While attending the National Geographic photo seminar, the presentation by Michael Ravine, advanced projects manager for Malin space science systems, was definitely a highlight.
He’s the man behind the cameras on the Mars rover Curiosity.
After showing incredible images from our solar system and talking about the cameras that created them, he showed a video shot by a camera mounted on the underside of Curiosity as it landed on Mars last August. With him giving an explanation of what was happening during the descent, the auditorium was silent as we watched in awe. Truly some  of the most captivating footage I’ve seen.
I found a copy of the video on line that is very close to the video he showed us and I had to share it. The audio isn’t Ravines explanation of whats happening, it’s the voices at mission control.
Starting with the heat shield being jettisoned there is a description of events , the “sky crane” is, while in a hover, the rover is actually lowered by cables to the surface.
A truly incredible accomplishment, and an amazing video.

Curiosity Landing Video.
Enjoy.

Last week I attended National Geographic’s annual business meetings and photo seminar in Washington D.C.
The meetings on the state of the photography business were enlightening, with a great panel discussion with aphotoeditor.com’s Rob Haggart, Rob Henson, and Allen Murabayashi, that held everyone’s attention, and initiated many conversations that evening.
The seminar included presentations that were inspiring and at times breathtaking.
Change on all fronts of the world of photography has not slowed, and these meetings showed Natl. Geo. will continue to be known around the world, for setting the standard in high quality imagery.
Meeting other photographers, hearing their stories, and hearing the passion we share, has me energized, inspired, and looking forward to a productive year.

Kodak Film… ah the good ol days.

Your work is to discover your world and then with all your heart give yourself to it
- Buddha

Smoky day in the Lolo National Forest, Montana.

Judd Bruzgul working the grass.
South Fork, Snake River.

My home range, the Tetons, are dry.
The lack of precipitation in the west this summer has led to large wild-land fires, and a lot of landscape photography killing smoke.
Discussions about when the dry weather will break lead to some reminiscing about a snow storm on this weekend in 2004.
The storm caught climbers in the Tetons by surprise.
I joined my friends  Jenny Lake Climbing Rangers  Scott Guenther and Ron Johnson on a saddle patrol meant to maintain a presence at the government hut at the lower saddle, in case anyone needed help. More snow and wind hit that night, leaving the saddle looking even more wintery, and continued the next day. After a patrol to the upper saddle by Scott and Ron and an all clear call to dispatch, we headed down with a chilly tail-wind and low visibility, but some different looking photos for August.    gw