We woke up to a beautiful rainbow over St. Thomas.

Yellowstone sunset near Grand Prismatic Spring (not pictured). It wasn't easy to get a shot without anyone in the frame.

Five bracketed shots taken on a tripod. Adobe Lightroom, HDR Efex Pro.

Canon EOS Rebel T2i, Tamron SP 10-24mm F/3.5-4.5 Di II LD Aspherical (IF).

Photo Settings: 10mm, f/11, ISO 100.

A Portland sunrise from the Pittock Mansion viewpoint.

Adobe Lightroom CC.

Canon EOS 6D, Canon EF 24-70mm f2.8L II USM.

Cape Arago Lighthouse at Gregory Point.

The lighthouse sits on an island. The bridge to the island was recently torn down and the old foundation for the bridge is in the foreground.

Canon DPP to crop. Adobe Photoshop Elements to slightly saturate and enhance.

Canon EOS 5D Mark III.

Photo Settings: 105mm, f/11, 1/25 second, ISO 100.

Map: 43.3412, -124.3754

The headlands at Cape Arago State Park on the Oregon Coast in the United States.

Several large cracks exist in the rocky headlands. At times giant waves crash in and out making the area fairly dangerous. My wife stands watch as I focus on the shot. Waves hit your feet at times.

Adobe Lightroom 5.2, LEE 0.9 ND Hard Grad, Manfrotto tripod.

Canon EOS 5D Mark III, Canon EF 17-40mm f/4.0L USM.

Photo Settings: 17mm, f/16, 3.2 seconds, ISO 200.

The rapids above Triple Falls in Cascade Locks, Oregon. Taken in late October along the Oneonta Gorge.

As this was taken just before the "rainy" season began, I was able to set up my tripod in the creek without much trouble.

Adobe Photoshop, Adobe Lightroom.

Nikon D7100, Nikon AF-S DX Zoom-NIKKOR 12-24mm f/4G IF-ED.

Photo Settings: 24mm, f/20, 2 seconds, ISO 100.

A panoramic view of Bryce Point shortly after sunrise. Bryce Canyon National Park.

Also take a look at the Multi-Monitor wide panorama version!

Adobe Photoshop CC.

Canon EOS Rebel T3i, Sigma 17-70mm F2.8-4 DC MACRO OS HSM | C.

Photo Settings: 25mm, f/14, 1/15 second, ISO 100.

Although there is certainly a poetry to the world when it's alive and full of people, there is simply nothing that can possibly compare to that same world when no one else is around. It is stripped of the extraneous energy and second hand emotion that occurs when you're lost in a crowd (even if that crowd is small). You're seeing it raw… bare. It's an otherworldly experience to say the least.

Now add sunrise to the mix. That's the time when the earth itself wakes up. Shades of understated grey give way to hues of lilac, violet, and lemon that simply don't exist later in the day. It is the visual equivalent of listening to an orchestra tuning up just before the performance of a lifetime.

This shot features a private boathouse along the main river of Perth. (If you've visited the area, you may know it well!)

At sunrise on this crisp winter morning, it appeared wise… knowing. A loan witness to this beautiful world at this extraordinary time of day, there at the end of that simple, weathered pier.

Camera: GX617; Film: Velvia 50 Slide; Scan: Heidelberg Tango; Post-processing: None.

Taken in late May 2015, this is a shot of the Milky Way over a partially thawed Bow Lake in Banff National Park, Alberta, Canada. Taken just after the Moon had set with some light cloud cover.

Processed in Adobe Lightroom.

Nikon D800, Nikon AF-S NIKKOR 14-24mm f/2.8G ED.

Map: 51.6780, -116.4640

A friend of mine recommended I check out Hug Point on the Oregon Coast. I didn't make it in time to hike to the most popular spot so I made the most out of the beach near the parking area for sunset. I ended up getting some great shots!

Adobe Lightroom CC.

Canon EOS 6D, Canon EF 24-70mm f2.8L II USM.