Explore Landscapes #32

... and how life's twists and turns can put us on the back foot ... and needing to take some time to get back on an even keel.

I’ve been absent from posting for the last couple of weeks. I wanted to post a quick update to catch everyone up and, on a more positive note, let you know about my plans for later in the year.

2024 has been a bit of a doozy for me so far. Sadly, we lost my Mum very suddenly at the end of February (see Visual Diary #2). It was a massive shock for my Dad and my family - and we’re all still processing the loss and trying to move forward. I miss my Mum every day - she was such a positive, loving, and caring influence on me, my wife, and my daughters.

I’d just about gotten back to some sense of normality after that shock, and then, out of the blue, I had a medical emergency rear its head - another blood clot - this time in my left lung.

Back in July 2022, I contracted COVID, which triggered a deep vein thrombosis in my left leg and, a week later, led to pulmonary emboli (blood clots) in both lungs. Fortunately, I have a strong heart, and the blood clots did not lead to a stroke or a heart attack. I vowed to get healthier and fitter - to give myself more time (see Giving Myself Time). Since then, I’ve been eating far more healthily (lots of fresh fruit and vegetables and very little meat), have stopped drinking, and do lots of hiking and walking.

Then, three weeks ago, after a wonderful 4-day weekend hiking and photographing in Joshua Tree with my wife, I woke with mild chest discomfort. I shook it off, got ready for work, and headed to the office. About an hour later, the chest pains were getting worse, and then they got intense. I remember thinking, “crap! I think I’m having a heart attack”.

Once at the ER, and after a swarm of medical activity ascertained that it wasn’t my heart, it was determined that I’d developed another blood clot. This had originated in my left lung and was now making its presence very well known. So, it appears that once you’ve had significant blood clots, you become more susceptible to getting them in the future - regardless of lifestyle choices. So, I’m now on blood thinners for the rest of my life. I’m relieved because the diagnosis could have been so much worse. I count myself lucky that I could leave the ER that same day and was not admitted to the hospital.

Bad things happen in threes—the third curveball is linked to the second. As I’m not yet up to my sustaining blood thinner dosage, I couldn’t travel to the UK/EU for a business trip planned for months, meaning I won’t get to visit my Dad. That’s a bigger problem and disappointment than the blood clot diagnosis.

Anyhow, I’m busy getting back on an even keel. I have several exciting projects coming up over the following months, so I’m focusing on moving forward.

Sequoia Parks Conservancy - 2024 Dark Sky Festival

I’m excited to share that I’ve been asked to lead a dark sky photography workshop at the 2024 Dark Sky Festival, which Sequoia Parks Conservancy and the National Park Service organize. The workshop will take place from September 6th to 8th “and will unfold in the breathtaking settings of the parks, including the Foothills, Giant Forest, Lodgepole, and Grant Grove.” I’ll share more specific details with you as they become available (and are published on the SPC website). I’ll head up to Sequoia in August to scout locations for the workshop - and I am super excited to explore the park.

Landscape Photography Retreats

In April 2023, I led a landscape photography workshop and retreat for the JTNPA Desert Institute. I enjoyed the experience, and judging by the feedback I received, the attendees had a great time.

So, I’m planning two landscape photography retreats in September and October this year (Sep 20-22 and Oct 18-20).

The retreats will offer focused, hands-on field classes on landscape photographic techniques, workflow, assignments for the day, daily critique sessions, and lessons on processing your images. This immersive experience is designed for photographers of all skill levels who seek to capture the raw beauty of Joshua Tree National Park, where dramatic rock formations, expansive desert vistas, and the iconic Joshua trees converge to create a photographer's paradise.

Five great reasons to attend a retreat:

1. Take time for yourself and develop your photography

2. Photograph from sunrise through sunset and into the night

3. Learn new techniques from a seasoned Joshua Tree landscape photographer

4. Push yourself to be more creative

5. Make new friends and have fun

Oh … and there's a bonus reason to attend the retreat: two fabulous guest speakers will speak on Friday and Saturday evenings while we unwind around the campfire.

Join me for an extraordinary photographic adventure and create images that tell the timeless story of Joshua Tree's wild and captivating landscapes. Book your spot today and take the first step towards capturing the majestic beauty of the Mojave Desert through your lens.

Inspiring Creativity - Book Reviews

I’ve been doing a fair amount of planning for future newsletter/blog posts and have decided to add a monthly book review to the mix. The stack of books above is just some of the books that have influenced my photographic journey, and I’m looking forward to sharing them with you.