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08 May 2013 - The Lofoten Islands of Norway

I've been travelling through the stunning Lofoten Islands in Norway now for the past 3 weeks, and what an adventure it has been! It's not everyday you see huge 1000 meter plus mountains rising straight out of the ocean, snow covered beaches and frozen lakes around every corner. This is a photographers heaven, but it comes at a price, and that price is called 'patience'.

The weather here in the Arctic Circle is extremely unpredictable and volatile which makes it difficult to shoot. Sometimes the sun will come out 40 times in a day, with either snow or rain interrupting it's shine. It's quite unique. Then there is the cold, the kind of cold that no jacket can keep you warm with. So you shoot until your face freezes.

Inbetween the bad weather though the light can be amazing, and at this time of the year (almost reaching the midnight sun), the good light last for hours. Sometimes its hard to tell the difference from the sunset and the sunrise, so we findourselves shooting all throughout the night until 6am on the odd occasion. Here are a few images from the trip so far, we only have a few days left so I will see what else may come our way.

13 January 2013 - New York New York!

New York really just blew my mind! Everything is enormous, from the shops, to the park, and to the whole Manhatten Island itself. With over 50 million annual visitors and over 8 million residents, the Big Apple is constantly buzzing with an incredible vibe. New York is a global power house and exerts a significant impact upon commerce, finance, media, art, fashion, research, technology, eductaion, and entertainment.

During my 10 night stay I tried to visit most of the hot tourist locations, and along the way tried to snap a few images too! The days were extremely hot and the weather wasn't exactly favourable for photography, but I think I managed to get a few good ones in there. The new Limited Editions will be rolling out very soon so keep checking in for your favourite one!

03 December 2012 - Into the wild - Alaska the last frontier

Alaska is situated in the northwest extremity of the North American continent and is the largest state in the United States. Amazingly Alaska was actually purchased from Russia for $7.2 million at approximately two cents per acre, an absolute bargin!

My adventure began in the last frontier as I crossed the border from the Yukon ~ Canada. Instantly I began to see the vastness of this spectacular land. I continued on to Fairbanks where I tried to adjust to the 24 hours of light. I admit that it was extremely hard to cope as I like to shoot at low light (sunrise and sunset), which meant that sunset was at around midnight and sunrise was 3am. So you could imagine my weird hours of operation!

I continued on down south to Denali National Park which I had been so excited to see. I have never seen so many animals in my life!

I was very lucky to see Mount McKinley on my bus ride into the park as it is usually covered by high cloud around the 6,200m summit (seen above left). Next my adventure continued by sea as I finally return my van after 2.5 months of being on the road. I was setting sail on the Zaandam through Alaka's inside passage back to Vancouver. Along the way visiting many stunning places which are virtually untouched. Glacier Bay National Park was a huge highlight of the voyage. Massive mountains rising from the water, destructive glaciers sliding into the water and beautiful icebergs litering the water. My camera was going crazy!

Unfortunately I didn't have a long stay in Alaska but Im looking forward to the day where I can go back and get lost for a while in this unique place.

25 August 2012 - The Best of Banff

My first impression of Banff National Park……. 'WOW'! I was in total amazement from the time I arrived till the time I sadly left. The park's natural beauty is incredible and the attention to detail by the National Park Service is second to none.

It was my first morning shooting at Lake Louise, I arrived super early so I could get to my position that I had previously spotted the afternoon before. I was the first there and had the lake to myself, and knowing that this area receives more than 3 million visitors each year, I felt humbled to have had this privilege. As the sun rose up through the valley behind me, it started to light up the glacier on top of the mountain behind the lake, glowing fire red and piercing through the cloud covered summits. As I was shooting away, enjoying the moment, a huge thunder-like sound came echoing down the valley like freight train. I immediately looked up to the clouds to see if it was a storm, but then realised it was an massive avalanche, as a shelf of glacier ice fell into the valley below. An amazing experience that I will forever cherish. Above is the digital image I captured from that morning. I'm looking forward to seeing the film shots from the panoramic camera aswell!

Lake Moraine in Banff is just as a beautiful as Lake Louise, just a bit harder to shoot though as the Mountains are so close and shooting spots with good vantage points are scarce. Directly below is the shot I got from my new Nikon D800.

Banff is well worth the drive from Vancouver, or even Los Angeles where I started from! Definitely a top 10 destination to put on your bucket list! Stay tuned for the Limited Editions to be released soon.

02 August 2012 - Glacier's Galore!

The stunning Waterton-Glacier International Peace Park World Heritage site contains 1,800 square miles of what naturalist John Muir called ''the best care-killing scenery on the continent''. Towering summits rise abruptly from the plains and 762 lakes that scatter the park. Dozens of glaciers continue to carve out valleys, and innumerable waterfalls glisten in the deep rainforests. Sounds nice doesn't it? Well it's not, it's incredible!

On my visit, which was relatively short, I managed to find rain for 3 days in a row. Occasionally it stopped, but not for very long. Usually this would be the end for shooting, so I tried to stick to the rainforest as much as possible. Rainforests are always best after rain, everything is drenched and the colours become more saturated, the light is even because its cloudy, so this is the best time to take photographs. It may not look as great to the eye, but the camera loves it! The image below was taken during the rain (cause it didn't want to stop). It was pretty difficult to shoot under a raincoat with a panoramic and a digital camera, but I eventually got there!

The image above of the waterfall, I consider myself very lucky to capture. I was set up shooting looking the other way. A massive mountain towered over a reflecting lake, a scene I would have loved to shoot if the conditions were more suitable, but eventually I turned my head to find this incredible light beaming up the valley over the waterfall. I had no time to spare, so I decided to race over with only my digital camera, leaving the panoramic behind as that takes too long to setup. Moments later the light faded and the shot was gone, so I was extremely lucky to get this image. It will be added to my Limited Edition collection very soon, I just have to work out a name for it, 'Lucky' is looking good right now!

19 July 2012 - Grand is an understatement

I arrived to the Grand Tetons National Park in a massive hurry to photograph the fading sun, but I needed a good vantage point with some nice foreground interest. I quickly worked out that almost every position in this park looks amazing as it is virtually surrounded by huge rugged mountains, standing nearly 7,000 feet above the valley floor. However I needed to find something interesting in the foreground. Driving madly up and down main roads and back roads while watching the last rays and the clouds glow like fire, I knew things were getting desperate. Finally I found a section called 'Mormon Row' which is decorated with old barns and shacks from turn of the last century. I rushed to grab a spot and as I was setting up my gear, the light faded right before my very eyes and was gone before I was ready. After driving 900km that day across 3 States, I was literary 5 mins too late! But at least I had discovered some interesting locations for the next few days.

Exploring around The Grand Tetons is an awe inspiring experience. I found driving quite difficult because I couldn't keep my eyes on the road! The Grand, Middle and South Tetons form the heart of the range. But their neighbours, especially Mount Owen, Teewinot Mountain, and Mount Moran, are no less spectacular. Wildlife is abundant, ranging from Eagles, Bison and Elk, to Black Bears, Grizzlies and Moose, so you always have to watch your back here.

One morning I woke up really early to grab a spot at a popular location called Schwabacher's Landing (seen above), which offers plenty of space around the beaver dam, but only a small 7 meter space had only the best view point of the Tetons in the background. I arrived just after some other photographers and we all set up with our spots. Then came everyone else, and wow did it get crowded! So many people in fact that I had 2 others set up inside my tripod and only 30cm away from my camera. So it got pretty difficult to shoot with others in your space, especially while using a panoramic camera as its very hands on and you need to be in front of it to change the settings. Anyway it turned out to be a very spectacular sunrise as the sun hit the mountain range with a nice red glow to it. So we all went nuts taking our images, it was quite a funny experience actually.

Here are some more images which I captured on my Nikon digital camera, so once again I can't wait to see how the film images turned out. So far I'm very pleased with these ones. Enjoy!

05 July 2012 - 3 International Awards Won

Adam has now officially become an International Award winning Landscape Photographer. He has received 3 bronze awards in the 2012 Epson International Pano Awards for his images of 'Island Hideaway', shot in Phi Phi Lay in Thailand, 'Sacred' a classic image of Uluru, and 'Enlighten' from his hometown in Cronulla. This was the first competition Adam has entered so heres hoping to many more Awards in the future!

'Island Hideaway'

'Sacred'

'Enlighten'

29 June 2012 - Nature in force in Yellowstone National Park

An abundance of wildlife, open valleys, Geyser basins, snow capped mountains, roaring rivers and thunderous waterfalls proliferate the unique landscape of the world's first National Park. Yellowstone is a geological smoking gun that illustrates how violent the Earth can be.

My knowledge of the Park was minimal upon arriving as I hadn't had much time for proper research. I had to adapt as I went, which to be honest, was a stretch as the park is so massive and there is so much to see and do. My first two days were basically researching the best areas to shoot, with general sightseeing along the way like a normal tourist. So many things delight the eyes in the Park, though trying to photograph it, landscape style like I do, I found extremely difficult. Whether it was the wrong time of year or the lack of dramatic clouds in the sky, I couldn't get some of the images I wanted. Nevertheless, I had an amazing time in this land, where my visual and spiritual senses were rewarded. Here are some of the images I did collect.

25 June 2012 - A different world in Page ~ Arizona

Arriving in the town of Page, in the Najavo Nation, my excitement levels were high as I knew of the potential photographic opportunities there were to be had. Horseshoe Bend, Lake Powell, and of course Upper & Lower Antelope Canyons. All stunning locations and I was worried that I didn't have enough time. First thing I did when driving into Page was to look for the Lower Antelope Canyon. I found the Upper easy enough but seemed to be getting off-track as I was heading way out of the area so I began looking to turn my RV around. Then over the hill I spotted a small sign reading Canyon Tours. So I drove in and immediately was greeted by a local Indian man, Lionel Bigthumb. He told me everything that I wanted to hear so I booked a tour with him for the following day and cancelled my other tour which was with 11 other photographers. That evening I spent at Lake Powell and Horseshoe Bend, which are equally mind boggling in both size and grandeur.

The next day Lionel took me to several different canyons, some public, some private, all were absolutely spectacular! I was the only person on the tour so I had the complete benefit of Lionel's expertise to select the best locations at the best times. He even gave me the rare opportunity to photograph particular rooms with no other people there, which meant holding back 50-60 tourist and other photographers while I got the shots that I wanted. Such an incredible experience and I felt extremely lucky to have had those moments.

These images are just a few I've taken, though soon the Limited Edition Photographs will be released which I think are very special moments and images which I will cherish forever. I am looking forward to showing you all the results from that amazing day in the near future.

21 June 2012 - Inside the Canyonlands

Canyonlands National Park is located in southeastern Utah and boasts a colorful landscape eroded into countless canyons, mesas and buttes by the Colorado River, the Green River, and their respective tributaries. The most poular section of the Park is called 'The Island in the Sky', as it is a plateau which sits high above the canyons below like an Island sits above the ocean. Within this section is Mesa Arch (above), and is one of the most photographed areas of Canyonlands. I knew this would be crowded, so I arrived early at 4.30am, it was so dark I couldn't even see the arch! Being there first to set up my cameras, I picked out my position, then watched as at least 20 other photographers slowly followed. As the sun rose, an un-welcomed cloud blocked it out and stopped the famous glow of orange from happening underneath the arch. This event culled the photographers down to 5, then soon after, the cloud cleared and the glow began! Much to my delight.

My tip: Photography is all about patience, when you think you've waited long enough, wait a little more!

16 June 2012 - The Hoodoos of Bryce Canyon

Perhaps nowhere are the forces of natural erosion more tangible than at Bryce Canyon. It's maze of phamtom-like rock spires, or hoodoos, attracts more than one million visiters a year, yet walking through the valley you feel like you are alone with these giants scultured pinnacles.

In the early mornings you can stand for long moments on the rim, transcended by the amphitheater's mysterious blend of rock and colour, an exceptional view that takes your breath away. Everywhere you stand there is an angle to be shot. A normal 2 hr stroll can easily turn into 4 hrs just because there is so much to see and photograph. Every corner there is something new and different, I was continually amazed by this National Park. A must see during late Autumn and early Winter.

09 June 2012 - Turning up the heat in Death Valley

Death Valley is the largest National Park South of Alaska and is known for its extremes. It is North America's driest and hottest spot and has the lowest elevation on the continent, 282 feet below sea level! During my visit I got the full brunt of the heat, with the temperature hitting an outrageous 59 Degrees Celsius, and 64 inside my RV. They were some sleepless nights out there let me tell you!

Shooting proved very difficult when battling with the elements. Wind, heat and dehydration were big factors when trying to get the shot. Even drinking over 8 Litres of water a day didn't help. Dizzy spells were constant and it made me want to run for higher ground in search for a cooler climate. I managed to get out though and get to the spots I wished to photograph, the big sand hills of Mesquite Flat Sand Dunes, the salt lake named Badwater and overlook of Zabriskie Point were my targets, and these are some digital memories I collected along the way.

Death Valley is definitely not for the faint hearted, though a very interesting place if you desire something a little different.

07 June 2012 - In the depths of Zion!

Here in the depths of Zion National Park is a maze of gorges carved out by the Virgin River, which has left a spectacular group of formations that has been shaped over millions of years. This section (above photo) is called The Narrows and requires to venture upstream wading through the water, the level often up to the waist. This had me on edge most of the time as I was carrying most of my camera equipment! Lucky no camera's drowned in the hike.

The scale is immence - sheer cliffs dropping 3000 feet, massive buttresses, deep alcoves. As the canyon widens, the river runs a gantlet of great palisade walls rimmed with slickrock peaks and hanging valleys. Zion is a natural marvel and demonstrates the full power of mother nature.

04 June 2012 - Sequoia National Park Snow Storm

Whilst travelling up to San Francisco from Los Angeles, I heard on the radio that a snow storm was brewing up in Sequoia National Park, a fair way off from where I was going, but I couldn't resist the thought of capturing this beautiful area with snow covering the landscape. So I literary made the next sharp right hand turn!

I arrived very late at night, still dressed in a singlet, shorts and thongs from leaving the OC earlier in the day, to an absolute white out! The next day I was buzzing with excitment to get out there and shoot. Waking up at 4.45am in the snow would normally be out of the question but I was pumped and didn't care how cold it was!

For hours I walked around shooting this magnificent place with snow still falling, and loads of it too. The bottom image has the largest tree in the world in it (middle), called The General Sherman Tree. I shot mostly on film so I am very excited to see the results. Here are are couple of digital images I captured during the session. Enjoy!

01 June 2012 - The beauty of Yosemite National Park

Yosemite National Park is an amazing piece of creation. Large cliffs, tall waterfalls, giant trees, towering mountains, peaceful lakes & roaring rivers somehow come together to create the perfect landscape! Words can barely describe it. I've spent a total of 5 nights in the park and have been constantly surprised each day as I've discovered something new.

Speaking photographically, it wasn't the best time of year to visit with the harse light and lack of clouds, but another trip here in the beginning of winter with a fresh snowfall would be incredible! Sensing another trip in the near future.......??

Below is an image from Tunnel View lookout, a popular spot, but at this stage I was by myself after the other 35 photographers left after sunset. This is a 15 minute exposure under the half moon, not heaps of stars but enough to make it interesting!

15 May 2012 - California & The Big Sur Coastline

Over the last couple of days I have been travelling via motorhome up the Calfornian Coastline from Los Angeles to San Francisco. It is an amazing drive with spectacular scenery along the way. Above is an image I captured on my digital camera of just one small part of the coast called The Big Sur.

Below is McWay Waterfall, which gracefully falls from the rugged cliffs down into the Pacific Ocean, a rare sight to see.

Please stay tuned as regular updates for the next 4 months will be flowing through the Blog.

06 May 2012 - USA and Beyond!

Very soon I will be heading to North America for a period of 4 months to capture the beauty of the dramatic landscapes that riddle this historic land. On my adventures I will be visiting the West coast of the USA and Rocky Mountains, then begin weaving my way up to Canada and Alaska to enter the last frontier. From there I will take to the waters and travel the inside passage back to British Columbia, then jump on the plane and skip across to New York City on the east coast. On the way home, a stop over in Hawaii, visiting Big Island, Maui and Kauai Islands. An epic trip that will extremely rewarding! Business will operate close to normal, just a few changes while I'm away. For any questions, please contact me via email, though there may be some response delay. Watch this space for exciting photos and videos as the trip progresses.

28 March 2012 - Cronulla at sunset

It was a glorious sunset tonight with great colour, texture in the clouds, and even a rainbow to cap it all off. This is a digital image taken on my SRL, but I also took a few rolls on film too. I ran out of battery on my light meter straight after I turned it on, so it was completely guess work with the film camera. So I'll have to wait to see how they came out, hoping I'm better then I think I am!

20 March 2012 - A Starry Night

A full moon over Darling Harbour and the HMAS Vampire, taken during a short break whilst shooting an Awards Night in the Maritime Museum. A prefect night after a wet day, hope you enjoy it!

23 February 2012 - Morning Mist Selling Fast!

'MORNING MIST' has almost sold out at its base price as number 53/75 has just been purchased. This is one of Adam's classic images, taken in the early morning at South Cronulla Beach. Cronulla is a strong surf community where the sea mist and salty water is a way of life. The price will escalate soon so hurry if your interested! Click the image for details.

21 February 2012 - National Geographic Result

Thanks to everyone who had voted for my image 'Frozen In Time' in the Photo Contest for National Geographic. I'm pleased to announce that it ranked in the top 0.5% out of 21,000 entries! Thanks again for helping it get that far, I'm blessed to have such a great support.

18 February 2012 - PHOTO COMPETITION - FACEBOOK

New Photo Comp! Calling all Photographers, from beginners to pro's. Post on our FACEBOOK WALL your best HISTORICAL image, basically anything that shows some sort of history. The top 5 images with the most 'LIKES' will be judged by the team here, the winner receiving a Gift Voucher for $150 to use at Created for Life Print Studio (Australia's best Lab). Comp ends 11.59pm AEDST Sunday 4th March. Go snap happy and start posting! Goodluck too everyone. Click the Image above to get you there!

24 January 2012 - New Video of the 2011 Image Collection

24 November 2011 - Gift Vouchers Now Available

The lucky recipient will have a wide range of uses for the voucher, even an online redeeming option so they can purchase their favourite Limited Edition Photograph through the website. Its so easy! Whether they are a beginner photographer and want to sharpen their skills with a Workshop - or getting married and need Adam as a photographer, there are loads of uses for the Gift Vouchers. Click here to purchase one today!

22 November 2011 - National Geographic 2011 Photo Contest

I have entered 'Frozen In Time' in this years National Geographic Photo Contest, and it would be awesome if you could take the time to vote for it (i.e. 'LIKE' it through the Facebook tab). All you have to do is click on the image and it will take you to the National Geographic Website. Thanks so much for your support!

11 November 2011 - A Day of Remembrance 11/11/11

After recently completing the Kokoda Trail, I've discovered a whole new appreciation for our fallen comrades and the ordeals they went through. I decided to photograph the rising sun today as a symbol of my respect. I deemed this appropriate as 'The Rising Sun' emblem is worn on our soldier's hats. Lest We Forget.

03 November 2011 - 'Island Hideaway' reaches a milestone!

This beautiful Limited Edition Photograph of Thailand's Phi Phi Lay Island has now sold through 20% of its Edition. We are sure it's the first of many for this image! 'Its one of my favourite photos in my collection and one of the most incredible places I've ever visited. I hope you get a chance to go there for yourself and appreciate the raw beauty this place has to offer!' Adam Crews

26 October 2011 - On set for Promo Filming

Just wrapped and packing up after the first day of shooting at Cape Solander in Sydney's south. Adam
(left) with Peter Zappia (right) from Engage Pictures. 'It was a beautiful and calm morning on the cliffs
which made it pleasant for filming. We will be doing plenty of cool stuff during the summer months
for the promo video, I can't wait to show you all the finished product in the new year!'.

12 October 2011 - Moonrise Sunset at Maianbar

An awesome sunset lastnight at Maianbar which is just south of Sydney. This is a digital photo but I also captured it on my panoramic camera, hopefully the colours come out a bit better on the film. Nonetheless it was an awesome scene, just had to share it!

09 October 2011 - Photography Competition - 'BLUE' theme

Its PHOTO COMP time again! This weeks theme is 'BLUE'. Thats right, anything to do with the colour Blue. Simply post your photo on the Adam Crews Panoramic Imagery Wall on Facebook and get your friends to LIKE it. The entrants image with the MOST LIKES will be the winner. The prize, a 30" enlargement of your own winning image, printed on Fujiflex Crystal Archive Paper. Comp ends midnight 16th October 2011. Get posting ASAP!

10 August 2011 - The Kokoda Track

In late August 2011, Adam will be traveling to Papua New Guinea to hike the Kokoda Track. Its a huge quest that he has always dreamed about doing, ‘I’ve hiked so many tracks in my lifetime, from The Himalaya’s in Nepal to the deep valleys in Tasmania, but this is the one that has always been on top of the list!, I can’t wait!’

The Kokoda Track is a narrow, jungle enclosed pathway which meanders through the swampy north coast of Papua New Guinea around the coastal villages of Buna and Gona onto the village of Kokoda. It then snakes its way through almost impenetrable leech dripping jungles along the most rugged terrain in the world over the Owen Stanley Range linking up with Ower’s Corner. During WWII the Japanese Army would use this track to launch an overland assault on Port Moresby which would have given them a base from which to strike at the Australian mainland.

The reason for the trek is to raise funds and awareness for a few charities. Among them are the Cure for Life Foundation and The McGrath Foundation. Two very respected charities that need every bit of help they can get.

The trek organiser, Bill Rigby, who recently has been struck with Brain Cancer, was operated on by Dr. Charlie Teo, a miracle Surgeon who is the creator of the Cure For Life Foundation. Bill would love to return the favour by raising some much needed money.

Bill Rigby has set up an account for anyone who wishes to make a donation, with all proceeds been divided into his chosen Foundations (Cure for Life, McGrath Foundation, NSW Cancer Council, Bradman Foundation, Youth Welfare and the Primary Club). If you would like to donate the details are:

William Rigby Kokoda Account

BSB: 062 204 Commonwealth Bank Australia

Account: 1052 1372

We all would appreciate any contribution made to assist in the development of these Foundations.

Stay tuned for photos and stories from Adam’s Trip in the next couple of weeks!

14 July 2011 - THE FUJI GF670W CAMERA

Just added a new weapon to my arsenal, the new Fuji GF670W! This wide angle medium format camera takes 6x6 and 6x7 images on 120 film. Can't wait to get out there and give it a whirl and try something different with a new perspective!

12 July 2011 - FACEBOOK PHOTO COMPETITION - WATERFALLS

Hey guys, post on the Adam Crews Panoramic Imagery Wall your best waterfall photo and get your friends to LIKE it. Again, the entrants image with the MOST LIKES will be the winner. The prize this time, a 30" enlargement of your own winning image, printed on Fujiflex Crystal Archive Paper. Comp ends midnight 24th July 2011. Goodluck and get those photos up quick! You must become a fan of the page first to enter.

06 July 2011 - EMPRESS FALLS, BLUE MOUNTAINS

Something a little bit different from my normal style, taken yesterday in the Blue Mountains. Great time to get out and photograph some waterfalls. New Competition will be starting this Sunday on Facebook only. So follow the link and become a fan of the page.

04 July 2011 - PHOTO COMPETITION WINNER ANNOUNCED

A huge congrats to Craig White who is the winner of the Photo Comp with his image of Thredbo Ski Resort. We received lots of awesome entries from all you talented photographers! Next Comp: WATERFALLS, so get out there, start shooting and stay tuned for details. Thanks for all those who entered!

01 April 2011 - FACEBOOK PHOTO COMPETITION- Mountains

Show us your best Mountains photograph and get your friends to LIKE it. The entrant's image with the most LIKES will receive a free framed 30" Adam Crews Ltd Edition photo called 'Cool Living', worth $495. So get out there and start shooting, its that simple! Competition ends Midnight 3rd July 2011. Post image on Wall and label 'PhotoComp'. Goodluck!

Winning Prize