LF Gathering: Alabama Hills, CA May 5-7, 2017

Here we go three years in a row!

WHO: Large format photographers

WHAT: Photography gathering: making pictures, telling lies, drinking wine, beer, and/or other fine elixirs.

WHERE: Alabama Hills, CA.

WHEN: May 5-7, 2017

OTHER: Bring your own cameras, film, tripods, etc. Make your own food, travel, and sleeping arrangements.

Back by request: Since we had a little bit of trouble finding everyone last year, we figured the Tuttle Creek Campground would prove to be a good base station from which to meet. Organizing the Alabama Hills and Joshua Tree gatherings can be a bit of a logistical hassle, as campsite situations change with little notice and there is very limited cellphone coverage (It seems that every year, there are people that cannot locate us, this includes international visitors). So, while not our favorite place to camp, we think it provides the best opportunity for us to meet and organize, which is always a fun part of why we set these events up.

The Tuttle Creek Campground is a BLM campground located just south of Alabama Hills off Tuttle Creek Rd, and about 4.5 miles SW of Lone Pine, CA.
https://www.google.com/maps/place/Tu...8e9dede5fa9018

GPS: 36° 33.902'N, 118° 7.527'W

Cost per site is $5/night, First come, first served

Official Website appears to be down.

As usual, I will try to be there early to set up camp and will update the thread providing campsite information for those that may arrive later. Please feel free to contact me with any questions. I look forward to seeing you all there.

-Daniel

Thumbs up! I am hoping to go as well. I should be able to.

R/
Dave

Cool Dave, looking forward to seeing you out there. See you then.

Daniel - Sorry to say I will miss this one...we will be on the train to the Grand Canyon. Here's to nice clouds and no wind. Joe

I'll miss the May date also...I am delaying my departure for the Hills a few days ...probably Wednesday...due to weather and road conditions, and I am changing the direction of travel. I'll hit Death Valley from the south (thru Mojave), then try Death Valley Road north out of Death Valley itself over to Eureka Valley and out Big Pine. If all that is possible, then I am looking at Alabama Hills around March 5th. The Scotty Castle Road is still closed, but it is open from the south up to Ubehebe Craters and northward on Death Valley Road. Titus Canyon and Artist Drive are both closed, but there are some un-named canyons I want to check out...energy permitting!

While I have to the Alabama Hills many times over the years, I have been checking the place out on Goggle Earth and see a couple of places that look interesting. We'll see what my Eurovan can do!

Vaughn,

No worries, we will just have to set up a gathering in your neck of the woods sometime this year. I'll check in with you later about you availability. Have fun on your trip.

-Daniel

Quote:

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Originally Posted by Vaughn

I'll miss the May date also...I am delaying my departure for the Hills a few days ...probably Wednesday...due to weather and road conditions, and I am changing the direction of travel. I'll hit Death Valley from the south (thru Mojave), then try Death Valley Road north out of Death Valley itself over to Eureka Valley and out Big Pine. If all that is possible, then I am looking at Alabama Hills around March 5th. The Scotty Castle Road is still closed, but it is open from the south up to Ubehebe Craters and northward on Death Valley Road. Titus Canyon and Artist Drive are both closed, but there are some un-named canyons I want to check out...energy permitting!

While I have to the Alabama Hills many times over the years, I have been checking the place out on Goggle Earth and see a couple of places that look interesting. We'll see what my Eurovan can do!

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I have delayed my trip a few more days due to weather. I probably will not be in the Alabama Hills until March 5th give or take a few days, as I will hit Death valley first.

I would love to help organize a photo trip up in my neck of the woods. October is a great month for the redwoods.

Will be in the area for trout opener so should make it to the gathering.

I wish I could go. I'm planning on being there next Christmas break... fingers crossed.

If we do something up vaughns way June and I can be there. October is a great month normally. We will be in the Alabama hills on the 21st or 22nd of March on our way back from the group show in Huntington Beach. That show is on Friday the 17th of March.

Quote:

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Originally Posted by Jim Fitzgerald

If we do something up vaughns way June and I can be there. October is a great month normally. We will be in the Alabama hills on the 21st or 22nd of March on our way back from the group show in Huntington Beach. That show is on Friday the 17th of March.

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Safe travels Jim. If you're able to, swing by the house. I'd love to meet up for a cup of coffee or some lunch or something.

R/
Dave

Cool, I will bring your chair! See you there Forrest.

Quote:

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Originally Posted by Forrest Atkins

Will be in the area for trout opener so should make it to the gathering.

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Would it be helpful to provide an 'itinerary' for locations maybe for the first day in the field? (Location + time)

I'm planning to join you guys. May bring Ari along. See you there!

Just got home from the Hills. Actually, arrived after dark, watched the sun hit the Sierras in the morning and was going to just hit the road. After a couple weeks walking around the desert with the 8x10 I was sort of rocked-out, had enough sun and heat and wind, and there are just so many people there now all the time. I had a long way to drive to get home (~600 miles), wanted to stop in Bishop and still get home the next day.

But I ended up making several images -- my 'new' Fuji 360W was just too much fun to use and I used it for a couple 4x10s -- as well as my Fuji W 250/6.7 . My Fuji W 300 is jealous. Cloud-less, but the morning light was very nice. Some flowers starting. There was even a little water running in for a short way in one of the creek beds. And of course there was a fellow with his truck stuck trying to cross it (tow truck already called). Long shots are getting harder to do without someone's camper, or the like, in one's photos. One wonders how long uncontrolled use of the area will be allowed to continue. Too many of us retired old farts!

Quote:

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Originally Posted by Laura_Campbell

Would it be helpful to provide an 'itinerary' for locations maybe for the first day in the field? (Location + time)

I'm planning to join you guys. May bring Ari along. See you there!

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For folks new to the area, a few snaps from Keeler, Mt. Williamson and Manzanar (thanks Laura).

Attachment 163525Attachment 163526Attachment 163527Attachment 163528

Quote:

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Originally Posted by Forrest Atkins

For folks new to the area, a few snaps from Keeler, Mt. Williamson and Manzanar (thanks Laura).

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I like the idea of taking a Manzanar trip one morning or afternoon. It's a cool area with some unique spots.

R/
Dave

Quote:

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Originally Posted by Forrest Atkins

For folks new to the area, a few snaps from Keeler, Mt. Williamson and Manzanar (thanks Laura).

Attachment 163525Attachment 163526Attachment 163527Attachment 163528

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Sweet images, Forrest!

We're getting spring showers -- don't know if that'll continue into May -- maybe bring rain gear just in case...

The valley and shrub areas in the 'hills are super green this year!

Quote:

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Originally Posted by Laura_Campbell

...maybe bring rain gear just in case...

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Looks like it's going to be a wet Sunday. :cool:

In March there still was some water in the creek that runs thru the Hills -- with the obligatory 4x4 stuck in the creek!

Enjoy your time out there -- rain! You lucky ones!

Quote:

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Originally Posted by Vaughn

In March there still was some water in the creek that runs thru the Hills -- with the obligatory 4x4 stuck in the creek!

Enjoy your time out there -- rain! You lucky ones!

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Did someone say "Mud Bogging"?! :D

Need to remind myself to bring my Pull Pal.

Quote:

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Originally Posted by ghostcount

Did someone say "Mud Bogging"?! :D

Need to remind myself to bring my Pull Pal.

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No...just some young kid in a 4-runner type who obviously is clue-less about how to use his machine to get from point A to Point B. He tried turning around in the creek bed. Getting stuck there took some effort, I'll admire him for that!

We had another terrific light show at Alabama Hills! We had a great turnout and it was a blast meeting and shooting with everyone; an by blast, I mean 25 mph winds!

Below are some pictures. I hope to do this again soon:

http://i.imgur.com/oKEScxu.jpg

http://i.imgur.com/jbkDbFr.jpg

http://i.imgur.com/nAJQ1s4.jpg

-Daniel

Some more:

http://i.imgur.com/CHuFTbN.jpg

http://i.imgur.com/cVeAh1B.jpg

http://i.imgur.com/SPsBF0F.jpg

Great stuff Dan.

Some more...

http://i.imgur.com/Rqvx8kf.jpg

http://i.imgur.com/fXEyb3i.jpg

http://i.imgur.com/SCGyUCL.jpg

http://i.imgur.com/D9tTpUN.jpg

http://i.imgur.com/pRfDmuq.jpg

http://i.imgur.com/U7aXRXh.jpg