Welcome to The Dark Side

Thanks for visiting my personal blog!  This is the place where I publish photos and ramblings that don't quite fit in with the image of my "professional blog" - AKA "The Light Side".  Whatever that means.  You can view all my professional wedding, portrait, and business photography portfolios by clicking the 'Portfolio' link above. But if you want to check out Everything Else, read on.

Tag Archives: Colorado

Indian Peaks Wilderness in Fall

Well there hasn’t been too much blogging around here lately! I’ve been busy shooting a lot of fall and holiday portraits, and generally wrapping up 2009.  I’m looking forward to a big trip down to Mexico in two weeks.  So while the main goal will be rest and relaxation, you know I’ll have some pictures...

View full post »

So it begins…

Here I am on the ski lift at Copper Mountain for Opening Day 2009! I think this is my first Colorado opening day, as I’m not usually a fan of battling the crowds on the Ribbon of Death! But, my friend Doug from Elevation Outdoors scored us some tickets, so I thought it...

View full post »

Pearl Street Mall

And today is a gorgeous sunny day in Boulder. A great day to be outside . . . unfortunately I’ve got a SUPER busy week.  I did step out for lunch and take a quick shot outside the office.

View full post »

Meniskus at the Brick House

I took a quick break from editing madness on a Saturday night to go check out Meniskus at the Lazy Dog AKA Brick House. I was playing with my new Nikon 35mm f/1.8G in super low light scenario. It was DARK in there! So rather than try to hide my low-ISO noise,...

View full post »

Shooting Elk in Rocky Mountain National Park

No, not shooting to kill, shooting to blog! I can’t believe it has already been two weeks since I shot these pictures. Time is just flyin’ on by.  I usually don’t like taking touristy pictures, but these beasts are just so big and cool I couldn’t help myself.
This first shot is in Moraine Park. There...

View full post »

The Aspen verses The Pine

I love aspen groves. We have a lot of pine forests in the Front Range, and they just aren’t as pretty. If an aspen tree and a pine tree got in a fight, the pine tree would probably win. Aspen trees are lovers, not fighters. In a Miss Perennial Woody Plant competition, the aspen...

View full post »

Skull

I found this skeleton hanging on the fence at Lost Antler Ranch. I’m not sure what animal it is . . . I’m guessing that it’s an elk?

View full post »

The Sunsets Are Pretty Good Too

Sunset over the lake at Lost Antler Ranch.

View full post »

Happiness is peeing off of your deck in the morning

It’s true, just ask the groom-to-be. There is a certain inexplicable satisfaction that occurs when you can step outside and bond with nature first thing in the morning.

The morning view from the Meadow House at Lost Antler Ranch.

View full post »

Hiking in the Boulder Foothills

View full post »

Meniskus at the Boulder Draft House

Last Friday my favorite band Meniskus rocked out a free show at the Boulder Draft House.  For more images from the night check out the Facebook Gallery.

View full post »

Lighting a Campfire With a Weed Burner

If you have your wedding at the Pastures of Plenty in North Boulder County, you just might have a bonfire. And if you do, John Howlett from Big Bang Catering will be there to get it started for you. His preferred tool is a propane weed burner. By the look on his...

View full post »

Peace and Love on the Rocks, 40th Anniversary of Woodstock Photos

I was invited by my friends from Something Underground to hang out backstage and shoot some photos for Peace and Love on the Rocks. There were a bajilliion musicians there rotating in and out, covering favorite songs from the famous music festival of old. It like rocked and stuff.  You can see more...

View full post »

Deciphering Chaos With Perspective Control Lenses

So, as you probably can see, I like taking nature photos when I’m wandering around in the local woods around Boulder. It can be challenging to come up with creative ways to take new photos every time, when the surroundings appear to be the same. In the foothills of Boulder, we really don’t...

View full post »

Boulder Canyon View From Anemone Trail

I’ve been trying to be better about doing something other than work lately. But when I do, I still bring my camera. Does this mean that I’m not really getting away from work?

I actually went on a hike the other day. Probably the first one this year! It was a quick little one, leaving from...

View full post »

Boulder Red Rocks Trail

Right at the edge of town, Boulder has it’s own mini Red Rocks.  A short hike from Settler’s Park, the Red Rocks Trail is a short hike around this rock outcropping that juts up skyward.

View full post »

I forgot my MTB shoes

I haven’t posted in a bit.  I cracked under the weight of too much work and not enough fun.  So Bobby and I attempted to rectify the situation with a little Nederland riding.  Just to show how mentally cooked I was, I left my riding shoes at home for the first time in . ....

View full post »

Aerial Shot of the Flatirons

Here is one last shot from my plane ride above Boulder. It’s a simple shot of the Flatirons, but hey, everyone loves the Flatirons. Plus you can see the University of Colorado Boulder campus with all of the red roof buildings.

View full post »

Breckenridge Section of the Colorado Trail

I’ve waited a while to post these pictures to make it seem as if I’m out riding my mountain bike. Those folks who just glance at the pictures will think, “Wow Steve Z has such an amazing rock star life, shooting photos and all kinds of great rides in the mountains!” But all...

View full post »

Scenic Rutan VariEze Airplane Photos Over Boulder

Last week I did a fun shoot that is a little out of the ordinary for me. I took my friend Jeff up on an offer to shoot an unusual plane from the air. Jeff’s friend Michael Malocsay hand built himself a Rutan VariEze experimental aircraft and comes into Boulder every so often...

View full post »