These old neon signs call out to me and speak to an era that is slipping away. Bits of American craftsmanship, small glimpses into the way it was, the signs are some of the last artifacts of a changing culture. Often outlasting the buildings they were built to represent, we seem to value these icons of our heritage and are reluctant to see them go. Photographing these old hand painted signs has been a fun ongoing personal project as I travel around the West. Themes have emerged: rainbow trout, cowboys and cocktail signs. I look for the old ones that are barely holding on and often don’t work. For consistency’s sake I prefer direct sunlight, which is technically less complicated, more conducive to opportunistic encounters, and shows the hand painted craftsmanship of the sign maker. More often than not I see a sign that I’d like to photograph in light that is not ideal and come back at a later time. Sadly, some that I’ve photographed in the past have been replaced with less appealing modern renditions, or have been “restored” and the rustic charm is lost.

Descanso's: Portals to spirit realm. I began photographing these places of transition from life to death as an extension of a conversation about the necessary risks we face in our daily lives and those we willingly embrace in our mountain adventures. The perceptively “dangerous” things in which we choose to participate are often not as deadly as other more ordinary situations that continually surround us. The tradition began in Latin America long ago. When a person died the family and friends carried the deceased’s body in a funeral procession to its home village where it was ultimately buried. Along the journey, the pallbearers would periodically need to set down the casket and take a rest. Mourners marked these places of rest – “Descanso’s” – with a small cross and bouquet of flowers. This tradition has evolved in the modern era to mark the place where ones spirit leaves the body and transitions to the afterlife, and serves as a warning to passers-by. When I began stopping on roadsides to photograph Descanso’s, the danger of our roads became apparent. Often I found myself at risk while looking through the viewfinder along the roadway. I viewed these places with visual curiosity and was touched by the love and raw emotions of those who make and maintain these markers. As I read the messages to the dead, often left on anniversaries, birthdays and holidays, it became clear that these places are not just markers but portals through which the living communicate with the departed. The seriousness of the subject became clear when a personal friend was killed in an accident while driving to the Sierra on a climbing trip. Suddenly the project changed from heart-felt visual exploration to a tragic story that directly affected my community. Rest in Peace, Bruce Bindner, and all those we have lost to the road.

9/11/15 One year ago today I awoke in from a rocky bivouac high on the Evolution Traverse with Rob McKay. We were climbing this amazing High Sierra ridge line in memory of our friend Brad Parker who died a couple weeks earlier while training for this very route. It had long been our dream to make this climb together, but I never imagined we would do it this way. Though I've told the story countless times over the past twelve months, its only now that I am publicly sharing the images of our Evolution Traverse. Life is short! Enjoy... The landscape images were made in 2013 during a backpacking trip through this section of the JMT with Doug Bush.

North Cascades, WA

On January 14, 2015, Tommy Caldwell and Kevin Jorgeson completed a seven year project to free climb the Dawn Wall on Yosemite National Park's monolithic El Capitan. During the final nineteen day push, the team started at the ground and ascended thirty two rope lengths up the sheer 3000' face. Many said the project was impossible but in the end yielded what is widely called the hardest rock climb on Earth. (Grade VI, 5.14d). Kevin has been a long time friend of mine and it was a pleasure to watch this project unfold and play a small part in contributing to the climb. The media had a heyday with the story and by the time they reached the summit the whole world was watching via live stream on the internet. The images here were made during the project period leading up to the final push, on summit day when I joined a crew of friends who brought a case of Champagne and Kevin's girlfriend up the East Ledges. It was here first ever rock climb but nothing would stop her from being there for her man when he reached the finality of this audacious and historic climb. The enormity of what they had done sank in as we all descended and a tweet came through from President Barack Obama congratulating the two men.

The Sonoma County population of California tiger salamander (Ambystoma californiense) is federally listed as an endangered specie due to habitat loss and degradation. As California’s vernal pools, grasslands and oak woodlands disappear, 95 percent of remaining salamander habitat is threatened by development. For more information: http://www.biologicaldiversity.org/species/amphibians/California_tiger_salamander/ Project Sponsor: MindShift Gear

This body of work was made while testing product and creating marketing images for the company MindShift Gear. With a slogan of "Engage with Nature," the challenge was to create authentic images of the products in use, while showing the unique access and functionality that the Rotation180º technology offers. My involvement with this maker of fine photo-oriented backpacks dates back to its origin as a product concept with the designers of Think Tank Photo in 2010. I was hired to help develop the product line and start the company. After extensive research and development with other photographers we worked toward introduction of the patented Rotation180º back pack technology, and a host of other innovative products that have now reached the market. From concept to design, testing prototypes and creating marketing images, I have been involved in many aspects of the company, which started with a wildly successful Kickstarter campaign. Now working as a contractor again, I believe these innovative, well built products are best on the market for the photographer who values quality, access, and sensible design. Check their website for current and upcoming releases. http://www.mindshiftgear.com/

On Monday, May 17, 2021 The U.S. Forest Service, in collaboration with The Nature Conservancy, began executing a series of prescribed fires adjacent to French Meadows Reservoir approximately 36 miles northeast of the town of Foresthill, CA. Several USFS engines and a water tender from Tahoe National Forest, the American River Hotshot Crew, and Stanislaus National Forest's Summit and Mi Wok Wildland Fire Modules were assigned to the project. On the morning of May 17 crews began burning strips of fuel along the ridgetop then brought fire down the steep slope to consume downed wood and fuels at a slow, controlled rate. Over the next several years the French Meadows Prescribed Burn Project will reduce a substantial fuel load in an area of roughly 7,000 acres in the American River Canyon West of Lake Tahoe. I was excited to be able to work with The Nature Conservancy over the course of several days to document this important work of bringing Sierra Nevada forests back to a more healthy status.

In October 2017 California’s Sonoma/Napa region was rocked by devastating wildfires that consumed 9000 structures, leaving thousands homeless. When flames burned our friend’s homes and neighborhoods down to their foundations, I felt called to do something creative. As a former firefighter, I was stunned by the overwhelming response from departments who came from far away to provide mutual aid. Over the course of several mornings I hung out on a curb near the fairgrounds in Santa Rosa working on a series project, photographing the door panels of as many different fire trucks as I could while the congregation of men and women came and went from their daily fire line assignments. Ultimately I amassing a collection of images that represents nearly half of the more than 500 different fire agencies that came from across the Western United States. The result is a composite piece called “Mutual Aid”. Each of the tiles represents a small thank you to the communities who sent their bravest men and women in our time of need. Many of the gold door logos show a glimpse into the unique local culture, industry and agriculture of the truck’s place of origin. By sending mutual aid, we exhibit a level of support for humankind that transcends the divisions in today’s society. I see an underlying optimism here in that during a disaster we put aside our ideologies and show up to help one another. “Mutual Aid” is available in two versions; as a fine art print and as a poster: The Fine Art piece, which represents 192 individual fire departments is printed directly onto aluminum with a ready-to-hang gallery float backing. It is available in four sizes, 15x20, 18x24, 24x32” and 36x48”. The “Mutual Aid” poster, ($39.95, now in-stock and shipping) depicts 176 different fire departments, expressing our gratitude toward first responders, while listing the names of the individual fires in Sonoma and Napa. The poster, rolled in a tube, can be shipped anywhere in the US. The piece is on 100# glossy paper and printed right here in Sonoma County. A portion of proceeds from “Mutual Aid” will be donated to local non-profit organizations that are working to support children and families affected by the fires. To view pricing and purchase a print online click “Add To Cart” while viewing either image in the gallery. Mail orders can be sent to the address below. Custom orders will be considered. photo@jerrydodrill.com 707-379-8100 9am-5pm PST PO Box 244, Bodega, CA 94922-0244 -Jerry Dodrill

On the mornings of February 12-13, 2024, Fishermen from Bodega Bay gather in an attempt to rescue the fishing boat Aleutian Storm from Salmon Creek Beach, having run aground on the night of February 9. After multiple broken tow ropes during high tides the effort was suspended. Located in the Greater Farallones National Marine Sanctuary, and at a site where endangered Snowy Plovers nest, officials did not want to disturb the habitat area by allowing large machinery on the beach. However, in the face of the much greater environmental impacts of not acting fast and letting the boat break up with several thousand gallons of Diesel fuel on board, logic prevailed and two excavators were brought in on the morning of February 12. With a tug boat towing and excavator working, it seemed like the effort was about to pay off, then the rope broke again. The ship's captain, Chris Fox and his crew abandoned the vessel by jumping into the excavator bucket and being dropped on shore. On the night of February 18, high swell from a violent winter storm smashed the Aleutian Storm to pieces, leaving just the steel hull buried in the sand. 1500 gallons of diesel fuel were lost to the sea and contaminated the beach. Salvage and cleanup efforts have been ongoing. A public beach cleanup was organized by Coast Walk and California State Parks staff and occurred on March 23rd. About 85 people showed up to help and made a big dent in the polystyrene foam that has been littering the beach. State Park staff is continuing efforts to clean up the beach and is monitoring snowy plover nests within the crash site area.