Across the Southwest / Adam Schallau

Living in the desert southwest my camera equipment is exposed to harsh conditions. The air is dry and dusty, the two worse elements for a DSLR sensor.

Over three years ago I made the leap to digital and quickly learned that sensor cleaning can be a pain, and down right scary if not done properly. I’ve tried several different methods including brushes and swabs, but nothing felt like the right solution. Many of the products on the market right now are not approved for air travel while those that are (because they don’t require air or liquids) just didn’t get the job done. My biggest problem was that sensor cleaning just wasn’t something that could be done effectively in the field away from a clean environment. Continue Reading »

Mitten’s Shadow ~ Monument Valley, Arizona

Canon 5D, 24-70mm f/2.8L, Singh-Ray 2-stop ND Grad

Twice a year the West Mitten’s shadow is cast onto the East Mitten at sunset in Monument Valley. I was lucky enough to witness it many years ago before I got into photography and I’ve always wanted to get back. Continue Reading »

It has been a wet, stormy summer here in northern New Mexico. Rain clears the air and storms make for dramatic skies, and together they create a neurotic photographer. For two weekends in a row while out shooting I’ve been run off by lightning and heavy rains. When I’m not running from a storm I’m often running towards it in order to capture the best light.