Well Fall has finally arrived in Arkansas.  After a wet summer I was looking forward to a beautiful and colorful Fall with waterfalls running, but it seems mother nature had a different plan in mind.  We have been dry for the almost a month now with temperatures reaching into the upper nineties and heat indexes well above 100.   It has been this way for a few years now, with Fall finally showing up late.   This photo was taken in the Ozarks about 5 years ago in early October.  Just for comparison, I was still shooting Fall photos well into early December last year.   This photo was taken at Hawcreek Recreation Area, North of Clarksville.  This is such and amazing area with plenty of waterfalls to photograph, all with little or no hiking.  Of course for the adventurous, there is some intense hikes here as well, maybe some of the hardest in the state.  I hope to start writing more blogs this year, sharing my adventures.  Be safe and enjoy traveling in Arkansas.

Crooked Creek Falls - Winter 2017

Hey friends, I know most of you have watched my video, but I'm trying to increase my followers on youtube. Was hoping everyone would click on the video link and watch in on my youtube page as well as like and share, Thanks again

Bluffs of the Buffalo National River

Painted Sunrise - Peter Cave Bluff - Buffalo National River - Fall 2016

"In wildness is the preservation of the world." - Henry David Thoreau

Sometimes nature will command you to pay attention and look at what beauty is set before you. This was one of those moments, the strength of light as it charged over the bluff, leaving the river in shadow, the only thing more commanding in the photo to me was this beautiful cedar and how it stood as a sentinel over this bluff, observing the rise and setting of each day, and hopefully it still will long after I'm gone, but how lucky for me to share in this moment, a moment captured in time by me and my camera and presented to you in all of its glory. - William Rainey

To stand at the edge of the cliff as the storm was passing by was quite a rush, finally close to dark the sun peaked from behind the clouds to put on this amazing display of color.  The catch was could I get far enough out to get all the color.  A lot of work and sometimes a bit of danger goes into making these photos, and of course a whole lot of passion.  To do this with a light meter and not your phone or HDR makes this a lot more challenging, but at the end of the day more rewarding to the craft.

Morning Reflections on the Buffalo River

Buffalo River in the Fall - Buffalo National River - Ponca, Arkansas - Autumn 2015

To wade up this river before sunrise brings a piece that calms the soul.  I had four river otters keeping me company, which occasionally disturbed the glassy water.  What a blessing to get to do this for a living. 

- William

If one advances confidently in the direction of his dreams, and endeavors to live the life which he has imagined, he will meet with a success unexpected in common hours.

- Henry David Thoreau

Temple of Light and Stone - Canyonlands National Park - Moab, Utah - 2014

The foreground light is from the sunrise at Mesa Arch creating a glowing well of light. My heart and soul went into the creation of this photo and I hope it touches you the way it did me.

After 2 days of driving from Arkansas and then photographing Arches National Park way into the night. We set off to find a camping spot as close to Canyonlands National Park as I could get, as luck would have it someone did not show up for the reservation at Horse Thief campground. Tent set up, a quick bite and few hours of needed sleep, I was up by 3am and set off to find Mesa Arch the highlight of the trip. Finally at the parking lot I headed off on the trail somehow missing it the first time but a quick circle back around and there it was. Once at the arch I discovered I was not alone, before me stood a dozen or so people already all lined up in front of the Arch. Not exactly what I expected, but after all this was an adventure. I found my spot along the Arch with the others and waited for sunrise. Along with sunrise came scores of people turning our small group into 60 plus, all hoping for their opportunity to get their own photo. There it was just like photos that had wowed me into coming, an amazing display of color and light and like that the group was gone just leaving a few stragglers behind, me being one of them.

One thing that I have discovered about photography is that sometimes the best photo is not the one you came for. Surprisingly after sunrise the glow on the arch does not go away leaving you with a great chance to still get photos but without all the people, and so this is how this photo came to be. What I discovered was the the area was not just a quick snapshot of the Arch and leave, but an amazing expanse of beauty. As I enjoyed this view I noticed how the deep reds from the arch created a well effect of light and shadow in the corner, combined with the great expanses of views from the cliff face and blue skies, I new I had a chance to create something special.

I started my photography in film and am a firm believer that its always best if possible to try and get the photo right in the field and save photoshop for as little as possible. This is a single photo not HDR taken with a full frame digital camera, using a singh-ray ND filter to retain foreground color, leaving very little to do in editing but sharpen and color correct, then finishing in Nik software.

Here are my camera settings:

canon 5D Mark 111
24-70 2.8L
24mm
1/400 sec
f/11
Iso 400
Manfrotto tripod for stability

I finished the journey in 7 days and 15,000 photos later, and never will forget the beauty of these unique National Parks. I hope to return and photograph the rest of Canyonlands National Park as well

Temple of Light and Stone - Canyonlands National Park - Utah.com - I love Utah National Parks - Moab, Utah - 2014

The foreground light is from the sunrise at Mesa Arch creating a well of light that would fall forever.  My heart and soul went into the creation of this photo and I hope it touches you the way it did me.