Jim's G string

Hello Rocky and Rocky enthusiasts,

I would like to share one of my songs with you. It's called "Pushing Rubber."
It is a song that I really enjoy singing for people on the river. For a long time it did not have an ending, and in a way it will never have an ending. It is kinda my life story, so as long as I live I will probably add verses or change verses. Whatever happens will happen. Excited to see what that is, aren't you?

Pushing Rubber
by Jim Slaugh

G Em
Pushing rubber down the river of no return
G Em
Hoping that I don't crash and burn
Am C Em
Thinking about the world I left behind

G Em
Once had a girl back in '98
G Em
Told me she loved me but couldn't wait
Am C Em
Well, that's all right cause look where I am now

G Em
Pushing rubber down the river of no return
G Em
Thinking about the times I 've learned
Am C Em
To just sit back and float on down the line

Thought I'd be a business man
Gained a gut lost my tan
Everyday seemed longer than the last

Pushing rubber down the river of no return
Wishing I no longer yearned
To just be free and float on by myself

Well the life I lead is the life I choose
Sometimes I win sometimes I lose
But everyday seems better than the last

Pushing Rubber down the river of no return
Hoping that I don't crash and burn
Thinking about the world I left behind

Better Landscape Photos on your Rocky Mtn. Vacation

Here are 3 ideas that can help you make better landscape images on your Rocky Mountain Middle Fork Salmon River Trip this summer:

1.  Bring a Tripod

2.  Go Manual

3.  Cut the Sky, Emphasize the Foreground

1.  Bring a Tripod.

Tripods conjure up visions of wild-haired photographers buried deep under the black cloth of a view camera, and with image stabilizing and vibration reduction lenses, a tripod might seem silly.  For most people who shoot compact digital cameras something as simple as the $6 Carson HandiPod Mini Tabletop Tripod might be all you need. 

Not only do tripods allow you to take group pictures on your Big Creek hike or shoot those uber cool campfire images at dusk, more importantly tripods force you to slow down and think about composition.  

One of the major advantages of digital is also a major drawback.  With no film to develop it is too easy to get snap happy and tell yourself that you will edit the rejects at home on the computer.  Wouldn't it be better to go home with fewer "throw aways" and more keepers?

Take your time, slow down, use a tripod, and compose an image that you would be proud to show your 10th grade design teacher.   

2.  Go Manual.  

Remember when you learned how to drive a stick shift vehicle?  You, the driver, were in complete control.  You decided when to up-shift as you merged onto the freeway, and when to downshift on a winter snow floor.

Take the control back with your images as well.  Put the camera in Manual mode and have complete control over depth of field and shutter speed decisions.  Dial in a shutter speeds of 1/10 of a second or less and reveal an abstract representation of the passage of time as the Middle Fork rushes past your campsite.

Dagger Falls on June 3, 2009:

Image Info: Canon 20D, 24mm t/s lens, ISO 100, 1/2 second at f22

3.  Cut the Sky, Emphasize the Foreground

For better landscapes cut out unnecessary empty sky space and find something interesting to place in the foreground, especially when shooting with a wide angle lens.

In the images below I limited the sky and emphasized the foreground:

The boulder and green grasses in the foreground keep the viewer's eyes moving around the image:

Stitch the two images together with photo editing software to get a more interesting panoramic image:

Trip Report: June 4, 2009

The Rocky Crew loaded up the trailer and drove through Stanley town on June 3 for the first trip of the 2009 season.  A gallery of the entire trip.

The crew was excited to be back at Boundary Creek, sliding boats down the ramp, and securing gear for a four day Middle Fork trip.

After rigging, the crew wandered up to Dagger Falls. Rocky guide Brian Chaffin checks out Dagger Falls from the fish ladder gang planks:

Todd Jackson building an evening camp-fire.

The sunset at Boundary Creek.

With the water level just under six feet at the Middle Fork Lodge the upper 25 miles were a blur. Everyone had great lines in all the big rapids, Powerhouse, the Chutes, Velvet Falls, and a pushy, boil-filled Pistol Creek. After picking up our permit at Indian Creek guard station we spent our first night at Pungo Cr. camp.

Western Tanangers migrate through the Middle Fork corridor in massive numbers during June, and we saw dozens flitting between Doug Fir branches and Service Berry bushes.

We camped at the mouth of Loon Creek on night two arriving with plenty of time to hike up and soak in the springs.

Telly lining out Kamen on fly-casting basics.

We all appreciated Jim and Dan's exciting Everest stories - especially with the creature comforts of a river trip - you know a fire pan, good weather, shelter, and a cup of coffee.

The grounds at the Loon Creek ranch are green and looking great.

We spent our final night at one of our favorite camp-sites, Elk Bar. High water was still depositing sand for the beach, but as always the downstream view was spectacular.

We kicked off the 2009 season with a great crew: