The Great Window Seat Lens

Nov 5, 2024 | B&W Photography, Field Reports

Teton Backcountry captured by Z 6III / Z26f2.8

It’s real rare I don’t have a window seat when I fly commercial. I love, just love looking back down at the planet at all its wonder from 36k feet. While at times it seems like a hassle, I have a camera with me at my seat to shoot. I’ve tried a number of bodies / lenses over the years in search of the “perfect” travel kit to do something I love. Last flights I’ve had the Z 6III with the Z26f2.8 and man, does that duo work! The very small size of the lens permits it to go right up to the window so the body blocks all the reflection from inside the plane. The 26mm focal length seems to be about the same as you might get from an iPhone which works perfectly in the frame of the plane window maximizing view and not capturing any of the window frame. Most importantly, it’s one sharp lens. It makes every flight feel shorter having that great window seat lens.

Land of Contrasts

Nov 1, 2024 | Landscape Photography

Firehole Lake Loop captured by Z 8 / Z24-120

Yeah, I am goosing it a bit by shooting when it’s cold so the steam is more predominant but you gotta have it in the first place, and Yellowstone gotz it! The volcanic activity that lives deep below Yellowstone produces so many photographic opportunities seemingly around ever turn. The challenge is bringing back that “heat” in your photos. To see the steam, one way is working with cold temps, in this case, the freezing point. Another is by having a dark background for the “white” steam to stand out. This of course brings photographic contrast into play. I added to that by including the sun, closing the lens down for the starburst and a stop underexposure. It’s what makes it so much fun shooting in the land of contrasts.

Leaping Trout?

Oct 25, 2024 | B&W Photography, Landscape Photography

Firehole Falls captured by Z 8 / Z100-400f4.5-5.6

Firehole Falls in Yellowstone is a favorite of mine. I stop there every opportunity though in principle it never changes. The “washing” away of a couple of tress a few years back opened up the view to the falls making shooting there even more advantageous. So last week we had a moment, the time of day was right so we stopped. We were set up shooting when we started to see dark steaks leaping into the falls. At first, none of us could actually believe what we were seeing. Then we tried to get shots of just it (which meant changing shutter speeds) and low and behold, it was trout! In all my decades there, it’s a sight I’d never seen but it was so cool to watch! Who’d thunk it, leaping trout?

Anybody Lookin?

Oct 24, 2024 | Wildlife Photography

Rocky Mtn Elk captured by Z 9 / Z600f4TC @840mm

It was so good to see the elk back in Yellowstone on the Madison last week. It’s a positive sign nature is getting back inline with itself, the habitat able to support the small herd that once was way too large for the habitat. Near dusk, the herd comes down to the Madison to drink and participate in the annual rut ritual. There were a couple of bulls present, this one being the biggest this particular evening. And while he thinks he’s found a receptive cow, he’s gotta keep his eyes on the younger bulls. Cause while the big boy is occupied, the younger bulls will attempt to service other cows. The young bulls are successful at times and at others, the big boy drives them off. That’s how the system works and the strong genes move forward from generation to generation. For me, the fun is not just the photographing of this process, but constant scan of the herd, anybody lookin?

Moose Podcast #420 – “The Beauty of B&W”

Oct 21, 2024 | B&W Photography, Podcast

Aero C-104

Swan Lake Flats Moon captured by Z 8 / Z100-400f4.5-5.6

In this episode of the Moose Podcast #420 – “The Beauty of B&W” is an elusive realm for many. It comes from a number of factors from click to click. This long Moose Podcast should give you a kickstart.

Click to listen to Episode 420

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Howdy and welcome to the Moose Podcast! Thanks for taking the time to drop in from your week to listen! Thank you folks for listening and continually rising the Moose Podcast in the ratings … thank you ever so much! Please be so kind and continue to Tweet and/or share on the Moose Podcast on Facebook! I’d be grateful for your continuation in doing that. Want to hear about a particular topic, send in the suggestion … send them to Moose Podcast. THANKS! (sorry, emails sent to this address will get no direct response).

Podcast Transcript

People, Companies, Products Mentioned during Podcast:
Bedford Camera

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