You've got a few hours to shoot - how far will you drive for an outing?

[Erik Larsen]

I routinely take an afternoon and drive down to the Moab,canyonlands ,arches area when the weather looks like it might produce some exciting light. I won't get home till late this time of year as the sun sets so late. 200 mile round trip depending on the area I choose. There are certain photographs I have in mind that I have been trying to get for years but sometimes the sky I want and what nature gives me are different I'll keep trying as I enjoy the trip. Traffic is non existent so the drive is pleasurable. My 20 mpg doesn't bother me too much as I enjoy the drive and it's cheaper than a meal and a movie would set me back.

[angusparker]

Once, not long ago, I got the urge to shoot Bodie in B&W with the 8x10 for alternative prints. Got up at 3am and drove straight to Bodie, ~ 225 miles one-way, spent the whole day shooting, and drove back arriving back home at around midnight. Was it worth it? YES!

BTW, I drive a small Toyota Echo which gets ~45MPG so it probably cost around $40 in fuel.

Thomas

Been thinking of doing the same thing .....

[munz6869]

On Saturday, I drove from Melbourne to Meredith in country Victoria (Australia), to make one shot of a 1930's diesel-electric rail motor as it sped past the old (now a private home) bluestone station there. It seemed like a good idea at the time, but I did nearly freeze to death, AND it was a 232km* round trip (longer really, because I detoured home via Geelong)...

In retrospect, I wish I had paused a fraction of a second longer before squeezing the shutter release, for better composition, but at least I got the exposure right.

*144 miles for our non-metric friends.

Marc!

[Michael_4514]

A routine hike in the Catskills is about 250 miles round trip, so that seems about right to me.

[andreios]

I commute 25 miles (40km) one way daily to work. During weekends I am usually too tired even of the idea of sitting behind the wheel. Therefore I am sticking close to home, going out on foot or only for a short drive, usually taking (some of) the kids with me... All the more interesting natural spots (e.g. mountainous areas) are 2+ hours drive, which after a week-long commuting is simply and sadly too much for a roundtrip..

[Matsushime]

I didn't vote, as I will drive a thousand+ miles.

3 weeks ago I drove 10 hours+ one way. It didn't work out. I got back in the truck after 45 min and drove back 10+ hours. About $400 in gas plus $45 for misc. Got nothing out of it, not one pix. Just how it goes, I still gota try. I did my research best I could, but that was how it worked out for me that day.

That is just absolutely insane!

[tgtaylor]

Been thinking of doing the same thing .....

Hi Angus,

If you're looking for company, count me in!

Thomas

[Alan Curtis]

My favorite redwoods are 55 miles up the highway -- an hour away (and some nice ones 50 miles down the highway). Well worth the trip for a couple of exposures -- or just to walk around if the wind comes up or if the rain starts, etc. and not worth bringing out the camera.

Vaughn
I'm going to be your area in a few weeks. Which of the redwoods do you find your favorites? I fully realize that all the good photographs have been captured but, I'm fully proficient at taking mediocre photographs.
Thanks
Alan

[Kirk Gittings]

I have been working on images for a show next year on the Bisti Wilderness. As I am extremely busy these days all I can carve out are day trips. The Bisti is some 258 miles from my house. I tend to target specific images that I think will work, but don't hold myself to that if other opportunities arise or the light is different than i expected. Sometimes I never even get the camera out and sometimes I wish I had a time stretcher. That's an App right?

[John Kasaian]

When I had a job I'd commute 40 miles each way to work (for about 18 years!) through some pretty boring countryside & industrial slums. But upon closer examination it was loaded with opportunities that changed with the seasons (alas, I don't think we're quite zoned for seasons here in the San Joaquin Valley) All needed was the time to stop and shoot (which I never seemed to have!)