Category: Wildlife Photographer: Matt Cuda "Ruby-Throated Hummingbird" A sure sign of summer, and a true delight, is seeing the first hummingbird appear here in New Hampshire each year. Much easier to watch than to photograph as they flit around the yard. The closest thing to fairy-folk that I've ever seen. Matt did a wonderful job of capturing the grace and beauty of these birds, and the added color of the flowers and the pale green background, make this photograph stand out from the crowd. Well done, and thanks for sharing with our … [Read more...] about Photographer of the Day: Matt Cuda
wildlife
Are Your Photos Getting the “Blurts”?
One of the ultimate compliments for a photo is when it makes someone just blurt out a one syllable word or sound. "Wow", "ooh", "awww", "damn", "whoa", "spoon"... you get the idea. The measure of a photo's success isn't if it followed all the "rules", it's whether it makes the viewer feel something. If you get a spontaneous exclamation out of your viewer, they have felt something! If you aren't getting these "blurts" about your work, using these concepts and techniques will make an instant impact on your creative process for … [Read more...] about Are Your Photos Getting the “Blurts”?
Alaska Eagle Photography Diary 2017 – Part 3
(NOTE: All photographs Copyright Scott Bourne - All Rights Reserved.) As I write this I am in the airport waiting to fly home to Seattle. I’ve spent 15 fantastic days in Alaska co-leading an eagle photography workshop with my friend Robert O’Toole. We had two groups, each working with us for five days. Each group had an incredible opportunity as the area was populated with as many eagles as I have ever seen. To top it all off the birds were very animated and we had sunny days each and every day of both workshops. While there is a great … [Read more...] about Alaska Eagle Photography Diary 2017 – Part 3
9 Tips to Put More Life into Your Wildlife Photos
As the (insert amazing wild animal of choice here) steps out of the edge of the woods into view and you imagine getting award-winning images of it, countless choices face you for how to make those images. "What aperture should I use...what ISO...should I try to move closer...should I shoot it as a vertical...should I put on a teleconverter...should I take off the teleconverter... should I switch my car insurance to that company run by a lizard…?" In wildlife photography, things happen fast. Deep, right? You can quote me on that. When … [Read more...] about 9 Tips to Put More Life into Your Wildlife Photos
Photographer Featured On New USPS Stamp
Each year the United States Postal Service receives tens of thousands of images to be considered as artwork for new stamps; last year they received more than 40,000 entries, but they chose fewer than 25 to publish. One of this year's new stamps, the Nebraska Sesquicentennial stamp, is a photograph made by Michael Forsberg. It's a stunning picture of sandhill cranes in flight (at the top of this post), and it's clear that Forsberg is a master of his craft. There're two things I'd like to point out about his success in being published in such a … [Read more...] about Photographer Featured On New USPS Stamp
The Central Coast of California: A Winter Wildlife Destination
The Central Coast of California offers diverse photographic opportunities: rugged cliffs, such as the Big Sur coastline; charming cities including Santa Barbara or Carmel; William Randolph Hearst’s estate, known as the Hearst Castle; picturesque vineyards stretching across the hillsides; and wildlife, particularly in late December and early January. My friends and I decided to travel to California’s central coast over the New Year’s weekend. Our main goals were to photograph monarch butterflies in Pismo Beach, sea otters in Morro Bay, and … [Read more...] about The Central Coast of California: A Winter Wildlife Destination
Photographer of the Day: Pablo Reinsch
Category: Nature Photographer: Pablo Reinsch Title: Hand to Hand It's the little things. In this case, a little lizard. The composition is strong. Positioning the subject across the top third of the frame allows the hand to provide scale with the pale, soft whorls of fingerprints providing textural contrast to the dark, iridescence of the lizard's skin. Nicely done. Photo originally shared in Photofocus' Flickr group. To learn how your work can be featured on the site, please read this article. … [Read more...] about Photographer of the Day: Pablo Reinsch
Photographer of the Day: Joaquín Alonso Arellano Ramírez
Category: Nature Photographer: oaquín Alonso Arellano Ramírez Title: Bear A great portrait of a a dangerous creature. Black and white post-processing produces an image with a ghostly feel. Over on the the G+ thread, the photographer talks about the fact that, perhaps, he got to close to the animal to get this image. The ensuing conversation is worth reading for some pointers. Photo originally shared in Photofocus' Google+ group. To learn how your work can be featured on the site, please read this article. … [Read more...] about Photographer of the Day: Joaquín Alonso Arellano Ramírez
Photographer of the Day: Matt Tiegs
Category: Nature Photographer: Matt Tiegs Title: American Kestrel Lots to love here. First, the eyes and face are in clear focus. Next, the bird is framed well, making it the focal point of the image, even without the creamy bokeh that really makes it pop. Finally, that little hint of motion in the feet, coupled with the over the shoulder look, tells the story of a creature checking its surroundings as it prepares to take flight. Photo originally shared in Photofocus' Flickr group. To learn how your work can be featured on the … [Read more...] about Photographer of the Day: Matt Tiegs
Photographer of the Day: Seth Patterson
Category: Nature Photographer: Seth Patterson Title: Doting Doe Babies. Is there any other subject that makes people go "Awwwwww!"? Yes. Animal babies; more so when we see animal parents in action. Patterson has captured an intimate mother and child moment. In the same moment, he has captured the holy grail of wildlife photographers: behavior. As this photo shows, not all behavior needs to be of the dramatic, "fight or flight" variety. Many times, tender parenting works just as well. Photo originally shared in Photofocus' Flickr … [Read more...] about Photographer of the Day: Seth Patterson
Photographer of the Day: Christian Meermann
Category: Nature Photographer: Christian Meermann Title: Rasta Aquarium (5) Nature is full of patterns. Some fixed; some flowing. Meermann's lovely detail shot of sea anemone captures both the fixed patterns of color and the flowing patterns of shape and motion. To often, wildlife photographers focus on capturing the whole animal or a "head and shoulders" portrait. As illustrated here, there are many opportunities to create beautiful, abstract art by focusing on the details. Photo originally shared in Photofocus' Flickr … [Read more...] about Photographer of the Day: Christian Meermann
Photographer of the Day: Rob Dweck
Category: Nature Photographer: Rob Dweck Title: Migration 3 With fast-moving animals, a wildlife photographer must make a conscious choice: freeze or blur. Freeze delivers tack sharp images; blur delivers abstract images. Both are powerful and evocative, but most photographers seem to choose freeze over blur. Dweck's photo illustrates why blur an equally valid, and often better, choice. Nothing says frenetic chaos quite like a great motion blur. Well executed, the animal is still recognizable but takes on an surreal, otherworldly … [Read more...] about Photographer of the Day: Rob Dweck
Photographer of the Day: Ted Stark
Category: Nature Photographer: Ted Stark Title: Annoyance With Stowaways The first thing that struck me about this image was the strong use of the foreground to create a sense of depth. Next, we have the birds. Great wildlife photography captures behavior. Despite the cheeky title, Ted has captured the symbiotic relationship between the bison and the birds. Photo originally shared here in Photofocus' 500px group. To learn how your work can be featured on the site, please read this article. … [Read more...] about Photographer of the Day: Ted Stark
Photographer of the Day: Brent Schnarr
Category: Nature Photographer: Brent Schnarr Title: 334:365 alt Nemo Getting a good exposure on dry land is tough. Underwater photography adds so many new variables, few people make an effort to really master it. Schnarr has. Excellent composition. Beautiful lighting. Sharp focus. All of which are more difficult underwater, where movement of both subject and photographer is near constant. As an added bonus, the resulting image shows the symbiotic relationship between clownfish and sea anemones. Capturing behavior is a hallmark of … [Read more...] about Photographer of the Day: Brent Schnarr
Photographer of the Day: Don Komarechka
Category: Nature Photographer: Don Komarechka Title: Macro photography requires a particular eye and technical discipline. Komarechka demonstrates both in this image, but that alone is not why I picked. Wildlife photography tends to focus on subjects to which the viewer can easily relate. Insects and arachnids are not defined as relatable by most folks. So, when a photographer is able to showcase their remarkable, if somewhat alien beauty, I take notice. In both the spider and the fly, Komarechka accomplishes this. … [Read more...] about Photographer of the Day: Don Komarechka
Photographer of the Day: Rachid Saghiri
Category: Nature Photographer: Rachid Saghiri Title: Bekhouchaaaaaaa! Such a simple image. Often times, simple is best … and deceiving. Macro photography is never simple. The strength of this image is its composition. The viewer does not see the insect's face, but that is not needed as this is an "over the shoulder", … not a throw away, "butt" shot. This framing gives the image a sense of both motion and depth, implying that the insect plans to traverse the frame from roughly the lower right corner to the upper left corner. Well … [Read more...] about Photographer of the Day: Rachid Saghiri
Photographer of the Day: Karim Sahai
Category: Nature Photographer: Karim Sahai Title: A Young Reindeer I know summer is almost here, but how about a little Christmas magic? When I first saw this image, I thought for certain it was a digital painting. I was wrong. Instead, we have a bone simple composition with bit of alchemy found in the subject, setting, palette and just the right amount of bokeh. Sahai proves that vision + execution = magic. Photo originally shared here in Photofocus' Google+ Community. To learn how your work can be featured on the site, … [Read more...] about Photographer of the Day: Karim Sahai
Photographer of the Day: Ric Rus
Category: Nature Photographer: Ric Rus Title: Goldfinches feeding before the snowstorm Overall execution is spot on, but that is not why I chose this image. In a word, dynamic. If you've ever watched the frenetic madhouse that is songbirds at a feeder, you know this image captures it perfectly, And, if you did not, now you do. Great wildlife photography capture behavior; just like this image. Photo originally shared in Photofocus' Flickr group. To learn how your work can be featured on the site, please read this article. … [Read more...] about Photographer of the Day: Ric Rus
Photographer of the Day: Marcel Theriault
Category: Nature Photographer: Marcel Theriault Title: Pine Siskin on My Balcony Simple is often powerful and so it is with this image. First, it is well-executed. The Pine Siskin is in tack-sharp focus, especially the eyes. Second, it is a simple, some might say drab, bird in a simple setting, but that is why it works. Nature is all around us, even on a balcony or fire escape in the heart of the city. In it's simple, yet skillful execution, Theriault's photo tells that story exceptiionally well. Photo originally shared in … [Read more...] about Photographer of the Day: Marcel Theriault
Proper Long Lens Technique with Scott Bourne
I met up with Photofocus founder and wildlife photography expert Scott Bourne this past week at the Viera Wetlands in Melbourne, Florida to photograph birds in flight. The weather was absolutely gorgeous (even at 6:30am in the morning). But getting up early was really worth it to photograph the birds at first light. Hey - Vanelli came too. While we were there, Scott wanted to share a video about the proper long lens technique when shooting a long lens on a tripod. Believe it or not, properly supporting the lens practically guarantees … [Read more...] about Proper Long Lens Technique with Scott Bourne
The Alligator Farm – The Easiest Place To Practice Bird Photography In The USA
(NOTE: All photos accompanying this post were made the first week of April at the Alligator Farm) I just finished three days of photography at the Alligator Farm. It is located on Anastasia Island near St. Augustine, Florida. I have been here several times, but this was the earliest in the season I have visited. While not yet prime time, there were still many great chances to make killer bird shots and it remains one of my favorite avian photo locations in the country. Anywhere from the first week of April to the last week of May you will … [Read more...] about The Alligator Farm – The Easiest Place To Practice Bird Photography In The USA
Tips for Using Telephoto Lenses
Birding is one of the most popular hobbies in the world (almost as popular as photography), and when I was a park ranger I learned two tips from birders which help me be more efficient using my telephoto lenses. I use these tips every time I use a long lens, whether I’m photographing birds, sports, or flowers. Look then Lift Birders use this technique to help them find a subject with binoculars. The trouble is, it's easy to lose the bird's position when switching from the wide view of your eyes to the much tighter view in binoculars--which … [Read more...] about Tips for Using Telephoto Lenses
Instant Replay: Making Compelling Wildlife Photographs with Scott Bourne
In this webinar, Scott Bourne will share secrets and practical advice that went into the making of some of his favorite and best-known images. He'll discuss both shooting and postproduction techniques that make his images stand out above the rest. Scott will also show how he's using Perfectly Clear to enhance his images to improve contrast and clarity while removing noise. Click here to download Scott's entire slide presentation. https://youtu.be/xwDjxmhzIgI?t=2m56s … [Read more...] about Instant Replay: Making Compelling Wildlife Photographs with Scott Bourne
How To Pre-Visualize A Photograph: Interpret – Envision – Plan – Execute
I’ve written before on pre-visualization. It’s an important tool for photographers who are trying to make the jump from good to great images. I am not really sure when I figured out how valuable pre-visualization can be, but I do know that photos of mine like “Cranes in the Fire Mist” couldn’t have happened without it. Every time I write about this I get plenty of email from photographers who want more details. They want a roadmap to pre-visualization. Unfortunately, it’s an etherial thing that is very hard to put into words, but I do … [Read more...] about How To Pre-Visualize A Photograph: Interpret – Envision – Plan – Execute
Wildlife Photography – You Can Use Flash
I don't use flash very often and I especially don't use it very often with wildlife but it is possible. For this image made with a Canon 1D MK II and Canon 500 f/4 lens, mounted on a tripod with gimbal head, I used a Canon flash with a Visual Echoes FX-1B "Better Beamer" Flash Extender because the eagle was hiding under the canopy of some trees. He was very tame and patient but there just wasn't any light to speak of. Because I didn't want the flash to overpower the bird and blow out the highlights I used on-flash exposure compensation of … [Read more...] about Wildlife Photography – You Can Use Flash
Staying Safe Around Wild Horses
I am fortunate to have several groups of wild horses and burros that live within a 20-minute drive of my home. They are one of my favorite subjects to photograph with the stark Nevada desert as a backdrop. While I did not own horses as a kid, I grew up around them and am very comfortable in their presence. Recently, I was reminded that most folks have no idea how to behave around horses. Too often, people assume they are gentle, docile creatures and many are. But, wild or domesticated, horses are half-ton animals who are built to bolt and, … [Read more...] about Staying Safe Around Wild Horses
Offbeat with Clemens Vanderwerf
It is not often one finds someone willing to traipse around the chilly Alaskan countryside, looking for moose. But, that is precisely what I found when I met Clemens Vanderwerf last spring. We had already spent a week on the Kachemak Bay photographing eagles, sea otters, Stellar's Sea Lions and a host of pelagic seabirds. But on my last day, I wanted to go looking for moose in the countryside and Clemens joined me. We saw several moose off in the distance, but none close enough to make it worth pulling out our cameras. Clemens had a flight … [Read more...] about Offbeat with Clemens Vanderwerf
Photographing La Jolla Cove’s Brown Pelican Colony
I was lucky enough recently to get another opportunity to photograph California Brown Pelicans, a subspecies of P. occidentalis, - the smallest member of the pelican family at LaJolla Cove near San Diego. On and off over the last 20 years Ive visited this location during the second/third week of January when the pelicans are reliably in the peak of their breeding plumage and at no time have I been disappointed. You may see the birds here in breeding plumage anytime between December and February. The pelican colony lives along the craggy … [Read more...] about Photographing La Jolla Cove’s Brown Pelican Colony
Photographing Birds – What NOT To Do
Most bird photographers will post their best images and let you know how cool it is to photograph birds - me included. But most bird photographers will NOT post the images that they screw up and I guess I didn't get that memo because I will. Sometimes you can learn more from mistakes than successes. In this short post Ill give you some ideas of what NOT to do when you photograph birds - or anything else most of the time. Mistake Number One | Composition Don't frame so tightly that you cut off part of the bird. Mistake Number Two | … [Read more...] about Photographing Birds – What NOT To Do
To Become A Better Wildlife Photographer – Learn More About Wildlife
As well-known nature photographer John Shaw says, To become a better photographer, become a better naturalist. Its just common sense. The more you learn about your subject, the better prepared you'll be to capture compelling images. This applies to all forms of photography but in this post Ill specifically discuss wildlife as the subject. There are complete college and university programs dedicated to the study of avian and wildlife biology. This blog post doesn't claim to come close to that objective. But it is worth discussing even briefly, … [Read more...] about To Become A Better Wildlife Photographer – Learn More About Wildlife
