HARU GA KITA!
Spring is here!
Welcome to the fourth installment of Rising Sun Photog Field Notes — dedicated to the arrival of a new season or “haru ga kita” in Japanese.
Winters grip has left and as the buds begin to bloom, I’m excited to regroup, brace for the buzz of summer and take a bucket list birthday trip.
This month, we’re heading to the Monaco Grand Prix (I’m a Formula One fanatic) and will capture all of the action on and off the track. Then we’re off to explore the French Riviera based from the beach in Antibes — it’s our first trip back abroad post-pandemic and I can’t wait to see what experiences (and photographs) will unfold.
Whether you’re looking to add artwork to your space, need event coverage, editorial imagery, or commercial content — or to take a guided photo tour — I would love to hear from you to discuss how I can help tell your story.
I’m currently booking for summer and fall (engagements, portraits and guided photo tours included), so please reach out ASAP to get a slot on the schedule. Happy offseason!
Adventure awaits, where will it take you?
Craig Turpin
Owner, Rising Sun Photog
@risingsunphotog
Golden Hour
Nick Ramirez recently interviewed me at Shoutout Colorado Magazine to chat about my entrepreneurial and creative role in Aspen, Colorado.
“I strongly believe the result of weighing heavy decisions always pays off and doing so has led me to where I am truly meant to be in my career.”
Rolling Oats
Long-lens landscape photography is one of my favorite ways to capture new images of the familiar sites I see. I’m not the only one who enjoys lugging my Sony 200-600mm super-telephoto lens into the backcountry. Learn more about why you should go for the wide lens from Outdoor Photographer here.
Hanami
It’s the start of Hanami (flower viewing) season, my favorite time of year in Japan. Traditionally known for the sakura, cherry blossom, trees blooming across the country, ume or plum tree blossom viewing is also a popular pastime during the day and at night (yozakura). Learn more about Hanami and how you can enjoy this spring adventure with trees in your area here.
Photo by me - March 18, 1994
CLIENT SPOTLIGHT
CHEF BYRON GOMEZ: 7908
Combining my love for cooking and photography has always been a goal of my professional career and nothing exemplifies that more than working with clients like Byron Gomez, executive chef at 7908 Aspen and contestant on Top Chef season 18. Here are a few of my favorite shots from my Winter 21/22 Menu photoshoot. Follow @chefbyrongomez to see where he lands next.
ASPEN SKIING COMPANY
It was an honor to work on the Aspen Skiing Company’s content crew and it was an epic and very special winter season! The 75th anniversary one, actually. From Aspen Gay Ski Week and the Audi Power of Four to deep powder days and rainbow sunrises, follow @aspensnowmass for the highlight reel and what’s ahead for summer.
CURRENT COFFEE
BONFIRE COFFEE | CARBONDALE, CO
Local purveyor Bonfire Coffee’s Blend X has recently upended a three-month streak of ordering 5 lb. bags from an East Coast roaster. The comforting flavors of citrus and caramel add a bright morning perk to power through the slowly rendering colors of sunrise.
SONY PHOTOGRAPHY
The Sony 24-105mm F4 lens has been a mainstay, mounted to my backup camera (A7M2) for over three years running. It was my go-to lens as a photojournalist and also works exceptionally well. Unless I’m shooting astrophotography or wide-angle sun stars, the f4 aperture is plenty fast (even when shooting indoors). Whether capturing birds on branches or the sunrise, this lens is an amazing addition to my camera bag and one I wouldn’t go into the field without. Learn more about its amazing range here.
MILKY WAY & SHOOTING STARS
Astrophotography is a special subset within the photography world that requires patience, planning and a dash of luck. I’m often asked what settings I use to capture these unique images, and while I’m happy to share the details of equipment and settings with fellow photogs, however, it takes more than a few settings to capture a striking single-exposure photo of the Milky Way. Here is a great guide on how to set up your camera for Astrophotography by Sony Artisan Gary Hart.
PARTING SHOT
This might be one of my favorite long lens landscape images of my career. Pictured here is Sam’s Knob on Snowmass Mountain in the foreground with Garrett’s Peak in the background and the first rays of sunrise splashing across the peaks.