May 5, 2008 | Wildlife Photography
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
May 3, 2008 | Wildlife Photography
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
Apr 14, 2008 | Wildlife Photography
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!
Mar 11, 2008 | Wildlife Photography
It was background control lessons today at Pass-a-Grill Beach (no, I’m not making that name up). The Base Camp trainees were on their bellies using Panning Plates to literally rest their long glass on the sand to totally eliminate the busy shell beach. This Willet was just strolling by kicking a stone down the beach like any ole kid.
This Sanderling went down the beach looking into every shell looking for a morsel left by the tides.
Photos captured by D3, 600VR w/TC-14e on Lexar UDMA digital film
Mar 11, 2008 | Wildlife Photography
I have no doubt that this is how my Base Camp trainees see me already after just 24hrs. “Stop that Chimping, turn off the histogram, watch that background, don’t splash the water!” Base Camp is not for the meek. But then….
there are the moments it all pays off. I was far man out on this photo of the Wood Stork. It walked right up to one trainee and basically kissed his feet. That’s what hard work brings to the wildlife photographer. The simple rewards of a beautiful morning, great bird and close encounter you can enjoy forever in your images!
Photos captured by D3, 600VR w/TC-14e on Lexar UDMA digital film
Jan 15, 2008 | Landscape Photography, Wildlife Photography
You can’t tell from this photograph, but when we left the lodge at 0’dark thirty it was in a driving, cold, nasty snow storm. All the drive out to Old Faithful the snow storm continued. We exited the coaches and it was still snowing. We headed inside for a killer Joe McNally lighting class and when he was all done, well you can see for yourself above. We had another glorious day of light so we spent nearly all of it in the Upper Geyser Basin. Here’s just one of the many geysers and an overview of the upper basin. During our two mile walk, we came across this ole boy.
I was able to use Sharon’s xmas present, a 70-300VR for the first time and man, what a marvelous lens. This old bull is plowing the snow to find grass to munch.
We than headed over to Midway Geyser Basin for a spectacular light display.
I’m not sure who likes us so much to provide unbelievable weather in winter here in Yellowstone, but I sure hope they continue to do so tomorrow.
I invite you to see some other great images from the DLWS staff to be inspired by the beauty found in Yellowstone. Be sure to check out Laurie’s, Kevin’s, Josh’s and Jake’s blogs!
Photos captured by D3, 14-24AFS / 70-300VR on Lexar UDMA digital film
