Tuesday, December 10, 2013
Monday, December 2, 2013
Photo Spotlight ~ Skyview Panoramic
I'm not the first to photograph the very popular Antelope Canyon near Page, AZ. Still, as a photographer there are certain places you want in your portfolio. Antelope Canyon is one of those places!
There is Upper Antelope Canyon and Lower Antelope Canyon. I've yet to visit Upper Antelope Canyon. The spotlight today is on a photograph I captured at the Lower Canyon almost two years ago!
As you enter this subterranean world carved by water you first notice the flow of sandstone. As you move deeper into the slot canyon you are presented with an astounding light show. At times it is a soft glow of red, or a spot of bright sunlight finding it's way below. Other times it is so filtered from above that the sandstone is peach or purple.
For me it was when I looked up that I saw the real beauty of this special place. I saw both how far I had ventured below the surface and just how much the flow of rock above me glowed in orange, red, purple and the bright blue sky beyond. I had to capture this!
I set my tripod up so that my camera was looking straight up. I also made sure it was as close to the dirt floor of the canyon as possible. Then I laid on the ground and peered through my camera. I knew right away this was the shot I wanted to capture! This is the view above as you meander through this wonderland of carved rock.
So, you might be wondering why I would wait nearly two years to share the full photograph. As an artist I am constantly growing and learning. I knew then I wanted to capture all of the light and contrast looking up out of the canyon. I also knew I wanted two frames and that I would combine them into one finished image to create a panoramic view. It wasn't until recently, just the other day in fact, that I finally felt I had developed the captured light correctly and done this view justice.
Go see this in person! Experience the flow of rock and color as the light bounces down from above. Below I've mapped directions from nearby Page, AZ. While there I would also encourage you to see Horseshoe Bend.
Those of you who would like this photograph as artwork in your home will have to wait. I have something special in mind. More on that later. . . ;-)
There is Upper Antelope Canyon and Lower Antelope Canyon. I've yet to visit Upper Antelope Canyon. The spotlight today is on a photograph I captured at the Lower Canyon almost two years ago!
As you enter this subterranean world carved by water you first notice the flow of sandstone. As you move deeper into the slot canyon you are presented with an astounding light show. At times it is a soft glow of red, or a spot of bright sunlight finding it's way below. Other times it is so filtered from above that the sandstone is peach or purple.
For me it was when I looked up that I saw the real beauty of this special place. I saw both how far I had ventured below the surface and just how much the flow of rock above me glowed in orange, red, purple and the bright blue sky beyond. I had to capture this!
I set my tripod up so that my camera was looking straight up. I also made sure it was as close to the dirt floor of the canyon as possible. Then I laid on the ground and peered through my camera. I knew right away this was the shot I wanted to capture! This is the view above as you meander through this wonderland of carved rock.
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| 'Skyview Panormaic' ~ Lower Antelope Canyon, AZ |
So, you might be wondering why I would wait nearly two years to share the full photograph. As an artist I am constantly growing and learning. I knew then I wanted to capture all of the light and contrast looking up out of the canyon. I also knew I wanted two frames and that I would combine them into one finished image to create a panoramic view. It wasn't until recently, just the other day in fact, that I finally felt I had developed the captured light correctly and done this view justice.
Go see this in person! Experience the flow of rock and color as the light bounces down from above. Below I've mapped directions from nearby Page, AZ. While there I would also encourage you to see Horseshoe Bend.
Those of you who would like this photograph as artwork in your home will have to wait. I have something special in mind. More on that later. . . ;-)
Thursday, November 21, 2013
Sharing #TrulyRich Moments
Chevrolet Strikes A Chord
This week +Chevrolet launched a campaign that hits home for me. As a photographer I crop, edit and perfect a vision. This is the life of a modern day photographer. However, the campaign is not aimed at the full time photographer who's job is to present polished work. No, it is aimed at you. The Mom and/or Dad who snaps a photo of a moment and gets a little too obsessed over making that moment perfect for the world to see. I'm a Dad and I'm guilty of this. Even further it showcases how we might miss the real moments entirely as we perfect what we want the world to see.
Photography is more popular than ever! Everyone carries a camera in their pocket. You have the ability to capture the moments that make your life #TrulyRich. Do you take advantage of this opportunity?
I've given this a lot of thought lately. The Dad capturing the view from the hotel room while his kiddos play around him could easily be me. It begs the question: Do we even see the real moments anymore?
I have four wonderful crazy kiddos who make our life interesting, to say the least. You might say that I'm not only #TrulyRich, I'm #FilthyRich. Recently one of those kiddos has shown a real interest in photography. Her interest revolves around selfies, her cat and documenting the fun times with her friends. At twelve years old, Kaitlyn has developed a real eye for capturing great moments in her young life. Sure, her selfies are good and her cat is pretty, but it is the moments she captures that really stand out. She is in tune with the moment. Photography, for her, has weaved it's way into her life without removing her from it. She shares those moments on her Instagram account, which I insist remains private.
A New Direction
One of my goals is to capture beautiful landscapes and sell artwork. Meeting this goal means there is a lot that goes into my work, a lot of #TrulyRich moments lay behind the scenes. Especially when my Family is involved, as they should be.
A long time goal of Amy and I is to explore as a Family. To include the kiddos in a big way! We are now actively working on a plan to do just that. Can you guess what Kaitlyn's role will be? That's right, she will capture the moments. Those moments when my crazy Family is singing in the car, we do that a lot, or the moment when we discover a new amazing location!
Kaitlyn is not the key player here, although she would like to think so. No, I am surrounded by talent. Emily, at ten, will become a big part of my blog. She has already begun an in depth journal of the places we will visit. She is our resident writer, junior editor and organizer. Her contributions will help tell the stories of the moments, share history of the places we visit and help discover new places to see. Each member of the Family will be an active part of the journey in photography. A journey that not only inspires you to travel, but shares our #TrulyRich moments as we travel and explore together as a Family.
A Few Fuhrman Family #TrulyRich Moments
Saturday, November 9, 2013
Photo Spotlight ~ Girl With A View
One of the places I was looking forward to seeing again while on the #GlassCamaro Adventure was Horseshoe Bend. The Colorado River flows towards you, past you and away from you in this very cool location!
To give you some idea of just where you need to stand to capture all of the view in front of you see the post below from my Instagram. I captured this photograph with +Google Glass while standing on the edge.
Your vantage point is about 1000' above the river. It is difficult to convey the enormity of the view in front of you in a photograph. The photo I captured there is a composite of four separate images, to give you some idea of just how large it is. Merely by accident I captured Sarah sitting along the edge taking in the view. At first I thought "dang, someone is in my shot". That was the wrong response.
Sarah perched along the edge some one thousand feet above the river helps, to some degree, show the scale. However, it only helps. As always I encourage you to visit the locations I photograph. Only then can you truly see how awesome it is!
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| 'Girl With A View' ~ Order A Print |
To give you some idea of just where you need to stand to capture all of the view in front of you see the post below from my Instagram. I captured this photograph with +Google Glass while standing on the edge.
I also shot a quick video with +Google Glass. I enjoy having Glass along while I explore and photograph cool places like this! It provides me the opportunity to easily share #ThroughGlass behind the scenes.
So, how do you get there? I've mapped it for you from Page, AZ. It is very easy!
Friday, November 8, 2013
Cash or Credit: The Value of a Photograph
We'll Give You Credit
More and more I receive request to use my photographs for free. "Unfortunately we don't have a budget for photography".
That is unfortunate, for you.
The thing is I have poured my heart and soul into my work. I've dedicated countless hours and quite a bit of money in my work. Yes, it is work.
In lieu of money I'm often offered photo credit.
What Is Photo Credit and Does It Have Value?
Photo credit is when the name of the photographer appears next to the photograph wherever the photograph might be published. That sounds like a reasonable offer. The project will get a lot of views and people will see the photograph and that will drive traffic back to the photographer.
Does it work out like that? No!
What it does is make the website, ad, graphic, article and so on look great. That's it. The photographer is left holding his out of date camera wishing he could upgrade his equipment or go out and get more beautiful photographs. Better yet, take his kids to a movie or on one of his adventures.
How do I know this for sure? I've been there. I've had my work shared nationally, actually internationally. My photography has appeared on major news networks and been shared over and over again by millions, maybe even more. My Flickr account has tipped past 1.5M views!
That is a lot of attention. I must be up to my neck in photo credit, right? Yep. I have so much photo credit it is ridiculous!
Photo credit is a given. It has no value other than to let the reader know who captured the image they are looking at.
How Do You Spend Photo Credit?
You don't. Once again, it has no value! It does not make money in any way and cannot be spent anywhere.
I cannot use photo credit to put fuel in my car to go get more photographs. I cannot replace an aging camera with photo credit. Worst of all I cannot support my family with photo credit.
Does A Photograph Have Value Then?
YES! In fact the request I receive tell me that photography has value. Why else would I be showered with compliments? Why else would the request be made?
Photography can, and does, bring businesses profit. Profit, as it turns out, is where the budget comes from. Funny how that works.
Don't Be That Person
Would you ask a contractor to build your house for free? Probably not. But you could tell everyone you know just how great his work is. Heck, you could even put a sign in the yard that lets everyone know who built your house. You'd do that for a free house, right?
Don't be that person. Seriously, you get a paycheck, the web designer gets a paycheck and the janitor gets a paycheck. Don't ask the photographer to work for free. Especially the photographer who has four beautiful children and a wife that has supported him so faithfully.
Why Write This Post?
In a way I'm getting it out of my system. It's frustrating! Also, the future request will be sent here. Because I know there will be more request. *Sigh*
How Much To License An Image?
Not much. I like to work with people and see my photography help their project look its best! I'll work within an honest budget so we are both happy. Heck, you can even throw a number at me to get the ball rolling. If you really have a budget it's going to be less than I'm hoping for anyway. So there is no fear of giving me, or any photographer, too much for their hard work.
Monday, November 4, 2013
#GlassCamaro Adventure: Missouri
The #GlassCamaro Adventure is a partnership between a +Google Glass Explorer, that's me, and +Chevrolet. The idea was to take a 2014 Chevrolet Camaro SS Convertible on an epic 6,638 mile trip. That is exactly what we did! Over the coming weeks I will recap the adventure, share a lot of photographs, and map as many of the very cool roads as I can remember. Most were unforgettable!
Since Missouri was the starting line for our epic trip west I thought I would back up, start over a bit and share some of my home state with you. Over the coming weeks I will focus in on the states we visited, the cool locations we discovered and the roads we found. I hope it encourages you to travel. I hope you do so by car. Everything I will show you doesn't look the same from 30,000 feet. It is all worth the drive and you never know what you'll discover along the way to these great places.
We'll start at the gateway to the the west, St. Louis, MO. With the perfect architectural piece, the Arch, to symbolize it's namesake.
Before we leave the gateway in our rear view mirror we need to see a few places. St. Louis has so much to offer and I have only scratched the surface in my own outings.
It is my experience that Forest Park is a great place to catch a sunset. I sat here with my oldest daughter, Kaitlyn, as we waited for the right light. A memory I'll never forget!
Forest Park is also home to the St. Louis Science Center, a great place for all ages to explore!
From here I'm just going to jump around and share highlights. If I continue to share each great place discovered in Missouri we'll be in War and Peace territory for reading. ;-)
While we're in the general area I suggest exploring Alley Spring State Park. This is only one of the places where crisp cold water bubbles out of the ground in Missouri in hues of blues and greens that have to be seen to be believed. Add to this the surrounding forest and great blacktop roads that carve through those forest and you have a real adventure. This is an area where you can enjoy your time in the car as much as the stops along the way.
Speaking of enjoying a good drive, Missouri has some of the best blacktops around. I love exploring and finding new drives along the way. I have an affinity for roads!
Below are just a few of the great sites you'll see while traveling along these roads, in no particular order. ;-)
Along your travels you might find yourself in Jefferson City, MO, the state Capitol. There you can do something I've yet to do and tour the Capitol Building. Maybe you'll just catch a great sunset setting the Capitol aglow. That wouldn't be so bad, trust me.
Now we find ourselves not far south of Columbia, MO.
Now, there is one place you have to visit before leaving the area. In fact, what you need to see is a tree. Yep, a 350+ year old Bur Oak in the middle of nowhere. Believe me it is worth the short detour off I-70. The tree is enormous and stands all alone right alongside the road.
Now we drive a bit north to I-70, sometimes you have to use highways to make good time. ;-)
If you find yourself even near Kansas City I would urge you to explore the city. I'm not much for cities, but Kansas City, to me, is different. Perhaps it is because after leaving KC, heading west, you really begin to experience the wide open vistas that will begin to engulf you. Kansas City is the last oasis before the wide open expanse of the west. It is, however, much more than that.
Time to leave indeed. . .time to move west.
The Starting Line
While all of my recent adventure in the +Chevrolet Camaro SS with +Google Glass was far west of the Mighty Mississippi most of my trips are right here in Missouri. There is much to see and photograph within only a few hours of my house. The drives are nice and many times one of my four kiddos tag along for an outing to capture a little more of Missouri.
Since Missouri was the starting line for our epic trip west I thought I would back up, start over a bit and share some of my home state with you. Over the coming weeks I will focus in on the states we visited, the cool locations we discovered and the roads we found. I hope it encourages you to travel. I hope you do so by car. Everything I will show you doesn't look the same from 30,000 feet. It is all worth the drive and you never know what you'll discover along the way to these great places.
We'll start at the gateway to the the west, St. Louis, MO. With the perfect architectural piece, the Arch, to symbolize it's namesake.
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| 'STL Skies' ~ St. Louis, MO ~ Buy A Print |
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| 'Smoke Screen' ~ St. Louis, MO ~ Buy A Print |
Before we leave the gateway in our rear view mirror we need to see a few places. St. Louis has so much to offer and I have only scratched the surface in my own outings.
For instance: Did you know St. Louis is home to the largest city park? Forest Park is approximately 500 acres larger than New York's Central Park.
Before we explore Forest Park let's back up to the river. We'll assume you are traveling west from the Mississippi. One of the first off the beaten path locations you need to visit is the Old Chain Of Rocks Bridge. The bridge is a pedestrian bridge today. However, it was part of historic route 66. It is worth a stop to walk through history and see a bridge that has a twenty two and a half degree turn in the middle.
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| 'Warm Winter Evening' ~ St. Louis, MO ~ Buy A Print |
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| 'Auto Court' ~ St. Louis, MO ~ Buy A Print |
Once you cross the Mississippi you need to stop at Laclede's Landing. We'll pretend it is a good time to eat when you arrive, okay it's always a good time to eat! Here, at Laclede's Landing, you'll find something good to eat and enjoy a walk along the cobblestone streets after your meal.
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| 'Laclede's Landing' ~ St. Louis, MO ~ Buy A Print |
Moving a little further west, but still in downtown St. Louis, you'll want to take the time to explore Union Station on Market Street. If you're an avid reader you'll want to explore the newly renovated Public Library.
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| 'Union Station' ~ St. Louis, MO ~ Buy A Print |
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| 'Literary Gateway' ~ St. Louis, MO ~ Buy A Print |
Maybe you'll venture onto Grand Boulevard on a rainy day and catch a show in the Fabulous Fox Theatre.
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| 'Rainy Day Chaos' ~ St. Louis, MO ~ Buy A Print |
Ahh, but now we are close to Forest Park. A visit to St. Louis is not complete without a visit to the home of the St. Louis Zoo! No matter the season.
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| 'Flyin' Lion' ~ St. Louis Zoo |
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| 'Snow Day' ~ St. Louis, MO ~ Buy A Print |
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| 'Forest In The Fall' ~ St. Louis, MO ~ Buy A Print |
It is my experience that Forest Park is a great place to catch a sunset. I sat here with my oldest daughter, Kaitlyn, as we waited for the right light. A memory I'll never forget!
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| 'Reflections Of St. Louis' ~ St. Louis, MO ~ Buy A Print |
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| 'Now Boarding' ~ St. Louis, MO ~ Buy A Print |
From here I'm just going to jump around and share highlights. If I continue to share each great place discovered in Missouri we'll be in War and Peace territory for reading. ;-)
Do explore Missouri! I live here, purposely gone out to see what I can see, and have not even seen a fraction of the great landscapes. Did you know you can see bison in Missouri?
I'll start with one of my favorite state parks, Elephant Rocks. On one visit we arrived during overcast skies. I was hoping for some great light. As we exited the car we noticed a break in the clouds. I started running! From the parking lot to the top where granite boulders as big as your house stand. Out of breath and wrestling with my tripod I hurriedly setup my camera. Click, I got it.
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| 'Pachyderm Sunset' ~ Elephant Rocks State Park, MO ~ Buy A Print |
Go see Elephant Rocks! The boulders in front of that sunset are enormous. Standing next to them is a great experience. One you'll not soon forget.
If you don't stick around Elephant Rocks until dark you'll have time for the 20-30 minute drive to Johns Shut-Ins State Park where the Black River cuts through the gauntlet of rock.
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| 'Black River' ~ Johnson Shut-Ins State Park, MO ~ Buy A Print |
While we're in the general area I suggest exploring Alley Spring State Park. This is only one of the places where crisp cold water bubbles out of the ground in Missouri in hues of blues and greens that have to be seen to be believed. Add to this the surrounding forest and great blacktop roads that carve through those forest and you have a real adventure. This is an area where you can enjoy your time in the car as much as the stops along the way.
Speaking of enjoying a good drive, Missouri has some of the best blacktops around. I love exploring and finding new drives along the way. I have an affinity for roads!
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| 'Hitchhiker' ~ Rural Missouri ~ Buy A Print |
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| 'Highway 21' ~ Rural Missouri ~ Buy A Print |
Below are just a few of the great sites you'll see while traveling along these roads, in no particular order. ;-)
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| 'Missouri River Rays' ~ Hermann, MO ~ Buy A Print |
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| 'Along The Missouri' ~ Portland, MO ~ Buy A Print |
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| 'Field Of Dreams' ~ Rural Missouri ~ Buy A Print |
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| 'Sea Of Wheat' ~ Rural Missouri ~ Buy A Print |
Along your travels you might find yourself in Jefferson City, MO, the state Capitol. There you can do something I've yet to do and tour the Capitol Building. Maybe you'll just catch a great sunset setting the Capitol aglow. That wouldn't be so bad, trust me.
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| 'Missouri Capitol' ~ Jefferson City, MO ~ Buy A Print |
Now we find ourselves not far south of Columbia, MO.
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| 'Electric Catwalk' ~ Columbia, MO ~ Buy A Print |
Now, there is one place you have to visit before leaving the area. In fact, what you need to see is a tree. Yep, a 350+ year old Bur Oak in the middle of nowhere. Believe me it is worth the short detour off I-70. The tree is enormous and stands all alone right alongside the road.
If you find yourself driving through Missouri on I-70 you really should go see this tree. I've even mapped it for you. ;-)
Now we drive a bit north to I-70, sometimes you have to use highways to make good time. ;-)
On I-70 we head west from Columbia, MO. We have one last stop on this blog post. That stop is Kansas City, MO. While the stop on the #GlassCamaro Adventure was short here it doesn't mean there is nothing here to see. About a month before the epic 6,638 mile trip set out I spent a few days in KCMO.
Kansas City has a great downtown! Fun to explore and most of it within view from the Liberty Memorial. Here is a quick video I shot with +Google Glass during my visit.
If you find yourself even near Kansas City I would urge you to explore the city. I'm not much for cities, but Kansas City, to me, is different. Perhaps it is because after leaving KC, heading west, you really begin to experience the wide open vistas that will begin to engulf you. Kansas City is the last oasis before the wide open expanse of the west. It is, however, much more than that.
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| 'Downtown' ~ Kansas City, MO ~ Buy A Print |
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| 'Power & Light' ~ Kansas City, MO ~ Buy A Print |
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| 'Hall Of History' ~ Union Station, KC ~ Buy A Print |
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| 'Light & Lines' ~ Kansas City, MO ~ Buy A Print |
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| 'Time To Leave' ~ Union Station, KC ~ Buy A Print |
Time to leave indeed. . .time to move west.
In the coming weeks we'll leave Missouri. Drive as far west as we can and then turn north, drive the coast as far as we can and turn back east. Along the way I will share some awesome landscapes, great roads and map as much of that for you as I can.
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| The 2014 +Chevrolet Camaro SS Convertible will be our chariot during this adventure! ~ Buy A Print |
Buckle up and enjoy the ride!
Friday, November 1, 2013
Why Do Parties Need To End?
Last night we watched, thanks to my wife, the movie Red Dog on Netflix. I don't know if I would recommend it, but it was a story that resonated with my son. Shortly after it ended my son Kyle, who is 7, sat on the floor with our dog Hunter. Tears welled up in his eyes as he held Hunter tight. Now, anyone with kids knows that what seemingly triggers the tears is not always the real reason for the water works. Kyle and I sat for a time and talked. While it is true he just wanted to hug his dog after the sad story of Red Dog it came out, through our conversation, that he was going to miss Clark.
So, I'm a photographer. In the age of social media it is not all that uncommon for a photographer, and a sometimes blogger, to partner with companies. Why? Well, the idea is we are the content creators. As a photographer I could, say, take the brand new Camaro on an epic road trip and photograph it along the way. That's pretty cool, right? The Performance Team at GM need content and I can create that in an exciting way.
Who Is Clark?
Clark is a car. It is what my kiddos affectionately named the 2014 +Chevrolet Camaro SS which was loaned to us for an entire month. I thought there might be trouble when we named it. After all the last thing you do is name something you should never become attached to, right?
Kyle, though, is expressing outwardly what the rest of the Family is feeling.
It's Just A Job
What Went Wrong?
Well, nothing really. You see I was invited to the +Google Glass Explorer Program. I never thought it would have happened. I entered their contest and told my wife it would be cool, but we didn't need to worry because stuff like that never happens to us. It did.
A couple months after entering I received the invite. The catch? Google Glass was a $1,500 investment. In the territory of buy new camera equipment or the latest in high tech specs.
I sent a message to the Chevrolet Camaro page on Facebook. In short I asked if they would be interested in me, a Glass Explorer, taking the Camaro on an adventure. The feedback was positive, but the time limit to purchase Glass was closing and it looked like the opportunity was slipping. So, the decision was made to purchase Glass and pursue Chevrolet for a partnership.
We did just that. By now you probably know that Chevrolet responded very favorably to our proposal.
Don't Get Attached
Remember when you were a kid and you found that really cute stray puppy. What was the first thing your parents told you? Yep, don't get attached. And by all means don't name it!
As parents Amy and I are not that great at giving out that advice. You see, like it or not, sometimes we get just as attached as the kiddos. It's difficult to scold yourself in these matters.
That has certainly been the case with Clark. Can you really get that attached to a car? Yes, yes you can.
Unless you spend time around performance cars that might be hard to understand. Today our cars are quite, emotionless machines that move us from point A to point B. How on earth can you get attached to an appliance? I mean really.
That is not the case with Clark. When you first turn the key baffles in the exhaust open up so Clark can growl, yes he growls. It's awesome! Better than a cup of coffee in the morning. He is ready to go and it makes you feel a rush that caffeine cannot come close to matching.
Driving Clark? Well, that is an experience. It is not about a mundane commute. No, not a all. It is about the feel of 426 horses pushing you, by the rear wheels, down the road and into your seat. You move in two directions at the same time!
Clark has more power than you can legally use on any public road. But, when you want to get around that truck on the highway. . .done.
It is so much more than the power. Clark complains when you roll into town. He crackles and pops as the speed limit drops to 25. He roars when the limit is lifted and he can stretch his legs! He may communicate in growls, crackles and roars, but he communicates. Does your commuter do that?
So, the question isn't can you get attached to a car? No, the question is how can you not get attached to Clark? Seriously.
The Kiddos
Perhaps this is where it went wrong? You see, unlike the adults, they don't see the world as business. They see it as experiences. Maybe they have it right? In their minds it makes no sense that something that has brought them so much fun has to go away.
We're not a materialistic Family. We find plenty of joy spending time together. My kiddos embrace my photography with the hopes that it will take us on adventures together in the near future. You know, once some of the business side of things is ironed out. I hope, with all my heart, that is the case.
It's funny. I thought the adventure was the three weeks on the road in my favorite car. I was wrong. What I found out is that my Family is my muse. It's where my joy comes from. You see we feed off each other. Amy, who claims she is not creative, seeds great ideas. I take those ideas and make them reality. Is she creative? Yes, yes she is. My kiddos, all four of them, spark something inside of me. My oldest daughter Kaitlyn bubbles forth with creativeness and laughs at my silly ideas. My Emily charges through life with unwavering confidence. It's as if she shares that confidence with me. She makes me move on ideas I would otherwise brush off as improbable. My Kyle feels with a heart so big that he makes me look twice in hopes of seeing the world through the sensitivity that he embraces life with. My Ella charges ahead with bold, sometimes bad, ideas and asks for forgiveness when it doesn't work out. That, believe it or not, is something we all need every now and then.
My Family embraced Clark from the start. Rides to school in the morning. Rides home from school in the afternoon. Photographing Clark and posting him on Instagram. Sharing rides with their friends. Riding under the stars on a cool evening. Becoming down right giddy with all the fun noises Clark would make.
Kyle made the point of writing down Clark's VIN number. Kyle's intention is to buy Clark when he gets older. Kyle needed to know he would be able to find Clark, not just another Camaro.
Okay, Maybe Getting Attached Isn't So Bad
While talking with Kyle last night I asked "Would you like to go for a drive tomorrow?". He quietly nodded. I followed that question with "Would you like to go for a drive tonight?". He ran for his shoes!
Thirty minutes after Kyle's bedtime we took Clark out for a spin. Kyle never said a word. He's done that each time he has gone for a ride. He soaks it up. He makes the most of this amazing experience, even if it means getting a little too attached. Even if it means there will be sadness.
The Real Story
It turns out it wasn't about a photographer partnering with Chevrolet. No, the real story was about a Family who, thanks to Chevrolet, enjoyed an amazing experience together. One we will not soon forget!
It was about embracing an adventure we all knew would end, even if it meant a little sadness was along for the ride.
Friday, October 18, 2013
The #GlassCamaro Adventure Team
I've posted and talked about what +Lee Myers and I are photographing or where we are off to next on the #GlassCamaro Adventure. However, there is a third key member of our team.
That third member is the muscle, yet he is lean and mean. He never complains despite carrying us and all our gear from one amazing location to the next. I am of course talking about the Camaro.
From the start the Camaro was ready to run. Seemingly purpose built for a photography adventure of this magnitude. 6,000+ miles of open road ready to explore!
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| 2014 Camaro SS Convertible ~ Rural Utah |
From the start the Camaro was ready to run. Seemingly purpose built for a photography adventure of this magnitude. 6,000+ miles of open road ready to explore!
By now you no doubt know that Lee and I are on an amazing adventure sponsored by +Chevrolet in the 2014 Camaro SS Convertible. More about this adventure here: Camaro Adventure
Chevrolet introduced the Camaro SS in 1967. It came with a 295-hp small-block V-8 engine. The 2014 has a few extras not yet invented in 1967. Like a color head-up display, Chevy MyLink with high-resolution color touch screen control, rear vision camera system and an available 245-watt Boston Acoustics sound system. Not to mention a few extra horses with the 426 HP 6.2L "LS3" V-8 with TREMEC TR6060 six-speed manual transmission.
That's a mouthful of innovation since 1967, right? Well, that's not all. I could tell you about the strong body structure designed to absorb crash energy and provide a protective "safety cage" around occupants or the six standard air bags among a long list of other features. But I won't. Instead I am going to dive right into the emotional connection to the Camaro.
Before the adventure began my wife, Amy, and I went to Detroit, MI to pick up the Camaro. From the moment Amy and I saw the Camaro sitting just outside the doors at General Motors headquarters in Detroit, MI we were in love. Immediately taken back to the days when we owned our 1995 Camaro Z28. I had convinced Amy shortly after we were married that we should own a Camaro. But not just any Camaro. We needed, yes needed, a Z28! That is just what we bought. A beautiful red Z28 with black leather interior and T-tops, gotta have the T-tops. ;-)
That was not my first brush with my favorite car. When I was 17 I visited a small used car dealership near my hometown of Jacksonville, IL. It was early afternoon on a Saturday when I arrived. The car on the lot that I liked was, you guessed it, a Camaro Z28. I walked into the small office and asked if I could look the car over. I was handed the keys and told I could take it for a short drive. Really!?! So, this 17 year old kid turned toward the Camaro and resisted running.
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| 1995 Camaro Z28 ~ My Grandmothers House in Jacksonville, IL |
That was not my first brush with my favorite car. When I was 17 I visited a small used car dealership near my hometown of Jacksonville, IL. It was early afternoon on a Saturday when I arrived. The car on the lot that I liked was, you guessed it, a Camaro Z28. I walked into the small office and asked if I could look the car over. I was handed the keys and told I could take it for a short drive. Really!?! So, this 17 year old kid turned toward the Camaro and resisted running.
On my short drive I hatched a plan. I would go back and tell the salesperson that I loved the Camaro but could not buy it until my parents approved. Since the dealership closed in a fifteen minutes I would have to drive it home and keep it until Monday morning. He bought into my plan!!!
So, at 17, I was let lose with a Z28!
I made the 20 minute drive home to find my parents in the driveway when I arrived. My Mom, upon realizing it was me, started in. The short version is she was not happy that her 17 year old was the one let lose with a Z28. I wasn't home more than 5 minutes and the salesperson was contacted, asked to return to the dealership and my parents were on their way back with the Camaro. Well, I tried.
Fast forward 21 years. I hatched another plan. I would contact Chevrolet directly and ask to take the Camaro on the ultimate test drive. Well, I don't mean to spill the beans but you probably already figured out they bought into my plan!!!
So, after driving the 2014 Camaro SS Convertible some 4,500+ miles what do I think? Short answer: I love it! I mean just look at it.
As an artist I have an emotional connection to the world around me. The same holds true for cars. While I am not a mechanic and cannot tell you all the whys. I can tell you how it feels, that's what matters anyway. Leave the why to the engineers of the world, be thankful they understand that side of the coin. And boy do the engineers at Chevrolet get it!
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| 2014 Camaro SS Convertible ~ Kansas City, MO |
As an artist I have an emotional connection to the world around me. The same holds true for cars. While I am not a mechanic and cannot tell you all the whys. I can tell you how it feels, that's what matters anyway. Leave the why to the engineers of the world, be thankful they understand that side of the coin. And boy do the engineers at Chevrolet get it!
For this adventure the Camaro would serve the purpose of making the drive from one photogenic spot to the next exciting, not just a commute. It has done that exceedingly well. When the road presents twist and turns I drop it into third gear and run the guantlet. Leaving me enough pedal to excelerate out of the apex of a corner and set me up for the next bend. The pure joy of driving has a beautiful sound track in the Camaro as well. The exhaust sings and sometimes growls as you accelerate and decelerate in and out of the bends.
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| 2014 Camaro SS Convertible ~ Among the Redwoods in California |
Somewhere around 5,000 miles on the odometer I noticed the Camaro had settled in. It now fully understood it's roll. And now, more than ever, we were in sync.
At heart I am still that 17 year old kid. The crackle of the exhaust as you slow for traffic or a stop light still excites me. Watching the heat waves rise through the hood vent at a stop light makes me imagine there is a fire breathing dragon hidden under the hood. The sound of the beast awakening at the turn of the key makes me smile. These are a few of my favorite things.
However, being a kid at heart you still want to feel your music when you are cruising. The Boston Acoustics sound systems does a splendid job of that!
What don't I like about the 2014 Camaro SS Convertible? Well, there is still a few thousand miles to go. I'll do my best to find something.
I will say I did not think I was a convertible kinda guy. I actually had the nerve to tell this to the team at Chevrolet. I was wrong. It turns out I am very much a convertible kinda guy.
I'm not the only one with the emotional connection to the Camaro. The response as we have navigated the western states has been exciting to see. Sometimes it is people coming up and asking if it is the 2014. Others just get excited to see a Camaro in general. One kid took a photo of the Camaro parked at the overlook to the Golden Gate Bridge. Everyone thinks it is amazing of Chevrolet to loan the Camaro to us to explore and photograph so many great places!
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| 2014 Camaro SS Convertible ~ Bear Mountain Boulevard, CA |
I'm not the only one with the emotional connection to the Camaro. The response as we have navigated the western states has been exciting to see. Sometimes it is people coming up and asking if it is the 2014. Others just get excited to see a Camaro in general. One kid took a photo of the Camaro parked at the overlook to the Golden Gate Bridge. Everyone thinks it is amazing of Chevrolet to loan the Camaro to us to explore and photograph so many great places!
This evening the Camaro, Lee and I are in Port Angeles, WA. We have made the turn eastward, cruised along Cresent Lake and found us a place to rest before setting out for more exploration as we make our way towards home.
Below is an overview of our entire adventure. We have only had to pass up a few places. Some because of park closures and others due to time. Our adventure has no set in stone stops and we look forward to our final stretch. Feel free to follow along on Facebook here and here.
A few places we have found it is fun to drive the 2014 Camaro SS Convertible.
See ya on the road!
A few places we have found it is fun to drive the 2014 Camaro SS Convertible.
What Is The #GlassCamaro Adventure?
It's an adventure in your favorite car!
For me that car is the Camaro. The #GlassCamaro Adventure is a partnership between +Chevrolet and me, +Aaron Fuhrman.
The adventure started in Detroit. My wife, Amy, and I flew to Detroit from St. Louis. We met with the team behind the Camaro, ate lunch, laughed, and enjoyed a great conversation about the adventure ahead. After lunch we made our way down from the 300 tower at GM headquarters and outside along the river. There, just outside the doors, sat the 2014 Camaro SS Convertible. We were handed the keys, walked around this beautiful machine, and told to go have fun!
My wife and I enjoyed a 9+ hour drive home from Detroit. Once home I had a couple days before my bro-in-law, +Lee Myers, and I headed west. So, I was able to take my kiddos for a ride. The reactions were perfect. My 5 year old daughter, Ella, smiled from ear to ear. When it was pointed out she exclaimed "I can't help it!"
I picked up my 12 year old daughter, Kaitlyn, up from school. If you were ever 12 you'll know just how great it was for her to miss a bus ride home that afternoon. ;-)
Because I picked up Kaitlyn I had to take my 10 year old daughter, Emily, on a special drive. Just her and dad cruising. Emily giggled a lot.
My wife says to me the evening before Lee and I headed west "We need to buy this car.". Fellas, that was music to my ears!
Speaking of my wife. She was key in arranging this adventure. She stands behind me 100% as I work towards the goal of making photography a full time occupation. I'll be on the road during our 17th wedding anniversary, something I didn't want to miss. During the planning, when it was realized this was the case, she said "Go!, it's my anniversary present to you.". I would argue my wife is the best wife in the world.
The Adventure Begins!
Okay, not quite. The evening before we left I took my 7 year old son, Kyle, out to capture the Camaro in front of an amazing sunset. While driving to the location Kyle says "Daddy, I'm going to buy this car when I get older". Yep, he's my boy!
So we did.
We have many photographs to share from the road. One highlight was driving along Mount Massive in Colorado.
For me that car is the Camaro. The #GlassCamaro Adventure is a partnership between +Chevrolet and me, +Aaron Fuhrman.
The adventure started in Detroit. My wife, Amy, and I flew to Detroit from St. Louis. We met with the team behind the Camaro, ate lunch, laughed, and enjoyed a great conversation about the adventure ahead. After lunch we made our way down from the 300 tower at GM headquarters and outside along the river. There, just outside the doors, sat the 2014 Camaro SS Convertible. We were handed the keys, walked around this beautiful machine, and told to go have fun!
My wife and I enjoyed a 9+ hour drive home from Detroit. Once home I had a couple days before my bro-in-law, +Lee Myers, and I headed west. So, I was able to take my kiddos for a ride. The reactions were perfect. My 5 year old daughter, Ella, smiled from ear to ear. When it was pointed out she exclaimed "I can't help it!"
I picked up my 12 year old daughter, Kaitlyn, up from school. If you were ever 12 you'll know just how great it was for her to miss a bus ride home that afternoon. ;-)
Because I picked up Kaitlyn I had to take my 10 year old daughter, Emily, on a special drive. Just her and dad cruising. Emily giggled a lot.
My wife says to me the evening before Lee and I headed west "We need to buy this car.". Fellas, that was music to my ears!
Speaking of my wife. She was key in arranging this adventure. She stands behind me 100% as I work towards the goal of making photography a full time occupation. I'll be on the road during our 17th wedding anniversary, something I didn't want to miss. During the planning, when it was realized this was the case, she said "Go!, it's my anniversary present to you.". I would argue my wife is the best wife in the world.
The Adventure Begins!
Okay, not quite. The evening before we left I took my 7 year old son, Kyle, out to capture the Camaro in front of an amazing sunset. While driving to the location Kyle says "Daddy, I'm going to buy this car when I get older". Yep, he's my boy!
Now the adventure begins.
An early morning start in Missouri was stumbled for a bit when Lee says "I forgot my phone". I was ready to just leave him behind when he pats his chest and says "Oh, there it is". Good thing you found it Lee! ;-)
About a month ago Lee and I had photographed many great locations in Kansas City, MO. We knew we wanted to make a short stop as we drove through. We pulled off the exit and spotted The Kauffman Center right way. We pulled up front, pulled the parking brake and started shooting.
After our quick stop in KC we started through Kansas.
Our first night was spent in Denver, CO. The first morning we had breakfast at the Day Break Cafe. Breakfast was great! While eating breakfast Lee asked Colleen about locations nearby. We wanted a place to photograph the Camaro. Colleen told us about Red Rocks Park. Well, when you are driving a brand new Red Rock Metallic Camaro you have little choice but to go. ;-)
So we did.
Thanks for the tip, Colleen! After leaving Red Rocks Park we explored as much of Colorado as we could as we drove through. We loved it! Especially highway 24. My new favorite game is watching the G-Meter. ;-)
We have many photographs to share from the road. One highlight was driving along Mount Massive in Colorado.
We spent enough time in Colorado that we arrived in Moab, UT late in the evening. The next morning we set out to explore the Moab area. But not before giving the Camaro a bath. ;-)
We love the area around Moab! The Camaro obviously agrees with us as it roared through the beautiful scenery. Maybe in its Red Rock Metallic finish it felt at home in the surrounding red rock landscape?
Yep. That's what it was.
The best part of traveling is meeting new people. And we did just that while cruising through the canyon roads. We noticed a painter along the river and pulled in behind her. She was setup beside a beautiful white +Chevrolet Tahoe. Her name was Barbara and after chatting with her for a few minutes she said her husband used to build the motors for Camaro's in the 60's! How cool is that? Barbara, at one point in her life, spent 15 months on her motorcycle traveling the states. No swanky hotels for Barabara, she camped. We were kindred spirits!
Barbara told us that her husband was itching to buy a new Camaro. He was trying to hold out until they sold their ranch. After Barbara looked over the 2014 I imagine she'll give him the green light to get his Camaro a little early. ;-)
Link to Barbara's website: www.BarbaraChurchley.com
Thanks for the great conversation and enthusiasm about our adventure, Barb! I hope we meet again, soon.
After dropping the top and posing for a picture with Barbara, she took the photo I don't have it, we set our sites on Dead Horse Point State Park. Our goal was to capture a great sunset. We did just that!
I was soooo excited my hands were shaking! I ran through the landscape looking for the perfect composition. All the sudden there it was. The little twisted tree holding onto the edge of the canyon. It was too perfect and I was the only one there. The sunset was glowing on the distant horizon. I was happy with that. Then the light show started. Awesome!
The next morning we pointed the Camaro towards Monument Valley and enjoyed the open road along the way.
We were concerned about the cloud cover as we approached Monument Valley. The last thing we wanted was a back drop of white at this iconic location. We were excited to see great texture in the sky above these towering buttes!
Monument Valley is amazing! We did not take the Camaro on the dirt road, but still enjoyed the amazing view from the visitor center. Look at the cars on the road. That should give you an idea of the scale of this amazing western landscape. Just stunning!
So, that brings you up to date. I'm posting this from our hotel room in Page, AZ. The Camaro is calling my name from the parking lot. We have Horseshoe Bend, Valley Of Fire and many other locales on the list as we cruise to Las Vegas as our next stop.
You can follow along on my Facebook accounts here and here. I'm also posting updates from Instagram.
Much more to come. Hopefully quicker updates from here on out. ;-)
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