Bill Hatcher Photography

Oman: Rub Al Khali 2

In Canada the Inuit have many names for snow. I suspect in the Empty Quarter of Oman the Bedouin have a hundred names for sand and the different types of sand. This desert seems to have every texture and shape. It's certainly a place I will have to return, but not in March when the day temps are in the low 40s c. That's around 104 degrees fahrenheit, but it's a dry heat.

Oman: Rub Al Khali the Empty Quarter

I've been meaning to share some photos from my trip in Oman, but where there is a will there is not always internet access. Today I woke in Salalah, Oman to discover that a big sand storm had blown into Oman from Iran. The timing could not be better because for the last few days I have been exploring the Rub Al Khali (Empty Quarter). The Rub Al Khali is one of the most exceptional remote places I've visited in the world, but it's not a place to lose yourself in a sand storm.

 

 

Gear failure on assignment

 I was back in Western Australia this week on assignment for Australia Geographic magazine and I had a gear failure incident. The odd thing is is the gear was what I would consider a solid piece of equipment, my firewire 800 cable. I guess I just take simple things like computer cords for granted when I connect

Calgardup Cave, Western Australia

Driving north along the Caves Road, in Western Australia there are dozens of commercial caves. Guided tours are usually not my cup of tea, but when I saw the sign for "self-guided cave" I knew that was the one for me. This is Calgardup Cave located 250 kilometers south of Perth. This limestone cave isn't especially big or spectacular, but I had the whole cave to myself for close to two hours and that's worth the entry fee that also comes with a loan of a helmet and a couple of lights.

All I can say about cave photography is the light is always the same, total darkness.

If I were an elf this is a place I could call home, Boranup Forest, Western Australia.

Shooting Me Landscapes

When I am out alone shooting photography and there is no one around to photograph I just plug my Pocket Wizard wireless unit on my camera, put the camera on a tripod and shoot me. This is a series of photos from the Canal Rocks in Leeuwin-Naturaliste National Park, Western Australia.

I think placing someone in a landscape just adds more drama to the shot. But I don't get too close to these wave washed rocks. While observing this sunset and sunrise from the rocks I watched intently for the so-called King waves. This location is just south of Yallingup a surfing destination known for it's epic waves. On the OZ coast these massive maverick waves regularly wash fishermen and the unwary out to sea. The evening I was shooting at Canal Rocks there there was a strong Westerly wind blowing off the

Perth, Western Australia

I am back from Western Australia and decided to wait to post images from WA since I was too busy to post on the road.

I only spent a day in Perth, this city is said to be the most remote big city in the southern hemishere. The photo here is looking at the city sky line on the banks of the Swan River. Take note of the cycle path, these cycle and walker dedicated paths are everywhere in Perth.  That gives this city big points in my book. I was up and around exploring the city for a couple of hours in the morning. Not much cycle traffic in the city at 5 in the morning. They don't recognized day-light savings out here so sunrise is at 5:10 am. That means i have to be up at 4 am to catch the sunrise. It's going to be some long days for me while I am out here.

This is my first time to Western Australia so there is some country to explore. I have four days to myself before I leave for my assignment into the bush. The first stop on my tour will be the Southern Forests of WA.

On Assignment: A look inside My Mountain Biking Photo Bag

I am packing now for a job next week in Western Australia. I am excited about this trip because it will be my first time in that country. Deciding what photo gear to bring for this shoot is tricky because the assignment includes a week of pedaling 400 km off pavement on trails with no support vehicle. Will I ever I do a photo assignment that was actually easy? The big challenge on this assignment is I will have to carry all my own gear. My solution is

Arapiles: Favorite Rock Pile

The best trad rock climbing in the world has to be in Arapiles, Australia. I am just back from my second visit to "Raps" where I spent a week climbing the easy grades. It's the rock quality and natural lines that make Arapiles so exceptional.  From the distance Arapiles doesn't look like much more than a pile of slag, But up close, I mean really up close, you'll find nearly every square millimeter of this pile to be beautiful, at least to the eyes of a rock climber. This time around I spent the non-climbing moments in the  morning and evenings wandering around the place, exploring the crags and photographing good looking rock. Yep, I was wishing I could climb grade 25 (5.12) so I could power-up up some of Arapilies finer climbing lines. Maybe on my next visit.

A bird pauses under the north face of Death Row Pinnacle

Mesa Arch Canyonlands

I am working on a story about adventuring in Canyonlands. I was looking for an opening spead shot that kind of says it all about this amazing park. I didn't need to look further than Mesa Arch at sunrise. I got there before the photo crowds and despite the evening rain the morning was clear and sunny. You gotta like that.