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. 

Something of the Marvelous - Cossatot Falls State Park - Fall 2014

Another great adventure under my belt, 3 mile hike through a boulder field, busted lens, bruised leg, and a hard hike out at dark, are  just a few of the things it took to get this photo today.  The sun lit the mountain for 10 min and then was gone.  The rocks you see before you are at least 15 ft tall as is the one I climbed down on to get this photo.  If you look back to the right in the shot you will see a steep cliff, yep hiked there to but at near dark, and back in the dark.  I hope to return here sometime soon and watch the eagles fish this pool at sunrise, but until then I will dream of this amazing spot in the Ouachitas.

Photographing Golf Courses in Mexico - El Mangler Golf Course - Riviera Maya, Playa del Carmen, Mexico

This photo was taken in stealth mode, there is no one allowed on this Jack Nicklaus designed golf course unless you are playing golf.  One of the main reasons is the 15 ft crocodile that crawls from hole to hole plus there is a swamp that you have to walk right by, oops I didn't  plan so well.  After checking out 17 holes on foot I found this beautiful reflection and sunset on hole 18 then walked back to the resort which took 45 min.  :)

Trying to fill the shoes of Ansel Adams, my hero.

I think arrogance is sometimes easily confused with passion and the willingness to be the best, no short cuts just consumed in the love of this great craft and going to whatever links to make the best photo.  I don't think about anything when I'm behind the camera almost to the point that I forget to revel in the beauty that we get to create, and I admit safety for myself is rarely given to much of a thought but at some point it almost turns into second nature just like breathing, and the thrill of the chase of what's around the next bend takes hold and I'm off again. To where?  No one place or subject in particular, just forward into the next exciting adventure.

Australian Trips into the Wild

I've been to Australia twice and both times was a trip to remember, the first time I was left out in the ocean off of Heron Island for over four hours, lets see when they offer the life jacket the answer is yes, I did get to swim with 10 manta rays in that period, funny thing is I read an article the other day that said a dozen manta rays will generally follow 2 to 3  large hammerhead sharks. yikes   While swimming in Shark Bay on Heron Island they said there was no sharks, wrong, when there fins stuck a foot out of the water I decided time to get out.  The second trip to Australia was even more fun second day just out of Melbourne hiking on a beautiful mountain trail I got real cozy with a taipan p.s don't throw rocks at that snake they will chase you.  Then I took a plane and went to Cairns and headed into the jungle and stayed in a tree house.  Sounds like fun, but did you know thats where the big crocs actually live, now add a flat bottom boat and go fishing in the Dantree River, lets see if the crocs don't get you the box jelly fish will when you get to the ocean.  Now most people would have went home, but I love a challenge so for the last part of our trip we booked a sail boat for eight days, upon arriving at the airport which was flooded and high winds and lighting which had canceled most boating trips, but not ours, we had a New Zealend Captain to train us for the first day.  So off into the lighting and wind sails up into the fog we go, I guarentee you will learn or die. lol  We sailed all day learning the ends and outs of sailing, that night the charts came out and in the morning she was gone.  Did I mention no GPS oh well that kind of stuff will make one soft.  So after some brief discussion with my dear wife and using terms like we are going to freaken die. :)  Off we go and sail we did, but as luck would have it more fun was on its way.  Lets start with fishing, did you know if you catch a fish, and it stings you

 it could be poisonus, ok so after the first sting that is over.  We encountered many wonderful things along the way, but nothing like the 6th day into the trip when my wife was cooking dinner one evening, and I said I'm going to go take the dingy into shore and take some pics, sounded like a great idea wading out into the tide pools chasing blue speckeled sting rays about 50 ft out in the middle of the tide pools, when out of the corner of my eye appeared this very large white snake coming at me quick, no time to run but react, as it started striking over and over, finally it turned to leave and as I was backing away with about 15 ft between us here it came again this time I ran to shore and grabbed a piece of drift wood to fight, but it turned and swam away.  I went back to the boat and opened the manual, did you know that the worse encounter of sea snake is between Whitsunday Island and Thailand, and we were as far north as we could go in the Whitsundays, also that they would chase you twice and just for good note they kill very quick something like 6 or 8 seconds.  Upon contacting the Australian Zoo they informed me that this was a beak sea snake and I was very lucky. Now ask me would I go back?  I sure would because the people are amazing and the wildlife and nature are some of the best to experience.  A truly beautiful and amazing place, but if you want crazy watch out for that lady Captain from New Zealend, they are on a whole nother level. :)

Where Penguins Fly!!

I took this photo on top of Queen Wilhelmina at Eagleton Vista right before sunset, the wind was cutting right through me and the clouds were zipping by in the foreground you can see large trees laying over each other as if they were nothing more than twigs, the sun finally dropped as did the temperature with icing on the road and the pink glow of sunset to photograph I did not stay long. :)

December 10, 2013

Fishing and kayaking in the winter.

It was truly a peaceful and relaxing evening made even more glorious by the amazing sunset.  We are so truly blessed to live in this great state of Arkansas.  Catching fish, shooting a few rapids and spending time with my wife, God has blessed me so much.  Christmas is upon us and will be gone in a flash, if I could only slow down and savor every moment like today.  I hope everyone has the most wonderful Christmas. 

A drive into new territory.

Well this is my first blog so here goes. Amazing how close these mountains were to my camper, we turned down county road 70 at cherry hill and in a short 20 min drive we were heading into deep woods if we just would get a decent amount of rain i'm sure we could get some decent stream shots. Anyway we didn't find anything to amazing but it's a start, would have had a better chance if we had left earlier, definitely will try this area again.

Does the Buffalo still flow if no one gets to see it?

The beautiful Buffalo River, here we are locked out and dreaming of Fall. To hear the slow flow of the river and the call of a hawk as it swoops by, or the bugle of a male Bull Elk. Sure we could get close but who wants to feel rushed like a thief in the night when all the river asks you to do is slow down and set a spell. We need to remember all the people before us that sacrificed a lot to give us this beautiful place. The beautiful Buffalo River has seen its share of battles but it has generally been supported by both sides of the government. It is a shame to block us out of something that is owned by the people, something that we pay taxes on to manage and maintain not a bargaining chip. A true American treasure that we should fight to protect even from our government if need be. We need to take a page from history and learn to stand up and protect once again our great treasures for if we loose one were does it stop.

Heavens Waiting on a Delivery

"Heaven Is Waiting For a Delivery" - Ouachitas

Early morning fog makes such an amazing photo if you can only capture it, the other morning I was blessed with beautiful display of light. Coming up with a name has always been a challenge and in someways is as important to a photo as the photo itself, as I was working on the photo the mailbox kept drawing me back in, and after talking to a friend today who is going through difficult times this was even more fitting of a name and I hope it touches others as well who are struggling. May you all be touched by Gods Love.

Dedicated to Joann Aynes

PLease share!!

Celebrating Our Fallen Heroes - Fort Smith National Cemetery July 7, 2013

Fort Smith National Cemetery

Fort Smith, Arkansas July 7, 2013

When the first Fort Smith was laid out in 1817, land was set aside for a military cemetery. Granted national status in 1867, the 21-acre U.S. National Cemetery contains almost 10,000 graves -- among them Judge Isaac Parker and "Darby's Rangers" founder William O. Darby. The colorful "Avenue of Flags" is displayed each year on patriotic holidays. It is the oldest national cemetery in the country and one of only two National Cemeteries in the South where both Union and Confederate Soldiers are buried, including some side by side.

This photo was taken a couple days after the fourth of July, but to me it was still an overwhelming experience, there is more than 10,000 headstones of soldiers going back over 200 years representing sacrafices that gives us our freedom today. When our freedoms our challenged I think it is very important to remember what has been given by our soldiers and there families. Maybe a visit to a place like this should be something that we all should be doing I'm glad that I did. This photo in black and white backlit by the sun is to date one of my favorite photos, haunting yet with the shadows very patriotic, I hope as you view this photo it stirs something inside you as it did me, and it makes you proud to be an American.

Buffalo River in the Spring 2013

It was and amazing time to be out exploring the Buffalo for we were blessed with rain and all the waterfalls and the River itself was full of water. Most mornings it was a little chilly but that just meant that maybe the snakes would stay away for a little longer. Nothing like camping out on Steele Creek enjoying the amazing views of Roark's Bluff and listening to the river as its flows by. I had decided to get up at 4 and see if the clouds would be laying in the valley and with that some inspiration to head to Hawksbill Craig for an early morning shoot but it wasn't meant to be so back to sleep for a couple more hours. I did get up at 6 and quickly got dressed and wandered down to the river, it was gorgeous and up a little more than I realized but if I was going to get an amazing elk photo I needed to cross. Well it seemed like a good idea at the time but apparently when it's 34 degrees in the morning an above the waist crossing can be a little extreme ok my brains thinks a lot extreme. Apparently the elk are smarter than me and had decided it was to cold to cross, but not all was lost I spent 3 hours shooting some amazing photos of trails and wildflowers. I hiked back to the campsite to dry off and eat some breakfast and was ready to set off on the next adventure, Double Compton Falls.
It you are lucky enough to go on this hike it will not disappoint even more so if you can catch it with both falls flowing. I can't believe as many times as I have been to Hawksbill Craig that I didn't know this was just up the road, this is such a unique area. My dream is to catch this place in full snow, someday. The hike to Compton
Falls is not to bad if you stay up on the ridge the whole way and you find the trail that takes you down below it. Make sure you allow for plenty of time to shoot here
it deserves it. It was truly and amazing time and I can't wait till fall. I hope you enjoy the photos as much as I did taking them. Until next time happy shooting.

Wildflowers in the Ouachitas of Arksnsas

It is that time of the year when Spring makes everything come to life and all of the waterfalls that I have found will finally put on their best outfit for their new photos. Actually the battle between wildflowers and waterfalls has officially began. An outing with me turns into a marathon using ever ounce of light to do both, but of course the Ouachitas do not disappoint. What new treasure awaits for me around the corner? What new friends will I make? Well only time will tell but for today I'll start with this one.

Icy Winter Photography

If you were willing to brave the cold it was an amazing year to take winter photos.
The train photo was a lucky accident and being in the right place at the right time. I was standing in a creek taking a bridge photo in the snow when I heard the whistle blow and charged up the hill, the photo looks peaceful but add a train moving 45 mph and a bunch of blowing snow and you get a different picture all together. One of the cool things I discovered later is that the train is a Union Pacific train on a Kansas City Southern track. Well I'm off on my next new adventure discovering the many wonders of Arkansas.