Photography

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“Exploring around the high Rockies, I re-discovered what fuels my fire most: an adventurous life that inspires me to create and share, striving to capture the beauty of the natural world. To encourage and inspire those who have a passion for adventure”

— Brian Hamilton – Skyblue Overland

Photography Tips

Featured

Review: My Experience With Renting Camera Gear From LensRentals

Lensrentals is the largest online rental provider for photography, videography, and lighting equipment and accessories in the United States. This article reviews the Pros and Cons of renting camera and video gear from LensRentals. I’ll also describe the benefits of renting with them, including fast shipping, peace of mind through insurance, LensRentals promo codes, and more.

While there are plenty of online photography courses, being a good shooter and being able to produce a photoshoot on El Capitan assignment are totally different skills. Gear selection and packing techniques are an essential part of getting top results on assignment. In this class, Jimmy Chin invites you into his world, into his gear room and office, to see what he bring and how he prepares for a one-day climbing photoshoot on El Capitan with Alex Honnold. Jimmy covers Gear Essentials and Packing Techniques.

This adventure storytelling course by Cory Richards helps viewers break down the elements of a story, create with purpose, discover what gear they need, uncover how to ask the right questions, and most importantly, see how these skills have been implemented by one of the best photographers of our time.

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Photography Gear

Featured

Manfrotto’s Befree 3-way Live Advanced Travel Tripod Kit is Designed for Versatility

Being a solo creator is easier than ever with the first travel tripod specifically designed for both photo and video. Manfrotto’s Befree 3-Way Live Advanced is an ultra compact travel tripod that gives you the best of both worlds. Perfect for creatives on the move who shoot a variety of content. It features the first ever foldable 3-way travel kit perfect for photo and video creators.

Action X is Shimoda’s ultra-aggressive line of camera bags and accessories. Built off unmatched experience, innovation and a whole lot of real-world testing, this is Shimoda’s new Action Sport-focused adventure camera bag collection.

Designed with legendary photographer Chris Burkard, the Tanuck 40 is the most universal, durable camera bag on the market. Nicknamed the T.A.N. “Tough As Nails”, this certifiably tough and versatile rucksack is a reliable solution for every adventure. Compatible with the Tanack 10 and Kit Cube series.

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Location Reviews and Photo Essays

Featured

Photo Essay: Favorite Photos of 2020

As we all collectively say good riddance to 2020, here are a collection of my favorite photos of the year.

East Inlet Trail to Lake Verna is a difficult, 13.4 mile moderately trafficked out and back trail with a 2,194 ft elevation gain located in Rocky Mountain National Park near Grand Lake, Colorado. An awesome destination for backpackers!

On Sunday, November 22, 2020, I drove up to the park on a beautiful, sunny morning. I decided to hike the Dream Lake Trail in Rocky Mountain National Park, Colorado. The Dream Lake Trail is a 2.4 mile, out-and-back trail with an elevation gain of about 450 feet featuring three lakes, Bear, Nymph and Dream Lakes plus awesome regional views of the park.

Royal Arch Trail is a difficult 4 mile out and back trail located near Boulder, Colorado that features beautiful summertime wild flowers. The destination, Royal Arch, is a local favorite. Many, many stairs to the top for this geological wonder! Great views of the jagged, rugged, Flat Irons & the open valley of Boulder, CO.

Cub Lake Trail Loop is a great hike for those who are looking for a moderately easy hike with lots of wildflowers and wildlife. This hike is also an opportunity to see life return and thrive after the devastating Fern Lake Fire in late 2012.

The Fern Lake Trail is a moderately rated, 9 mile out and back trail with an elevation gain of 1,453 feet and located in Rocky Mountain National Park, Colorado that features several waterfalls and the lake.

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SmugMug Films Photography Series

Featured

SmugMug, Photography

Karen Hutton: Seeing the World for the Very First Time

SmugMug, Photography

In SmugMug’s beautiful short film, Karen Hutton: Framing the Journey, we catch up with Karen on her very visit to Slovenia. Judging from the video footage, Slovenia is an amazingly beautiful place, tucked in between Italy and Croatia. Karen is exploring this country with new eyes, and she hopes to capture this freshness in her shots.

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SmugMug, Photography

Profiles, Photography

The Whistler Backcountry with Mountain Sports Photographer Blake Jorgenson

Profiles, Photography

The relentless pursuit of chance is what lures mountain sports photographer Blake Jorgenson into rare alpine air with nothing but his camera, a vision, and a little luck. Get an inside look at his quest to catch those few and far between moments with some of the world’s top adventure athletes.

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Profiles, Photography

Photography, Scotland, Isle of Skye

Rugged Beauty in the Isle of Skye, A Portrait Artist’s View

Photography, Scotland, Isle of Skye

Echoing the energy of her emotions, self-portrait landscape photographer Lizzy Gadd brings life to the vast landscape of the Scottish Highlands. Wearing vibrant colors, she creates contrast against a backdrop of wilderness, becoming the human element within Mother Nature’s playground. In stark opposition with the scene, Lizzy becomes a portrait of the human experience—exposed and wild.

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Photography, Scotland, Isle of Skye

Photography, Iceland

Conquering Fears in the Icelandic Wild

Photography, Iceland

For sheer adventure, it doesn’t get any better than heading out to explore the rugged terrain of remote Iceland. In the breathtaking film, Climbing Ice – The Icelandic Trifecta, we follow two free-spirited ice climbers as they set out to tackle some of the most amazing climbs ever documented.

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Photography, Iceland

Photography, Surfing, Norway

Surfing and Shooting in the Electrifying Chill of the Arctic

Photography, Surfing, Norway

Photographer Chris Burkard and Professional Surfers Patrick Millin, Brett Barley, and Chadd Konig brave sub-zero temperatures in the Arctic Circle to capture moments of raw beauty in conditions that rank among the harshest in the natural world. The bitterly cold seas and wind exact a large price on their minds and bodies, but the reward – adventure, amazement, and self-knowledge – draws them closer together and pushes them to tackle the next frontier in surfing.

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Photography, Surfing, Norway

Photography

SmugMug Films: A Photography Series for those with a Passion to Capture and Create

Photography

From the beginning, SmugMug has been a company built around their love for photography. And it was inevitable that at one point they’d create something that reflects and celebrates that fact. So they created SmugMug Films, a series that that delves into the passion and motivation behind these extraordinary artists and their photos. Ultimately, SmugMug hopes that during these difficult and unusual times this series can find a way to encourage and inspire those with a similar passion to continue to capture and create.

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Photography

Photo Essay: Rogers Pass Lake via South Boulder Creek Trail

Rogers Pass Lake via South Boulder Creek Trail is a difficult, 9.1 mile heavily trafficked out and back trail located in the James Peak Wilderness near Rollinsville, Colorado.

Camera and Lens Rentals

Online Camera & Lens Rentals. Shipped Straight to Your Door. Overnight FedEx Shipping. No Deposit Required. Largest Inventory. No Minimum Rental. Steps: Shop, Ship Your Items, Shoot, Return.

Lensrentals is the largest online rental provider for photography, videography, and lighting equipment and accessories in the United States. Headquartered in Memphis, Tennessee, with a satellite office in Nashville, Lensrentals ships gear to customers in all 50 states and also provides in-person pickups and returns to local customers.

Use the discount code, SKYBLUELENS15 for 15% off your camera and lens rentals.

Checkout the latest Lensrentals Podcast: The Lensrentals Podcast Episode #35 – Nikon’s Evolution from Film to Mirrorless

Browse Lensrentals extensive collection of video and photography products available to rent.

Photo Essay: Mills Lake Trail Gallery

Mills Lake via Glacier Gorge Trail is a moderate 4.9 mile heavily trafficked out and back trail in Rocky Mountain National Park, Colorado that features a waterfall and a lake.

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Featured Adventure Partner: Manfrotto

Skyblue Overland uses the Befree 3-Way Live Advanced, which is an innovative tripod model joining the Manfrotto’s flagship tripod family, Befree Advanced. This unique new tripod is designed for both travel photography and videography.

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Photo Essay: Sky Pond via Glacier Gorge Trail Gallery

Sky Pond via Glacier Gorge Trail is a difficult 9.5 mile out and back trail located in Rocky Mountain National Park, Colorado that features three lakes and two waterfalls.

Photo Essay: Homestead and Mesa Trail Loop Gallery

Homestead and Mesa Trail Loop is a moderate 3.3 mile heavily trafficked loop trail located near Eldorado Springs, Colorado that features beautiful wild flowers. This is one of my favorite trail run routes!

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Photo Essay: Saint Mary’s Glacier Trail Gallery

Saint Mary’s Glacier is a moderate 1.9 mile out and back trail located near Idaho Springs, Colorado. The hike up to St. Mary’s Glacier ascends through a beautiful forest and ends with stunning panoramic views.

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Photo Essay: Cub Lake Trail Loop Gallery

Cub Lake Trail Loop is a great hike located in Rocky Mountain National Park near Estes Park, Colorado. It’s a great hike for those who are looking for a moderately easy, 3 to 4 hour hike with lots of wildflowers and wildlife. This hike is also an opportunity to see life return and thrive after the devastating Fern Lake Fire in late 2012.

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Photo Essay: Storm Pass Trail

Storm Pass Trail is a moderate 14.4 mile out and back trail located in Rocky Mountain National Park near Estes Park, Colorado that features a lake.

Photography

Landscape Photography.

Photography Tips

Photography Gear

Location Reviews and Photo Essays

Featured Adventure Partner: SmugMug

SmugMug Films Photography Series

Photo Essay: Rogers Pass Lake via South Boulder Creek Trail

Camera and Lens Rentals

Photo Essay: Mills Lake Trail Gallery

Featured Adventure Partner: Manfrotto

Photo Essay: Sky Pond via Glacier Gorge Trail Gallery

Photo Essay: Homestead and Mesa Trail Loop Gallery

Photo Essay: Saint Mary’s Glacier Trail Gallery

Photo Essay: Cub Lake Trail Loop Gallery

Photo Essay: Storm Pass Trail