Early season backcountry skiing can be challenging due to thin snow and rocky terrain, making careful planning essential. Gaia GPS is a helpful tool for navigating routes and staying safe while skiing. With proper preparation and the right equipment, early ski tours can be enjoyable and rewarding.
This time of year is awesome because it is an opportunity for a fresh start as well as gives me some additional time to do some reading. An article by Tyler Jackson caught my eye this week as I was browsing on the GAIA GPS blog. I’ve made some highlights that you may find helpful for your backcountry adventures and I’ve posted it for you here in my Readwise account.
Also, if you haven’t heard of Readwise, check out this CACHE article that I wrote in edition #14 for more info on this great software tool. You can also take it for a “test drive” yourself using my free, 60-day trial link below, and see if Readwise can help you improve your memory and retention of the things you care about most. Read on!
Today’s photo was taken in Carlsbad, CA a few years back. We are headed out to California in a couple of weeks, so I couldn’t help but post this image. Be sure to look closely as you learn more about how light affects a photograph below.
Light is absolutely essential in outdoor photography because it directly affects the mood, exposure, and overall quality of the image. Here are some key reasons why light plays such a critical role:
Light is what makes a photo visible in the first place. Photographers rely on light to expose the camera's sensor or film properly. Without enough light, an image will appear too dark (underexposed), while too much light can wash out the details (overexposed). Adjusting settings like aperture, shutter speed, and ISO helps manage how light interacts with the sensor.
The quality, direction, and color of light can drastically change the mood of a photograph. Soft, warm light during the golden hour (just after sunrise or before sunset) creates a peaceful, nostalgic feeling. In contrast, harsh midday light can result in high contrast and deep shadows, giving a more dramatic or intense effect. The angle of light (front, side, or back) also influences how subjects appear—side light enhances texture, while backlight can create silhouettes or highlight outlines. Check out the image above and see if you can tell where the light source is coming from.
Light reveals texture, form, and depth in the landscape. The angle at which light hits the surface of an object or scene can cast shadows that define contours and add richness to the image. For example, light coming from the side can accentuate the texture of mountains, rocks, or trees, making them appear more three-dimensional and interesting. See the waves above.
The color of light—whether it’s the warm, golden tones during sunrise and sunset, or the cooler, bluish light during midday—can affect how colors in your scene appear. The right lighting conditions can make nature’s colors pop and provide visual harmony. Cloudy days often produce softer, diffused light, which can enhance colors and reduce harsh shadows, whereas direct sunlight can make the scene feel vibrant and vivid.
Light can also be used creatively to achieve specific effects. For example, backlighting can create stunning silhouettes or lens flares, while shooting directly into the light source (such as the sun) can produce interesting, artistic halos or glowing effects around the subject. Long exposure photography often takes advantage of changing light conditions to create smooth, ethereal effects on moving elements like water or clouds.
Different times of day provide different qualities of light. "Golden hour" (the hour after sunrise and the hour before sunset) is a favorite for many outdoor photographers because of its soft, warm light and long shadows. Midday light, though harsh, can create striking contrasts and is ideal for certain subjects like architecture or wildlife. The "blue hour" (just before sunrise or after sunset) offers cool, diffused light with a serene, ethereal quality. I really enjoy shooting subjects at “blue hour” and including a headlamp, lantern, or car headlights.
Light helps to create depth in a photograph by casting shadows and highlights across a scene. A well-lit foreground combined with a darker background can make the subject stand out, adding a sense of dimension and separation. Additionally, how light interacts with the scene’s elements—such as reflecting off water or passing through foliage—can help frame the composition and guide the viewer’s eye through the image.
In summary, light is the most fundamental element in outdoor photography because it affects everything from technical exposure to creative interpretation. Understanding and manipulating light allows photographers to tell stories, enhance visual impact, and express emotion through their images.
There is additional imagery on my website at johnlaguardia.com if you would like to see more on how I harness light in my outdoor imagery, including featured assets from some of the brands I work with.
For booking, see this page to get started. I’d love to shoot images for your brand’s next catalog or seasonal promotion.
If you haven’t used the Rocky Talkie Mountain Radio, you should really try them out. Pair them with the Rocky Talkie Hand Mic for ease of use while hiking or skiing in the backcountry and you’ll be all set!
I ran across a podcast by Wagner Skis called the Next Level Skiing podcast that I thought I would share here. Although there aren’t many episodes, I found the one below to be extremely helpful in improving my skiing.
This past week I put their “hands up” tip into practice and used it along with a wide stance that olympic legend, Billy Kidd, taught me a few years ago in Steamboat. I felt like I really crushed my last ski day by putting these things into practice.
Give this episode a listen, then try it out and see if the “hands up” tip helps improve your skiing too!
I recently picked up a pair of the Stio Colter Mid shoes for cold weather escapades in the outdoors. I’m so glad that I purchased these shoes.
At 15.4 ounces, they are the perfect blend of warmth and weight. The Colter Mid is constructed with 300g synthetic insulation & looped poly wool blend lining to keep feet warm and cozy.
Treat your feet and slip them into a pair of Stio Colter Mids. Available for both men and women. You’ll love ‘em!
Have you heard of the Arc browser? It’s a new, free offering from The Browser Company of New York and I know you are really going to enjoy it. Before you say, “Really, John? Another Internet browser?” - Ok. Hear me out and take a look at all the great features it has to offer.
Privacy
Security
Split View
Themes
Spaces & Profiles
Arc is available for Mac and Windows as well as iOS and Android.
What I like most about using Arc instead of Chrome or Safari is that it is blazing fast to switch between spaces. I can effortlessly switch between shortcuts at the top, individual spaces (side bars with tabs), and plan my adventures 2x faster than before. It is fully customizable and I can tailor it to how I like to work on the web.
Better Organization: If you're someone who likes to keep their tasks, projects, or browsing sessions neatly compartmentalized, Arc’s Spaces and tab management system can vastly improve your productivity and mental clarity.
Creative Tools: Arc offers a more aesthetic and customizable experience that appeals to users who want a browser that's not just functional, but also fun and personal. Its focus on web-based tools and integration makes it an excellent choice for creatives and remote workers.
Privacy: If you're concerned about privacy but still like the speed and compatibility of Chrome, Arc offers a less data-hungry alternative without sacrificing performance.
Enhanced Focus: The distraction-free design and quick access features like the sidebar, app integrations, and split view can help you stay more focused on your tasks, minimizing the cognitive load associated with traditional tab-switching.
Long-Term Vision: Arc's development team is continuously innovating, with new features and improvements regularly.
Don’t just take my word for it. Check out Arc at arc.net and use it to plan your next adventure. Have fun exploring!
There’s not a ton going on with discounts after the holidays, but you can take advantage of a few deals I have curated for you below.
Artifact Uprising - 15% off premium photo printing to CACHE subscribers. Use code JOHNLAG15.
Black Diamond - shop the winter outlet sale for many great deals.
Buff - save 10% on your first order when you sign up for their email list.
GSI Outdoors - save 10% on your first order when you sign up for their email list.
Moment - shop the last year’s gear sale for great deals.
Pixieset - try for free and get $20 off your plan.
Readwise get a free, 60-day trial and start remembering the important things you read.
REI - Save up to 40% at REI Outlet.
Sea to Summit - save 10% when you sign up for their email list.
Solo Stove - use code SAVEMORE to save $25, $50, or $75 on your total order.
Strafe Outerwear - save 15% on your first order when you sign up for their email list.
Topo Designs - Get 20% off using code JOHNLAGPHOTO_20OFF at checkout. Be sure not to miss the retro ridge puffer!
If you are enjoying the CACHE, consider becoming a paid subscriber or share the love with a friend. Your support keeps the adventure alive so that I can continue bringing you consistent value, over and over again.
If this content has brought you value today, Share it, clip it, post it to your social channels. Curating and sharing helpful content makes you an expert even if the content you share isn’t your own. Be a curator and share this content with your network.
Coffee keeps us all fueled up and helps me more efficiently work on photo shoots and this CACHE newsletter. I would be totally stoked if you made a one-time contribution at any time by “buying me a coffee”. I certainly appreciate the extra motivation!
Do you need help with content on your next marketing campaign, catalog, or special project? If so, let’s connect here and explore how we can partner to make life easier for you at work as well as get you some time back!
Thanks for welcoming me to your inbox today. I hope you have an amazing day and an adventurous week!
Heads up: Some of the links I share with you are called affiliate links. By using them, you help me continue producing content when I receive a few pennies from those brands. However, there is no additional cost to you when you make purchases, so it’s a win/win for us both. Thanks for using my links!
No posts
Comments
Nothing yet. Say the first thing.
Sign in to join the conversation.