![© Mark Schneider PhotoID # 12866597: Twisted Vinyard](https://www.betterphoto.com/uploads/processedSourceFromOldServer/1214/1204011533111_mg_8930-edit-edit-edit-edit_c.jpg)
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Living in the Sierra foothills gives the local photgrapher's plenty picture taking options from vineyards, gold rush towns, waterfalls, and even some snowfall.
![© Mark Schneider PhotoID # 15277375: Hobbit 1](https://www.betterphoto.com/uploads/processedSourceFromOldServer/1648/1611241552481hobbit_14_c.jpg)
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We recently took a tour of the Hobbit movie set, about an hours drive from Rotorua. A truly unique place, especially if your a photographer.
Special thanks to Bee for the private tour and everything you ever wanted to know about Hobbits and movie magic. A really COOL place.
![© Mark Schneider PhotoID # 12764875: Coliseum](https://www.betterphoto.com/uploads/processedSourceFromOldServer/1208/1202201022221_mg_2929-edit-3_c.jpg)
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Images from Rome, Venice, Cinque Terre, and the Amalfi Coast are some the area's we love to visit. I've also included the village of Amelia, where we spend time with friends.
![© Mark Schneider PhotoID # 15278107: New Zealand countryside](https://www.betterphoto.com/uploads/processedSourceFromOldServer/1648/1611251130241NZ_1_c.jpg)
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We found New Zealand to be a beautifully photogenic country with many diverse landscapes.
Here you"ll find a small sampling of what we found on our journey.
![© Mark Schneider PhotoID # 12203663: Pacific Grove](https://www.betterphoto.com/uploads/processedSourceFromOldServer/1137/1109082113361pacific_grove_c.jpg)
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Considered by many to be the most beautiful coastline in the world, The Pacific coast offers everything from the cliffs of Big Sur, the quiet of Pacific Grove and Monterey Bay, to the often foggy and rainy north coast of California and beyond to Oregon.
![© Mark Schneider PhotoID # 13415127: Morning magic](https://www.betterphoto.com/uploads/processedSourceFromOldServer/1241/1210102029351_mg_0031-edit-edit-edit-edit-edit-edi_c.jpg)
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Most of these images were taken while I was participating in a photography workshop. I highly recommend to anyone these workshops if you would like to improve your photographic skills.
![© Mark Schneider PhotoID # 15065318: Steptoe Butte](https://www.betterphoto.com/uploads/processedSourceFromOldServer/1552/1512211644261steptoe_butte_c.jpg)
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This farming community located in the southeastern part of Washington has been compared to Tuscany for the similar rolling landscape. Sunrise shots are your best bet as the light and shadows give you a great perspective.
![© Mark Schneider PhotoID # 9481829: Pristine Tahoe](https://www.betterphoto.com/uploads/processedSourceFromOldServer/0948/0911281401481emerald_morning._c.jpg)
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While living just about an hour away from Lake Tahoe, the Sierras I would consider to be in my backyard. Photographers from all over travel the Sierras to capture the immense diversity. Images include Lake Tahoe, Bodie, Mono Lake, and Alabama Hills.
![© Mark Schneider PhotoID # 12448797: MESA ARCH](https://www.betterphoto.com/uploads/processedSourceFromOldServer/1145/1111021847581_mg_8255-edit-edit-edit-2-edit-edit-2_c.jpg)
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Anyone who has visited Utah comes back with a sense of they just returned from another planet. Picture taking here is abundant and the need to go back is a must.
![© Mark Schneider PhotoID # 9709015: Yosemite's Beacon](https://www.betterphoto.com/uploads/processedSourceFromOldServer/1005/1001261944581_mg_2149-edit-edit-edit-edit_c.jpg)
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Just a couple hours drive from home, Yosemite is a well photographed National Park. While the summer months can be very crowded with tourist, Fall and winter get's the attention of tripod wielding photographers.
© Mark Schneider