Mike Noble Photography: Go West, Young Man!

Abandoned Schoolhouse

OK, I'm not that young. But I did get to make a trip out to South Dakota and then down to Boulder, Colorado. I drove through twelve states in two weeks. Nominally I was going out to Rapid City, SD, to help photograph a national dog show. When I was done with that, I got to visit Badlands National Park and then travel to Colorado to visit friends who live just outside Boulder. This was quite a unique opportunity and I brought a good amount (too much, really) camera equipment to meet any contingency. My theory was better to have it and not need than the other way around.

What struck me most about this part of the country was the vastness of it. Oftentimes, driving through South Dakota or Wyoming, I could look to the left and right and see unimpeded to the horizon. And there was very little in the landscape to place yourself in the 21st century. You could easily travel back in time in your mind and visualize buffalo herds, or wagon trains, or Indian scouting parties traveling on the rolling prairie and grasslands. It all has a haunting loveliness to it.

The first chance I got to do some of my own camera work, I headed for Badlands National Park. I made three trips there trying for the best light possible. I didn't always succeed. I wanted to get a beautiful sunrise and traveled to arrive before dawn. However, dawn came with lowering clouds and not much light. So, I came again later in the day to catch the sunset. This worked. It is a beautiful place and, for a photographer, it takes a long time to drive through because there is something to photograph around every turn.

Badlands NP

I then traveled through South Dakota and Wyoming to Colorado. Some of these shots are taken from the road. I found that I wanted to stop often.

While in Boulder, my friends, Lynn and Brendan, took me up into the Flatirons above Boulder and into the Rocky Mountain National Park.

I loved all of it and Lynn and Brendan were very patient with me as I would constantly ask to stop for a photo op.

I also got to see downtown Boulder, Pearl Street in particular. Lots of shops with artwork of all kinds. There were also some very interesting people who just had to be photographed.

Badlands NP

Rocky Mountain NP

I have to say the the Rocky Mountain NP was absolutely spectacular. Beauty and majesty around every curve. Certainly one of God's masterworks.

I also photographed in Boulder at night which was fun. Actually, the whole trip was wonderful and I have hundreds of inages to prove it. Can't wait to return.