Z 8 New Monochrome Picture Control

Feb 19, 2024 | B&W Photography, Random Thoughts

Waco EQC-6 captured by Z 8 / Z50f1.2  Flat Monochrome: Monochrome: Deep Full Monochrome

Tucked in with the amazing and massive Z 8 2.0 Firmware update were two new Monochrome Picture Control, Flat & Deep Full along with the already present Monochrome. I took the Monochrome family out for a spin this past weekend, the test results you see here. The images above are straight out of NX Studio. All three monochrome PC are quite stunning and when applied to the right scene and visual story come right out of the camera print ready. It will take some more time for me to make the three options easily applied to the right scene but I love the results and the challenge. A tip of the hat to the engineers at Nikon for bringing us the Z 8 new monochrome Picture Control!

Landscape, Light, Drama calls for B&W!

Feb 16, 2024 | B&W Photography, Landscape Photography

Fountain Flats captured by Z 8 / Z24-120

Romancing the landscape, I know of no finer pursuit with a camera. When light is served up, the power of nature is on display with eminence visual depth, Black & White is the obvious option. Dialed in -.07 exp comp, set the Z 8 to Monochrome (here are my B&W settings), and went click. Then the best part, put the camera down and simply take it all in. Landscape, light, and drama call for B&W!

They Have Big Hearts

Feb 14, 2024 | Wildlife Photography

Kodiak Brown Bear captured by Z 9 / 800f5.6 AFS

Bears have a heck of a reputation to get past to be seen for the amazing critters they truly are. Most have heard the ole’ “Don’t get between a mom and her cub” which is more myth then reality but it does convey the “love” a mom has for her offspring. Yes, these giant critters (a Kodiak Brown can be nearly eleven feet tall!) have a real ferocity then can appear in a heartbeat but it tends to disappear just quickly. I encourage you to spend a little time with one on the grass flats as you will quickly discover, they have big hearts!

The Song Came from the Forest

Feb 7, 2024 | Wildlife Photography

Gray Wolves captured by Z 9 / Z600f4 TC @840mm

Wolves display all sorts of attributes. The unity of the pack is one that tugs at my heart as they are all for one and one for all the majority of the time. It has been shown that each wolf has a unique howl and that they communicate various aspects of life through a howl. Personally, unless they are close and there are multiple individuals howling at the same time, it all sounds the same. On this amazing morning, we were parked when we heard from the forest the howl of one, and then two wolves. It never lasts long enough for my liking but it’s a song I never forget from each encounter. The Northern Rocky Wolves have slowly made progress in reclaiming some of their historic range. Once you’re in their home you will know what I mean as you say, “the song came from the forest.”

Timeless Steam Needs Time

Feb 7, 2024 | Landscape Photography

Fountain Flats captured by Z 8 / Z24-120

I could a lifetime watching the steam in Yellowstone as it boils from the ground and fills the air until after a short travel, it disappears. This process is a 365 /24/ 7 which we can only witness when the air temp gets low, below freeing to below zero is the best. This morning the air temp was 19 degrees and the steam was putting on quite the show. The darken skies were the perfect backdrop of the drama. Having watched steam a lot, I’ve come to learn its a pillow, cloudy, soft form, not sharp by any means. I dropped the shutter speed down to 1/20 to render it that way, soft. The trees, the clouds, they are sharp giving the steam a space to tell their brief story. The timeless steam needs time.

Griz … Now?!

Jan 31, 2024 | Wildlife Photography

Yellowstone Griz captured by Z 9 / 800f5.6 AFS

You might not have noticed, but the Rookies are kinda dry, kinda warm. How dry and warm you ask? So much so that bears are not only out and about, but wildlife officials are warning folks to do out with bear spray! Biologists said a couple bears never went into hibernation this past winter with others taking only a “short nap.” What does this mean for the bears? That’s a great question. Typically they would come out of hibernation a few months from now to carrion that succumbed to a harsh winter. Well, the winter is not harsh so there isn’t much if any carrion. And plants are still dormant that they would feast on in spring. Only time will tell but I’m not ready to look for griz … now!
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