Phil Colla

Arches Astrophotography and Night Scapes The American Southwest Utah

Pillar of Stone, Milky Way, Stars and Clouds, Arches National Park, Utah

This sandstone pillar in Arches National Park, which probably has an official name, looks to me like an enormous totem pole. I photographed it at night with a short enough exposure to freeze the stars but long enough that the quick moving clouds blurred across the sky. Lighting was tough…

Phil CollaOctober 11, 2012

Arches Astrophotography and Night Scapes The American Southwest Utah

Balanced Rock and Milky Way at Night, Arches National Park, Utah

Balanced Rock at Night, Arches National Park Balanced Rock rises 128' (39m) above the surrounding land, just off the main road in Arches National Park. It is an outstanding example of erosion and sandstone layering. The precariously perched capstone rock is made of harder sandstone than the layers beneath. As…

Phil CollaOctober 8, 2012

California Sierra Nevada

A Taste of Fall Color

Tracy and I will be looking for fall colors in a different place this autumn: Paris and the Loire Valley. A friend who has just returned from Paris says the Luxembourg Gardens are in magnificent bloom and trees should be turning along the Seine, so we are hopeful for some…

Phil CollaOctober 7, 2012

Arches Astrophotography and Night Scapes The American Southwest Utah

Photo of Delicate Arch and Milky Way, Hiker, Light Painting

Photo of Delicate Arch At Night and The Milky Way Galaxy, Arches National Park, Utah I recently made a short trip to Arches National Park to do some photography. One of the photos I made is a self-portrait, showing me light painting Delicate Arch at dusk with the Milky Way…

Phil CollaOctober 6, 2012

California Surf

Evan Slater, Brock Little, Grant Baker, Tyler Smith, Greg Long, Mavericks 2006

Tonight I received a request for a shot of Evan Slater at Mavericks, for use in an upcoming documentary series on big wave surfing. Looking over some of the shots I made that day, at the Mavericks Contest in 2006, I was struck by how perfect the conditions were. For…

Phil CollaOctober 4, 2012

California Sierra Nevada Yosemite

Unicorn Peak and Cockscomb Peak, Yosemite National Park

Some years ago I stood with my young daughter in the far northwest end of Tuolumne Meadows in Yosemite National Park, watching a group of mule deer graze and enjoying the grassy expanse, when we turned around and realized we had this great view of Unicorn Peak (10,880' left) and…

Phil CollaOctober 3, 2012

Astrophotography and Night Scapes Canyonlands Panoramas The American Southwest Utah

Milky Way Over Mesa Arch, Panorama, Canyonlands National Park

Panoramic Photo of the Milky Way Arcing Over Mesa Arch, Canyonlands National Park, Utah Earlier this year I spent an evening photographing Mesa Arch, the famous and oft-pictured natural stone arch at the precipice of Canyonlands National Park. I photographed Mesa Arch at sunrise twice previously -- quite fortunately alone…

Phil CollaOctober 2, 2012

Astrophotography and Night Scapes California Sierra Nevada Yosemite

Stars Over Half Dome and Glacier Point, Yosemite National Park

Stars Over Half Dome and Glacier Point, Yosemite National Park If you want to be alone at Glacier Point, the popular overlook in Yosemite National Park, there are two ways to have the place to yourself: visit in the depths of winter, or visit in the wee hours of the…

Phil CollaOctober 1, 2012

Canyonlands Panoramas The American Southwest Utah

Sunset at Dead Horse Point Overlook, Utah

Dead Horse Point Overlook, a stunning promontory on the edge of the mesa that is Utah's Dead Horse Point State Park, offers a jaw-dropping view down 2000' to the Colorado River. Canyonlands National Park is visible in the distance. The entire scene is a jumble of convoluted bends in the…

Phil CollaSeptember 30, 2012

Astrophotography and Night Scapes California Joshua Tree The American Southwest

Milky Way Rising Over Joshua Trees

Joshua Tree National Park is the closest National Park to my home, so I visit it several times each year. It is a desert park, arid and sometimes quite hot, and given its proximity to Los Angeles it can be crowded on weekends which makes exploring Joshua Tree National Park…

Phil CollaSeptember 29, 2012

Arches Astrophotography and Night Scapes The American Southwest Utah

Tower of Babel and Starry Night, Arches National Park, Utah

Stars over the Tower of Babel, Arches National Park, Utah The Tower of Babel is one of the most imposing and distinctive sandstone structures in Arches National Park. An enormous narrow freestanding wall or "fin" of Entrada sandstone, the Tower of Babel may, over the course of eons, erode into…

Phil CollaSeptember 27, 2012

Arches Astrophotography and Night Scapes The American Southwest Utah

Landscape Arch and Milky Way at Night, Arches National Park, Utah

Landscape Arch and Milky Way at Night, Arches National Park, Utah Landscape Arch in Arches National Park, Utah, is considered to be the longest natural arch in the world, having a span of 290 feet (89m) . Landscape Arch is gradually falling apart, with at least three sections of the…

Phil CollaSeptember 26, 2012

California Surf

Beautiful Sunrise over the Wedge and Newport Coast

During August I made a few trips up to the Wedge to test out a new surf photography housing. I like to be there early to give myself a chance to see what the ocean is doing between the sand and the jetty, and to warm up and wake up.…

Phil CollaSeptember 25, 2012

Surf

Sunrise Color at the Wedge

Today I was fortunate to meet one of the surf world's great filmmakers: Jack McCoy. He introduced himself to me while I was standing on the sand waking up and waiting for the sun to rise before heading out in the water. A tall, quiet man with a quick smile,…

Phil CollaAugust 20, 2012

Surf

Newport Surf Photos

I tested out my latest Del Mar Surf Housing this morning. I had great light for about 20 minutes right at sunrise, then swam around for a few hours trying to photograph the set waves. I wish I was about 20 years younger, I feel pretty worked over. Thanks for…

Phil CollaAugust 18, 2012

Beautiful Views of San Diego Surf

Patience at Dusk

Blood Red Sunset, Surfers waiting for waves, Encinitas, California. These guys were enjoying the last hour of light, waiting around under the deepening red dusky sky, catching a few waves. Encinitas, California. Two surfers at sunset, blood red dusk, Encinitas. Image ID: 27976 Location: Encinitas, California, USA

Phil CollaAugust 17, 2012

Beautiful Views of San Diego Surf

Moonlight Beach, Encinitas, Sunrise Wave Photo

Sunrise Barrel, Moonlight Beach, Encinitas The surf was small but fun. The water just cool enough to be refreshing but not chilly. No wind, glassy water. Beach empty. I got in the water right as the sun rose and touched the waves. From famous Moonlight Beach in Encinitas, California. Breaking…

Phil CollaAugust 17, 2012

Beautiful Views of San Diego Carlsbad

Carlsbad Sunset Triptych

Carlsbad Sunset Triptych From one of my favorite local beaches, South Ponto. The surf was almost nonexistent so I photographed from shore. See more Ponto Beach photos.

Phil CollaAugust 16, 2012

Environmental Problems Sea Lion Sea of Cortez Underwater Life Underwater Photography

International Conservation Photography Awards 2012

Art Wolfe hosts the biennial International Conservation Photography Awards ("ICP Awards"). One of my images was honored in the 2010 edition of the competition, so I decided to try again this year. My photograph of a young California sea lion entangled in monofilament fishing line, taken in the Espiritu Santo…

Phil CollaAugust 15, 2012

California Underwater Photography

Asferico Photo Competition Segnalato Il Mondo Subacqueo!

I love Italy. And I love photography. What could be better than an Italian Photography competition? Molto Bene! The Asferico photography competition, sponsored by Asferico Magazine in Italy, is an annual display of incredible images by many of the finest photographers in Europe. I have long admired the annual Asferico…

Phil CollaAugust 14, 2012

Humpback Whale

Humpback Whale Breaching Near San Diego

Humpback whales (Megaptera novaeangliae) are found throughout the worlds oceans, but seeing them near San Diego is somewhat unusual. Conventional wisdom has it that humpback whales in California are most often seen in the Channel Islands near Santa Barbara, as well as the central coast near Monterey Bay. However, if…

Phil CollaAugust 7, 2012

Beautiful Views of San Diego Carlsbad Surf

Ponto Magic – Carlsbad Sunset

Ponto in South Carlsbad is one of my favorite beaches simply because I have spent so much time there. We used to live very close to Ponto and it is the first place I tried taking surf photos. We often walk the sand at Ponto, below the bluffs upon which…

Phil CollaJuly 14, 2012

Astrophotography and Night Scapes California Trees White Mountains

Ancient Bristlecone Pine Trees, Pinus longaeva, White Mountains, Inyo National Forest

Ancient Bristlecone Pine Trees, Pinus longaeva, White Mountains, Inyo National Forest Ancient Bristlecone pine trees (Pinus longaeva) live in a relatively restricted area of eastern California, Nevada and Utah, typically at altitudes above 9500'. The ancient bristlecone pine tree is considered to be the world's oldest species of tree (and…

Phil CollaJune 12, 2012

Beautiful Views of San Diego San Diego

San Diego Marriott Hotel and Marina Panorama

This is a panoramic photo of the San Diego Marriott Hotel and Marina viewed from North Embarcadero Park along San Diego Bay's beautiful waterfront. The Marriott Hotel is the pair of curved glass-covered buildings rising directly ahead. Between and below them is Roy's Restaurant. The Manchester Grand Hyatt Hotel is…

Phil CollaJune 9, 2012

Icons Wisdom

The World’s Greatest Photo Subjects

The World's Greatest Photo Subjects. I'm going big with this blog entry! After 20 years of making photographs, I realized I have had the good fortune of seeing some of Earth's greatest natural history spectacles with my own eyes. I looked back and made a list of eleven of the…

Phil CollaJune 8, 2012

Surf

New Surf Photos?

I've decided to renew my surf photography efforts this year, using the new Canon 5D Mark III camera as the workhorse. I am having my surf housing retooled to work with this camera, along with the 15mm fisheye and 16-35mm f/2.8 zoom, and will have it fitted with flash capability…

Phil CollaJune 6, 2012

Yosemite

Yosemite Falls and Merced River in Spring, Yosemite National Park

Yosemite Falls and the Merced River I'm hooked on water in the Sierra Nevada and constantly try to find ways to include water in my images whenever possible. The Merced River, one of the major waterways flowing through the watershed of the western Sierra Nevada, usually flows quite high in…

Phil CollaJune 5, 2012

Yosemite

Sunrise over Half Dome from Glacier Point, Yosemite National Park

Half Dome Sunrise, from Glacier Point, Yosemite National Park I was alone on Glacier Point on the morning I made this photograph. Temperatures were cool but not as chilly as I expected it to be given the altitude, season and exposure of this dramatic viewpoint. The air was clear and…

Phil CollaJune 4, 2012

Astrophotography and Night Scapes Yosemite

Yosemite Falls and Star Trails at Night

Yosemite Falls at Night, with Star Trails and Polaris Yosemite Falls is easily the one waterfall near which I have spent the most time over the course of my life. I am in Yosemite often, especially in spring which is my favorite season to be in Yosemite National Park, and…

Phil CollaJune 1, 2012

New Work

New Work – May 2012

I have posted a collection of newly released photographs from February through May 2012. Included are many night photographs including some from Yosemite, Joshua Tree National Park, Los Angeles and the ancient bristlecone pines of Inyo National Forest. Please take a gander: New Work - May 2012. Thanks for looking!…

Phil CollaMay 31, 2012

Astrophotography and Night Scapes Joshua Tree The American Southwest

Juniper, Rock and Star Trails, Joshua Tree National Park

I made a brief trip up to Joshua Tree National Park recently with Garry McCarthy to do some night photography. In Southern California it is difficult to find night skies that are clear enough for productive night photography and heading east to the desert with its dry air and relative…

Phil CollaMay 30, 2012

Environmental Problems Sea Lion Underwater Life Underwater Photography

Wildlife Entanglement: Sea Lion and Monofilament, Pelican and Shopping Bag

Photos of Wildlife Entanglement in Plastic Unfortunately, I have had a number of opportunities to photograph wildlife entangled in plastic debris. Plastic Debris. We make it, we use it and then we leave it behind. This stuff is killing animals and causing problems everywhere. I find it dismaying every time…

Phil CollaMarch 22, 2012

Sierra Nevada

Lathe Arch, Alabama Hills, California

Lathe Arch, Alabama Hills, Sierra Nevada, California Lathe Arch in the Alabama Hills is one of my favorite natural arches. Lathe Arch is quite accessible but relatively hidden in the sense that it is easy to walk right by it without even noticing it. I first photographed Lathe Arch, along…

Phil CollaMarch 2, 2012

Marine Life Mexico Sea of Cortez Underwater Life Underwater Photography

Panamic Green Moray Eel

Photo of Panamic Green Moray Eel, Gymnothorax castaneus While I was in Mexico's beautiful Sea of Cortez doing some diving last November, I spent time photographing the Panamic Green Moray eels (Gymnothorax castaneus). These eels are quite common, often found underneath large boulders and overhangs. They are typically content to…

Phil CollaFebruary 15, 2012

Sea Lion Sea of Cortez Underwater Life Underwater Photography

Los Islotes, Espiritu Santo Biosphere Reserve, Baja California, Mexico

Los Islotes is a small island at the northern end of Isla Espiritu Santo, near La Paz in the Sea of Cortez. Espiritu Santo Island and Partida Island are two beautiful desert islands, scalloped with gorgeous white sand beaches. Bird nest on their rugged slopes, and cardon cacti grow in…

Phil CollaFebruary 10, 2012

Tear Sheets

Plus One Collection

Plus One Collection Limited Edition Book The exciting new collaborative photography project Plus One Collection has just released its first Limited Edition portfolio. The best part is: the net profits from the Limited Edition Book go entirely to Kiva.org, which provides micro loans to entrepreneurs in all countries and cultures…

Phil CollaFebruary 10, 2012

New Work

New Work – November 2011

I have posted a collection of newly released photographs from November 2011. Included are some dynamite blue whale underwater portraits including several just a few feet from my underwater camera housing, images of the Hotel Del Coronado, sunset and sunrise cityscapes of gorgeous San Diego, and new underwater images from…

Phil CollaFebruary 1, 2012

San Diego

Stock Photos of Coronado, San Diego, California

Stock photos of Coronado, San Diego, California My recent San Diego Magazine cover photo of the San Diego Coronado Bridge has generated some potential new clients for me over the past few days. I've assembled a gallery of Coronado Island photos for them to consider for related publishing projects. We'll…

Phil CollaJanuary 29, 2012

Beautiful Views of San Diego San Diego

San Diego Magazine Cover Photo: Coronado Bay Bridge and Downtown

The February 2012 cover of San Diego Magazine is my aerial photo of the San Diego Coronado Bay Bridge, with the bay and downtown in the background. The boat wake shaped like a heart ("heart" = "reasons to love San Diego", get it?) was the work of the cover illustrator.…

Phil CollaJanuary 27, 2012

Pelicans of La Jolla Seabird Wisdom

Distance, Perspective and the Out-Of-Focus Background

I went down to La Jolla this morning to photograph brown pelicans (Pelecanus occidentalis californicus) with my friend Garry McCarthy. My plan was to test the sharpness of my 500 with a 2x teleconverter** so I had a pretty long setup. In the course of reviewing the morning's catch, I realized…

Phil CollaJanuary 18, 2012

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