Oct 9, 2013 | Landscape Photography
It was late in the afternoon, dinner was done as we’re out heading over to where a griz was grazing. The wind was still blowing, gusts earlier that day hit 60knt on the gauge but it didn’t keep the bears or us inside. Now I was walking as I normally do with the 800, D4, Gitzo, Wimberley over my shoulder with D4, 80-400 on a Vulture strap also on my shoulder as we walked single file through the meadow. As you might know, I have the 800mm wearing a LensCoat. On this particular venture, I had the Hoodie on the 800mm covering the front element as well. all I was really pleased about because the sand was blowing bigtime! So we leave the beach and crest the small knoll and a gust of wind hits and the takes the Hoodie off the lens. I retrieve and keep on going thinking really nothing about it.
Three hours later finds us down on the other end of the beach walk back towards camp after photographing this great family group, a mom and three spring cubs. Well the wind had picked back up keeping our heads down as we walked. It was so bad the sand was sticking to the chapstick on my lips! Depending on where we were, the gust of wind would hit us with sand causing us all to protect our gear a little more than normal. Well, a huge gust of wind hit us again and this time, it took the Hoodie again. Man, can that Hoodie sail! Before we know it, it’s traveled the sixty feet to the waterline. Than another gust of wind hits it sending it out into the surf. Did you know them things float! Did you know that the part that hugs your lens barrel is a great sail? Well, I didn’t but I do now! I think that Hoodie got back to Homer across the inlet before I did. All I know if I’m Sooooo glad I have LensCoat protecting my gear. The stuff works! Oh, the bear photo above? They could care less about us or the wind or my Hoodie sailing across the inlet. It just kept on moseying on down the beach.
Oct 7, 2013 | Landscape Photography
Dear Moose Cruise folks; I’ve not forgotten you, it’s only been a couple of days and I’m just now getting back in the office. Like I offered, the finishing videos will be posted here in the next couple of days. Honest :-)
Oct 7, 2013 | Landscape Photography
I made it home long enough to see our Aspens that ring our meadow turn yellow. I’ve not seen that the past few years. I have lots to catch you all up with, hope to get it going this week. I wanted to start by posting a photo of home that I can see while I’m on the road the next week. This is a real simple click with Sharon’s Nikon V2 w/10-30. It’s really a great little camera that she pounds shooting stills and video. Nikon just introduced the Nikon 1 AW-1 “underwater” camera (a sample I’m told is on its way to me). Nikon states,
From outdoor adventures to family events, don’t miss a moment with the world’s first waterproof, shockproof, interchangeable lens camera*. The Nikon 1 AW1 is built for life with astonishingly fast autofocus, rugged construction and an intuitive interface. From the epic to the everyday, it delivers high-quality images.
I have to admit, a mini “Nikonos” really has me intrigued if it produces the same quality as Sharon’s V2, I’m in!
Oct 3, 2013 | Landscape Photography
WHAT an AMAZING Cruise! Lots to share, lit’l time … stay tuned for more images and the post processing videos to finish them to come next week. THANKS to all the folks, B&H & Lexar for making it a great day!
Oct 1, 2013 | Landscape Photography
I’m right the with you, I’m dying to get them all out! But as life would have it (kinda my fault since it’s how we planned it), we no sooner got home from AK and we’re back on a plane heading to NYC (and blog late because United wifi not turned on).
Traveling in AK in the fall by bush plane is truly one of the simple joys of life. But you’ve gotta take a deep breath when flying by bush plane, not because of the plane but because of delays. In our case, we were delayed getting into the lodge by two days by 50knt winds out of the west. Then there was a window and with two aircraft, Cessna 207 & 205, we safely landed at Hallo Bay. Seeing griz from the air as we came into land on the beach was great, I’ve missed that site. After getting planes unpacked and gear stowed, we took care of some housekeeping and than headed out to shoot. We were in Homer on our way to dinner when we got the call to fly, it was that late in the day. So we left the Hallo Bay Camp for a short walk to see our griz neighbors. We had barely left the camp when we came upon this bruin. With just the D4 / 80-400VR3 on a Vulture strap with the fading light, I raised the ISO to 1600 to make a couple of clicks. Photos like this I use to just keep track of individuals as I get to know a population. Being that I plan on haunting Hallo Bay, I want to know the neighbors.
They are calling the flight and I’ve got to run. And I really need to get the story out … tired of all the “bear eat me” myths out there. The truth while boring is still the truth. mtc …
Sep 9, 2013 | B&W Photography, Landscape Photography
The desert is such a magical place especially when you look, I mean really look. When the monsoons are blowing through, they take on a kaleidoscope of colors as the miracle of water brings new life as summer takes its last bite at heat. Photoshop World is held in Las Vegas in September which is a drive from our home due east and then when coming home, directly due west. The route covers some amazing desert and desert ranges and it never fails to produce memorable images. Of course, they are memorable to us because we love the desert and the drive. The trick, to make the photo to help you fall in love with it.
There are a couple of critical elements needs to make this happen. The first are brakes, that means not that they are working on your vehicle (which is required no matter what) but that you have the time to use them. When traveling, stopping to take a photo takes time and that fact often stops folks from stopping. Next, you need to have your camera in your lap, or really close, so you can shoot out your window fast if need be. On this day, I shot with the D4, 18-35AFS & 80-400VR3, having all three right next to me. Then for me personally, I’m looking at the shadows, the blacks which define the shape, texture and visual depth. Those three elements are what I like to use to get you to fall in love with the desert. When it comes to finishing, I did my usual playbook, CC ACR and than Perfect B&W. With time being the key, the rest is simple, at least I hope it’s simpler with this because, I can’t help you with the time.
