of events for all ages, so bring the whole gang. See you there!

Adam

Summer on Rainier......

2008-08-19T23:07:00.000-07:00

August 19^th. Pouring rain. Snow Level on Mt. Rainier down to 6500’. Summer still hasn’t really arrived. Since moving to the Pacific Northwest 13 years ago, I haven’t seen a summer like this. It is weather like this that creates the unmatched beauty of the NW. The trees are so big. The rivers so wild. The glaciers unmatched in the lower 48. This is the price we pay for the staggering beauty that unleashes itself when the sun does come out. So for this week, when I thought I would be shooting pictures of wildflowers and dramatic alpenglow on Mt. Rainier, I turn the camera down and shoot the finer and often overlooked detail of Mt. Rainier National Park. One morning last week I went to a favorite shooting spot in the park. I arrived an hour before sunrise and stood there with 4 other photographers in the cold fog waiting for it to lift. It never did, but I talked for hours with a photographer from the east side of the mountain, which turned out to be enriching as making a good image…. That didn’t stop me from trying though. Like my experiences climbing the mountain, Rainier does what it wants, and whether or not it fits in to my agenda it is always spectacular.

Rainier Digital Photography Workshops 2009

2008-08-19T18:11:00.000-07:00

Join us on Mt Rainier for fun, excitement, achievement and camaraderie. Containing more glacial mass than the rest of the Cascade Volcanoes combined, there is is no mistaking Rainier as the pinnacle of Cascade Grandeur. Get to know Mt. Rainier National Park intimately with experienced instructors who have a deep knowledge of the park. This is our home mountain. Nobody can match our knowledge, access, or facilities of, to, and around Mt. Rainier National Park.

Our Rainier Workshops originate at the studio of Adam Angel Photography in historic downtown Morton. We provide private van transportation for all shooting excursions, and gourmet fare along the way. For the Master Class (long class), field excursions are followed by image critiques, photoshop instruction, as well as fine art printing techniques at the studio. The Shooter’s Class (short class) is for the more experienced photographer who is looking for field instruction, logistical support, and more time in the park shooting with good folks.

Please visit www.MtRainierPhoto.com for more information.

Mt. Rainier Institute of Photography

2008-08-19T17:46:00.000-07:00

Mt. Rainier’s greatness inspires greatness in us. Ten years ago I came to Mt. Rainier to become a climbing guide. Somehow as a young adult I knew that Mt. Rainier would teach me many lessons and take me further than I could imagine. Climbing Mt. Rainier led to travels around the world, and ultimately to the desire to articulate the “sense of place” that I encountered on the world’s great mountains. Photography became my vehicle to show the folks back home what I had seen. What’s interesting to me is that this path didn’t lead to the places that I thought it would. It led me on a journey of self discovery, personal growth, and creativity.

Today, my goal for the institute is to foster personal growth in concert with nature’s grandeur through creativity. The workshops that we offer take advantage of my knowledge of the mountain from it’s icy top to it’s lush and ancient bottom. They incorporate a nice blend of shooting time in the field and of classroom and lab instruction. All of this is packaged together in a fun, inspiring, memorable, and educational workshop. I look forward to spending time with you on Mt. Rainier during the summer of 2009! ~Adam Angel

Please visit www.MtRainierPhoto.com for more information.

New Website www.MtRainierPhoto.com

2008-08-19T11:15:00.000-07:00

The Mt. Rainier Institute of Photography has posted the new website at www.MtRainierPhoto.com.

This launches the beginning of Adam Angel Photography's Digital Workshops in Mt. Rainier National Park. These workshops in the park will be operated under a Commercial Use Authorization (CUA) administered by the National Park Service. The CUA has not been issued yet, but we anticipate receiving one sometime in September/October. We have gone ahead and launched the websites, so that we will be available in the search engines when it is time to start workshop registration. In the mean time, please feel free to contact us if you have any questions. See you in the mountains.

Adam