A Western Adventure... A photographic journey

My first travels out west were a trip cross country with Wesley in 1977 (I was only 19)… and what an adventure! I have always felt like a previous life of mine was living in the mid to late 1800’s in the western frontier, if you happen to believe in that kinda’ thing! Things seemed familiar to me even though it was my first time in the west, it felt natural, it felt like…home.

Needless to say, visiting Wyoming and Yellowstone National Park was another trip of a lifetime and again, things seemed comfortable, familiar, peaceful and surreal.

Entering Yellowstone National Park and viewing some "red rocks"....Use your imagination!

I began taking pictures at the age of 14, went to art school for photography and have been taking pictures all of my life. I have been inspired by the courses I am now taking with Sebastian and created this display of the many techniques I have learned over the last few months.

Fumarole or Steam Vents

A fumarole, also called a steam vent, occurs when a hydrothermal feature has so little water in its system that the water boils away before reaching the surface.

Walking the Boardwalks

Walking the boardwalks through Yellowstone was such an experience; the steam hanging in the air created such an eerie atmosphere, especially as you walked at dusk.

The Bobby Sock Trees

Dead lodgepole pines near some hydrothermal areas look as if they are wearing white anklet socks, at one time called “bobby socks.” The dead trees soak up the mineral-laden water. When the water evaporates, the minerals are left behind, turning the lower portion of the trees white.

Artistic Photographic Composite of Yellowstone National Park

Sacagawea looks over the land as if she is a mountain....

The photograph of Sacagawea was taken at the Buffalo Bill Center in Cody, Wyoming during my visit at the museum. This bronze statue portrays Sacagawea, the famed Shoshone woman who safely led Lewis and Clark across the Rocky Mountain wilderness during their trek to the Pacific Ocean from 1804 to 1806.

Indian Statue at the Buffalo Bill Center in Cody, Wyoming

Great Spirit, grant that I may not criticize my neighbor until I have walked a mile in his moccasins. —Native American Plains Proverb

Old Trail Town - Cody, Wyoming

On this site in 1895, Western scout and showman William F. ("Buffalo Bill") Cody laid out the original townsite of Cody, Wyoming, which was named in his honor. Today Old Trail Town preserves the lifestyle and history of the Frontier West through a rare collection of authentic structures and furnishings.

The photographs I took at this location have given me lots of opportunity to experiment with techniques I have learned. The buildings and wagons of this historic town just screamed to me "sepia" and duo-tones.

The three photos above are examples of: 1) Film Emulsion, 2) Duo-tones and vignetting and 3) Duo-tones, lighting and borders. Each one has its own style and look...not sure which one I prefer!

Old Trail Town Photographic Creation

I have always admired the stories of Annie Oakley! So I just had to create a composite to include her in the Old Trail Town.

Annie Oakley (born Phoebe Ann Mosey; August 13, 1860 – November 3, 1926) was an American sharpshooter and exhibition shooter. Annie married Frank Butler, another marksman whom she beat in a shooting match. They joined Buffalo Bill's Wild West in 1885. At 5 feet tall, Oakley was given the nickname of "Watanya Cicilla" by fellow performer Sitting Bull, rendered "Little Sure Shot" in the public advertisements.

Annie Oakley - Billy Rose Theatre Division, The New York Public Library. "Annie Oakley" The New York Public Library Digital Collections. http://digitalcollections.nypl.org/items/9ac4fdb0-60d1-19bd-e040-e00a1806732f

Old Trail Town - Cody, Wyoming
Yellowstone National Park Boardwalk

I took some time to process this photo in black & white to enhance the natural setting of the steam and landscape. The photo in the background was processed in Topaz to give it a "grunge" feel.

Boardwalk along Yellowstone Lake

This photo I processed in black & white and enhanced the natural elements of the landscape. The photo in the background was processed in Topaz to give it a "grunge" feel.

Yellowstone Plant Life
Heart Mountain
Yellowstone National Park using Water Color and Various Filter Effects

To travel and see the world is a treasure one must experience...so get out there and explore, learn, take pictures, create and make memories that will last a lifetime ~ Ash3

Created By
Ashby Presley
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