It’s the Jetson’s?

How freaking cool is this?!

Nikon just put out an announcement that NASA purchased 11 D3s & 14-24AFS to go into space. I was cruising around looking for trivia on past flights from the announcement and found a bunch of Nikon in Space photos and liked this one the best. Check out that hand holding technique! Now that’s a type of air to air photography I would love to do!

It's a Learning Process, A Slow One

So there I am at Bosque, shooting with the D3s (through the 600mm) and Moose Cam (Canon HF-10 attached as normal above the lens barrel). I’m shooting stills and two types of video, working at figuring out a system while trying to make quality images/video clips. I came back from Bosque with one image I’ve always wanted, a down the barrel shot (which you can’t really see here)

The eyes are both lit and sharp. Not that it’s the greatest image, it was just a personal challenge.

At the same time challenging myself with this, I was shooting video like I mentioned with both the D3s and HF-10. The D3s since I was focusing manually via the Monitor, I knew those videos were sharp. The HF-10, I just went along as always with it because it has always delivered. Having no time at night to review the days’ video, I didn’t suspect any issues. Spent the weekend though going through 8hrs of video from the HF-10 and to my horror, found it’s all out of focus. I checked the HF-10 and found that I changed the focus from AF to MF! If I had followed my own insistence of reviewing everything I shot that day for video like I do for stills, I would have found the problem first thing. But no, didn’t do that.

What other issues could come up, well, see if you can figure what I goofed up here

It helps if you flip the switch to ON (doh!). I’ve incorporated video into my shooting now for 18month now and I still feel like a beginner. My brilliant assistant came up with the perfect filing system for video which I’ve been searching for this entire time (job security for her) so we’ve made our first step into a workflow, still miles and miles away from perfection. I see more potential for all of this a month ago but I also see a steep learning curve for me as well.

It’s a Learning Process, A Slow One

So there I am at Bosque, shooting with the D3s (through the 600mm) and Moose Cam (Canon HF-10 attached as normal above the lens barrel). I’m shooting stills and two types of video, working at figuring out a system while trying to make quality images/video clips. I came back from Bosque with one image I’ve always wanted, a down the barrel shot (which you can’t really see here)

The eyes are both lit and sharp. Not that it’s the greatest image, it was just a personal challenge.

At the same time challenging myself with this, I was shooting video like I mentioned with both the D3s and HF-10. The D3s since I was focusing manually via the Monitor, I knew those videos were sharp. The HF-10, I just went along as always with it because it has always delivered. Having no time at night to review the days’ video, I didn’t suspect any issues. Spent the weekend though going through 8hrs of video from the HF-10 and to my horror, found it’s all out of focus. I checked the HF-10 and found that I changed the focus from AF to MF! If I had followed my own insistence of reviewing everything I shot that day for video like I do for stills, I would have found the problem first thing. But no, didn’t do that.

What other issues could come up, well, see if you can figure what I goofed up here

It helps if you flip the switch to ON (doh!). I’ve incorporated video into my shooting now for 18month now and I still feel like a beginner. My brilliant assistant came up with the perfect filing system for video which I’ve been searching for this entire time (job security for her) so we’ve made our first step into a workflow, still miles and miles away from perfection. I see more potential for all of this a month ago but I also see a steep learning curve for me as well.

Night of Lights 2009

Mammoth Mtn puts on each Christmas a spectacular on the mtn they call the Night of Lights. It really is a fabulous show. We walk from our home to the Gondola where we get a ride up the mtn to Canyon Lodge. There out in the snow you listen to a live band and then watch a Snow Goomers, Snow Machine, Skier show that’s kicked off by the Redbull Dive Team who skydive in the darkness to land in the crowd. The night is finished off with one of the best firework display you’ll ever see. All of this is done under the stars and on the snow. It’s a great night.

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This year a hot air balloon was stationed stage left. I brought the D3s because with its amazing ISO6400 image quality, I knew I would find at least one subject to play with. I started a ways away thinking I might like the overal shot with the stars. Na, I can do better so I moved.

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Once I got closer I still kept a vertical format thinking that I needed more of the balloon to make the photo. But after a couple of clicks I realized I was missing the heart of the photo which wasn’t the balloon. So I got closer.

The photo is all about the folks enjoying the warmth of the balloon’s heat on the nippy winter night. It’s a real simple image to take, AWB, -2 exp comp, AF sensor on the basket, just compose and shoot. There’s one piece of advice I often give when I crit someone’s images, “Take one step closer.” Glad I listened to my own advice tonight. It was a gorgeous night out with friends under the stars and in the snow. I love winter!

Photos captured by D3s, 28f1.4AF on Lexar UDMA digital film

Is It The Openness of Youth or The Wisdom of Age?

There’s this myth that with age comes wisdom. It’s a myth I put to the test everyday. Of course at what age comes what wisdom is not told in this parable, it’s just assumed that it will come. Now that I’m “older,” am I or do I feel wiser? Sometimes yes, most times no. I wish there was a written test to measure what we had, what we’ve acquired and now what we posses but no such test exists. Here’s my concern, how much of what I have learned can I still access and how much is now lost and with that loss, is wisdom gone with it? Or, does that leave a void to fill with new acquired knowledge? Does merely asking that question demonstrate wisdom? I doubt it.

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Why ask this question of one ’s self? It started with me when I did something really stupid that I figured a wise person would know better never to do. But then again would they or, does merely asking the question mean you’ve learned from past experiences and so you have learned more? I find myself asking more questions then coming up with answers in this quest. And this whole question came up again today when working with my assistant Stephanie. I gave her what I thought was a helluva challenge in Photoshop to find an answer, I couldn’t. Not only did she find an answer in a heartbeat (dang her) but in the process taught this old dog new tricks. Seriously.

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So where does the openness of youth and the ability to take on any task fearlessly, get replaced with the caution and “set in one’s ways” in the wisdom of age? The “I can do anything” attitude replaced with the comfort of “doing it the same old way.” And more to the point as a photographer, either one on their own could be the kiss of death especially in a business atmosphere. The Darwin Theory of Photography, evolve or parish is always at the forefront of my thought. But the successful photographer and business person would have a careful balance of both (with some other things added in for good measure). Did I find my answer? Is it that balance of the two that makes up wisdom?

What Stephanie did was simply brilliant! It was literally simple and its effect is brilliant. I can’t wait to share it with folks at Photoshop World this year. It goes right to the core of my style of photography and image finishing yet subtle, while following the KISS theory. And it’s so simple it went flying past me for years, I did see it or what’s probably worse, didn’t seek it out. Did the wisdom or old age let me down all these years or did it serve me well by giving Stephanie the challenge in the first place, tapping into that pool of youth?

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Pushing my craft, engaging my visual communication skills and refining the message is something I’ve prided myself in regarding my photography. When I start to feel too comfortable, I feel uncomfortable and I throw caution into the wind to see what comes out of the big blow. There is no doubt I try everything until in my mind tells me it is a failure or a success (the measure of which is probably influenced by wisdom?). But you’ve gotta have your eyes wide open to see all you should try. Close your eyes or close your mind and then those new opportunities never appear. So perhaps that’s where the wisdom thing kicks in, having the smarts to try things in the first place and then the wisdom to pursue those things that work for your own photography. I truly enjoy having Stephanie in the office, she makes me laugh. That has now grown with respect for her youth and the “take on all challenges” attitude. Openness of youth or wisdom of age, I wish I was old enough to have the wisdom to figure out the answer! More importantly, will the answer find its way into my photography? Only time will tell which brings me back to what I wrote a few weeks back.

The Guy just Impresses the Hell out of Me!

I just love what this creative genius comes up with. But man, where does he get this stuff? Check out this new tutorial by Corey, just the stars blows my minds with its simplicity let alone the rest of it. Great weekend project, a lot of fun and if you think about it, the techniques and logic could be applied to other finishing touches to other images.

I Want One Bad

It ain’t real, but if it ever were to be, I’d have a cupboard full. I would prefer 85f1.4 size, perhaps 135f2

Crossing the Bridge with Moose

Last month we had this little, informal photo contest amongst the folks who participated in the Adorama / Nikon / Moose day long workshop. Originally we were going to spend the day shooting at Jamaica Bay NWR with the aid of 12, 600mm/500mm lens courtesy of Nikon NPS and tripods provided by Bogen Imaging. Then Ida blew into town, literally and blew away my plans. Well I still wanted to go shooting, take the folks along and do some teaching and man, did we have one helluva a great day!

I wanted to say thanks to the folks for walking across the Brooklyn Bridge in the rain, shooting the entire time and then our time spent in DUMBO. So Sharon & I offered a little “prize’ for the winner, all tuition paid pass to a DLWS event of the winners choice. As it turns out, the winner is Ed Fritz who I just spotlighted yesterday on the blog. It’s just amazing how good photography just keeps rising to the top! I want to thank the folks at Adorama, Monica, Jeff & Harry along with Mike & Chris from Nikon and we especially want to thank all the folks who joined us. You can see all the entries into our little contest here which just gives a hint of the fun we had. Thanks one and all for making it a great day. Oh yeah, we’ll be back again next May for our next event, can’t wait!

What is the world coming to?

RC has tried to get me on Facebook for since forever but I was able to dodge the bullet (he did get me on Twitter though). Then yesterday at lunch Stephanie said I need to be on Facebook (I think RC & her are in cahoots) and I said flippantly, “If you do it, sure.” Well, she did it and now I’m on Facebook. I’m not really sure what we’re going to do now there, but that’s the problem of my Network Social Director, Stephanie. If you’re on Facebook and wanta be friends, you know what to do.

NX2 – 2.24 f/Windows Posted

You could say a few issues have been addressed, might just be work Window users to grab.

The Best Rewards

There are times when, the teaching opportunity, the stage that is set for you to perform, is just lacking. You get spoiled by working with the best like the folks at NAPP and Photoshop World, they set the mark pretty damn high for others. Those times though when your expectations let you down, you still hope that the message you’re trying to bring across reaches someone.

Let me introduce you to Ed2, a quiet, unassuming guy who in class was pretty darn quiet to say the least. On shoots, I rarely saw him and he never asked questions. We found him one morning on a dock photographing a boat’s lobster catch being unloaded and we talked briefly, but conversations were minimum at best. Then the class ended and I felt like I had totally missed my mark with all the group.

Then the emails started to pile in from Ed2, he had been listening, he had taken what was valuable to him and made it his own.  He even went further and watched the most excellent WordPress video by my good friend RC. Dang cool! Along with the “kid” (really love his work), they took a looser week for me and made it very much into a winner. I always hope when teaching I reach at least one person, this week it was two. It’s one of the best rewards as a photographer!

New Podcast by Fredrick Van

Need Some Last Minute X-mas Ideas?

My bud Kevin all last week kept reminding me just how many days were left to xmas. Knowing how few days I had been at home, didn’t have the lights up and perhaps thinking I hadn’t finished my xmas shopping, he was being his usual helpful self. That’s the quiet guy for ya. But it got me to thinking that you might need a couple of last minute ideas for goodies under the tree. Like Kevin, I want to help so have a couple of ideas for ya.

Of course one that I can highly, strongly and confidently recommend to you is this fine, fine Dvd on photographing Yellowstone’s Big game. It’s full of great info, solid field techniques and a nice photo or two. It covers the biggies like Bison, Elk, Bighorn Sheep and a surprise or two. Field ethics, biology and approaching a big monster are just a few topics we go over. You can drop the hint by sending your gift giver this link. And when you score one and we happen to see each other, happy to autograph it Santa.

And if you want more great Dvd viewing and learning for your xmas break, I can recommend all the titles at Kelby Training. Check them out, you might find some more present ideas.

It’s no secret I’m a HUGE fan and user of the LensCoat products. This last week at Bosque they kept my gear from getting all marked up as I shot out the truck window. Scott at LensCoat has a huge selection now that covers, literally about every piece of gear you can think of. Seriously, from ones for the rare 28f1.4 to the 14-24AFS to the 600VR. He’s got a page dedicated to this wide selection you can check out here. You can order from Scott at LensCoat or Adorama, either way will protect you gear and make you a very happy photographer come xmas morning.

It’s all Brad’s fault, HE hooked me on the iPhone and I’m so glad he did! Seriously, it is a very important tool to our business now in so many ways. Yeah, I like the games and yeah, I have photos on it I can share with others but it’s some of the apps that apply to photography that I appreciate nearly everyday. I am a gadget freak for sure, but the Focalware 2.0 just rocks. While it work on the 3G, the 3Gs really rocks with the speed and the compass. I use it nearly everyday just to know the sunrise/sunset, it’s really well done. Did you know that iTunes has gift certificates? Perfect request for a stocking stuffer. I’ve received a boat load of emails requesting a blog on the apps I use. Don’t need to request it again, it’s in the works.

CCD cleaning is so important if for no other reason then to mess with Murphy. Murphy is the one putting that one piece of dust in the most important part of our photo when we can least afford to loose the detail. For this reason Adorama & I have teamed up to create the Moose-VisibleDust cleaning kit. It’s all good to go, just contact my bud Jeff Snyder at Adorama who will set you with the correct swabs for your body (or anything else photographic you want Santa to bring).

The cool shots sometimes take just a heartbeat

Back in the office and in front of the DD, I’ve spent the day getting caught up which means moving all the images from last week’s Bosque Base Camp to the network. I kinda love that process because I get to relive the week all over again as I see the images moves from the external drive to the network. I came back with a whole lot of images, not sure of the count yet other than I have 167 D3s video clips to edit and create a final video. Oh, I need Santa to put some time under the tree for me. Honest, I’ve been good.

Northern Harriers are a cool bird. There were a lot of them at Bosque this year affording a whole lot of photo opps. This particular female (males are silver, females brown in case you were wondering) hung out a lot on this one perch on the Farm Loop. This particular time we found her in gorgeous light and with no one else around to scare her off. How long is long? Well, in reality it was just a heartbeat but it was long enough. Here’s a brief D3s video clip from a prior attempt with her that, well, was even briefer.

While the truck was turned off, the wind was buffeting us pretty darn good which you can see in the video. I was basically handholding the rig so it’s not the steadiest of images. I have though learned a better way to post the video so the quality from that perspective is better. Small improvements each day, I can live with that.

Photo / video captured by D3s, 600VR w/TC-17e on Lexar UDMA digital film

OK, I had to Pullover

The light just became too incredible for me to just shoot as I drove so I finally pulled over. I found a spot, not the safest, to pull the truck over and parked in a snow bank. Our local sheriff went by and just waved, you could say my truck is known around here (that’s another story and not what you think). I had driven all the way from Reno with the D3x in the seat next to me so I just threw the truck into park and ran out.

These are Mono Cones, three extinct volcanoes that are just south of Mono Lake. It’s said that a geologist saw steam coming from the middle one in 1924. The drama in the clouds over the cones just got better and better. I didn’t have time to do it right in camera but knew I could finish the photo in post. Other than the B&W process, I used Nik Color Efex Pro Split grad to darken the top 1/3 of the photo.

Turning to the west, the light over Bloody Canyon was spectacular! That in combination with the fresh snow made the image a slam dunk with really little skill on my part. I finished the image the same way as above. You might wonder about the really blown out highlight. That’s where the sun was trying to shine through and for someone who leaves in snow country, that’s a very welcomed sign after a storm. Capturing detail in that highlight would have taken away from its meaning so I let some pixels die.

Photos captured by D3x, 24-70AFS on Lexar UDMA digital film

Look Ma, No Hands!

You’ve might have heard the rumor that I shoot while driving. Well, it’s true because I shoot all the time. Driving home from the airport the breaking storm painted the Sierra in incredible light so I had no choice but shoot. The problem with driving at the break of a storm is there is no place to pullover and shoot, there is no side of the road, it’s all snow. So I had no choice but shoot while I drove. At least I wasn’t text messaging!

Over the mountains

and through the pass

to grandmother’s house I go

one of the small towns on 395

and Mono Cones

There’s just no place like home!

Photos captured by D3x, 24-70AFS on Lexar UDMA digital film w/assist of F250

Top Ten Questions – Bosque Base Camp

Base Camp’s Top Ten Questions:

Base Camp is a one of a kind experience, balancing the art of wildlife photography with the craft of the business of wildlife photography. One of the main requirements of the students is to ask questions. I decided to post the top ten questions asked of me (rated by me), thinking you might ask them too if you could. Here are my answers. Please keep in mind that these are just my answers and may or may not apply to you or your photography.

#10               Is it still possible to make a decent living as a wildlife photographer?

I firmly believe that it is! The variable to this is you and not the market place. Having weathered a number of “rocky economics times” in our thirty years, we know that the individual and their images are the biggest factors to success. Don’t take this as if it’s easy, or even 40 hours a week or that there aren’t mountains and valleys along the way. But if you are in it for the long run, YOU can do it!

#9                  What’s this business about “good” bokeh versus “bad” bokeh? What’s bokeh anyway?

I had no bloody clue what bokeh was until this moment! Wikipedia says: “In photography, bokeh is the blur, or the aesthetic quality of the blur, in out-of-focus areas of an image, or “the way the lens renders out-of-focus points” which a participant had to explain to me so I could answer the question. Being a photographer who shoots the 200f2, 50f1.4 and 28f1.4 (just to name a few) wide open and with the subject some distance from the background I can say that I love bokeh. So, I learned something new this day, and I love it!

#8                  Is there room for more photographers?

Oh man, are there! There’s even more room for photographers with the highest craftsmenship and professional standards. You’ve probably heard or read that it’s too competitive or there’s no money or many other reasons why there is no room for more photographers. I have such faith in my feeling and that these myths are just that, myths, that Sharon and I are not discouraging our son Jake to follow his heart but rather to encourage him. He knows of the pitfalls and heart aches, but also knows the rewards that hard work brings. The answer is totally up to the photographer to make this happen. Besides, this is what I was told 30 years ago. Some myths die a long and lingering death!

#7                  How do you balance art vs. photography vs. money vs. passion & biology?

Wow, this is a great question and a damn hard one to answer. The answer I think changes with time and age and priorities in life. At this stage in my life and career, I can focus on just the passion, knowing the rest falls into place without too much work. In the beginning, the photo & biology had to be stressed to make the money. But there is no doubt that it is a balancing act, a bloody big one. I was very fortunate that I had a partner in this balancing act. I have no doubt that Sharon made it all possible and kept it in balance with the one other variable not put into this equation, family.

#6                  What’s your favorite animal to photograph?

Isn’t that obvious? Moose of course. It actually shares the #1 spot with the San Joaquin Kit Fox. This is a really common question which I think is very interesting. Nobody asks  what’s my number 2 favorite is though. Curious? Number 2 is all the rest of the critters I’ve been fortunate to photograph in my 30 years.

#5                  What is the biggest growth today in commercial wildlife photography?

If I knew the answer for certain, I wouldn’t have to write this blog J

In all seriousness I think it’s in the field of showing humans interfacing with nature. And in this venue it is possible we’ll start seeing video clips replacing stills with the web being the biggest vehicle replacing the printed page. I don’t think we’ll see this change really, really soon but the winds are blowing.

#4                   Is it better to have high ISO noise or live with a slower shutter speed and maybe compromise sharpness?

I would submit that there’s a third option and one I select most of the time, not shooting at all! A noisy sharp image is of no interest to me, or my clients. And a blurry image that can be done in an “artistic” style always sells but it’s not an easy sale.

#3                  What makes a good wildlife Photograph?

Now wouldn’t we all like the recipe to answer this question! I don’t think there is any one thing or attribute or subject or lens or f/stop that constitutes the answer but rather, a huge combination of these and many others. What do I look for in the pursuit of this answer in my own photography? Light, subject, color and a story would be the four at the top of the list. How often do I find these? Definitely not often enough, which is partly why I go out with the camera every moment I can. In trying to answer this question, another question instantly popped into my mind. Will I ever have the answer to this question for my own photography?

#2                  How much depth of field do you prefer for a given situation?

What a surprise that the #2 email question I receive should appear here as #2. The answer to this question is lengthy requiring stories and visuals, a couple funny comments and jokes. But to answer it as succinctly as I can in this limited forum, it all depends.

#1                  How can “I” use my camera to help endangered species?

This question is music to my ears and a step in my heartbeat! Each and every photographer can get involved with their wild heritage and make a difference with their camera. The easiest and fastest way is to make the image of an endangered that grabs the public’s heartstrings and then get that image and the story behind it out to the public. We wildlife, nature and landscape photographers are a very fortunate group. We not only are so fortunate to witness our wildlife heritage firsthand, but we’ve earned the ability to bring that experience back to others in our photographs. It’s just one more step to finish this blessing by passing it on to others. I know of no greater reward for a photographer then to share their art and passion and affect the life of another human. And in the process, preserve the natural world we were so fortunate to inherent from before us who preserved it for us to enjoy!

Heavy Lifting at Base Camp

Working Bosque entails cruising the loops and making images happen. You can go around and around and around and never make a single click and then you find a bird T’d up just waiting for you. It’s the ultimate Easter Egg hunt. Today was one of those days when we just kept finding cool little surprises. In the process of making the image, setting up the tripod just isn’t possible, no time and no way to move around without scaring the subject. So shooting over the hood, handholding the 600mm is the only way to make the image. Here’s some example of today’s heavy lifting.

Say’s Phoebe

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Greater Roadrunner

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American Kestrel

A great day of shooting and again, it just took one bird to make my day!

Photos captured by D3s, 600VR w/TC-17e on Lexar UDMA digital film

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