Horizontal Panoramas (No Cityscapes)
I'd seen photos of a beautiful “floating” torii gate before visiting Japan, and knew I needed a photo. The famous floating torii gate is called Itsukushima, and it is located about 10 miles southwest of Hiroshima. This photo is not of Itsukushima. I read somewhere online about Shirahige Shrine, a “secret” floating torii gate, and that's what you are looking at. There's really no easy way to get here as a tourist. I took a train to the closest station, and then trudged along the side of a fairly busy highway for about half an hour to reach the location from which this shot was taken. This photo was actually taken on my second visit to the torii gate. My visit a week earlier was beautiful in a different way – it was very gray and dreary – but I knew I wanted a nice sunset, so I came back, and I sure picked the right evening to do so. Wow, those clouds and distant shoreline are just about perfect. Available in the following sizes (Panorama A): 20x10, 24x12, 32x16, 40x20, 48x24, 60x30, 60x30 Triptych (3 x 20x30), 72x36, 72x36 Triptych (3 x 24x36), 80x40, 80x40 Triptych (3 x 27x40).
Matsumoto City, which lies less than 50 miles southwest of Nagano, was, for me, a surprise highlight of Japan, and Matsumoto Castle was the highlight of Matsumoto City. Originally built in the late 1500s, it, like most historic locations in Japan, has been burned down and rebuilt, and is today considered one of Japan's three premier historic castles (along with Himeji and Kumamoto). Due to its black exterior, it is also known as the “Crow Castle.” Aside from all the history, this castle is just pretty. Available in the following sizes (Panorama A): 20x10, 24x12, 32x16, 40x20, 48x24, 60x30, 60x30 Triptych (3 x 20x30), 72x36, 72x36 Triptych (3 x 24x36), 80x40, 80x40 Triptych (3 x 27x40), 96x48, 96x48 Triptych (3 x 32x48).
Katsuo-ji is another beautiful temple that is a bit difficult to reach as a tourist. It is several miles from Osaka, the nearest city, and public transit, which is fantastic in Japan, only comes and goes here rarely. But visiting is worth the hassle, and the density of the crowds, in my experience, seems to align with the difficulty of making it here. First constructed in 765, it, like many (most?) Japanese historic sites, has burned down and been reconstructed, and has its own unique flavor. Although this temple is most well-known for its daruma dolls, which are meant to bring good luck to those who purchase them, this photo focuses more on the beauty of the temple itself. But look closely enough, and you'll fine a daruma or two (or probably a few hundred). Available in the following sizes (Panorama B): 30x12, 40x16, 50x20, 60x24, 75x30, 75x30 Triptych (3 x 25x30), 90x36, 90x36 Triptych (3 x 30x36), 105x42, 105x42 Triptych (3 x 35x42), 120x48, 120x48 Triptych (3 x 40x48), 135x54 Triptych (3 x 45x54), 150x60 Triptych (3 x 50x60).
Himeji Castle, located in the city of Himeji, Japan, is regarded as the finest surviving example of prototypical Japanese castle architecture. Originally constructed in 1346 (and like seemingly all castles, temples, etc. in Japan, rebuilt, added to, etc. many times since), it has amazingly survived for now more than 700 years, remaining intact despite the WWII bombing of Himeji, and the 1995 Great Hanshin earthquake. Due to its white color, it is frequently called the “White Egret Castle” or “White Heron Castle.” Since it is built on a hill, most views of this historic castle are from below, but an adjacent city park on a hill allows one, after a bit of an uphill hike, to view the castle from the same elevation as its ground floor. This photo was taken in the fall – notice the foliage on the bottom of the scene? - and I like that it shows both the historic castle and the modern metropolis that now surrounds it. Available in the following sizes (Panorama B): 30x12, 40x16, 50x20, 60x24, 75x30, 75x30 Triptych (3 x 25x30), 90x36, 90x36 Triptych (3 x 30x36), 105x42, 105x42 Triptych (3 x 35x42), 120x48, 120x48 Triptych (3 x 40x48), 135x54 Triptych (3 x 45x54), 150x60 Triptych (3 x 50x60).
Kinkaku-ji (Temple of the Golden Pavilion), officially named Rokuon-ji (Deer Garden Temple) is one of the most popular buildings in Kyoto for both locals and tourists. As with most temples, gardens, castles, etc. in Japan, its history is long and complicated, but the site dates back to 1397. The current pavilion was built in 1955, after the original was burned down by a mentally-ill 22-year-old novice monk. The current version is beautiful, but because of how popular it is with tourists, one is not able to freely explore the grounds – there is a particular route one must follow when visiting, and most of the grounds are roped off. Even so, it is worth a visit. Available in the following sizes (Panorama A): 20x10, 24x12, 32x16, 40x20, 48x24, 60x30, 60x30 Triptych (3 x 20x30), 72x36, 72x36 Triptych (3 x 24x36), 80x40, 80x40 Triptych (3 x 27x40).
Japan is beautiful most of the year, but in the fall, when the leaves change color, it is like nowhere else. Nowhere that I've been, anyway. This is a photo of Kyoto's Eikan-do temple, the history of which stretches back to roughly 853 – although the construction of the entire complex continued, in phases, for centuries. I find eastern temples and gardens like this to be among the most peaceful locations on the planet, but this particular temple is extraordinarily popular for both locals and tourists when the leaves turn red, so it was probably less calming than usual when I took this photo, as I was one of hundreds making my way through the grounds. Available in the following sizes (Panorama A): 20x10, 24x12, 32x16, 40x20, 48x24, 60x30, 60x30 Triptych (3 x 20x30), 72x36, 72x36 Triptych (3 x 24x36), 80x40, 80x40 Triptych (3 x 27x40), 96x48, 96x48 Triptych (3 x 32x48), 108x54, 108x54 Triptych (3 x 36x54), 120x60, 120x60 Triptych (3 x 40x60).
Fushimi Inari-taisha is one of the most popular tourist spots in all of Japan, and therefore extremely difficult to photograph without crowds of tourists. It was also my first stop in Kyoto, when I visited in the Fall of 2023. I arrived late at night, and visited the famous Shinto shrine, getting this photo almost right away – it was one of only five or so on my “must photograph” list. What a great start to my trip to Japan! Available in the following sizes (Panorama A): 20x10, 24x12, 32x16, 40x20, 48x24, 60x30, 60x30 Triptych (3 x 20x30), 72x36, 72x36 Triptych (3 x 24x36).
I've always wanted to shoot the Appalachian and other eastern-US mountain ranges in the fall, when many of these areas are famous for the fall foliage. I finally had my chance in mid-October, 2022. It did not disappoint. Next up, I'll have to venture a bit further north, up into Vermont and New Hampshire! Available in the following sizes (Panorama C): 30x10, 36x12, 48x16, 60x20, 72x24, 90x30, 90x30 Triptych (3 x 30x30), 108x36, 108x36 Triptych (3 x 36x36), 120x40, 120x40 Triptych Triptych (3 x 40x40), 144x48 Triptych (3 x 48x48), 162x54 Triptych (3 x 54x54), 180x60 Triptych (3 x 60x60).
Doyle's River Overlook at Sunset
I've always wanted to shoot the Appalachian and other eastern-US mountain ranges in the fall, when many of these areas are famous for the fall foliage. I finally had my chance in mid-October, 2022. It did not disappoint. Next up, I'll have to venture a bit further north, up into Vermont and New Hampshire! Available in the following sizes (Panorama B): 30x12, 40x16, 50x20, 60x24, 75x30, 75x30 Triptych (3 x 25x30), 90x36, 90x36 Triptych (3 x 30x36), 105x42, 105x42 Triptych (3 x 35x42), 120x48, 120x48 Triptych (3 x 40x48), 135x54 Triptych (3 x 45x54), 150x60 Triptych (3 x 50x60).
I've always wanted to shoot the Appalachian and other eastern-US mountain ranges in the fall, when many of these areas are famous for the fall foliage. I finally had my chance in mid-October, 2022. It did not disappoint. Next up, I'll have to venture a bit further north, up into Vermont and New Hampshire! Available in the following sizes (Panorama B): 30x12, 40x16, 50x20, 60x24, 75x30, 75x30 Triptych (3 x 25x30), 90x36, 90x36 Triptych (3 x 30x36), 105x42, 105x42 Triptych (3 x 35x42), 120x48, 120x48 Triptych (3 x 40x48), 135x54 Triptych (3 x 45x54), 150x60 Triptych (3 x 50x60).
Fall on the Blue Ridge Parkway
I've always wanted to shoot the Appalachian and other eastern-US mountain ranges in the fall, when many of these areas are famous for the fall foliage. I finally had my chance in mid-October, 2022. It did not disappoint. Next up, I'll have to venture a bit further north, up into Vermont and New Hampshire! Available in the following sizes (Panorama B): 30x12, 40x16, 50x20, 60x24, 75x30, 75x30 Triptych (3 x 25x30), 90x36, 90x36 Triptych (3 x 30x36), 105x42, 105x42 Triptych (3 x 35x42), 120x48, 120x48 Triptych (3 x 40x48), 135x54 Triptych (3 x 45x54), 150x60 Triptych (3 x 50x60).
I had a few days on the Kancamagus Highway in the fall of 2022, and was hoping to get some shots of the autumn leaves that the area is famous for. Unfortunately, I was a couple weeks early. It was still worth seeing, but I'm going to have to return another year and hope for better timing. Photographically, it wasn't a complete waste, I did get this shot of the insanely accessible Lower Falls. Available in the following sizes (Panorama A): 20x10, 24x12, 32x16, 40x20, 48x24, 60x30, 60x30 Triptych (3 x 20x30), 72x36, 72x36 Triptych (3 x 24x36), 80x40, 80x40 Triptych (3 x 27x40), 96x48, 96x48 Triptych (3 x 32x48), 108x54, 108x54 Triptych (3 x 36x54), 120x60, 120x60 Triptych (3 x 40x60).
Whenever I am a within a few hours of Door County, Wisconsin, with a few days to spare and nothing else planned, I'll head that way. It is a great place to camp, ride around on a motorcycle, eat good food at quaint restaurants, and enjoy the scenery. After a day of riding near the coast and enjoying the coastal scenery, I spent a day just cruising around the interior of this peninsula, and came across some great barns for photography. This one was probably my favorite. Available in the following sizes (Panorama A): 20x10, 24x12, 32x16, 40x20, 48x24, 60x30, 60x30 Triptych (3 x 20x30), 72x36, 72x36 Triptych (3 x 24x36), 80x40, 80x40 Triptych (3 x 27x40).
Southwest Colorado is beautiful. Uncompaghre National Forest, which is easily accessible from Ridgway, has few amenities, but primitive camping is easy to find, the dirt roads are a pleasure to drive along, there are plenty of nice hikes and rivers for fishing, and the views of the Cimarron Ridge are unparalleled. I took this photo from my camp spot on the shore of the Cimarron River. Available in the following sizes (Panorama A): 20x10, 24x12, 32x16, 40x20, 48x24, 60x30, 60x30 Triptych (3 x 20x30), 72x36, 72x36 Triptych (3 x 24x36), 80x40, 80x40 Triptych (3 x 27x40).
Southwest Colorado is beautiful. Uncompaghre National Forest, which is easily accessible from Ridgway, has few amenities, but primitive camping is easy to find, the dirt roads are a pleasure to drive along, there are plenty of nice hikes and rivers for fishing, and the views of the Cimarron Ridge are unparalleled. I took this photo from my camp spot on the shore of the Cimarron River. Available in the following sizes (Panorama B): 30x12, 40x16, 50x20, 60x24, 75x30, 75x30 Triptych (3 x 25x30), 90x36, 90x36 Triptych (3 x 30x36), 105x42, 105x42 Triptych (3 x 35x42), 120x48, 120x48 Triptych (3 x 40x48), 135x54 Triptych (3 x 45x54), 150x60 Triptych (3 x 50x60).
I grew up in Colorado, and have probably taken more photos here than any other state or country. There's a ton to see throughout the state, but the Crested Butte area remains near the top of my list. Forest Service Road 12, which is an easy drive and only open seasonally, runs west from town, through some of the most picturesque mountain and forest scenery in the entire state. Roughly ten miles west of Crested Butte, Ruby Peak comes into view, and when viewed at sunrise or sunset, it is, in my opinion, one of the prettiest views in the state. Available in the following sizes (Panorama B): 30x12, 40x16, 50x20, 60x24, 75x30, 75x30 Triptych (3 x 25x30), 90x36, 90x36 Triptych (3 x 30x36), 105x42, 105x42 Triptych (3 x 35x42), 120x48, 120x48 Triptych (3 x 40x48), 135x54 Triptych (3 x 45x54), 150x60 Triptych (3 x 50x60).
I grew up in Colorado, and have probably taken more photos here than any other state or country. There's a ton to see throughout the state, but the Crested Butte area remains near the top of my list. Forest Service Road 12, which is an easy drive and only open seasonally, runs west from town, through some of the most picturesque mountain and forest scenery in the entire state. Roughly ten miles west of Crested Butte, Ruby Peak comes into view, and when viewed at sunrise or sunset, it is, in my opinion, one of the prettiest views in the state. Available in the following sizes (Panorama C): 30x10, 36x12, 48x16, 60x20, 72x24, 90x30, 90x30 Triptych (3 x 30x30), 108x36, 108x36 Triptych (3 x 36x36), 120x40, 120x40 Triptych Triptych (3 x 40x40), 144x48 Triptych (3 x 48x48), 162x54 Triptych (3 x 54x54), 180x60 Triptych (3 x 60x60).
I grew up in Colorado, and have probably taken more photos here than any other state or country. There's a ton to see throughout the state, but the Crested Butte area remains near the top of my list. Forest Service Road 12, which is an easy drive and only open seasonally, runs west from town, through some of the most picturesque mountain and forest scenery in the entire state. Roughly ten miles west of Crested Butte, Ruby Peak comes into view, and when viewed at sunrise or sunset, it is, in my opinion, one of the prettiest views in the state. Available in the following sizes (Panorama A): 20x10, 24x12, 32x16, 40x20, 48x24, 60x30, 60x30 Triptych (3 x 20x30), 72x36, 72x36 Triptych (3 x 24x36), 80x40, 80x40 Triptych (3 x 27x40), 96x48, 96x48 Triptych (3 x 32x48), 108x54, 108x54 Triptych (3 x 36x54), 120x60, 120x60 Triptych (3 x 40x60).
I attended an art show in Jackson, Wyoming, in June, 2022. The show happened to take place the week after the worst flooding Yellowstone National Park (an hour north) had experienced since people began tracking such things. Suffice to say, there was a lot of rain, and the skies were mostly to completely filled with clouds for the duration of my time there. Unable to get the bright and saturated sunset clouds that occupy so much of my typical photography, I shot this barn, in the Mormon Row portion of Grand Teton National Park, in these much more subdued conditions. It turns out this location is beautiful regardless of the weather! Available in the following sizes (Panorama C): 30x10, 36x12, 48x16, 60x20, 72x24, 90x30, 90x30 Triptych (3 x 30x30), 108x36, 108x36 Triptych (3 x 36x36), 120x40, 120x40 Triptych Triptych (3 x 40x40), 144x48 Triptych (3 x 48x48), 162x54 Triptych (3 x 54x54), 180x60 Triptych (3 x 60x60).
I was passing through Indiana in 2022, and stopped at Chain O Lakes State Park for a nice, relaxing place to camp. I didn't expect to get any great photos on my visit, but was pleasantly surprised by the simple beauty of the forest in this nice, quiet State Park. Available in the following sizes (Panorama B): 30x12, 40x16, 50x20, 60x24, 75x30, 75x30 Triptych (3 x 25x30), 90x36, 90x36 Triptych (3 x 30x36), 105x42, 105x42 Triptych (3 x 35x42), 120x48, 120x48 Triptych (3 x 40x48), 135x54 Triptych (3 x 45x54), 150x60 Triptych (3 x 50x60).
I was passing through Indiana in 2022, and stopped at Chain O Lakes State Park for a nice, relaxing place to camp. I didn't expect to get any great photos on my visit, but was pleasantly surprised by the simple beauty of the forest in this nice, quiet State Park. Available in the following sizes (Panorama C): 30x10, 36x12, 48x16, 60x20, 72x24, 90x30, 90x30 Triptych (3 x 30x30), 108x36, 108x36 Triptych (3 x 36x36), 120x40, 120x40 Triptych Triptych (3 x 40x40), 144x48 Triptych (3 x 48x48), 162x54 Triptych (3 x 54x54).
I was passing through Indiana in 2022, and stopped at Chain O Lakes State Park for a nice, relaxing place to camp. I didn't expect to get any great photos on my visit, but was pleasantly surprised by the simple beauty of the forest in this nice, quiet State Park. Available in the following sizes (Panorama A): 20x10, 24x12, 32x16, 40x20, 48x24, 60x30, 60x30 Triptych (3 x 20x30), 72x36, 72x36 Triptych (3 x 24x36), 80x40, 80x40 Triptych (3 x 27x40).
I've visited Sarasota many times, but it took me until early 2022 to finally get a skyline photo. Taken from West John Ringling Causeway Park, this location is perfect for photography, as it allows one to capture the city itself, as well as the John Ringling Causeway bridge. Available in the following sizes (Panorama C): 30x10, 36x12, 48x16, 60x20, 72x24, 90x30, 90x30 Triptych (3 x 30x30), 108x36, 108x36 Triptych (3 x 36x36), 120x40, 120x40 Triptych (3 x 40x40), 144x48 Triptych (3 x 48x48), 162x54 Triptych (3 x 54x54), 180x60 Triptych (3 x 60x60).
I've visited Sarasota many times, but it took me until early 2022 to finally get a skyline photo. Taken from West John Ringling Causeway Park, this location is perfect for photography, as it allows one to capture the city itself, as well as the John Ringling Causeway bridge. Available in the following sizes (Panorama C): 30x10, 36x12, 48x16, 60x20, 72x24, 90x30, 90x30 Triptych (3 x 30x30), 108x36, 108x36 Triptych (3 x 36x36), 120x40, 120x40 Triptych (3 x 40x40), 144x48 Triptych (3 x 48x48).
Considering how many times I've been to Washington DC and the surrounding suburbs, it's fairly surprising that it took me until 2021 to make it to Great Falls Park, in Fairfax County, northern Virginia. A National Park Service site (but not technically a National Park), Great Falls Park is only 800 acres along the banks of the Potomac River, and aside from how easy to reach and beautiful it is, it also has some interesting history, as do so many things in this part of the country. Look it up! Available in the following sizes (Panorama B): 30x12, 40x16, 50x20, 60x24, 75x30, 75x30 Triptych (3 x 25x30), 90x36, 90x36 Triptych (3 x 30x36), 105x42, 105x42 Triptych (3 x 35x42), 120x48, 120x48 Triptych (3 x 40x48), 135x54 Triptych (3 x 45x54), 150x60 Triptych (3 x 50x60).
