Adam Thompson Photography

Photographing the Milky Way Over the Pawnee Buttes

Sat, 25 Apr 2026 00:00:00 +0000

Join me on my adventure to scout and photograph the Milky Way over the Pawnee Buttes in Colorado.

Scouting for Milky Way Photography in Rocky Mountain National Park

Sun, 19 Apr 2026 00:00:00 +0000

I recently took a trip to Rocky Mountain National Park to scout some potential early-season Milky Way spots. Along the way, I visited Alberta Falls and Mills Lake.

Hiking to Harmonica Arch in the Lost Creek Wilderness

Mon, 29 Sep 2025 00:00:00 +0000

Harmonica Arch, also called Finger Rock Arch, is the longest span granite arch in the United States and the fourth longest in the world. Join me as I venture into the Lost Creek Wilderness to hike to this magnificent arch.

I Made a List of Resources for Arch Hunters

Sat, 06 Sep 2025 00:00:00 +0000

Just a quick update on a new resource I put together to help those interested in getting their arch hunting journey started.

California's Weird and Wonderful Salton Sea

Wed, 04 Jun 2025 00:00:00 +0000

In the middle of the southern California desert lies the Salton Sea. This once-booming resort area is now a strange collection of abandonment and eccentric art installations.

Photographing the Milky Way over Pawnee Buttes, Colorado

Thu, 10 Apr 2025 00:00:00 +0000

It has been far too long since I’ve deprived myself of sleep to photograph the Milky Way! Join me on my journey to photograph an early-season Milky Way over the Pawnee Buttes in the eastern plains of Colorado.

The Hunt for Ojo Oro Arch

Mon, 27 Jan 2025 00:00:00 +0000

Ever since I first saw a picture of Ojo Oro Arch in Joshua Tree I've wanted to see. Since there were no directions available for it, I had to take matters into my own hands!

What is Considered an Arch?

Wed, 11 Dec 2024 00:00:00 +0000

There is a surprising amount of disagreement over how big a hole in a rock needs to be to qualify as an arch. This post explores how I classify what is and isn't considered a natural arch.

Hiking the Willow Creek & South Ridge Loop in Roxborough State Park – Colorado

Tue, 10 Dec 2024 00:00:00 +0000

As we slowly creep toward fall, the weather here in Colorado has been getting pretty nice. I took advantage of this weekend's nice weather by heading to Roxborough State Park for a quick morning hike.

Where Do I Find Arch Data?

Tue, 10 Dec 2024 00:00:00 +0000

There is no one good resource available for finding arch data. This post explores what exactly I mean when I talk about 'Arch Data' and some of the resources I've found over the years for obtaining this data.

The Sad Tale of Picher, Oklahoma

Sun, 05 May 2024 00:00:00 +0000

Driving through rural northeast Oklahoma, you would never know that it’s the site of a town that has suffered tragedy after tragedy. This is the sad tale of Picher, Oklahoma, and a look at what remains today.

How I Shot a Total Solar Eclipse

Mon, 15 Apr 2024 00:00:00 +0000

I was fortunate enough to be able to plan a trip to witness and photograph the 2024 total solar eclipse over the United States. In this post, I will share with you how I planned the trip, how I shot the eclipse, and some of the photos I walked away with.

Picketwire Canyon: A Hike Through Time

Mon, 25 Mar 2024 00:00:00 +0000

I recently went on a hike in Eastern Colorado that had everything from abandonment, petroglyphs, and even dinosaur tracks! Join me on my journey through Picketwire Canyon!

An Abandoned Power Plant Deep in Appalachia

Mon, 11 Mar 2024 00:00:00 +0000

Join me as I explore the remains of an abandoned power plant located deep in Appalachia, somewhere in the hills of West Virginia.

The Next Chapter of my Photography

Mon, 29 May 2023 00:00:00 +0000

You may have noticed that I haven't been around much the past couple of years. I wanted to give you an explanation as to where I've been. I also have some very exciting news about the future!

The Interesting Case Of The Abandoned Aircraft And The Brothel

Mon, 30 Jan 2023 00:00:00 +0000

In November 2022, my girlfriend and I were driving through the Nevada desert on our way from Las Vegas to the Alabama Hills. Along the way, we came across Angel's Ladies - a defunct brothel with the deteriorating remains of a wrecked aircraft sitting out front.

How To Easily Focus Stack In Photoshop

Sun, 03 Apr 2022 00:00:00 +0000

Focus stacking is a technique that allows you to achieve a deep depth of field in a final image by blending (or stacking, as it’s often referred to) several images together. Once you combine the images together in Photoshop, you’ll end up with a perfectly sharp, in-focus subject.

The Story Of Mullens, West Virginia

Sun, 19 Dec 2021 00:00:00 +0000

Mullens, West Virginia is the epitome of America’s stereotypical coal town. The once bustling metropolis is a shell of its former self, with many of the buildings sitting abandoned, decaying further with each passing moment.

Where On Earth Have I Been All This Time?

Tue, 30 Nov 2021 00:00:00 +0000

It's no secret that I've largely been MIA from the internet as of late. Allow me to take a moment to explain where I've been and what's to come.

The Problem With AllTrails

Tue, 12 Jan 2021 00:00:00 +0000

While at first glance AllTrails seems to be a benign application that provides a great deal of value to users, it has a number of issues. In this post, I’ll explore the problems with AllTrails and discuss some of the alternatives that are available.

Documenting Leap Frog Pillar Arch 2 in Kentucky

Sun, 06 Dec 2020 00:00:00 +0000

Leapfrog 2 Arch is an arch that, to the best of my knowledge, had never been properly documented until I took this image. The arch is located on a shelf about 15-20 feet up the cliffside. There really isn’t a great way to get up to the top of it, so I ended up having to improvise a bit.

The Wonderful Waterfalls Of Daniel Boone National Forest

Sun, 15 Nov 2020 00:00:00 +0000

The Daniel Boone National Forest in Kentucky has a mind-bending number of waterfalls. Let's explore some of my favorites.

Hunting Natural Bridges In The Daniel Boone National Forest

Thu, 05 Nov 2020 00:00:00 +0000

Join me as I head out to confirm some recent arch submissions to the Kentucky Arch Database in the Daniel Boone National Forest.

Fall Arch Hunting In The Red River Gorge

Wed, 04 Nov 2020 00:00:00 +0000

It’s finally time for another adventure! This time around, I decided to get out into the Gorge to enjoy some of the fall colors and to hunt for some new-to-me arches.

Master Your Camera’s ISO Setting

Tue, 29 Sep 2020 00:00:00 +0000

ISO is one of the three settings that make up the exposure triangle (the other two being aperture and shutter speed). Understanding what this setting does and how to utilize it properly is an important step in fully mastering the art of photography. This guide will give you the rundown!

A Day Trip To Spruce Knob In West Virginia

Sun, 27 Sep 2020 00:00:00 +0000

It has been several years now since I first laid eyes on the Monongahela National Forest in West Virginia. I’ve been itching to get back to the area for some time now, so I decided to head on out to Dolly Sods and Spruce Knob for a bit of photography!

A Few Recent Images From Auxier Ridge In The Red River Gorge

Tue, 04 Aug 2020 00:00:00 +0000

Over the past few months, I have spent a fair bit of time out on Auxier Ridge in the Red River Gorge portion of Kentucky’s Daniel Boone National Forest. Here are some of the images I've captured.

How I Plan A Milky Way Shoot

Tue, 16 Jun 2020 00:00:00 +0000

There’s a lot of work that goes into getting a successful Milky Way image, not the least of which is planning. Here's a guide on how I plan for my Milky Way shoots.

A Few Abandoned Places In Northern Kentucky

Mon, 18 May 2020 00:00:00 +0000

I recently took a drive down some backroads in Northern Kentucky to hunt for some abandoned places to photograph. Here's what I found along the way!

Best Resources For A Waterfall Hunter In Kentucky

Sun, 17 May 2020 00:00:00 +0000

One of the things I'm most frequently asked is how to get to a particular falls that I've photographed. Here's my list of resources to help you answer that very question!

4 Tips For Shooting Natural Arches

Tue, 07 Jan 2020 00:00:00 +0000

It’s no secret that I love natural arches. If we’re going to be honest, though, they can be a challenging subject to shoot. Today, I’d like to share 4 of my top tips for shooting natural arches.

Exploring An Abandoned High School

Wed, 18 Dec 2019 00:00:00 +0000

Something I haven’t done a whole lot of is exploring and photographing abandoned buildings. It’s a subject that has always interested me, I just haven’t had much chance to practice it myself. As such, I jumped on board when I was invited to go explore an abandoned high school with some friends.

Photographing Ohio’s Waterfalls

Thu, 20 Jun 2019 00:00:00 +0000

Lately, I've been spending a lot of time photographing some of the many beautiful waterfalls in Ohio. Come along and take a look at some of my recent waterfall photography in the Buckeye state!

Discovering Two New Waterfalls In The Red River Gorge

Thu, 21 Feb 2019 00:00:00 +0000

I got 2019 started off right by going to check out two spots in Kentucky’s Red River Gorge that looked curious on LiDAR. In fact, they looked an awful lot like waterfalls! This trip resulted in us documenting two new waterfalls in the Red River Gorge.

Scouting Off-Trail Waterfalls In Mammoth Cave, Kentucky

Thu, 14 Feb 2019 00:00:00 +0000

My trip report for visiting some off-trail waterfalls and natural arches in Mammoth Cave National Park, Kentucky.

The Definitive Guide To Aperture And Depth Of Field

Tue, 29 Jan 2019 00:00:00 +0000

Not only is aperture an essential component of the exposure triangle, but it is also a camera setting that gives you a great deal of creative control. As such, every photographer must understand how it works!

The Basics Of Reading A Topographic Map

Mon, 20 Aug 2018 00:00:00 +0000

Being able to read a topographic map is an essential skill for anyone going into the backcountry. This guide will teach you all of the basics you need to know!

Calculating The Slowest Shutter Speed For Milky Way Images

Mon, 23 Jul 2018 00:00:00 +0000

When photographing the Milky Way, we want to let as much light hit the sensor as possible, but we can't go too slow or the stars won't be sharp. Let's learn how to calculate the slowest shutter speed we can get away with!

How To Stack Milky Way Images In Starry Landscape Stacker

Wed, 18 Jul 2018 00:00:00 +0000

Ever wonder how to get low-noise images of the Milky Way (even with a crop-sensor camera)? One method is stacking. This tutorial will teach you how to do it on a Mac with Starry Landscape Stacker.

In Search Of A Smoky Mountains Sunrise On Mt. Leconte

Mon, 18 Jun 2018 00:00:00 +0000

During my last trip to the Great Smoky Mountains, I decided that I wanted to night hike up Mt. Leconte to Myrtle Point to attempt to photograph the sunrise. This is a trip I’ve been trying to do for several months, but the weather has never been particularly cooperative!

5 Of My Favorite Natural Arches In Kentucky

Mon, 28 May 2018 00:00:00 +0000

Kentucky is just packed full of natural arches. In fact, it’s ranked either second or third in the United States for the most natural arches. We are behind only Utah and possibly Arizona. East of the Mississippi, however, we are ranked number one! These are 5 of my favorites from the Bluegrass state.

My Impromptu Trip To The Great Smoky Mountains

Tue, 22 May 2018 00:00:00 +0000

It has been a few weeks now since my last trip to the Great Smoky Mountains, but I’d like to take a moment to share the trip with you.

4 Tips For Shooting Landscape Photography In The Rain

Mon, 05 Mar 2018 00:00:00 +0000

Shooting in the rain can be a real pain in the rear! Here are four tips to make it a bit less painful.

My "Minor" Waterfall Obsession

Sun, 25 Feb 2018 00:00:00 +0000

It's no secret that I have an obsession with waterfalls. Luckily, my home state has plenty of them!

Hiking To A Completely Frozen Copperas Falls In Red River Gorge

Thu, 11 Jan 2018 00:00:00 +0000

We've been in the middle of a deep freeze here in Kentucky, which means the waterfalls have been freezing! Let's take an epic trip to Copperas Falls and see the solid ice pillar!

Making The Best Of A Failed Photo Shoot in the Smoky Mountains

Mon, 18 Dec 2017 00:00:00 +0000

Sometimes, trips just don't work out the way you planned, and you have to make the best of it. That was definitely the case with my latest trip to the Smokies.

Sky View Arch – A Hidden Gem In Red River Gorge

Sun, 17 Dec 2017 00:00:00 +0000

Visitors to Kentucky’s Red River Gorge know that, at this point, there are very few truly hidden spots left in the area. There are some, however, and Sky View Arch is one of them.

A Gentle Introduction to CalTopo

Thu, 09 Nov 2017 00:00:00 +0000

CalTopo is one of the most powerful tools available for planning your trips into the backcountry. Today, I will give you a gentle introduction to this amazing mapping tool.

A Solo Overnight along Swift Camp Creek in a Hammock

Fri, 09 Jun 2017 00:00:00 +0000

Lately, I've been quite anxious to get out into the woods to try out my new hammock. So, I loaded up the car and headed down to the Red River Gorge for a quick overnight along the Swift Camp Creek!

Climbing Mt. LeConte via Alum Cave

Mon, 20 Mar 2017 00:00:00 +0000

After my previous failed trip to the Smokies, I decided to return to complete my climb of Mt. LeConte via the Alum Cave Trail.

Things didn't go as planned during my trip to The Smokies

Sun, 08 Jan 2017 00:00:00 +0000

This weekend, I took a trip to the Great Smoky Mountains National Park. The plan was relatively simple, but Mother Nature had other ideas.