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Hiking
 Havasu
    by Varina and Jay Patel




                              Hiking Havasu   © Varina and Jay Patel
Smart photographers pack
intelligently. Apparently,
we are not smart photogra-
phers. Our trip into Havasu
Canyon began with a fantas-
tic sunrise – but our camer-
as were packed under pack-
ets of dried chicken teriyaki
(worse than it sounds), our
mini camp stove (which is
much more useful when it ac-
tually works), and extra toilet
paper (need I explain?). So,
we stood by and watched the
sky turn fiery pink. The other
members of our party were
smart enough to keep their
cameras handy, and they were
rewarded with beautiful shots
of the rocky buttes and can-
yons under that sky. Jay and I
have nothing to show for our
arrival at Hualupai Hilltop trail-
head, but next time we’ll know
better. We parked the car, and
prepared for our journey into
the canyon – wishing the sun-
rise had waited until we were
standing in front of a waterfall
10 miles away.                                                                                                                                                 They
After a quick weight check of                                                                             were pleasant traveling companions, and they accompa-
our backpacks (mostly about bragging rights for the person carrying the heavi-     nied us all the way through the canyon until it opened into Havasu Creek, where
est load), the six of us started on our long trip to the campgrounds at the base   we turned towards Supai Village. The hike from hilltop to village is approximate-
of Havasu Falls. We descended from the Hualupai Hilltop along rough trails by      ly 8 miles, so we started early and brought plenty of food and water.
way of a series of switch backs - and with each step came a painful reminder       Supai is home to some 600 people, hundreds of horses, and innumerable
that we would be returning by the same route in 2 days time. Two stray dogs led    dogs. Be wary of the dogs… they seem friendly, but are actually just waiting for
the way – and pretended to be starving when we pulled out our granola bars.


                                                                       Hiking Havasu                                        © Varina and Jay Patel
some unsuspecting hiker to put his pack on the                            the others followed with their gear. In order to capture the images
ground. They are quick to “mark” the bag as                                                         we wanted, it was necessary to stand
their own – seeming not to mind that their “ter-                                                        in the cold water of Havasu creek for
ritory” is now rather damp. One member of our                                                           a long time. Jay and I had neoprene
party learned the hard way… and we quickly re-                                                          socks to wear inside our water shoes,
located our bags to tabletops. The tiny village                                                        and were much warmer than our
has gained a negative reputation in the past                                                           companions – though they didn’t com-
few years, but the locals were polite and re-                                                         plain. We waited for the sun to dis-
spectful to us. The village offers a cafeteria, a                                                     appear behind the clouds or trees so
small grocery store, and a general store that                                                        we could shoot the falls without harsh
sells a variety of items including food and                                                          glare and reflections. Circular polarizer
drinks. After checking in at the tourist office                                                     filters helped reduce glare on the wet
and paying our fees, we ate a quick lunch –                                                         rocks, and enhanced the rich blue-green
then strapped on our backpacks once again,                                                         color of Havasu Creek.
and headed for our campsite 2 miles away.                                                           Later in the evening, we visited Havasu
We arrived at the campsite with tired feet                                                         Falls. This spectacular waterfall is locat-
at around 1 PM, and quickly got to work                                                            ed between Navajo Falls and the camp-
setting up our tents. We chose a site near                                                        grounds. It drops 100 feet from a sand-
the river – strategically located near both                                                       stone ledge into a deep, turquoise pool.
the drinking water and the toilets…in case                                                        We chose to shoot as the sun dropped low
of midnight emergencies. At the begin-                                                           on the horizon – leaving the falls and sur-
ning of March, very few people are in-                                                           rounding area in shade. Even lighting re-
terested in freezing their tails off at the                                                     duces the dynamic range of the image, and
bottom of a canyon, so we were able to                                                          helps eliminate harsh glare in water shots.
be choosy. Campfires are not allowed at                                                        We shot the sunset at the falls, and then re-
the campsites, so it’s necessary to bring                                                      turned to our campsite.
warm clothes and a small cook stove.                                                           By this time, the temperature in the canyon
Newly-built composting toilets were                                                            had dropped substantially. Typical tempera-
clean and well cared for.                                                                     tures for this area vary by 30 to 40 degrees
After pitching our tents, we back-                                                            between daytime high and nighttime lows.
tracked about three-quarters of a mile                                                       Layered clothing helped us maintain a reason-
to Navajo Falls. This beautiful area is                                                      able body temperature. We were lucky to have
hidden behind trees on the side of                                                           warmer weather and beautiful skies during our
the river opposite the path. I acted as                                                     visit, but storms are common at this time of
the guinea pig in my attempt to cross                                                       year, and it is important to be prepared for any
the river - with the help of a conve-                                                       weather.
niently positioned log. My crossing was successful, and


                                                          Hiking Havasu                              © Varina and Jay Patel
At the end of the day, we pulled out our cooking utensils and began to pre-
        pare our meals by moonlight. Our friends lit their stoves and heated water in
        small tin pots, while we tried to light our “highly efficient, space-saving” alco-
        hol stove. After several failed attempts (and a near miss at setting the picnic ta-
        ble on fire) we finally gave up and heated our water over a friend’s (they were
        long-finished by now). We ate our reconstituted meal, and by the time dinner
        was over, our feet and bodies were desperately crying for bed. We crawled into
        our tent, with our cameras and wiggled into our insulated sleeping bags. We al-
        ways sleep with our cameras on cool nights outdoors. They aren’t the best bed-
        fellows, but keeping the camera warm helps extend battery life. We both slept
        well, despite our lumpy companions.
        In the morning, we decided to shoot from the base of Havasu Falls. I crossed
        the river to get a shot from the opposite side, and was thereafter designated
        as willing leader for crossing semi-dangerous waters. The crossing was not dif-
        ficult, but a misstep would have meant a plunge into cold water, and very real
        danger of hypothermia. I took care to avoid damaging the fragile, underwater
        ledges as well. My waterproof shell kept my upper half dry despite heavy mist
        from the falls, but my pants were soaked through by the time I returned. They
        dried quickly – thanks to lightweight and quick-drying synthetic material – and I
        stayed relatively warm. Cutoff gloves with mitten flaps and a water resistant lin-
        ing allowed me to use my fingers to control the camera without sacrificing body
        heat.
        We returned to the campsite for a quick breakfast of oddly purple cereal (oat-
        meal with blueberries), and then headed down-river. Mooney Falls is located
        about half a mile from the campsite. The climb from top to bottom is not to be
        attempted by the weak-of-heart. The “trail” drops 200 feet, and requires pas-
        sage through narrow caves, a descent on a rickety ladder, and a steep climb
        down a sheer cliff face carved with narrow ledges. The locals have kindly in-
        stalled heavy chains so visitors can hold on for dear life while they lower them-
        selves from one slippery “step” to the next.
        When we reached the bottom we gasped our thanks for our lives to the guard-
        ians of the canyon, and headed towards Beaver Falls. We would return to shoot
        Mooney later in the day, when the harsh sunlight no longer touched the bril-
        liantly colored water. The trail from the base of Mooney Falls to Beaver Falls is
        primitive, and required several river crossings.
        We wound over rocky outcroppings and through fields of brambles that


Hiking Havasu                                     © Varina and Jay Patel
scratched at our legs as we passed. Long pants are a must for this hike - and       Mooney Falls – located at the base of the aforementioned precarious climb – is
the quick-drying variety came in useful once again after each river crossing. We    twice as tall as Havasu Falls… and just as beautiful. Large volumes of water and
hiked for several miles before turning back as the sun began to drop towards        a steep drop create impressive clouds of mist at the base of the falls. Photog-
the horizon. We decided to return to Mooney Falls before dark… but not before       raphers should keep their lenses and filters covered when they aren’t in use,
I attempted another guinea pig crossing (this time in thigh-deep water). The        and clean them frequently to avoid spoiling photographs with water droplets.
rest of the crew decided not to cross, and I returned wetter than ever – but cer-   We found that sediment from the water (the same sediment that creates that
tainly not unhappy. That’s what landscape photography is all about, right?          stunning turquoise color) was difficult to remove if it was allowed to dry on




                                                                        Hiking Havasu                                       © Varina and Jay Patel
our lenses. Clean yours frequently – and thoroughly - if you are shooting in the
        mist.
        The return to the top of the cliff was less daunting than the downward climb,
        since we could see where we were going – and we didn’t have to look down
        and see how far we’d fall if we let go. We were able to photograph the interest-
        ing formations along the sides of the cliff from a vantage point half-way up. The
        climb was definitely worth the effort – if only because we proved to ourselves
        that we aren’t big chickens.
        After dinner, we retired early. It’s amazing how well you can sleep on hard
        ground, in cold weather, after a long hike, and a death-defying climb.
        In the morning, we took a few minutes for a quick shoot and a quicker break-
        fast - then packed up our gear and headed back up the trail. We carried our gar-
        bage out and discarded it in trash cans at Supai. The helicopters were a temp-
        tation (you can fly in and out of the village for a fee), but we decided that the
        hike was more fun. The next six and a half miles were relatively uneventful – al-
        though hiking in bright sun with 35 pounds on your back is never exactly easy.
        The terrain is rocky, but not steep, and we covered the distance in good time.
        The final one and a half miles of the trip are by far the most difficult. The climb
        is very steep, and it’s important to make sure you have enough water to make
        the final leg of the trip. We rested occasionally and motivated ourselves to con-
        tinue with thoughts of a big steak dinner, hot showers, and real beds. When we
        reached the top, we rejoiced. Four hours later, we checked into our hotel. We
        scrubbed three days of red dirt off in a hot shower, went and found ourselves a
        juicy steak dinner, and dropped – exhausted – into real beds. We can’t wait to
        return to Havasu Canyon.
        Note: A broken dam upriver caused dangerous flash flooding in Havasu Can-
        yon about a year after our trip. Sadly, Navajo Falls is no longer flowing, but two
        new waterfalls have been created in the area. The beautiful step formations
        you see in some of these photos were destroyed by rushing water, and will take
        some time to reform. We hope to return to photograph the changes as soon as
        we can.




Hiking Havasu                                     © Varina and Jay Patel
Tips for Shooting in Havasu Canyon
•	Extend battery life by keeping your camera warm. During the day, keep it inside your
jacket next to your body, or use chemical heat packs. At night, sleep with your camera
next to your body.
•	Use a circular polarizer when shooting wet locations. The polarizer reduces glare and
reflections, and enhances colors.
•	Use a Graduated Neutral Density filter when shooting sunrise and sunset. This filter
reduces the brightness of the sky, helping the camera to capture a broader dynamic
range without blown highlights or shadows that lack detail.
•	A lightweight tripod is a good idea for a long hike like this one. You’ll want to be
able to strap it securely to your camera bag – especially when climbing down to the
base of Mooney Falls.
•	Use a UV filter to protect your expensive lenses from sediments carried by the
mist. Clean your filters often to avoid build-up of hard-to-clean deposits.
•	Water shoes with neoprene socks help keep your feet warm and protected when
crossing the river.
•	Synthetic materials such as fleece and nylon are lightweight and easy to carry.
Quick-drying clothing is especially useful for river-crossings, and waterproof out-
erwear will protect you from mist or rain. Layer clothing for extra protection and
convenience.
•	Prepare for variable weather conditions. Temperatures can change rapidly in
the canyon.
•	The most difficult part of this hike is the last 2 miles of the return trip. Even if
you leave early, you won’t arrive at the base of Hualapai Hilltop until the sun is
high. Be sure to dress appropriately and bring plenty of water for this leg of the
trip.


Useful Websites
•	Havasupai Tribe Website: http://www.havasupaitribe.com/maps.html
•	Trail Information: http://www.havasupaitribe.com/hiking.html




                                                                       Hiking Havasu      © Varina and Jay Patel
Arizona Dreaming     Navajo Falls       Coloring Book
    © Jay Patel     © Varina Patel      © Varina Patel




The Classic View     The Crossing        Mooney Falls
  © Jay Patel         © Jay Patel         © Jay Patel




  Green Zone          Sediment
  © Jay Patel       © Varina Patel


                   Hiking Havasu     © Varina and Jay Patel
Jay Patel
Seeds of Jay Patel’s appreciation for beautiful plac-
es were planted early in his childhood on numerous
trips to some of the most breathtaking locations on
the Indian subcontinent. His passion for such mag-
nificent places now manifests itself in a continuous
search to capture nature’s majestic specularity with
his camera. Jay’s career in photography began in the
summer of 2001 when he purchased his first digital
SLR. In subsequent years, he spent much time read-
ing photographic magazines and Internet articles
and studying the styles of great landscape photogra-
phers. He has had no formal education or training in
photography.
Contact: pateljx@gmail.com
Website: http://www.jaypatelphotography.com


Varina Patel
Landscape photography is demanding. It is not un-
usual to climb a steep trail and wait several hours
for sunset – despite intense heat or numbing cold
– only to climb back down in the dark without get-
ting the shot because the light wasn’t right. Varina is
more than willing to return to a location many times
if necessary. She doesn’t mind cold hands, wet feet,
muddy clothes, or aching muscles – if in the end,
the photograph makes an impression. She loves hik-
ing long trails through wilderness, crossing rivers
on slippery stones, and climbing sand dunes by the
light of the moon. Varina thrives on rising before the
sun in order to capture those first rays of sun on the
mountain, and she is irresistibly drawn to the chal-
lenge of finding the right light, in the right place, at
the right time.
Contact: varina.patel@gmail.com
Website: http://www.photographybyvarina.com


                                                           Hiking Havasu   © Varina and Jay Patel
Are you ready for more? Check out the rest of our eBooks at
             www.jaypatelphotography.com
             www.photographybyvarina.com




                  Hiking Havasu                               © Varina and Jay Patel

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Hiking havasu album

  • 1. Hiking Havasu by Varina and Jay Patel Hiking Havasu © Varina and Jay Patel
  • 2. Smart photographers pack intelligently. Apparently, we are not smart photogra- phers. Our trip into Havasu Canyon began with a fantas- tic sunrise – but our camer- as were packed under pack- ets of dried chicken teriyaki (worse than it sounds), our mini camp stove (which is much more useful when it ac- tually works), and extra toilet paper (need I explain?). So, we stood by and watched the sky turn fiery pink. The other members of our party were smart enough to keep their cameras handy, and they were rewarded with beautiful shots of the rocky buttes and can- yons under that sky. Jay and I have nothing to show for our arrival at Hualupai Hilltop trail- head, but next time we’ll know better. We parked the car, and prepared for our journey into the canyon – wishing the sun- rise had waited until we were standing in front of a waterfall 10 miles away. They After a quick weight check of were pleasant traveling companions, and they accompa- our backpacks (mostly about bragging rights for the person carrying the heavi- nied us all the way through the canyon until it opened into Havasu Creek, where est load), the six of us started on our long trip to the campgrounds at the base we turned towards Supai Village. The hike from hilltop to village is approximate- of Havasu Falls. We descended from the Hualupai Hilltop along rough trails by ly 8 miles, so we started early and brought plenty of food and water. way of a series of switch backs - and with each step came a painful reminder Supai is home to some 600 people, hundreds of horses, and innumerable that we would be returning by the same route in 2 days time. Two stray dogs led dogs. Be wary of the dogs… they seem friendly, but are actually just waiting for the way – and pretended to be starving when we pulled out our granola bars. Hiking Havasu © Varina and Jay Patel
  • 3. some unsuspecting hiker to put his pack on the the others followed with their gear. In order to capture the images ground. They are quick to “mark” the bag as we wanted, it was necessary to stand their own – seeming not to mind that their “ter- in the cold water of Havasu creek for ritory” is now rather damp. One member of our a long time. Jay and I had neoprene party learned the hard way… and we quickly re- socks to wear inside our water shoes, located our bags to tabletops. The tiny village and were much warmer than our has gained a negative reputation in the past companions – though they didn’t com- few years, but the locals were polite and re- plain. We waited for the sun to dis- spectful to us. The village offers a cafeteria, a appear behind the clouds or trees so small grocery store, and a general store that we could shoot the falls without harsh sells a variety of items including food and glare and reflections. Circular polarizer drinks. After checking in at the tourist office filters helped reduce glare on the wet and paying our fees, we ate a quick lunch – rocks, and enhanced the rich blue-green then strapped on our backpacks once again, color of Havasu Creek. and headed for our campsite 2 miles away. Later in the evening, we visited Havasu We arrived at the campsite with tired feet Falls. This spectacular waterfall is locat- at around 1 PM, and quickly got to work ed between Navajo Falls and the camp- setting up our tents. We chose a site near grounds. It drops 100 feet from a sand- the river – strategically located near both stone ledge into a deep, turquoise pool. the drinking water and the toilets…in case We chose to shoot as the sun dropped low of midnight emergencies. At the begin- on the horizon – leaving the falls and sur- ning of March, very few people are in- rounding area in shade. Even lighting re- terested in freezing their tails off at the duces the dynamic range of the image, and bottom of a canyon, so we were able to helps eliminate harsh glare in water shots. be choosy. Campfires are not allowed at We shot the sunset at the falls, and then re- the campsites, so it’s necessary to bring turned to our campsite. warm clothes and a small cook stove. By this time, the temperature in the canyon Newly-built composting toilets were had dropped substantially. Typical tempera- clean and well cared for. tures for this area vary by 30 to 40 degrees After pitching our tents, we back- between daytime high and nighttime lows. tracked about three-quarters of a mile Layered clothing helped us maintain a reason- to Navajo Falls. This beautiful area is able body temperature. We were lucky to have hidden behind trees on the side of warmer weather and beautiful skies during our the river opposite the path. I acted as visit, but storms are common at this time of the guinea pig in my attempt to cross year, and it is important to be prepared for any the river - with the help of a conve- weather. niently positioned log. My crossing was successful, and Hiking Havasu © Varina and Jay Patel
  • 4. At the end of the day, we pulled out our cooking utensils and began to pre- pare our meals by moonlight. Our friends lit their stoves and heated water in small tin pots, while we tried to light our “highly efficient, space-saving” alco- hol stove. After several failed attempts (and a near miss at setting the picnic ta- ble on fire) we finally gave up and heated our water over a friend’s (they were long-finished by now). We ate our reconstituted meal, and by the time dinner was over, our feet and bodies were desperately crying for bed. We crawled into our tent, with our cameras and wiggled into our insulated sleeping bags. We al- ways sleep with our cameras on cool nights outdoors. They aren’t the best bed- fellows, but keeping the camera warm helps extend battery life. We both slept well, despite our lumpy companions. In the morning, we decided to shoot from the base of Havasu Falls. I crossed the river to get a shot from the opposite side, and was thereafter designated as willing leader for crossing semi-dangerous waters. The crossing was not dif- ficult, but a misstep would have meant a plunge into cold water, and very real danger of hypothermia. I took care to avoid damaging the fragile, underwater ledges as well. My waterproof shell kept my upper half dry despite heavy mist from the falls, but my pants were soaked through by the time I returned. They dried quickly – thanks to lightweight and quick-drying synthetic material – and I stayed relatively warm. Cutoff gloves with mitten flaps and a water resistant lin- ing allowed me to use my fingers to control the camera without sacrificing body heat. We returned to the campsite for a quick breakfast of oddly purple cereal (oat- meal with blueberries), and then headed down-river. Mooney Falls is located about half a mile from the campsite. The climb from top to bottom is not to be attempted by the weak-of-heart. The “trail” drops 200 feet, and requires pas- sage through narrow caves, a descent on a rickety ladder, and a steep climb down a sheer cliff face carved with narrow ledges. The locals have kindly in- stalled heavy chains so visitors can hold on for dear life while they lower them- selves from one slippery “step” to the next. When we reached the bottom we gasped our thanks for our lives to the guard- ians of the canyon, and headed towards Beaver Falls. We would return to shoot Mooney later in the day, when the harsh sunlight no longer touched the bril- liantly colored water. The trail from the base of Mooney Falls to Beaver Falls is primitive, and required several river crossings. We wound over rocky outcroppings and through fields of brambles that Hiking Havasu © Varina and Jay Patel
  • 5. scratched at our legs as we passed. Long pants are a must for this hike - and Mooney Falls – located at the base of the aforementioned precarious climb – is the quick-drying variety came in useful once again after each river crossing. We twice as tall as Havasu Falls… and just as beautiful. Large volumes of water and hiked for several miles before turning back as the sun began to drop towards a steep drop create impressive clouds of mist at the base of the falls. Photog- the horizon. We decided to return to Mooney Falls before dark… but not before raphers should keep their lenses and filters covered when they aren’t in use, I attempted another guinea pig crossing (this time in thigh-deep water). The and clean them frequently to avoid spoiling photographs with water droplets. rest of the crew decided not to cross, and I returned wetter than ever – but cer- We found that sediment from the water (the same sediment that creates that tainly not unhappy. That’s what landscape photography is all about, right? stunning turquoise color) was difficult to remove if it was allowed to dry on Hiking Havasu © Varina and Jay Patel
  • 6. our lenses. Clean yours frequently – and thoroughly - if you are shooting in the mist. The return to the top of the cliff was less daunting than the downward climb, since we could see where we were going – and we didn’t have to look down and see how far we’d fall if we let go. We were able to photograph the interest- ing formations along the sides of the cliff from a vantage point half-way up. The climb was definitely worth the effort – if only because we proved to ourselves that we aren’t big chickens. After dinner, we retired early. It’s amazing how well you can sleep on hard ground, in cold weather, after a long hike, and a death-defying climb. In the morning, we took a few minutes for a quick shoot and a quicker break- fast - then packed up our gear and headed back up the trail. We carried our gar- bage out and discarded it in trash cans at Supai. The helicopters were a temp- tation (you can fly in and out of the village for a fee), but we decided that the hike was more fun. The next six and a half miles were relatively uneventful – al- though hiking in bright sun with 35 pounds on your back is never exactly easy. The terrain is rocky, but not steep, and we covered the distance in good time. The final one and a half miles of the trip are by far the most difficult. The climb is very steep, and it’s important to make sure you have enough water to make the final leg of the trip. We rested occasionally and motivated ourselves to con- tinue with thoughts of a big steak dinner, hot showers, and real beds. When we reached the top, we rejoiced. Four hours later, we checked into our hotel. We scrubbed three days of red dirt off in a hot shower, went and found ourselves a juicy steak dinner, and dropped – exhausted – into real beds. We can’t wait to return to Havasu Canyon. Note: A broken dam upriver caused dangerous flash flooding in Havasu Can- yon about a year after our trip. Sadly, Navajo Falls is no longer flowing, but two new waterfalls have been created in the area. The beautiful step formations you see in some of these photos were destroyed by rushing water, and will take some time to reform. We hope to return to photograph the changes as soon as we can. Hiking Havasu © Varina and Jay Patel
  • 7. Tips for Shooting in Havasu Canyon • Extend battery life by keeping your camera warm. During the day, keep it inside your jacket next to your body, or use chemical heat packs. At night, sleep with your camera next to your body. • Use a circular polarizer when shooting wet locations. The polarizer reduces glare and reflections, and enhances colors. • Use a Graduated Neutral Density filter when shooting sunrise and sunset. This filter reduces the brightness of the sky, helping the camera to capture a broader dynamic range without blown highlights or shadows that lack detail. • A lightweight tripod is a good idea for a long hike like this one. You’ll want to be able to strap it securely to your camera bag – especially when climbing down to the base of Mooney Falls. • Use a UV filter to protect your expensive lenses from sediments carried by the mist. Clean your filters often to avoid build-up of hard-to-clean deposits. • Water shoes with neoprene socks help keep your feet warm and protected when crossing the river. • Synthetic materials such as fleece and nylon are lightweight and easy to carry. Quick-drying clothing is especially useful for river-crossings, and waterproof out- erwear will protect you from mist or rain. Layer clothing for extra protection and convenience. • Prepare for variable weather conditions. Temperatures can change rapidly in the canyon. • The most difficult part of this hike is the last 2 miles of the return trip. Even if you leave early, you won’t arrive at the base of Hualapai Hilltop until the sun is high. Be sure to dress appropriately and bring plenty of water for this leg of the trip. Useful Websites • Havasupai Tribe Website: http://www.havasupaitribe.com/maps.html • Trail Information: http://www.havasupaitribe.com/hiking.html Hiking Havasu © Varina and Jay Patel
  • 8. Arizona Dreaming Navajo Falls Coloring Book © Jay Patel © Varina Patel © Varina Patel The Classic View The Crossing Mooney Falls © Jay Patel © Jay Patel © Jay Patel Green Zone Sediment © Jay Patel © Varina Patel Hiking Havasu © Varina and Jay Patel
  • 9. Jay Patel Seeds of Jay Patel’s appreciation for beautiful plac- es were planted early in his childhood on numerous trips to some of the most breathtaking locations on the Indian subcontinent. His passion for such mag- nificent places now manifests itself in a continuous search to capture nature’s majestic specularity with his camera. Jay’s career in photography began in the summer of 2001 when he purchased his first digital SLR. In subsequent years, he spent much time read- ing photographic magazines and Internet articles and studying the styles of great landscape photogra- phers. He has had no formal education or training in photography. Contact: pateljx@gmail.com Website: http://www.jaypatelphotography.com Varina Patel Landscape photography is demanding. It is not un- usual to climb a steep trail and wait several hours for sunset – despite intense heat or numbing cold – only to climb back down in the dark without get- ting the shot because the light wasn’t right. Varina is more than willing to return to a location many times if necessary. She doesn’t mind cold hands, wet feet, muddy clothes, or aching muscles – if in the end, the photograph makes an impression. She loves hik- ing long trails through wilderness, crossing rivers on slippery stones, and climbing sand dunes by the light of the moon. Varina thrives on rising before the sun in order to capture those first rays of sun on the mountain, and she is irresistibly drawn to the chal- lenge of finding the right light, in the right place, at the right time. Contact: varina.patel@gmail.com Website: http://www.photographybyvarina.com Hiking Havasu © Varina and Jay Patel
  • 10. Are you ready for more? Check out the rest of our eBooks at www.jaypatelphotography.com www.photographybyvarina.com Hiking Havasu © Varina and Jay Patel