Melissa’s Blog

Shootin’ Dunes and Steve Z Wednesday, July 14, 2010

This year I made a promise to myself to get out and shoot for fun as much as possible.  During my drive east last month,  I stopped through Colorado and had the opportunity to spend some time in the Great Sand Dunes National Park.  What an inspiring place!  I met a good friend and fellow photographer Steve Z down there - and it wasn’t long be for we were scheming up a photo shoot - and one that didn’t involve a wedding dress!

It’s been a long time since I’ve been up before sunrise for the sole reason of shooting. Our goal was to get the highest dune, which reaches 750 feet above the trailhead at 8200 ft.  In order to catch the best light, we started our hike at 5:30 that morning.  I was loaded up with a backpack full of camera equipment and Steve had his snowboard gear.  The air was cool, the dunes were calm and we were eager to start our mini-adventure!

I think the most amazing part was reaching the top and realizing that there wasn’t a person in sight - we had this stunning landscape all to ourselves!  We quickly picked a line, Steve strapped on his board and the fun began.  The lines weren’t long.  Steve would get in 3 or 4 turns, before he’d find himself at the bottom.  Then he’d take his board off and climb his way back up.  I’m sure he must have climbed about 80 flights of stairs in the 3 hours we played!  I started shooting with my 17-40mm 4.0 for a few wide shots and then switched to the 70-200mm 2.8 for mostly everything else.  The most difficult images to nail were the ones where Steve was riding straight towards me.  He had a particular idea for a shot, but the sun cooked me laying in the sand long before we could perfect the combo of his riding and my focus and composition!

Regardless, we got a ton of really fun images. I swear we spent most of the morning giggling like kids in a candy shop.  Photography can be so fun when you have no clients, no expectations and no deadlines! 

The highest dune “Star Dune”

Steve realizing carrying your shoes in your hand while you ride probably isn’t cool - or photogenic.

The grind back up.

The ride.

Looking for lines

Good for a giggle.

Close, but not quite what Steve had in mind.

My personal fav from the day.

Proof I was there.

Soft landing.  Why wouldn’t you throw yourself off a dune?

Striking a pose.

I like this series.  We past this abandoned house leaving the dunes and couldn’t help but stop and take a few shots.

Checkin’ in with the real world.

Make sure you check out Steve’s story and his gorgeous photos on his blog

The Secret to Racing Roadies on a Cruiser Bike Tuesday, June 29, 2010

I really, really wish I could take credit for this shoot.  I mean, I took the photos, but the hilarious concept wasn’t mine.  My Coloradical tour guide, Steve Z told me one evening that a friend of his had a cruiser bike with a hub motor on it.  For a few years, he had imagined how funny it would be to dress up in costume and race road cyclists on the bike….but of course, he needed a photographer to shoot it!  Needless to say, I was happy to oblige, so the next day we packed up his Subaru with the bike and a ridiculous costume and headed up to Ward, Colorado for some fun and deep belly laughing!

The Utica Street Market is a little store situated at the top of a 19 mile hill climb that is popular with local cyclists.  Given the natural audience, it seemed like the perfect place to set the stage.

Take a minute to really look at this guy.  A beautiful mullet, waving in the wind, aviator glasses, short jean cut offs…with the pockets hanging out, 80’s neon helmet, white sport socks and black boots, muscle shirt and of course the half case of beer and rattling empties in the basket.  How could you not do a double take when this guy passed you on your bike???

Steve would hide in a driveway past the stop sign down the hill and wait until he saw a cyclist approach.  Once they past him, he would sneak up behind them and then pass them on the hill…making sure to exaggerate his breathing and pedal stroke. The first time was pretty funny, but the second time is when things got good.  Steve pulled up behind this particular cyclist, and as he started to pass him the guy got out of the saddle and they ended up in a full on sprint up the hill.  The deep belly laughing and the tears started shortly after this moment. 

These two guys hung out and watched the show for a little while.  When Steve went to chat with them afterward, he was delighted to hear that they hadn’t see the motor.  They honestly thought that he was out cycling people riding $3000 bikes.  Definitely another highlight moment!

The bike.  The big black front hub is the motor and is powered by the batteries in the rear pack.  It’s capable of putting out 500 watts and enabled Steve to hold about 19kph up the hill. Big thanks to Paul for lending her out for the day!