This site is for anyone who loves mountains and deserts and landscape photography, but it's especially for a much smaller group of people: those who at one time or another found their way to southwestern New Mexico's Gila National Forest, fell in love with its natural beauty, and wished they could stay forever. I know you dream of a time when you can chuck the unreasonable demands of daily life and head back to the quiet and isolation of the Gila. Enjoy the images here; and keep that dream alive.
The Gila National Forest
The southwestern quadrant of New Mexico is a rare and remarkable area, dominated by the Gila National Forest, which covers 3.3 million acres of rough and rugged high desert terrain that slopes up from elevations of 4,500 feet to reach rocky peaks over 11,000 feet. It includes a surprising variety of landscapes, from sandy deserts and soft grasslands to rugged mountains covered with Ponderosa pine trees.
Access to the area is limited and large parts of the forest are closed to motor vehicles. Many of the roads you can drive on are rough and steep and not well-maintained. It's best to bring a high-clearance, 4-wheel-drive truck or SUV if you plan on getting into the more interesting areas.
The best way into the forest and wilderness is from Silver City, which sits at the south end of the national forest. It's where I live. The town is the site of a small state university and a burgeoning art scene, but its history is steeped in mining, and copper continues to be pulled from ground at several open pit mines.
Photographing the Gila
I don't consider my photography art. I'm not desperate for the dramatic shot (although I'll take it if I see it); and I don't tinker much with my photographs using the popular software that can turn images of the world into otherworldly images. I think the world around me here in New Mexico is beautiful as is, and photos that come as close as possible to what my eyes see are best. And that's what you'll find here.
I shoot with a Canon EOS 5D and a wide angle zoom lens that seems well suited to the task of capturing the vistas, both large and small. I make prints on an Epson Stylus Photo R1800 with archival ink on acid-free paper. If you see one or more images here that you absolutely must have on the wall of your home or office, please contact me to place an order. You'll find more information on my Prints page.
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Juniper and scrub oak dot the dry grass-covered mountainside near Mule Creek, New Mexico.
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