Hey, hi, how are ya?
It's good to meet you. Really glad you're here honestly. Let me tell you, it's been a hectic month. Okay, okay, it's been a hectic year or two. I've been doing a few things - relocating, starting a new life in NYC, working hard, getting engaged...
"Wait, you got engaged?"
Hell yeah I did. She's a rockstar too but that isn't the reason for the text on this page. I bet you'll see her around though (especially on here, very photogenic that one.)
In all seriousness, I've been very busy for the past couple of years. We could go all day about work and the grind of NYC, but that isn't why we're here, right?. Right. We're here because you wanted to see what was going on outside of city life so I'll get to it. I've spent the last few years becoming reacquainted with the outdoors and all it has to offer. The funny thing about the outdoors is that no matter where you are in the world, you can find a familiar view for a portion of the day. Just after the sun goes down and the last light slips over the edge (this is flat Earth we're talking about here), they start to show up - the humongous balls of gas that are seemingly so small that make that big, black canvas a work of art. If it were me, stars wouldn't show up until dawn; I'm notoriously late, sort of like this site you're looking at.
It started off with a passion for the stars and how to capture them because you forget what they look like living in the hustle and bustle of the major city. Sometimes I think I see one and then I think "nope, that's just Delta 402 on time from Chicago." While major cities make you feel small, the stars remind you of how VERY small you are indeed - humbling is the word that comes to mind. Every day spent exploring, getting lost on the trail, hauling too much gear, repairing a brand new tent pole, starting a fire with wet wood, sitting in the lineup on a flat day, nursing a sore hip on comp day, you begin to anticipate their arrival. They're like old friends you want to impress after not seeing each other in quite some time. It'd be a shame to forget what they look like once back in the concrete jungle.
So what to do next?
I worked at a camera company for a while and realized what it would take to keep these friends of mine with me. After saving up a little dough, I picked up my first DSLR, a few lenses, the accessories needed, and the rest is history. I've spent more time with long exposures than my new fiance would say is healthy, but let me tell you, I'd feel very unhealthy if I didn't. Along the way seeking my bright compadres, I've stumbled across a number of views that I never knew possible. Those are what you'll find here and I hope you enjoy.