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I’ve always wanted to make a photo trip to the Flint Hills Rodeo in Strong City, KS – and this year I finally did. I did get several photos I really like, but that’s about it. I was really hoping for more cowboy characters and rodeo flavor, but I just didn’t get it. I did get a couple $2 beers and met some really nice Flint Hills folks.

It’s taken awhile, but I think I’ve finally overcome my anxiety with using studio lighting. It’s not rocket science – but it still gives this self-taught photographer some head-scratching moments. I did a studio shoot this week in the new Gizmo studio that includes an enormous white cyc. Wow – that beats the crap out of 12-foot backdrop paper.

Here are a couple shots from the shoot. Also used several new PS actions from Totally Rad.

Just got my copy of My Kansas – a 160-page book, published by Midwest Living® magazine that showcases Kansas’ natural beauty and unique character. I was excited to see that the editors chose quite a few of my photos along with photos from my buddy Mike Snell. The book is not available in bookstores, but you can see a preview and order it online here.

I don’t think I have the photographic patience to be a wildlife photographer. You have to scout locations, do your research, and then sit and wait, sit and wait, sit and wait. . . And then you have to be patient enough to leave a shoot ‘empty handed.’ That’s not my idea of fun. I do, however, fancy myself as a pretty good ‘shoot-from-the-car-window-wildlife-photographer.” Sure, I probably won’t ever get a shot of rare or exotic animals – but I’ll snag an occasional keeper. Like this Snowy Egret from Cheyenne Bottoms. My fast and trusty Nikon 70-200mm could have used about 200mm more juice – but I don’t have an extra $5K for a big-daddy lens. Oh well.

I figure if I get 2-3 shot-from-the-car-window-wildlife shots each year – I could design a wildlife book by the time I’m 80 years old.