Coming down to the end of SD Base Camp and the photo opps just keep getting better and better. This evening we were amongst a herd of bison that decided to just have fun running. So we closed our lenses down to f22 so we had a shutter speed of 1/20 and then panning, made this bison look like track stars.
Photos captured by D3, 200-400VR on Lexar UDMA digital film
Our first day of Base Camp shooting was GREAT! I know that while I write this post the Campers are busily panickly uploading lots of cards, enjoying their images, reading tonight’s lesson and preparing for a 5AM departure. And, I’m sure we’re all too excited to get much sleep with thoughts of tomorrow’s possibilities when this is the least of today’s opportunities!
Getting this close to prime bulls in great light is what wildlife photography is all about! And like I said, this was the least of today’s shooting! I should add I don’t prefer photographing big game with a focal length greater than 400mm. In this case, with safety in mind and the fact that optical compression wasn’t going to change my message, working at 1000mm worked out perfectly.
Special kudos to Frank at Crown Camera who saved the day by getting a new D3 (w/the Moose discount no less) to a Camper who’s camera had an unfortunate day. Thanks Frank!
Photos captured by D3, 600VR w/TC-17e on Lexar UDMA digital film
Snow all gone, green grass a plenty and newborn Bison are just showing up. This one is going for an afternoon snack. I’m not sure mom was so keen on the idea.
what a cute face! It just goes downhill from here. And the color, that’s the real McCoy!
Hard light, I get what I deserve for shooting in it. But a nice buck at point blank range, how can you not shoot?
But there’s nothing like getting close! Ewe get the point.
We’re in South Dakota and today we were shooting in old haunts, Custer State Park. It was a great day of shooting, critters everywhere! We start our SD Base Camp tomorrow night so I’ll post what I can when i can but if today is any indication, I’ll be spending what time I have just looking at my images at night. Wish you were here!
Photos captured by D3, 200-400VR (handheld) on Lexar UDMA digital film
We have an opening in our upcoming South Dakota Wildlife Photographers Base Camp (must be tax time). We also have a couple of openings in our June, Alaska Base Camp. “Just what is Base Camp?” We get asked that alot. We’ve updated our Base Camp webpage that hopefully will answer that question better. All the photos on that page were taken during the last two Base Camps in MT & FL. If that isn’t enough, here’s a couple of love notes from past Campers.
From MT Base Camp:
Moose,
I spent Saturday at the Pelican Island NWR Festival in Sebastian, Florida where I won Best in Show plus 2nd place in Birds and Wildlife (Landscape was the other category) in the Photo Contest. Photo was taken with a D3 and 200-400mm f4.
I have only entered a few photo contests. This was my first “win”. The competition was quite good, so I am excited.
Thanks for your help – even the tennis balls.
Vince Lamb
From FL Base Camp:
Moose,
I just wanted to drop you a note to say thanks for a great week. You and Josh went over and beyond my expectations by far. You gave us a lot of great tools and so much information that the learning goes on as things continue to “click” even after the event’s end. That sort of learning rather than simple regurgitation of a string of facts is invaluable.
Base Camp solidified the foundation of my photography and gave me a barometer to measure future efforts. There wasn’t a waisted moment and the hard work was far from a vacation, but the education was priceless.
I hope to join you again soon.
Best,
Jim Poor
Come shoot and learn with Josh, Sharon & I, you owe it to your photography!
Our last shoot of the Moab 2008 DLWS event found us back at Cisco. It is truly a treasure chest made up of old junk just crying to be photographed. The “Thelma & Louis” car was quite a popular prop for folks. Few found this cool, old, rusty coke machine and lastly is my favorite, Sharon looking out through that killer homemade screen door at sunset.
Photos captured y D3, 14-24AFS & 200VR on Lexar UDMA digital film
Our start of our Moab DLWS was great even though, as you can see, there wasn’t a cloud in the sky. Our own Joe McNally sacrificed his body to be our living silhouette model in North Window. Then, once the sun had become too hard for anything else, I went up into the window itself to capture just one portion of the arch. It was a great start showing how even when the light isn’t happening, photography still can.
Photos captured by D3, 14-24AFS on Lexar UDMA digital film