An annual event I photograph in Albuquerque, New Mexico is the River of Lights. The past two times I have had a chance to test out a new lens. This time it was the Sigma 85mm f/1.4 DG DN Art lens, which I liked from the very first shot I took with it! This lens was as close to the ideal one lens solution as you could get both in terms of focal length (85mm) as many of the light creations are a fair bit away from the walking paths, and the fast f/1.4 aperture for great low light performance and for creating bokeh when possible. Which is your favorite River of Lights display?
The Special Shapes of the 50th Albuquerque International Balloon Fiesta
There were a lot of new special shapes at the 50th Albuquerque International Balloon Fiesta! From animals, to a UFO, to some others not so easily identifiable, I share below my collection of photos of the special shapes as well as the masses of balloons in the air. This year I chose to bring just one lens, my Sony 50mm f/1.2 GM. At first this might sound like a very limited lens to shoot a very unlimited event. Sometimes I prefer this, especially when just shooting by myself, to let the lens dictate how I can frame things. I shot exclusively at f/1.2 as well. What do I look for when framing a hot air balloon shot? I really like to have no balloons over lap, and I do not like balloons half out of the edge of the frame. From there I like to have a focal balloon if there are more than one.
Award Winning Landscaping Photographed for a Calendar
The past two weeks I worked with the Albuquerque Water Utility Authority on a fun photography project to photograph the ten winning xeriscape yards around the city. Home owners submitted their landscaping for consideration, and once the winners were announced, I went out to each property to photograph the yards to be featured on the Water Utility Authority’s website and in an upcoming calendar. The winners were from all corners of the city ranging from Four Hills, to the west side, to right in the middle in Nob Hill. Likewise, some yards were professional designed, while others looked more natural and wild. I also got to see an agave in bloom for the first (and only) time in its 10 year life. I forget the exact name of the agave featured below, but it was something like cow’s ear and is a very special agave I was told. Thank you to the team at the Water Utility Authority for choosing me as the photographer for this project!
Being involved with certain clubs and groups in Albuquerque affords me some unique opportunities from time to time. One such opportunity was to be able to drive my BMW M3 on the Isotopes baseball field for a women in sports event. I had a UNM softball player in coach in the car with me as we drove around the perimeter of the field. I naturally had my camera with me and got what shots I could while still behind the wheel. It was definitely a unique driving experience I will not forget! Thank you to the BMW CCA of New Mexico, Sandia BMW, and the Isotopes!
Photography is a gift that lasts all year & beyond!
Give a unique gift this holiday season! Jason Collin Photography is offering gift certificates for any of its New Mexico photography services and fine art prints. You will be emailed a PDF gift certificate that can be printed out and wrapped up!
If you live in Albuquerque, New Mexico, you are living in a pretty unique geographical and topographical setting. To the east, the border is the Sandia Mountains. To the west, the Rio Grande River. Then just beyond the Rio, you will see a few short looking black tips in the desert. If you did not know it, they are actually volcanoes. So in less than 20 miles you have mountains, river, volcanoes. Can you name another place like that?
Bringing the River of Lights into the City in ABQ 2020
One of the annual holiday traditions in Albuquerque is the River of Lights at the ABQ BioPark, which is a vast Christmas lights display. I went back in 2018 with a 50mm lens and photographed dinosaurs, a sleepy cowboy, and all sorts of flora and fauna. WIth Covid-19, the usual crowded light viewing experience is not possible, so the park shared some of its illuminated creations with store fronts in the Nob Hill area of Albuquerque. This is why the T-Rex now stalks freely in the city, horny toads eat plants in consignment shops, and a train crosses right over Central Ave.
