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Jason Hahn

Nature Photographer and Instructor at Hahn Nature Photography
Jason is a nature and adventure photographer who has been photographing all the amazing creatures and places this planet has to offer for over a decade. Also a Florida Master Naturalist, he enjoys teaching about photography and the natural world. He currently calls Florida home, with his wife, son, and more cats than he would like to admit. When not writing about himself in the third person, he enjoys sunsets and long walks on the beach while carrying 40 pounds of camera gear. He can most often be found wading through a swamp, hunting down a good burger joint, or enjoying time with his family.

You can find out more about Jason, including his photo workshops, at HahnNaturePhotography.com.

Latest posts by Jason Hahn (see all)

Photograper of the Day: Edouard Ketterer

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Category: Street Photography Photograph: L'homme du canal by Edouard Ketterer Minimalist photos are some of the most difficult to execute, but when done well, are some of my favorites. In Edouard Ketterer’s “L'homme du canal” we see the beauty of simplicity and geometry.  There are only two triangles, the simplest of shapes in geometry.  One person, one texture, and only black and white. But, it's the way these few simple elements have been woven together which creates an exceptional composition.  The perfect balance and symmetry of two … [Read more...] about Photograper of the Day: Edouard Ketterer

How to Deliver Helpful Photo Critiques Full of Valuable Insights

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It's been fun selecting the street photography photographer of the day the last few months at Photofocus. It has also taught me much, making me think about the qualities of the photos I pick that made them stand out from the hundreds I sift through each week. In this article I'll share the things I consider when looking at photos, as well as when creating them. While this is not an all-inclusive list, it's a good blueprint to deliver useful and insightful critiques of other photographers' work, as well as your own. A Critique … [Read more...] about How to Deliver Helpful Photo Critiques Full of Valuable Insights

Photograper of the Day: Fred Leaders

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Category: Street Photography Photograph: “Crowd Control” by Fred Leaders Fred Leaders’ image “Crowd Control”, is an example of an image that caught my eye at first glance, but I had to think about it for a while to figure out why.  It is because it is two photos in one, a single moment capturing two very different scenes, top and bottom.   To illustrate this, look what happens when you crop the image in two.  In one scene you have a women and her baby, who seems to be looking or waiting for someone.  In the other you have an image … [Read more...] about Photograper of the Day: Fred Leaders

First Impressions of the New Aurora HDR 2018 for Windows

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Until recently, I’ve felt a little left out when it comes to the Macphun line of photo editing and effects software. I’m a Windows guy, a sometimes lonely place to be in the oft Apple dominated world of graphic design and photography. Until this year Macphun software wasn’t available for us PC’s. I figured Macphun’s software would always remain out of reach until Macphun released Luminar for Windows earlier this year. So, I tried it. And liked it. A lot! Getting a chance to take the new Beta version of Aurora HDR for a spin, I was cautiously … [Read more...] about First Impressions of the New Aurora HDR 2018 for Windows

What You Need to Know about White Balance In Your Photos

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Editor's Note: A special thanks to our partner Datacolor for helping us to bring more information about color calibration to you.  White Balance is one of the most critical settings that we have to get our colors right, it is a core concept for every photographer to learn.  Right up there with Exposure Theory and how to get swamp smell out of your truck upholstery (that might just be a “me” issue…).  But, it is an often misunderstood concept, used incorrectly it can make your colors look strange, dull, or unreal. Fortunately, it is a setting … [Read more...] about What You Need to Know about White Balance In Your Photos

Photographer of the Day: Benjo Rulona

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Category: Street Photography Photograph: Lanterns Everywhere by Benjo Rulona “Mesmerizing" is the first word that pops into my head when describing Benjo Rulona’s image “Lanterns Everywhere”. The number of lanterns could have become overwhelming, bordering on the abstract.  Repeating shapes and patterns in artwork walk a fine line between interesting and confusing, but the photographer made some smart choices in creating this image to avoid that.   The low angle of the image is probably the most important choice made, giving us a sense of … [Read more...] about Photographer of the Day: Benjo Rulona

Survive the Storm: A Photographer’s Guide to Hurricanes

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In the wake of one devastating hurricane, we are looking down the barrel of another, one of the most powerful Atlantic storms ever recorded. To put it bluntly, a category 5 storm leaves complete devastation in its wake, but any hurricane is capable of immense damage. In the very likely event that this hurricane makes landfall in the southeast in the next few days, we will see the loss of life, enormous damage, and potentially long-term suffering in its aftermath. In the face of one of this planet's most powerful natural forces, it's … [Read more...] about Survive the Storm: A Photographer’s Guide to Hurricanes

Photographer of the Day: Dean Holland

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Category: Street Photography Photograph: Untitled by Dean Holland Dean Holland’s Untitled image is a great example of a “decisive moment”, as the man looks away from his phone to take in the scene before him. We all know how much technology affects our lives, so many of us seem glued to our smart phone screens instead of seeing the world around us. This ancient architecture had the power to pull him away from his phone for a moment, his engagement with the beauty of it makes you want to be there seeing it as well. The composition makes … [Read more...] about Photographer of the Day: Dean Holland

The Color Calibrated Workflow, Part 3: From Digital Darkroom to Printed Piece

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Editor's Note: A special thanks to our partner Datacolor for helping us to bring more information about color calibration to you. You have great photos coming in, now let’s get great photos coming out!  In Part 1: Uncomplicating Color, we explored the concept of Color Management. In Part 2: Getting it Right in the Camera, we learned about the right choices to make with your camera for accurate colors. Now, in Part 3, we will cover how to get your beautiful photos out of your system as beautiful prints. A note, with my photography, I … [Read more...] about The Color Calibrated Workflow, Part 3: From Digital Darkroom to Printed Piece

The Color Calibrated Workflow, Part 2: Getting it Right in the Camera

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Editor's Note: A special thanks to our partner Datacolor for helping us to bring more information about color calibration to you. Getting accurate color all starts with getting it right in the camera. In Part 1 of this series we covered the concepts of color management, and some of the speed bumps you will contend with. Fortunately, there are loads of things we can do, and tools we can use, to make it easier to display and print consistent colors. In this second part of the series, I'll cover techniques you can use in the field or studio … [Read more...] about The Color Calibrated Workflow, Part 2: Getting it Right in the Camera

Photographer of the Day: Jeff Clouet

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Category: Street Photography Photograph: “Path to the Heavens” by Jeff Clouet Jeff Clouet’s image “Path to the Heavens” is a strong example of using leading lines and a vanishing point to convey both movement and depth in a scene. The bright light at the top of the escalator acts as the vanishing point, conjuring up imagery of the “light at the end of the tunnel” and other symbolic concepts. Meanwhile, it also leaves it up to the viewer to imagine what is there. The photographer's choices in where to place the lines in the scene result in … [Read more...] about Photographer of the Day: Jeff Clouet

The Color Calibrated Workflow, Part 1: Uncomplicating Color

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Editor's Note: A special thanks to our partner Datacolor for helping us to bring more information about color calibration to you. The Color Calibrated Workflow, Part 1: Uncomplicating Color It should be pretty simple, I see a colorful flower, I take a photo of it, download it, print it, and it should look just like what I saw. Except, many times it doesn't. Capturing and reproducing accurate colors was once one of the most frustrating and time-consuming things in the realm of digital photography. It can cause no end of problems for both … [Read more...] about The Color Calibrated Workflow, Part 1: Uncomplicating Color

Product Review: Haida 150 Series Insert Filter and Holder System

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Over the past couple of years, there has been a wave of super wide-angle telephoto lenses released on the market. Ideal for huge landscapes, vast night skies, or anything your wide-angle imagination conjures up. They offer big views, exceptional sharpness, and a whole realm of creative possibilities. My personal favorite is the Tamron 15-30mm, but, regardless of the brand, with super wides, their big beautiful front element projects out a distance from the lens body. This means that you can't use traditional threaded filters that screw on the … [Read more...] about Product Review: Haida 150 Series Insert Filter and Holder System

Photographer of the Day: Gary Radler

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Category: Street Photography Photograph: "Junk traveling towards Hong Kong Island" by Gary Radler The term "contrast" in photography describes the difference between light and dark areas in an image. In more common usage, "contrast" is used to describe the quality of things being strikingly different from each other. The greater the difference, the greater the contrast.   In both photographic and everyday terms, Gary Radler's image "Junk traveling towards Hong Kong Island" is an excellent use of contrast. You find striking differences … [Read more...] about Photographer of the Day: Gary Radler

Photographer of the Day – Denis Malciu

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Category: Street Photography Photograph: “6” by Denis Malciu What at first glance is a simple scene of three women sharing a row of seats reveals a striking study in opposites and contrasting elements. On one side, a lone adult with the closed body language of crossed arms and legs, and a solemn expression that gives her an air of seeming weariness or defensiveness. On the other, two young women laughing together, their legs intertwined in friendship and the energy of youth. Alone vs. together, adult vs. youth, quiet vs. loud, irritation … [Read more...] about Photographer of the Day – Denis Malciu

Photographer of the Day: Jovan Jimenez

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Category: Street Photography Photograph: “CTA Green Line to Harlem” by Jovan Jimenez (Jovan J) Jovan Jimenez's image is not only a beautiful example of street photography, but also an excellent demonstration of several composition concepts.  Using selective focus and a very shallow depth of field, he pulls your attention directly to the front of the subway train, where you see the sign the image derives its title from.  The shallow depth of field also allows a story to unfold, the out of focus subway cars and nameless figures help you to … [Read more...] about Photographer of the Day: Jovan Jimenez

The Quick Tip: How to use a Polarizer

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Recently I wrote an in depth article on circular polarizers, where and how they come in handy. To use a polarizer, screw the filter onto the front of your lens (using the right filter size, of course!). Once it is on, the front part of the filter opposite the threads will still be able to rotate freely. This is what you use to adjust the effect of the polarizer on your image. The best way to judge where the filter should be rotated to is to eyeball it. Look through the viewfinder and slowly spin the filter until you see a change in your … [Read more...] about The Quick Tip: How to use a Polarizer

Photographer of the Day: Well-Bred Kannan / WBK Photography

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Category: Street Photography Photograph: "Devotee" by Well-Bred Kannan / WBK Photography This image is purely about light and timing as he captures the devotee in a splash of light in the temple corridor. This same side-lighting also gives the image depth and dimension. Everywhere you look in the image is rich detail, from the carvings on the columns, to the intricate art on the pathway, revealed through that light. The muted tones of the corridor are also broken up nicely by pops of color in the artwork on the ground and the banners … [Read more...] about Photographer of the Day: Well-Bred Kannan / WBK Photography

Polarizer Filters: They’re Not Just for Landscape Photography

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Circular polarizing filters, a.k.a. “polarizers”, are some of the few filters I always have in my pack. Polarizers are important tools in my landscape photography. They can dramatically enhance the look of skies, water and other features of the landscape. Polarizers can remove unappealing glare. They can increase the vibrant color and help the detail of a scene burst through. As with many pieces of photo gear, it's easy to label them as something you use for only a certain type of photography. I once thought of my polarizers as something used … [Read more...] about Polarizer Filters: They’re Not Just for Landscape Photography

Photographer of the Day: Johnny [Shakedown]

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(Editor's note: Please welcome our new curator for the Street category of Photofocus' Photographer of the Day feature Jason Hahn. Jason is a super talented nature and wildlife photographer. His keen eye makes him perfect for choosing outstanding street photographs.) Category: Street Photography Photograph: Untitled by Johnny [Shakedown] What I love about this image is that it’s a study in contrasts and subtlety. There are five people in this shot, the model repeated four times in a clone like fashion, and one person who feels genuine, … [Read more...] about Photographer of the Day: Johnny [Shakedown]

ACDSee Ultimate 10 – How To Get Your Photos Organized With Categories

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How would you describe the subject in this photo?  As a Fox, a Red Fox, or Vulpes vulpes? Baby, pup, or kit? Animal, mammal, canine, vulpine? The answer is all of them, and more! With wildlife photography there are many ways to classify and describe an animal. As your image portfolio grows, it becomes more and more important to have a good system for categorizing and keywording your photos so that once you have found a home on your hard drive for them you can find them again. This way you can find your images and get the right ones to those who … [Read more...] about ACDSee Ultimate 10 – How To Get Your Photos Organized With Categories

Photographer of the Day: SMMProdInc

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Category: Street Photography Photograph:"Alestorm" by smmprodinc When Henri Cartier-Bresson coined the term "decisive moment", he may not have meant catching the lip curl of a pirate metal band's keyboardist, but then again maybe he did! This photo of Elliot Vernon with the band Alestorm just grabs my eye. It's a riot of color which captures the whole concert experience, from the "blood soaked" keyboard to the reflection of the crowd in his sunglasses. The shadowed background of the stage serves as the perfect backdrop to tell you where … [Read more...] about Photographer of the Day: SMMProdInc

Photographer of the Day: Pierre Pichot

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Category: Street Photography Photograph: "Exit" by Pierre Pichot Pierre's image "Exit" is a great example of using lines, light, and shapes to draw your eye to the vanishing point in a photo. I confess, I am rarely a fan of the "off-kilter" look of purposely tilted composition, but in this case it works beautifully. The "Exit" sign creates a story, repeated by a second sign and an unknown figure in the distance. But, the story is left up to the viewer's imagination, whether you see the figure as leaving or coming toward you. Either way it … [Read more...] about Photographer of the Day: Pierre Pichot

How to Make Wildlife Photos Look Great with ACDSee Ultimate

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With wildlife, moments are fleeting, and there are literally once-in-a-lifetime photo opportunities. While it is ideal to “get it right in the camera”, I also believe that while all photos are created in the camera, they are finished in the digital darkroom. Some moments we capture are worth a little extra work to rescue if a mistake in settings is made or the light wasn’t quite right at the time. Out of the many software products out there to process photos, ACDSee Ultimate 10 offers an all-in-one solution to process your photos. In this … [Read more...] about How to Make Wildlife Photos Look Great with ACDSee Ultimate

Rainy Day Photo Projects: Gearing up for Light Painting

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(Editor's note: Jason is beginning a series of columns about photography for rainy days. These projects help stretch creativity and make us all better photographers by challenging us to find places we normally would ignore photographically.) Some days I just have to grab a camera and spend quality time looking through a viewfinder.  While it's rare that mother nature presents weather so bad that I won't venture into it, my photo subjects tend to think differently.  Combine wind, rain, and dim skies, and you have a recipe for staying indoors … [Read more...] about Rainy Day Photo Projects: Gearing up for Light Painting

Impact Flex Arm Super Clamp Kit, Tested and Reviewed

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I recently put the Impact Flex Arm Super Clamp Kit through my rigorous testing process, which involves using it in a variety of photography situations, coming up with ways to put it to work getting the shots I want, and generally abusing the *bleep* out of it to see how it stands up to wear and tear. While it's not what I think of as the usual gear for nature photographers, I found it useful for a number of my photo pursuits both indoors and out in my backyard photo studio/nature sanctuary. What is It? Think of it as that third arm we all … [Read more...] about Impact Flex Arm Super Clamp Kit, Tested and Reviewed

Specialty and Style: Why They are Important for Your Photos

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In photography, few questions have the power to trip people up as those which seek answers to the concepts of "style" and "specialty". Student: "What is my style? What is your style? Should I specialize? Should I specialize in a style? I would like to style my specialty according to the specialization of the prevalent style, how do I do that?" Instructor: "Ummm… Green?" Style and specialty are frequent topics I'm asked about while teaching photography, and some of the hardest areas to give easy answers. While I have always taken these … [Read more...] about Specialty and Style: Why They are Important for Your Photos

Wildlife Photography and Video with the Platypod Ultra

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Spring is a busy time for wildlife photographers, chock full of photo opportunities. I'm lucky to live in an area that is on a major migratory flyway for birds and butterflies, as well as a year-round home to loads of other feathered, furry, and scaly friends. In the few short weeks I have had my Platypod Ultra, I've put it through a workout on a variety of my many spring nature photo ops. These are some of the ways in which I am using it, along with tips and techniques for you to do your own set ups. Wildlife in the Woods Recently, I had … [Read more...] about Wildlife Photography and Video with the Platypod Ultra

How to Capture Fantastic Photos of Rainbows

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Few natural phenomenon can cheer people up faster than the beauty of a rainbow. Getting great images of one is a challenge, they are difficult to predict and constantly changing, occurring due to a specific set of conditions. These tips will help you photograph rainbows when they appear, and get great results when processing your rainbow pics in the digital darkroom. As a bonus, I promise I will refrain from any "pot o' gold" jokes along the way. How, When, and Where to Find a Rainbow For a rainbow to appear you need three ingredients; light, … [Read more...] about How to Capture Fantastic Photos of Rainbows

Making Photos: “Rai” the Rainbow Spider

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This spider web really has rainbows thanks to a complex and slightly weird combination of physics and biology. Not just iridescence, but an ever-changing rainbow that shifts all over the web in the morning hours. It’s one of those shots that when I was looking through the camera I figured no one would believe it hadn't been photoshopped (it wasn't, I even have video!). While there is a lot of cool science going on here involving light and the unique properties of spider webs to create the effect, it’s also one of the prettiest things I have … [Read more...] about Making Photos: “Rai” the Rainbow Spider