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Special Live Chats on AOL |
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PARKS & PEOPLE ~ LIVE
Guest:
Joe Lange
An award-winning photographer
Topic:
Photographing National Parks
May 13, 1998
Moderator: Davinder Khanna |
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TRANSCRIPT
GSTDKhanna: I am
pleased to welcome you to our chat series "Parks & People Live". Our
guest tonight is Joseph Lange (JoeL2292), an award winning
photographer. Joe will answer your questions on photographing and
visiting our national parks. Please join in by introducing yourself.
.
Joe Lange, we welcome you to this forum.
JoeL2292: Hello to all the participants. I'm glad to be here
to answer your questions.
Fstop1269: Hi Joe. Welcome to cyberspace. It's Doris from NJ
MESOZOIC1: hi Joe - glad to be here.
GSTDKhanna: Joe, when did you start photographing national
parks?
JoeL2292: My first experience with the National Parks was
when I was 10 yrs old - 47 years ago. I lived in the Chicago area at
the time. The Parks made such a big impression on me that I moved
out west at the age of 18 and have been there ever since.
GSTDAda: Joe, I know you were a geologist why the career
change?
GSTDKhanna: Where do you live now?
JoeL2292: I live in Grand Junction, CO. To answer Ada's
question - I was downsized out of the oil business.
ADELE 1703: I have spent many happy moments at Yosemite and
Sierra Nat'l Parks. Watching the firefalls and singing of the Indian
Love Call at The Ewana Inn at Yosemite.
Chuck76029:Hi Joe, what format do you use for your
photography?
JoeL2292: I use primarily 35mm for my photography although I
have dine some 2 1/4.
GSTDAda: What is your film of choice?
JoeL2292: I use Fuji Velvia for all of my landscapes and a
higher speed film such as Sensia or K200 for wildlife.
GSTDKhanna: There are currently over 370 units in the US
National Park System, how many units have you photographed? Name few
of your favorites.
JoeL2292: The major National Parks and Monuments get most of
my attention. Arches, the Tetons, Bryce, Glacier and Capitol Reef
are some of my favorites.
ADELE 1703: GSTDAda, May I congratulate you on your beautiful
Photos of Grand Teton & The Arches?
GSTDAda: Thanks
GSTDAda: Joe, some parks are better for am shooting some pm
can you tell us which parks?
JoeL2292: The best for AM are Glacier, the Tetons. Some of
the best for PM are Capitol Reef and Yosemite. Some are good at all
times of the day except the middle.
GSTDAda: If you could only visit 1 park, which would it be?
ADELE 1703: All photography is so moving and exceptional,
makes me want to pack my bags and go!
GSTDToddC: Do you do any Digital Photography?
JoeL2292: Our company is Dramatic Light Nature Photography.
We run 15 photo Workshops during the year. I don't do any digital
photography. Maybe someday.
Chuck76029: You mentioned wildlife, any particular type?
JoeL2292: I have been to Africa 11 time. The Arctic for Polar
Bears 9 times, but a lot of interesting wildlife can be found in the
US - mainly the west, Florida, and Alaska.
GSTDAda: Joe, I know you have a book coming out soon. Can you
tell..
JoeL2292: The book is entitled "How to Photograph
Landscapes". Its published by Stackpole and should be out in August
or September.
Pk rnger: Hi, Owen Hoffman here.
GSTDKhanna: Hello Owen, thanks for joining us.
Fstop1269: Hi Joe. Dois from NJ wants to know how Bonnie is?
JoeL2292: Bonnie is fine, Doris. Thanks for asking. How is
Jerry?
Fstop1269: He's doing much better now. Thanks. Thanks for all
the great times I had on your trips.
GSTDAda: I'm not going to let you off the hook. Your favorite
park?
JoeL2292: ARCHES
GSTDAda: I knew that answer. But why?
BillDorie: Is 500mm better than 300mm for wildlife?
JoeL2292: A long zoom lens is MUCH better than any fixed
focal length lens. My big lens is a Canon 150 to 600mm L.
JoeL2292: Form and Color
Chuck76029: Good choice, Joe
ADELE 1703: JOE and BONNIE LANGE, Thank you for the beautiful
photo trips on this site.
Stephkinn: Hi, Steph here. Does anyone know about Mesa Verde?
JoeL2292: We're running a trip in October that includes Mesa
Verde
Stephkinn: I'm going to Mesa Verde next week with my school,
and I want to know more about it.
JoeL2292: To learn more about any Park, contact the Park HQ.
Russparks: Joe, hi, Zion is my favorite; have you done much
photography there?
JoeL2292: I've photographed in Zion over 50 times. It's great
but I like Bryce better.
ADELE 1703: JOEL- In Calif?
Pk rnger: Just about sunset from the top of Angel's Landing
looking west is perfect. The West Rim Trail offers great vantage
points.
BillDorie: Do you just shoot 35mm or larger format??
JoeL2292: Mostly 35
Chuck76029: What about Colorado Monument in your backyard?
JoeL2292: Colorado Nat. Mon is at our backdoor. I go there in
winter after fresh snows and when fog is present.
Russparks: Joe, if you had only two trails to choose in
Yellowstone for photography, what would they be
JoeL2292: They would be in the Geyser Basins.
ADELE 1703: Has Any one hiked and photographed the John Muir
Trail?
JoeL2292: Parts - in Yosemite.
Russparks: I've taken more photos in Acadia than any other
park; have you exposed a bunch of film there
Chuck76029:I'm planning a trip to Acadia next year, any
helpful hints?
JoeL2292: I have never been to Acadia. I'm an expert on the
WESTERN Parks.
Russparks: Chuck, yes--Acadia climbs: Acadia, Penobscot,
Pemetic Mtns; Bubble and Jordan Ponds, Ship Harbor and Wonderland
trails; Schoodic Penin.on mainland, height autumn color: tage end
Sept thru Oct 10.
GSTDKhanna: Russparks is Russell Butcher from AZ, a long time
advocate for our national parks.
Pk rnger: Hi Russ, nice to see you after knowing of you for
years.
GSTDKhanna: "Pk rnger" is Owen Hoffman from TN, a formerly
from NPS
Pk rnger: Zion, Yosemite and Crater Lake.
GSTDAda: Joe as a geologist can you explain the colors of
Bryce a few words?
Pk rnger: Iron oxide
JoeL2292: The colors are due to impurities. Iron causes the
reds and oranges. Manganese causes the purples.
ADELE 1703: GSTDAda- Will you be taking another photoshoot
trip soon?
JoeL2292: Ada will be coming with me to ARCHES and vicinity
next week.
Fstop1269: Are there enough opportunities for photographers
that cannot maneuver rocks and rough terrain.
JoeL2292: Yes. Most of the photos in my book were taken
either near the car or within a mile.
GSTDAda: How about the fumeroles, paintpots and geysers of
Yellowstone? What causes them?
JoeL2292: Thermal activity is caused by a thin spot in the
earth's crust that brings magma (steam etc) to the surface.
GSTDKhanna: Joe, beside photographing national parks what
else you enjoy in the parks?
JoeL2292: Solitude - which is becoming harder to find.
GSTDKhanna: What concerns you the most about our national
parks?
JoeL2292: There are several. Over zealous Rangers are a
problem as people who don't respect the Parks.
GSTDAda: What filters do you use most often?
JoeL2292: With COLOR film - a polarizer and enhancing filter.
Fstop1269: Do you use an enhancing filter on red rock. Does it
make it to red with Velvia?
JoeL2292: Its especially effective with Velvia because Velvia
has a Cyan cast without it.
Chuck76029: Joe, Glacier & Rocky Mountain, which do you
prefer?
JoeL2292:GLACIER - even though I once lived in Denver - close
to Rocky MTN.
Russparks: Joe, from N Rim Grand Canyon, what's best filter
to cut too-frequent pollution haze?
JoeL2292: POLARIZER. That's easy.
GSTDKhanna: GSTDToddC is NPS Ranger and also a good friend of
the parks.
Chuck76029: Joe, which side of the Grand canyon do you prefer
& why
JoeL2292: Both are great. The north rim is only open 5 months
of the year.
GSTDAda: I've heard you're not an "equipment" person. What
camera system do you use?
JoeL2292: I use Minoltas for scenery (Manual focus with zoom
lenses) and Canon for wildlife.
GSTDKhanna: Joe, it's rare to have your wife be a
photographer as well. How did Bonnie get into doing as well? :-)
JoeL2292: She's my Second wife. I picked her carefully.
Fstop1269: Do you do a lot of teaching on your workshops? I
agree, you picked well.
JoeL2292: I do a lot of teaching on Composition, Lighting,
Exposure, and Closeups.
Russparks: Joe, I've enjoyed Minolta and a couple of Olympus,
including a zoom lens. Have you used Olym
JoeL2292: No. But any decent SLR will do a good job. Its the
eye behind it that matters.
GSTDKhanna: Joe, any plans for creating your own web site?
JoeL2292: My brother - the cyber expert - is doing it now as
time permits.
GSTDAda: How come you don't lug around a camera bag like the
rest of us?
JoeL2292: I don't carry a lot of equipment. I can get all the
zoom lenses, filters, film, batteries, etc. in a photo vest.
GSTDAda: Give us an idea of what you carry on a general shoot
JoeL2292: 2 Camera Bodies, TRIPOD, 3 lenses, filters, etc.
Russparks: Joe, do you shoot exclusively in color, or b & w,
too
JoeL2292: I used to do a lot of B&W in the 70's. Nature lends
itself more to color that B&W.
GSTDAda: What lenses do you carry as a rule.
JoeL2292: 24 - 35, 35 - 70. 70 - 210 for scenery. 200 - 400
and 150 - 600 for wildlife.
GSTDKhanna: Joe, what's your top most advice to an average
person who loves national parks and would like to preserve them for
generations to come?
JoeL2292: Advocate the USE (without abuse) of the Parks. They
belong to ALL of us - not just the hiker and bikers.
Russparks: Joe, have you photographed in other nations? A
favorite?
JoeL2292: South Africa, Canada.
Fstop1269: Do you sell your work through a stock company?
ADELE 1703: JOE, Have you filmed Hells Canyon at the Snake
River/Oregon/Idaho border?
JoeL2292: I sell for stock. I haven't filmed Hells Canyon.
Chuck76029: Joe, What is your least favorite park for
photography.
JoeL2292: Many of the newer National Parks and Monuments do
not have the scenic values of the older and more traditional Nat
Parks, but they're taking urgently needed funds from them.
Pk rnger: What's a scenic value?
JoeL2292: A scenic value is something that is outstanding and
unique. I can point to a lot of parks that don't qualify in my
opinion.
GSTDAda: What advice would you give the fledging
photographer? (Besides taking one of your workshops)
GSTDKhanna: Joe, tell us a little about the workshop you
offer to people.
JoeL2292: We run 15 different Workshops during the year.
Anyone interested, call me at 800-2074686 for a free catalog.
GSTDToddC: Do you have a web site for your catalog?
JoeL2292: No web site yet. Try snail mail.
Russparks: Joe, any tips for photographing in subdued
lighting, as in Redwoods and Olympic rainforest?
JoeL2292: Overcast skies to reduce contrast. TRIPOD, Velvia
with NO enhancer.
ADELE 1703: Few travelers go there they say. Hells Canyon
shares it's secrets grudgingly-rough trip.
Barb82843: We are thinking of visiting Yosemite in the fall
is that a good time.
Russparks: Barb, October in Yosemite can be fantastic--the
oaks in the Valley!
GSTDAda: When is the best time to visit Yosemite in your
opinion?
JoeL2292: Yosemite has some nice color in the fall but the
waterfalls are a trickle.
Russparks: May is a fabulous time at Yosemite
Valley-waterfalls and birds singing, flowers blooming.
JoeL2292: May is when we ran our Workshop in Yosemite.
However Glacier Point and Tioga Pass may not be open.
GSTDKhanna: Well, the scheduled time with our guest is coming
to an end. Please send in your last question or comment
GSTDAda: You don't get the vivid colors out west in the fall
as we do in the east, correct?
JoeL2292: We don't have as many reds, but the aspens are
fantastic. We also have great mountains to serve as a center of
interest in the picture.
Fstop1269: (Doris) Thanks for the visit, Joe & Bonnie. Thanks
also for all the good information.
Barb82843: Is Yosemite all they say it is, don't want to make
a trip if it's not.
Russparks: Oh, Gads! Yosemite is phenomentally world class!!!
JoeL2292: Its great but don't go in the summer months. Too
many people.
Chuck76029: Joe, will we be able to get info on your book at
that 800 #
JoeL2292: Yes, please call me.
Barb82843: Are the waterfall not good?
JoeL2292: Waterfalls are good in summer, but TOO MANY
PEOPLE.
GSTDKhanna: We thank you Joe for taking the time to join us
tonight. Thanks also to everyone for your participation.
GSTDAda: Thanks to Dave Collard for all his help.
GSTDKhanna: Dave Collard, thank you!
Barb82843: Thanks for all your answers
Chuck76029: Joe, Thanks for sharing with us. You have the
best job in the world.
JoeL2292: It was a pleasure to chat with all of you.
GSTDKhanna: Good night everyone!
Contact:
dkhanna@aol.com
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