Scott Ashley (scottashley) Interview
Keywords: travel, landscape, wildlife, photography, nikonians, scottashley
What a pleasure it is to be able to have spent some time working with Scott to complete this feature. He seems to be a very busy photographer so it was so generous of him to spend some time between his travels. The rest of the article is the commentary that Scott shared.
Maroon Bells
2014 Best of Nikonians Winner
D7100, Sigma 17-70mm @ f/16, 1/30s, ISO 100, polarizer, tripod
Click for an enlargement
“My parents were both accomplished artists, so it’s only natural that I would gravitate toward visual expression. I also grew up in the foothills of the Appalachians, so it’s also natural that I would gravitate toward nature photography.
Grizzly Bear in Brush
2015 Best of Nikonians winner
Nikon D70, Nikon 80-200mm @ f/5.6, 1/500s, ISO 800
Click for an enlargement
I moved to Arvada, Colorado (a Denver suburb) 30 years ago in part because of the abundant photography opportunities in the state, but work and other commitments keep me very busy.
Gray Wolf Eye
2013 Best of Nikonians Finalist
D7100, Sigma 150-500, ISO 1600, f8@1/20, monopod
Click for an enlargement
I love landscapes and wildlife photography about equally. But because some of my favorite wildlife spots have been greatly diminished in recent years, I find myself doing more landscapes and scenic work. It’s a great blessing to live in Colorado with its amazing scenery, but also to have most of Wyoming and Utah within a day’s drive. I’ve recently been spending more time in Utah to get away from the crowds, and I’ve started backpacking again to get to more remote places.
Fox on Fallen Tree
Nikon D300, Sigma 150-500, ISO 800, f9@1/80, monopod
Click for an enlargement
Colorado has some of the best locations in the world for photographing elk, bighorn sheep and mountain goats, all within a two-hour drive.
Peaks at Sunrise
D7100, Nikon 70-300mm VR @ f/11, 1/180s, ISO 400, tripod
Click for an enlargement
To the best of my memory I came across Nikonians back in 2002 doing an Internet search for a lens I was considering buying. I joined almost immediately due to the wealth of information about equipment, places and techniques. Nikonians is my go-to source for lens and equipment reviews and advice about places to go. It’s a wonderful sharing community!
Stream in Forest
Nikon D7100, Sigma 17-70mm @ f/8, 1/4s, ISO 100, tripod
Click for an enlargement
I heard a great tip from a Matt Kloskowski teaching video recently: ‘If you see the sun spot-light part of the landscape, shoot it!’ I was able to put that tip into practice just a week or two later with great results. (See attached photo of spot-lit trees.)
Spot-lit Trees on Mountainside
Nikon D7100, Nikon 70-300mm VR @ f/8, 1/125s, ISO 400, tripod
Click for an enlargement
I’ve had so many memorable experiences while photographing but my most recent came when I was in the Smokies to shoot fall color and waterfalls. I didn’t know this until I arrived there, but the park had been in a long drought and the water levels and colors were both ways below normal. I particularly wanted to shoot Spruce Flats Falls, having seen some beautiful shots of it and having never been there before.
McKinley Panorama
D300, Nikon 18-200mm @ f/22, 1/8s, ISO 400, polarizer, tripod
Click for an enlargement
It rained a little one night, just enough to put a little water in the waterfalls. The next day I headed out to Spruce Flats Falls, arriving late in the afternoon with a light drizzle. I had about two hours until dark when I set out up the trail. As it turned out, the drizzle kept every other person off the trail and when I got to the falls I had it entirely to myself—no problems with people walking into the frame or wading in the stream and pool. And the little drizzle and the rain from the night before, combined with some very long exposures, gave me some gorgeous waterfall shots.”
Spruce Flats Falls
Nikon D7100, Sigma 8-16mm @f/19, 6s, ISO 200, tripod
Click for an enlargement
Thank you, Scott, for the opportunity to see some of your haunts with the gorgeous landscapes and the incredible shots of wildlife quite at home in their environment.
You may want to visit his profile as well.
Originally written on October 23, 2018
Last updated on November 28, 2018
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12 comments
John D. Roach (jdroach) on November 11, 2018
Fine article....well done.
Dave Hayford (Patriot Dave) on November 9, 2018
Great photographs and great stories........lots of inspiration here. Thanks for sharing.
Dr. Patrick Buick (profpb) on November 9, 2018
I lived in Colorado for 10 years and visit every summer. I worked in Zion and Bryce for the National Parks doing astrophotography. I love the West. I've been trapped in Florida for the last 30 years. I've been to 49 states in all. Everyplace has its beauty. Thank you, Scott for motivating me do them all again because I have made some real progress in the last several years with my Nikons and Nikonians. Your images had a real effect on me.
Harry guss (Citaro) on November 9, 2018
Some really class photos with such cameras as the D70 and D300
Les Booth (ofieldstream) on October 28, 2018
I have known Scott for several years and have enjoyed his enthusiasm for photography as well as his results. We share a number of good friends and appreciators of photographic work and the outdoors. All agree, Scott has a keen eye for the exceptional and illustrative of the natural creation. His attention to detail is obvious; quietly underscoring the obvious nature of his technical prowess. Kudos Scott. No doubt much more to come. So glad to know. -AOJ
User on October 28, 2018
Beautiful work, Scott! I appreciate that the exif info shows a variety of Nikons, reminding me that the camera and lens are tools to create your art; the camera doesn't have to be the latest model to capture stunning images.
Scott Ashley (scottashley) on October 27, 2018
Thanks so much for the kind comments. I've been buried with work this week and didn't see the interview online until a few minutes ago. I really appreciate the knowledge and inspiration I get from this group!
Mark Kraus (pipco) on October 24, 2018
Scott, Great eye for beautiful images. Enjoyed viewing your interview and photos. Mark Kraus
Bonnie Christensen (BChrisRad) on October 24, 2018
Amazing photos, Scott. As Russ said, "a standard for the rest of us to aspire to." Appreciated learning a bit more about you.
Russell Whittemore (rosewood_ltd) on October 24, 2018
Always a pleasure to see your work, Scott. It always sets a standard for the rest of us to aspire to. Very glad you and Marsha had the opportunity to put this together. Good on ya both!
Sarah Boser (Sarah9) on October 23, 2018
Really beautiful work, Scott.
David Summers (dm1dave) on October 23, 2018
Thank you for sharing Scott, I always look forward to seeing you work in the forums.