Apr 26, 2018 | Landscape Photography
It really is pretty cut & dry! You want to say, “Red Barn” or “Red Barn on the Palouse?” There is no right or wrong statement but knowing it determines what lens you’re going to use and where you stand to take the photography.
The red barn assures your viewer can’t miss it in the frame. That makes the photographic work a snap because you then have the luxury of placement in the frame. I went with the D850 / 300PF to tell the story of place. And went with the D850 / 24-70VR to tell the story of romance. And since I took them both, one or just the other photograph wasn’t an option. I had to have them both.
Apr 25, 2018 | Landscape Photography
Truly enjoying the tranquility of shooting in The Palouse! I also love the HUGE challenge of looking at the landscape and optically pulling out the detail that added up makes, The Palouse! The patterns are everywhere but how to connect to them visually and then share them with you, well is a ton of fun (though you can get frustrated in the process.)
One thing that helps me is to put the camera on the tripod. Not my normal MO, slowly looking through the lens and then at the scene and then through the lens, the little details you want to include and exclude for me is easier when consistent. Locked down on the tripod with either the 70-2004 or 300PF they pop out. Keeping it simple is key to the lines of The Palouse.
Apr 25, 2018 | Landscape Photography
We’re up shootin spring on The Palouse. This corner of Washington is simply gorgeous! We were here last fall exploring the rolling hills and came back for spring greens and they simply don’t disappoint! Now “great” skies eluded us today which makes the landscape a little more challenging and with the killer skies last fall, a little disappointing. With that said, photography must go one even for no other reason than the love of photography. So heading out to the “Weber” Ranch (named for the road, not the actual ranch) was our first stop of the day.
Shooting with the D850 / 70-200f4 and Nikkor 62mm Polarizer, I walked up the road to take in the ranch, rolling hills and light. As you can see, the sky was, well, boring. But I hung in there and waited until a little bit of light kissed the left side of the hill. Ya, that didn’t help so after an hour, I packed it up, got back in the van and moved.
I wasn’t giving up as I was challenged by something I wanted but I wasn’t finding it. I parked again and was getting out when this truck pulled up and parked pointing right at the van and blocking it from moving. Getting out of the truck was the farm owner and the nicest guy you’d ever want to meet. He told us about the land, crops and how his wife was the fifth generation on the land. I don’t know if it was his stories, knowing more history about the subject, the clearing of the mind or the change of light and direction, but the elements finally came together in the viewfinder and the photograph, it was 90 minutes well spent!
Apr 23, 2018 | Wildlife Photography
Once again, my time with the “Chickens & Grouse” of Nebraska was not only good for the soul but good for the pixel. Click on the photo to enjoy my memories!
Apr 18, 2018 | Landscape Photography
There is nothing to this post other than to show off what I think are these really cool trucks. They are used to conduct the control burns in NE and they simply remind me of Mad Max. Except, these are put to use in the real world. They all had names and I regret I forgot them, except the one with the American Flag is Megatron.
When it comes to the photography, they did it all for me. I just had to follow them, at a safe distance, and tell their story working the controlled burn. That was easy with the D5 / 300PF. And as often as I could, I incorporated the heat shimmer into the photo. Enjoy!
Apr 16, 2018 | Wildlife Photography
Gtr Prairie Chickens
captured by D5 / 800mm
There are many celebrations in nature announcing the coming of spring. One of my favorites is that of the Greater Prairie Chickens. Looking at the image above, it would appear they are jumping for joy with the passing of snow and the coming of green grass and warmer days. And while they are celebrating spring, their jumping has nothing to do with joy!
Gtr Prairie Chickens
captured by D5 / 800mm
The Chickens come together for a short period, about a month, on a lek, to get lucky. Arriving on the Lek in the dark, they establish small territories then perform their hearts out to attract a female to the territory. And if another male should come close to that territory, the fights begin. It’s true chicken fights with biting, scratching, kicking and tackles all part of the fight trying to make the opponent look unworthy of a mate. Now I call it getting lucky because to our eyes, it never seems to ever work as copulation is never seen on the lek. But a celebration it is for 90 minutes each morning during that month as they are jumping for spring!
Note: Shooting, the only challenge is keeping up with the birds (and working in the blind)! Shooting with the D5 / 800mm, the Auto Area AF takes care of focus and with it being dark, raising the ISO takes care of the rest.
