Jenn Grover Photography » Photography

Trying to Find Interest in the Mundane

Jenn — Thu, 17 Nov 2011 02:52:43 +0000

It can be deflating to return to the grey skies of Western PA, especially after the leaves fall, after spending two weeks in stunning landscapes. To be honest, it has been a struggle to find anything interesting to photograph and the daylight has grown short. A couple of times I have taken walks with just one lens looking for patterns, textures and colors. I am looking forward to the snow and the way it paints the landscape.

November Desktop Calendar Wallpaper: Dream Lake

Jenn — Wed, 02 Nov 2011 16:51:08 +0000

After disappointing results at Dream Lake last year due to a windy morning, I was resolved to go back until I snagged the shot with the lake still, like a mirror. Although not rated as a strenuous hike, the other East Coast based photographers I met up with at Dream Lake all agreed that the altitude plus your photo gear (my bag is over 30 lbs) makes it more strenuous than advertised, especially if it is day 2 in high altitude.

I departed my friends' home, not far from Boulder 3:30 AM to allow enough time to drive up to the Bear Lake trailhead and not feel rushed on the 1.1 mile hike. The hike gains 425 feet. With my headlight illuminating my path, I headed up the trail, passing Nymph Lake in the dark and beginning the steeper part of the hike, stopping only to snap a couple shots of vibrant color peaking through at first light in the east.

Sunrise at Dream Lake was excellent. the lake was still and the near direct light revealed a full apenglow on Hallet Peak. the apenglow is the product of the very first light on the high peaks. It casts a pink color on the peaks. It is especially beautiful when the peaks are covered with snow. Quickly, as the sun rises, the color turns turn a warm golden color, before the light becomes harsh and difficult to photograph.

Dream Lake Apenglow

After shooting at Dream Lake, I packed up and walked another .7 miles to Emerald Lake. I was able to get off just a couple decent shots at Emerald Lake before the winds kicked in and the reflection disappeared.

I took a leisurely stroll down the trail, looking for Aspens and other items of interest stopping briefly at Nymph lake to catch the Hallet Peak reflection in yet another lake.

Nymph Lake

I am grateful for the the support and encouragement I received. To express my thanks, I have made a desktop calendar wallpaper for November available for your download. There are four different screen resolutions from which you may choose.

1920 x 1080
1680 x 945
1400 x 788
1280 x 720

To save and set the wallpaper on a PC:
1. Click the link matching your screen resolution.
2. Right click the image after it opens and choose, "Set as desktop background".
3. If the image does not display properly, you have likely chosen the wrong screen resolution size. Try a different size.

Southwest 2011

Jenn — Mon, 31 Oct 2011 07:13:37 +0000

View full size photos

Southwest Bound

Jenn — Sat, 21 May 2011 18:19:03 +0000

Originally, I had thought that a return trip to the Southwest would be beyond my grasp this year. Recently, I found a few options that lessens the cost of the trip for me and makes it entirely possible, so I have begun planning for a return trip! This time I will fly. The price of gas puts driving out of reach and it will allow for more time in the parks versus the 3-5 days driving out and back. Updates before, during, and after the trip can be found at the See the Parks website.

As a aside note, I am trialing a new photo hosting service, Smugmug, which makes it possible for me to see prints, digital images, and other products featuring my photos online. This is in no way an effort to get friends and family to donate to my cause. I have had a few requests from people on the Internet to purchase prints or digital downloads and this would facilitate purchases. You can access this gallery through my gallery page here or my Smugmug portfolio directly. I will limit my Smugmug images to my better photos.

Updated: Super Moon Over Pittsburgh

Jenn — Tue, 22 Mar 2011 05:05:19 +0000

Update: The top photo has made it into Flickr Explore for March 21, 2011. Thanks for all of the feedback and favorites.

More Newborn Photos of Abigail

Jenn — Wed, 16 Mar 2011 00:00:28 +0000

We wanted to try to take some more newborn photos of Abigail, this time by herself. She wore the same outfit that Lily wore when we shot her newborn photos, which was the same outfit I wore home from the hospital as a baby. :)

I forgot my flash trigger, so we made do with window light and a reflector.

Newborn Shot

Jenn — Sun, 13 Mar 2011 05:11:44 +0000

Nothing Could Be Sweeter

Jenn — Mon, 07 Mar 2011 06:33:09 +0000

New Little Darling

Jenn — Sat, 05 Mar 2011 23:57:54 +0000

Grand Staircase Escalante (almost) 360 View

Jenn — Sat, 13 Nov 2010 04:11:35 +0000