Fly Geyser/Ranch + Lake Tahoe

[QT Luong]

Does anybody know how to contact the owner of the Fly Ranch (where the Fly Geyser is located). I took an OK image of it years ago http://www.terragalleria.com/america/nevada/black-rock-desert/picture.usnv9129.html
but I'd like to return at sunrise with a wide angle lens.

Also, any suggestions for interesting places around Lake Tahoe at this time of the year ? I am aware of Emerald Bay/Eagle Falls, Sand Harbor, Zephyr Cove, Virginia City.

Tuan.

[John Kasaian]

Tuan,

It might not be what you're looking for, but you might consider Aloha Lake in the Desolation Wilderness. Its part of the Tahoe Rim trail.

If you're going up 80, theres Castle Peak (or is it Castle Rock?) across the hwy from Boreal ski area.

If you're going up 88 through Jackson the area between Silver Lake and Meyers has some interesting sights, especially that big meadow with the old corrals between Kirkwood and the turn off to South Lake Tahoe (hwy 97--Luther pass? gosh I've forgotten most of the roads up there!)

Another place that will get you into the typical Tahoe granite/white fir enviroment quite painlessly is to take the gondola from Stateline all the way to the top----easy hiking to the East Peak lift and theres probably not a lot of crownds during the week now that school is back in session. The Woodfords area and the Carson river are also worth exploring. You can ask at the Cutthroat Saloon in Woodfords for directons to scenic areas only the 'locals' know about (of course they might not tell you anything---very unpredictable those Woodfords folk!)

[John Kasaian]

Come to think of it, if your visit jives with an "s" wave, the East Peak lift might be good place to get some great cloud shots. I think the Heavanly Valley ski resort was a web cam on East Peak you can go to on their website.

[Kirk Keyes]

I was at Fly Geyser a couple of years ago, and there was a BIG, metal fence along the road and an RV parked on the property. Lot's of "No Tresspassing" signs. I didn't go in.

I heard you could contact the BLM office in Winnemucca and get contact info. And of course, there's Bruno's Restuarant in Gerlach that you can ask and they probably know.

Hopefully the BLM will be able to make a land trade of pruchase the property and make access easier for there.

[optV]

Does anybody know how to contact the owner of the Fly Ranch (where the Fly Geyser is located). I took an OK image of it years ago http://www.terragalleria.com/america/nevada/black-rock-desert/picture.usnv9129.html
but I'd like to return at sunrise with a wide angle lens.

Also, any suggestions for interesting places around Lake Tahoe at this time of the year ? I am aware of Emerald Bay/Eagle Falls, Sand Harbor, Zephyr Cove, Virginia City.

Tuan.


I grew up in Gerlach and now live in Reno (about 100 miles south of the geyser). A group of coworkers just went and shot the Geyser with permission. Unfortunantly, I couldn't make it. I'll find out who they contacted and get back to you.

While you're out there, you should definately get some shots of the playa.

[optV]

They contacted the nevada sierra club.

[Keith Pitman]

Try this info:

http://www.largeformatphotography.info/forum/showthread.php?t=18027&highlight=fly+geyser

[QT Luong]

Oops ! I'll self-suspend myself for a week :-)

In the while, here is a riddle for all of you: is Fatali's "Earth Spirit Rising" unmanipulated ?
http://www.fatali.com/giftstore/posters/details.php?pid=7&

[Eric James]

Can't say: Is that the sun to the left, or a fire he's started?

[Brian Vuillemenot]

I smell a dura-log! ;)

[avidphotographer]

Assuming Fatali's picture was taken on the planet Earth, I am pretty sure that when the moon is close to new; i.e. crescent, it would be almost opposite in the sky from the sun. Full/new moon sets in the west when the sun rises in the east.

I think it would be impossible to have a crescent moon and the rising or setting sun 90 degrees or less apart. Regardless of the sun and moon position, I would have bet money that this picture was manipulated anyway. Every picture I have seen from Fatali looks like it has been taken on another planet!

[Kirk Keyes]

In the while, here is a riddle for all of you: is Fatali's "Earth Spirit Rising" unmanipulated ?

I think he faked it too. And this one I suspect also http://www.fatali.com/gallery/details.php?id=75&gid=5& I took compass readings when I was there last year to determine if it could happen, but I have not gotten around to checking on it since...

He's also got the geology wrong on this - "Ancient Sea Beds" http://www.fatali.com/gallery/details.php?id=52&gid=6&
Actually, "Ancient Sand Dunes".

[joolsb]

I don't think it's unreasonable for the new moon to appear that close to the sun. I have observed a similar situation around sunrise at the Winter solstice.

That said, talking about a different picture, he claimed to have made an 'accidental double exposure'. Accidental? Hmmmmm.

However, I'm pretty sure Fatali manipulates his prints to ehance colour. I have seen many other shots by other photographers from the locations he has shot and none show the same degree of colour saturation. Not even Dykinga's.

[Eric James]

There is the issue of lunar position relative to the sun, and then there is the issue of exposure differential - I don’t believe that a crescent moon would take the shape of a sharply-defined crescent on film in the time it took to make that exposure.

The moon can take a curious path. Currently in SE Alaska the moon is rising vertically in the northern sky, then sinking to the northern horizon, but not setting - pure lunacy. This pattern is to continue for some weeks. There’s an article in today’s Anchorage Daily News (www.adn.com). (Warning: you may have to register to find the article.)

Unfortunately, there is no article detailing multi-second exposures rendering a crisp crescent moon on film – also pure lunacy.

[chris_4622]

Can someone tell me how to photograph into the sun and still have detail in the areas that would seem to be in shadow? At least they are in all of my attempts.
Also a couple of images he took two exposures, what is the purpose of that?

http://www.fatali.com/gallery/notes.php?id=16&gid=2&
http://www.fatali.com/gallery/notes.php?id=82&gid=2&
http://www.fatali.com/gallery/notes.php?id=2&gid=2&

[joolsb]

Well, if I want to do that sort of thing, I would use a neutral density grad. Works a treat. I expect he took two exposures of the Havasu Falls shot and merged them later in his darkroom using some form of masking. An ND grad would be almost impossible to use in a shot like that.

[frank_gayer]

Hallo to all from Germany,

is there any update in getting acess to Fly Geyser Ranch ? I know that we have to ask for Bill Spoo in Gerlach. Is this still correct or is there any other possibilty to get in contact with Bill ?

Frank

[John O'Connell]

I'd skip Virginia City itself, though there were some good opportunities just south of it on the approach from Tahoe. My favorite Nevada location when I was in Tahoe was actually about 70 mi east, Thunder Mountain Park. Not your style, but wow, is it bizarre.

[Sideshow Bob]

It has been several years since I photographed Fly Ranch Geyser but there is/was a crane parked close to the geyser. I wonder if Fatali hauled his 8x10 up it to get that perspective? If he did, he a brave sole!

As far as the sun and moon, I guess it’s possible. I took the attached in, I think, July (boy was it hot!) shooting ~southeast and the sun is setting behind me and you can see the moon in the upper left. Rather than speculate, I guess I could email him and ask.

Gale

[Adam Kavalunas]

As far as I know, all of the moons in his shots were put in in the darkroom. A good photog friend of mine talked to him and thats what he said. In regards to the "earth spirit rising"shot, its obviously a secondhand moon, whether a double exposure, or darkroom we can't tell. But when you have a crescent moon showing at sunrise or sunset, the moon has to be quite close to the sun, and more so above it, not on the horzion with it. Same goes for the "back of beyond" shot. Cant have a crescent moon that far away from the sun, especially on the opposite side of the sky. The crescent has to face the sun, thats why its illuminated the way it is.

[Aggie]

Tuan, take Hwy 4 south of Tahoe back down to the bay area. Mosqwuito lake at the top of the pass is a great place. Just can't do it right now unless there is no snow.

I live right by Fatali and know most the people who do his darkroom work. What Fatali says in his gallery and talking up his work and what he actually does are two different things. He takes his shots, scans all of them, then makes digi negs. He manipulates them via the computer, then half the time will ink jet print them. This is not told to the people who buy his pictures. to them there are no filters, no digital anything, and they are all wet darkroom printed. He found people would pay more for the traditional prints. So he flat out lies about his process. He is not well like here abouts. Not only did he try to lie his way out of setting the delicate arch on fire, but he has been known to cut down trees on peoples property if he doesn't like them in the shot. I could go on, it is a long list of things the locals here know he does.

[Bill_1856]

Jim Bridger tol me bout them geezers, with all three of em goin off together, but I knew he was a'lyin. Thur an't no sucha thang.

[frank_gayer]

Hallo again,

is anyone able to update me with new information about access to Fly Geysir ?