Jun 12, 2009 | Landscape Photography
[swf]http://www.moosepeterson.com/swf_imgs/_BMP3635.swf, 585, 444 [/swf]
Controlling exposure in our photograph is very important. We have a number of tools to do that, none more important that the Split Grad Neutral Density. I personally rely on the .09 Lee 4×6, here you can see why. Shooting at Swiftwater Lake, making a straight shot you get this image. But this is not what folks saw the other day in the blog. The “glow” above the mountain line brought in a number of emails. That glow is from using a split grad at the point of capture which darkens the sky and opens up the foreground.
[swf]http://www.moosepeterson.com/swf_imgs/_BMP3637.swf, 585, 444 [/swf]
By simply holding the filter again the front of the lens (as in using my hand to hold the filter) and then lowering the gradation down while looking in the viewfinder, the filter does its job. The final image effect can only be accomplished by using the split grad at the point of capture. It’s a vital tool, it’s key.
Photos captured by D3x, 24-70AFS on Lexar UDMA digital film
Jun 11, 2009 | Wildlife Photography
[swf]http://www.moosepeterson.com/swf_imgs/_BMP3902.swf, 585, 444 [/swf]
Wildlife photography requires a huge skill set that goes beyond f/stop and shutter speed. At Base Camp we go over and practice and many of these as there are opportunities to do so. There is nothing more cooperative than small ground mammals like this Columbian Ground Squirrel. We found a large colony that was great to photograph. Jake found a great family group that the campers could all work for hours producing some great images.
We had been hearing the American Tree Sparrow singing and singing but with their small size, they were hard to pick up. While photographing a squirrel, one walked up to me through the grass like a mouse. A heartbeat later it T’d up perfectly in front of me and I was able to get glass on it. It is the first time I’ve photographed them, look forward to doing it more, they are a great little bird.
Photos captured by D3x, 600VR w/TC-17e on Lexar UDMA digital film
Jun 11, 2009 | Wildlife Photography
[swf]http://www.moosepeterson.com/swf_imgs/_BMP3626.swf, 500, 402 [/swf]
The weather finally gave us a break today, no rain, snow or black skies so out we were to see where the Mtn Goats and Bighorn Sheep were spending their time. We arrived to find that they too were enjoying the great warmth of the day, high up the slope. So while we waited to see what they were going to do, we photographed the gorgeous Swiftcurrent Lake.
[swf]http://www.moosepeterson.com/swf_imgs/_BMP3644.swf, 500, 402 [/swf]
While scanning the slope, Jake picked up this Grizzly Bear mother & cub crossing the talus. They were on a mission, booking across the cliff face is breakneck speed. In the process, we watched the goats and sheep and their response to this king of predators. It was a great show for an hour and incredibly educational to me. The ewe group bristled at the site of the griz and moved up slope. In this photo, you can see two big rams who other to turn their head, didn’t give the mom & cub a second thought. Even if I could, there was no way to get up to where the action was happening with the speed the griz were crossing the slope, so I just took some handheld 600mm shots to remind me that there are so many rewards to wildlife photography.
Photos captured by D3x, 24-70AFS/600VR on Lexar UDMA digital film
Jun 10, 2009 | Landscape Photography
[swf]http://www.moosepeterson.com/swf_imgs/_BMP3272.swf, 500, 402 [/swf]
We headed to the mtns after our afternoon class only to be smacked in the face by cold temps and cold rain. The sheep & goats were too far up the mtn, darker skies were heading towards us. The photo opp just wasn’t worth the pain so down the mtn we went. Once down, did what I normally do, look for the light. It was north at the border so off we drove. The shacks are in the US, the clouds are in Canada.
[swf]http://www.moosepeterson.com/swf_imgs/_BMP3356.swf, 500, 402 [/swf]
The clouds were wicked as the floated by battling with the sun. At one moment, it looked like a tornado was cutting across the distance ridge, then the blue sky would appear as if the storm was over only to go dark again the next moment. At the funkiest stop you’re ever going to find on a hwy, just a mile south of the Canada border, we spent a couple of hours just celebrating the magic of light.
Photos captured by D3x, 200-400VR / 14-24AFS on Lexar UDMA digital film
Jun 10, 2009 | Landscape Photography
[swf]http://www.moosepeterson.com/swf_imgs/_BMP3105.swf, 500, 402 [/swf]
There really isn’t much to say, can’t take much credit for the grandeur, just damn lucky to be able to see, click and share! Two Medicine, MT.
Photo captured by D3x, 24PC-E on Lexar UDMA digital film
Jun 9, 2009 | Wildlife Photography
We had an interesting cast of wildlife characters to photograph today. Starting with this cow Rocky Mtn Elk. It would seem by her actions she lost her calf. She stormed around looking and calling for it. Her stressed condition presented a number of photo ops in which she looked odd. Great biology to get on film. The fact she was all wet from the rain and just about finished with her summer molt helped the whole look.
[swf]http://www.moosepeterson.com/swf_imgs/_BMP2776.swf, 500, 402 [/swf]
Then there were the two Am Black Bears we saw a number of times during the day. They preferred to stay on the shadow side of every tree, rock, shrub or road. It was down right rude if you ask me. So I thought I would go artsy fartsy and just shoot at the slow shutter speed and blur all motion. This one kinds turned out kinda neat (other than cutting off a foot). Wasn’t a shot otherwise, so, nothing ventured, nothing gained.
Photos captured by D3x, 200-400VR (handheld) on Lexar UDMA digital film
