Explore Landscapes #17

I know I'm going to age myself by saying this, but this year has gone by so quickly. Here's a quick photo summary of some of my favorite 2023 memories.

Stormy weather approaches while I hike the Lost Horse Mine Loop - Jan 2023

I started the year by giving my ‘Seven Years in the Desert’ talk to a number of local camera clubs including, Padre Trails Camera Club, Inland Empire Photo Club, and the North County Photographic Society. Thanks to all the club members who came out to listen and for all the great questions and discussions.

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Quail Springs is one of my favorite locations for Sunrise in Joshua Tree National Park - either facing the sunrise or looking in the opposite direction towards the Belt of Venus. On this particular ‘fresh’ February morning during my one-to-one workshop with Trudi, the sky lit up in shades of yellow and orange as the sun broke the horizon.

March saw a number of one-to-one workshops and another ‘Seven Years in the Desert‘ presentation, this time to the lovely people at the Coachella Valley Desert Camera Club. A highlight for me (after a workshop was cancelled at short notice) was spending the weekend in JT with my good friend Tom O’Keefe. We had a thoroughly enjoyable weekend hiking, photographing, talking, and photographing some more.

Marie and myself taking a pitstop while backpacking - Apr 2023

April was a busy month - including two weekends in JT with the JTNPA Desert Institute. One weekend as a volunteer for a backpacking trip, Beyond the Boy Scout Trail, the other, as the instructor for an Advanced Landscape Photography Weekend. Sarah Witt will be leading the same backpacking trip again in March 2024 (22nd-24th March) - see link for details and to book.

If backpacking isn’t your cup of tea please do go and take a look at the Desert Institute’s full catalog of events and classes for Spring 2024 - there’s something for everyone.

I also had the pleasure of teaching a Lightroom Workflow course for my friends at the South County Photography Club (my local club) and a number of one-to-one workshops.

May kept me busy with several one-to-one workshops plus two ‘Seven Years in the Desert‘ presentations, at the Sun Shadow Hills Camera Club and Channel City Camera Club. Also, after 3 months of trying (each new moon weekend) I got the Milky Way shot I wanted at White Tank.

June was a busy month for travel - spending 2 weeks in Hamburg and Paris (for work), with a week in between in Derbyshire (UK) to visit my parents.

July saw three of my JT images in the summer member’s exhibition at the 29 Palms Art Gallery. Apart from volunteering in the gallery as a docent, I didn’t spend any time in the JT area as the summer temperatures can be oppressive (100°F+).

I enjoyed a visit from my nephew Joshua during August and we spent a fun day hiking from the Griffith Observatory to the Hollywood sign and then exploring the LA and OC coastline from Santa Monica pier, thru Venice Beach, and down to Seal Beach.

Towards the end of the month, as temperatures started to reduce, I enjoyed a weekend of one-to-one workshops and led a Timelapse workshop for South County Photo Club.

September was a busy month with the opening of my first solo exhibition, ‘Seven Years in the Desert’ at the 29 Palms Art Gallery, leading a Desert Institute Dark Sky Photography workshop (three dates in April, May and June 2024) , and then heading North to Davis to help my youngest daughter settle into UCD.

I spent every weekend in October in Joshua Tree National Park. I had a great time volunteering on the Hiking My Feelings backpacking trip with my friends Sydney and Barry, plus instructing on three Dark Sky Photography workshops. In addition, I showed three of my Dark Sky images during the JTNPA Desert Nocturne exhibition.

A herd of elusive Big Horn Sheep - Nov 2023

After over a hundred visits to Joshua Tree National Park in November I saw my first Big Horn Sheep. November also saw me leading a Photo Hike for the Desert Institute and then heading up to Davis with my wife to visit our youngest for Thanksgiving.

Even Covid couldn’t spoil our Christmas at Chez Norris - Dec 2023

I spent the first three weeks of December in the UK visiting my parents and then back to SoCal for Christmas. We had a great time together - despite my youngest having Covid.

So on this the last day of 2023, I’m starting to plan out my 2024 - and wondering if I can fit more into my next year. More about that in my next post. Enjoy your New Year’s Eve celebrations (however you choose to do that) and see you on the other side.

Let me be your landscape photography guide to Joshua Tree National Park in 2024.

Advanced Landscape Photography Weekend (JTNPA) - Apr 2023

My workshops cater to all levels of photographers and include classic viewpoints as well as some hidden gems. I'll make sure you're in the best place to take advantage of the light and weather conditions.

Choose a one-to-one workshop (and personalize it to what you'd like to photograph, specific techniques, or how far you want to hike), or join a small group workshop (which is limited to no more than 3 photographers).

I will help you discover new places and improve your photography at the same time.

To usher in the new year I’m giving a 20% discount on all 2024 one-day workshops booked before January 31st. Use coupon code JNP2024 at checkout.

Until next time, explore, experience, and enjoy our wildlands responsibly. Think before you geotag. Adopt the 7 Principles of Leave No Trace and practice Responsible Nature Photography.

Bye for now,
Jon

2023 - Year in Review

Explore Landscapes #17

My Photography and Hiking Goals for 2024

Visual Diary #1