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Dakotagraph Dakotagraph is a collection of work by photographer Chad Coppess.
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Monument Valley on the border of Utah and Arizona is a spectacular spot for landscape photography. You've likely seen th...
10/21/2026

Monument Valley on the border of Utah and Arizona is a spectacular spot for landscape photography. You've likely seen these buttes in countless movies and cartoons as they've come to symbolize the American West.

Twice now I've spent a sunset and sunrise on the edge of the valley with many other photographers searching for just the right angle. It's a breathtaking experience.

For fans of western movies it doesn't get much more fun than touring a place like Mortenson's Movie Ranch near Santa Fe,...
10/21/2026

For fans of western movies it doesn't get much more fun than touring a place like Mortenson's Movie Ranch near Santa Fe, New Mexico. Built in 1970 for the film "The Cheyenne Social Club," this set has hosted more than 250 productions. Legends like John Wayne, Clint Eastwood, Jimmy Stewart, Kevin Costner, Robert Duvall and more have walked these streets and fought it out in the saloons.

Photographers don't often get a chance to shoot something like this, so when I'm near a location like this I jump at the chance.

It doesn't hurt that Groton, South Dakota native Clint Mortenson owns the ranch. It's always enjoyable to make a home-state connection. Thanks much to Clint and Mark Morris for a great tour!

https://mortensonranch.com

Why yes, the toys did go along for the ride through the southwest. Locations in the photo captions. South Dakotans might...
10/14/2026

Why yes, the toys did go along for the ride through the southwest. Locations in the photo captions. South Dakotans might like that the Mortenson Movie Ranch served as Belle Fourche in John Wayne’s “The Cowboys" and is now owned by Groton, SD native Clint Mortenson.

Just returned from a 4,000-mile road trip across six states with a mix of Route 66 centennial, Albuquerque Balloon Fiest...
10/13/2026

Just returned from a 4,000-mile road trip across six states with a mix of Route 66 centennial, Albuquerque Balloon Fiesta, Mortenson Movie Ranch, Monument Valley and the San Juan Mountains. Lots to see in the American Southwest!

That was a fun Black Hills Photo Shootout!
09/28/2026

That was a fun Black Hills Photo Shootout!

Spending a good chunk of the summer in Deadwood allowed me to shoot some fun photos.
09/25/2026

Spending a good chunk of the summer in Deadwood allowed me to shoot some fun photos.

Here are more scenes from the spectacular sunrise in Spearfish Canyon last Friday.
09/21/2026

Here are more scenes from the spectacular sunrise in Spearfish Canyon last Friday.

Wow was it a beautiful morning in Spearfish Canyon and these are just from my phone.
09/18/2026

Wow was it a beautiful morning in Spearfish Canyon and these are just from my phone.

Indiana Jones found all the mysterious spots in the Black Hills of South Dakota and Wyoming last weekend.
09/16/2026

Indiana Jones found all the mysterious spots in the Black Hills of South Dakota and Wyoming last weekend.

Photography wasn't my main mission at this year's Black Hills Photo Shootout as I got to play cowboy "model," but I did ...
09/15/2026

Photography wasn't my main mission at this year's Black Hills Photo Shootout as I got to play cowboy "model," but I did shoot the sunset on Sunday night and a cloudy sunrise at Devils Tower on Monday as I was headed home. Things don't get more western than this!

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501 Main Street
Deadwood, SD
57732

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