Air travel is becoming more of a chore and with the summer travel season upon us it is nice to know you can still find out about the better seats on the aircraft for free using Seatguru , the Linking the Week site for this final day of June.

I have been using Seatguru almost since its inception in 2001.  Traveling many thousands of miles a year for work in my previous career, I used it as a tool when selecting seats and avoided those window seats which may not have a view outside the aircraft.  Seatguru will also indicate the rows which do not recline, if you will get a little more legroom on an aircraft by selecting a specific seat as well as many other items which seem small but help with air travel.  With some airlines, these seats do remain free to select but some of the larger airlines do charge a nominal fee as well for selecting a little better seat.

Seatguru covers the main airlines in the United States, including my current preferred carrier Frontier Airlines , and more many airlines throughout the world.

Heil Valley Ranch north of Boulder, Colorado was the group hike location this past weekend for Hike for Discovery gang. This nearly 5,000 acre open space park is in the lower foothills of Boulder County and attracts a wide range of wildlife, from rabbits and deer to bears and mountain lions. In the winter Elk migrating from the Indian Peaks Wilderness find their way to this open space location as well. With this wide range of species present there are plenty of warning signs for people using the open space.

Starting off at the first trailhead location we counted off and prepared for a warm day on the trails. Our first destination was the Lichen Trail which allowed us to see the changes in the geology was quite well with the different color of dirt on the trail. Upon completion of the 1.3 mile loop we ended up back at where we started and quickly joked about being done for the day, which was far from the truth for today. It was at this time we started up the Wapiti Trail now in some instances yielding to bicyclists. Hiking up a fire road, across meadows, over a small bridge with wild grapes growing near and into the ponderosa pines we progressed up the trail for 2.5 miles. As we reached the Ponderosa Loop some of the group went along the Ponderosa Trail to the overlook, while I was with the group which took the Wild Turkey loop to the overlook. The difference between the trails was the Wild Turkey loop added a little bit more distance to the hike as well as some greater elevation changes. After hiking the first part of the loop we noticed the hikers across the ridgeline that had gone on the Ponderosa Loop at the overlook meeting spot. The overlook was the spot for lunch, snacks and more so water during the hike. From the overlook we could see Longs Peak once again in the distance, some other peaks in the Indian Peaks Wilderness, as well as the general area of last weeks group hike.

After the break we completed the Wild Turkey loop which was a total of 2.9 miles and started back down towards the trailhead on the Wapiti Trail. Towards the end of the trail we left the pines and emptied out into small meadows which allowed us to quickly feel the warmness of the day, but an occasional breeze did help the situation.

As we made it back to the fire road our hike leader Zoe decided to throw in another Lichen Loop for us so we could add another 1.3 miles to the hike. With the gradual up and down on the trail it seemed more like interval training at that stage of the day.

Anyways we completed the loops and were ready to head back to the trail head for good this time and go to a nearby Mexican restaurant to get a bite to eat, a drink of water and possibly something stronger. For the day we did a little over 10.5 miles in summer conditions, which weren’t that bad as they originally forecasted the day being warmer.

Hike for Discovery is the endurance hiking fundraising program for the Leukemia & Lymphoma Society . If you would like to donate as I raise money for the LLS visit the Neil Corman Hike for Discovery Donation page . I thank you for supporting my hiking this summer and more so the LLS.

Gas prices are rising, and the summer is here in the Denver metro area.  Why not combine the two and take part in the annual DRCOG Bike to Work Day sponsored by the Denver Regional Council of Governments this Wednesday June 23rd.  In 2007 over 20,000 people participated in the event and this year there should be plenty more.  Denver and Boulder are the focus areas for commutes, but most locations in the metro area are accessible by bicycle.

Visit the Denver Bike to Work Day to register as a participant and find more information including the many locations of breakfast stations, prizes, tips on handling the commute as well as links to sites to help you plan your route.  When planning your ride be sure to take advantage of the many bike corridors within the Denver area, and of course be sure to wear a helmet for your safety.  My previous linking the week post on the Bicycle Helmet Safety Institute has more information regarding helmet safety.

As I work from home, I won’t be commuting to my office by bicycle but my foot like every day.  However I will plan on taking a ride on the Cherry Creek Bike Path during the day.

Lesley Kerr is the first photographer to take part of the monthly f/22 focus. Lesley is a talented individual living in the Atlanta, Georgia area and her business, Lesley Kerr Photography, specializes in High School Senior Portraits, as well as fine art images. I had the privilege to meet Lesley late in the summer of 2007 in Missoula, Montana as attendees of the Rocky Mountain School of Photography intensive programs. I have also been intrigued by her visions and how it translates to the images she creates. One day last fall, we learned about cross processing in Photoshop during the day. Lesley immediately went home to try out the technique and I found out the next day she had spent many hours and into the morning hours experimenting. I am not the only person who sees her work and just falls in love with the final product she produces, and wanted to talk to her so you may found out more about Lesley Kerr and her work.

Lesley, how long have you been interested in photography, and what got you started?
I found photography at the age of 12, I remember watching old slides of my dad’s and feeling that I needed to be able to capture the world like he was doing. He let me use his old Canon AE-1 and I would shoot black and whites of the sky. This is of course before the “photography roadtrip” was introduced as I was still quite young.

What exactly is the “photography roadtrip”?
Those are daytrips and so-forth I began to take as I got older to discover new places and things to capture.

Roadtrips aside, currently you are focusing on your business of Lesley Kerr Photography which comprises of senior portraits in the Atlanta area. Are there any other areas you are looking to expand into in the future?
I really love photographing couples. Just watching and experiencing the bond between two people is beautiful to me. I love maternity, too, for some reason and I will certainly be pursuing that market in the coming months. I would also really love to photograph for world vision, one day. That’s certainly a goal and whole-hearted desire.

How would you describe your style?
I’d like to think that my seniors are unique and contemporary. I do not photograph the formal portraits…everything is outdoor and sort of edgy…really casual. I’m always looking for neat textures outside and interesting places.

What photographers do you follow on a regular basis, and what about their work inspires you?
I can’t get enough of Andrea Fleischer ! She has done something really amazing with a scanner and wild creativity. I’m really drawn to artists who are unafraid (of light, of possibility, of making something strange). I think most of my artistic inspiration comes from many different places, photography being the least it seems. I follow a lot of local bands. Hmm, I carry pen and paper with me wherever I go because I am so often inspired when I’m driving by myself in the car or grocery shopping or at a show…places inconspicuous and unexpected. It’s weird how inspiration and ideas are derived from seemingly random things.

In some of your work I have seen you stitched images into a book while other times you are using dyptics to tell your stories. Is there a specific thought process you go through when using theses ideas for the subject work?
I guess I’m always trying to find a way to make what I’ve initially captured more interesting or different, at least. With so many possibilities, whether it’s Photoshop, physical manipulation, or what have you, there are endless ways to turn photographs into something new and different.

What was the last personal project that you photographed, and what inspired you to photograph this subject?
I need to go do a personal project, now that you mention it Neil Corman. I really think it’s so important to do things that will challenge your creativity and your mind. I am always making things, though. With an architect for a father and a seamstress mother, I suppose i have a perpetual desire to create things. Right now I’m working on turning an old box spring into a piece of art, involving small photographs and dried up tree branches, with my dad of course. He really inspires me and he’s my favorite person to collaborate with. I’ll get back to you on that personal project thing, though.

You mentioned Andrea Fleischer as a photographer you follow and some of the items which bring your style. Do you have any suggestions for our readers on how people can find more creativity through their own images?
I think it’s really important to always be challenging yourself. It’s easy to get bored when you find that you’re locked in to a particular way of shooting. Go out and shoot things while lying on your back. Find other photographers to bounce ideas off of. I have a network of photographers that I keep in touch with — we all shoot different things but it’s so beneficial for everyone to know what we’re all up to. It really helps me see things in a different perspective. Lastly, watch your world with verve and don’t be afraid! That is something I’ve definitely had to learn.

Image Copyright Lesley Kerr, all rights reserved.

I would like to thank Lesley for spending some time with me, and letting the readers to get to know her better. I encourage you to check out the two links below to see more of Lesley’s work.

Lesley Kerr Photography – unique high school senior portraits in the Atlanta metro area
Lesley Kerr on Flickr

Look for another f/22 profile on the 22nd of next month.

This month I am introducing a new series on the Images from Neil Corman blog entitled f/22. The word f/22 relates to an aperture setting on a camera lens. In simple terms, the greater the number the more depth of field you will see in an image. When you have an image which uses an aperture of f/2.8 you will normally see elements in the background of the main subject which are out of focus as there is a shallow depth of field in the photograph.

While using an aperture of f/22 not only provides a great depth of field or broader view within a photograph, but it can also be looked at as a worldly view as well. To share this worldly view, each month I will profile a photographer which may be new you as you read the interview. As new photographers are introduced within this series you will gain a worldly view of many talented photographers who concentrate their work in many various areas.

Look for the first entry later today, and on the 22^nd of every month.

I came across the following post regarding common terms used in the context of blogs, which is quite comprehensive.  Due to the high quality of the list, I wanted to share the link.

The Bloggers Glossary

You may have extra non-perishable food lying around, unused toiletries or just finished cleaning out some of those closest leaving you with a stack of clothing to donate.  This Saturday June 21st is a day you can easily donate these items  as the summer drive of 9Cares Colorado Shares takes place.  While this is a smaller event than the winter drive, there will still be many locations on the Denver metro area and Front Range to donate items.  Check out the event page for more information or specific locations, and remember every little bit helps.

9Cares Colorado Shares Summer Drive

This past weekend as I continued on with the Hike for Discovery program, we did a group hike at Button Rock Preserve and Hall Ranch near the town of Lyons.  Starting out with a two mile hike towards the dam, we then proceeded to hike up a trail from the base of the dam to get to lake level and see Longs Peak in the distance.  Longs Peak is one of the options for us on the finale hike in Rocky Mountain National Park this September.  After spending some time at lake level we headed back down to the base of the dam and on the Sleepy Lion Trail.  As we climbed in elevation and higher than the dam we were rewarded with views of the reservoir as well as Longs Peak.

We then reached the cutoff to Hall Ranch where we hiked in the Boulder County Open Space for two miles.  As we headed through trees and finally out into an open meadow we did not realize the view until we turned around and were treated with an unexpected view of Longs Peak, Mt. Meeker as well as other mountains in Rocky Mountain National Park and the Indian Peaks Wilderness.

After a short break we hiked a little over four miles back to the cars and then on for a well deserved drink and meal on a warm June day.  For the day we hiked just over nine miles.

As a reminder, you may take part in my Hike for Discovery experience my donating to the cause on my event page.  The money directly helps the Leukemia & Lymphoma Society and is tax-deductable.

41 years.

Happy Anniversary Mom and Dad!

Love, Neil.

While summer starts in just a few days officially most of us are already in the summer mood. One of the things which come around each summer are Farmers’ Markets in our communities. By attending the markets are purchasing produce you are buying fresh local produce and items, eliminating some of the extra miles place on the road for the transit of goods and of course helping out the smaller farmers.

Here in the Denver area we have quite a few markets open during the summer:

• Ballpark Market – Saturdays 8am – 2pm – Larimer between 21st and 22nd
• Cherry Creek Farmers’ Market – Wednesdays 9am – 1pm; Saturdays 8am – 1pm – 1st and University Blvd.
• City Park Fresh Market – Sundays 9am – 1pm – Colfax and Esplanade
• Old Pearl Street Farmers’ Market – Sundays 9am – 1pm – 1500 South Pearl
• Stapleton Farmers’ Market – Sundays 8:30am – 12:30pm – 29th and Quebec

In the past I have usually visited the Cherry Creek Market which is probably the most well known around where I live. However as I am busy on Saturdays with Hike for Discovery this summer as I mentioned last week I will head to the market on Old Pearl Street.

Now if you don’t live in the City of Denver, be sure to check out the following site provided by the USDA to search for a Farmers Market where you live.