Chayacitra

Fire Photography Series 3 – Spruce Grove Campground

On a recent rip to Spruce Grove Campground in Angeles National Forest, I tried another attempt at Fire Photography. I’m not proud of this series and I don’t think the photos came out very well at all this time around, but I’ve got some ideas on how to make things better for next time. I do certainly like some of the long fibrous looking sparks, which remind me of don Juan’s supposed luminescent filaments. Perhaps he was onto something after all… Fire Photography - Just Getting Started Combustion Inferno Afterglow Read More →

Badwater Basin Photos – Death Valley National Park

Hexagonal Salt Formations at Badwater Basin - Death Valley National Park These pictures of Badwater Basin were taken during a Photography tour through Death Valley National Park on Thanksgiving Weekend in November of 2009. Out of all of Death Valley’s incredible tourist sights that I visited, including Zabriskie Point, Dante’s View, The Devil’s Golf Course, the Artist’s Drive, and the Mesquite Sand Dunes- I most enjoyed the short time I got to spend here. The "Badwater" Puddle - Badwater Basin - Death Valley National Park Badwater Basin’s claim to fame is... Read→

Dantes View Photos – Death Valley National Park

Dantes View - Death Valley National Park - Self Portrait These pictures from Dantes View were taken during a Death Valley camping and backpacking trip in November of 2009. This point was the location used in the original Star Wars movie (Episode IV: A New Hope) for the shot overlooking Mos Eisley- that most “wretched hive of scum and villainy”. Dantes View Overlook - Death Valley National Park Dantes View is at the top of a mountain rising from the floor of Death Valley National Park. The peak sits at 5,475 feet high, and affords an incredible view since the valley floor lies at just... Read→

Fire Art – Series 2 – From Sequoia National Forest

This set of photos is my second attempt at creating interesting images by manipulating fire. The Camping and Backpacking Fire fulfills a primal urge, providing light and heat in a landscape that would otherwise be dark and frigid. These six shots were taken during a recent Camping Trip to the Sandy Flat Campground in Sequoia National Forest. Unfortunately, my Circular Polarizer ($100 lens filter) was destroyed during the generation of these images (due to sheer stupidity). While I don’t think that their quality was worth the loss, I did learn a valuable lesson in the process: never place... Read→

Zabriskie Point Photos – Death Valley National Park

Zabriskie Point Panorama - Death Valley National Park Zabriskie Point was the first major stop on my trip to Death Valley National Park. I arrived just as the sun was getting high enough to allow for strong sky poralization, though just a little too late to capture the longest early morning shadows. I’d love to return some day at sunset to shoot the golds and oranges of the hillsides. Zabriskie Point Lookout - Death Valley National Park Zabriskie Point is comprised of a small part of the Amargosa Range, a series of small eroded mountains. A dry river bed runs through the center of the area,... Read→

Spring Flowers

Early Spring Flower Bloom Now that we’ve turned the corner and put the Winter Solstice behind us, I thought I’d start posting some shots of what we’ve got to look forward to. These flowers bloom every year, right on the side of the road here in Irvine. I would never have noticed them, and in fact, hadn’t noticed them in the 10+ years that I’ve lived here (even though I walk past them daily!), until recently when I started looking for interesting Macro subjects. I find it incredible that so much beauty can be found in such small things, so near one’s house, yet... Read→

Angeles National Forest Fire – Station Fire Pictures

Angeles Fire Damage - Station Fire Aftermath Station Fire Damage - Angeles National Forest Station Fire Aftermath - Angeles National Forest Angeles Fire Aftermath - Station Fire Damage Angeles National Forest - Station Fire Aftermath All shots were taken with Pentax K10D and DA* 16-50mm lens, by Tim Lavelle. I figure these speak for themselves, but everything should look like the green forest in the foreground. I’ve honestly never seen anything like this, and the closest I could compare the area to looking would be that of post-nuclear Hiroshima or Nagasaki. There is nothing left out there.... Read→

Vasquez Rocks County Park, CA – Agua Dulce

Yours Truly At The Top of Vasquez Rocks Vasquez Rocks Park is just a quick drive up the 14 from Los Angeles, and certainly worth the trip. I had never even heard of it until my buddy Chaz found it on Google Maps when looking for return directions from our recent camping trip to Saddleback Butte State Park. On the way home from that trip, we pulled off Highway 14 in Agua Dulce and did a bit of exploring in the area. Vasquez Rocks County Park - Reaching Into the Deep Blue Vasquez Rocks Natural Area... Read→

Tim ADD COMMENTS

Big Pine Creek Campground – The Inyo National Forest

Big Pine Creek - The North Fork Big Pine Creek Campground may be far away from those of you in Southern California, but it’s well worth the extra mileage. At around 4-5 hours from Los Angeles (depending on how fast you drive), Big Pine offers some spectacular scenery, the likes of which are rivaled perhaps only by much further destinations like Yosemite National Park, Kings Canyon National Park, or Sequoia National Park. The scenery here certainly rivals those three bastions of beauty, leaving... Read→

Tim ADD COMMENTS

Camping at Saddleback Butte State Park

Saddleback Butte State Park Panorama Saddleback Butte State Park is essentially like a mini version of Joshua Tree National Park, but with far less variety (in terms of rock formations), and far fewer foot traffic. Though we only stayed two nights, I got a great feel for the place and I’d love to return sometime. For those in search of desert solitude, or Joshua Tree sightings, this place is tough to beat, especially since it’s so close to Los Angeles. Find it in the Antelope Valley,... Read→

Tim 3 COMMENTS

Camping at Boulder Basin in the San Jacinto Wilderness

Boulder Basin Campground Night Sky - A View of The Milky Way My trip to Boulder Basin Campground turned out to be a lot more exciting than I had originally planned for. What was supposed to be a casual camping trip in 70 degree weather turned into a 20-degree white-out snowstorm that I had no idea was coming. Thankfully, as a good Eagle Scout, I live by the motto “Be Prepared”, and travel with all my gear no matter where I’m headed. Directions to the Campground: From the Interstate... Read→

Tim 1 COMMENT

My First SEO Conference

HDR Sunset A few months back I traveled to San Diego for my first professional SEO Conference. It turned out to be an adventure that I’ll never forget. I was sent there to “figure out how to make us money” – according to my boss, at least. Personally, I had hoped to get a glimpse at the future of the profession and the trends for 2010. I also secretly desired a couple minutes of face time with the industries so-called “thought leaders”, whom I could speak to about... Read→

Tim 1 COMMENT

On Fear

Arrakis - The Desert Planet Every Bit As Empty as Ourselves Paul Atreides came so close! But like so many others before him, Frank Herbert’s protagonist from the awesome Dune series (the Muad’Dib himself) looked into the abyss, then entirely missed the point. I’m referring, of course, to one of the most prolific lines from his incredible inter galactic epic; that famous Bene Gesserit litany against fear: I must not fear. Fear is the mind-killer. Fear is the little-death that... Read→

Tim ADD COMMENTS

Island Paradise

The Lookout Point - Ko Phi Phi Don Island, Thailand Shot in February 2007. Pentax K10D with DA 18-55mm Read More →

Tim 3 COMMENTS

Backpacking Point Mugu – Camping La Jolla Canyon

Mount Mugu Summit Meditation Point Mugu State Park Directions: Head 21 miles north from Malibu along the Pacific Coast Highway (Highway1), or South 15 miles from Oxnard along the same. The official address of the Point Mugu State Park is 9000 West Pacific Coast Highway, but you’ll see the signs along the road once you make it to the campground. Point Mugu Campground Details: There are three different campgrounds in Point Mugu State Park, two for car-camping and one for backpacking. Car campers... Read→

Tim 5 COMMENTS

About Me

Vegetarian Philosopher, Photographer & Psychonaught with tons of passion, but little direction. Avid Runner, Backpacker, Camper, and Hiker. Interested in Morality, Psychology, Spirituality, and Religion.