Mountain Bluebird

Female Mountain Bluebird at Mormon Row  

After a sunrise we were entertained by this female Bluebird and her mate. I loved getting to photograph a bunch of new wildlife while we visited the area. This little lady was just amazing to watch. I also love the complimentary colors of the fence and the sky with her colors. Image made with Canon 7dmii and Tamron 150x600 at 600mm f/8 ISO 3200 and shutter speed of 1/800 of a second  in manual mode. Edited in Lightroom  CC and On1 Raw. Gear carried in MindShift Gear FirstLight 40L. 

Sunset at Oxbow Bend

Here's an image from Oxbow Bend. There wasn't much color in the skies. But the flowers were colorful enough. I used graduated neutral density filter by Sirui to help me get a bright foreground and not blownout the skies. As you can see it also caused the clouds to be darker. Image made with a Canon 5dmiii and Tamron 24x70 lens at 24mm f/16 ISO 100 resulting in a shutter speed of 1/25  of a second. On top of my Sirui N3204x tripod and K-30 ball head. Gear carried in MindShift FirstLight 40L edited in On1 Raw and Lightroom CC. 

Bison

A bison in Grand Tetons National Park

He spent a bunch of time chasing wildlife while visiting the Tetons. Then all of a sudden there was wildlife everywhere we looked. We photographed these guys having some guy fun. They are quite amazing. Image made with Canon 7dmii and Tamron 150x600 at 600 mm ISO 800 f/8 resulting in a shutter speed of 1/1000 of a second. I did crop this image a little to remove a pair of tails on the left side. Edited in Lightroom CC. 

Working On technique.

A NutHatch on the Stump.  

I've been working on shooting using Auto ISO in both manual and aperture priority modes for photographing birds. Cecil Holmes had mentioned it while in the Tetons and having not used it much, I didn't use it there much  either. There's a certain amount confidence as a photographer that needs to be built when photographing in various ways with your camera. Like shooting in manual mode or understanding bracketing. Honestly in every aspect of photography. I trust my camera to do what I need it to do. After all I'm telling it what I need it to do. In the end I always want a sharp image with tolerable noise levels. I've always tried to stay at ISO 1600 or less. Because I know I'll get good quality images. Auto ISO has opened options to shooting at higher ISO. High ISO paired with perfect exposure leads to a very sharp image for two reasons. Fast enough shutter speed and no noise from underexposure. I was working with high ISO the other morning and I was quite impressed with the overall image right from the camera. The image above is unedited. I did view it in Lightroom CC. Image made with Canon 7dmii and Tamron 150x600 at 600mm f7.1 Auto ISO at 3200 and shutter speed of 1/600 of a second. On top of my Sirui N3204x tripod snd K-30 ball head. Gear carried in MindShift Gear TrailScape 18L and Peak Design Strap. 

The Grand Tetons

John Moulton Barn Mormon Row GTNP.  

It has  been a few weeks since I returned home from the Grand Tetons. The trip was exhausting with an emphasis on seeing as much of the area as we could. We packed a months worth of experiences into a week. Every second was amazing. We had very little clear skies for sunrises or sunsets. But it was incredible either way. The wildlife was amazing. The food being served in the area was superb. We even went to Idaho for the best huckleberry shakes. We made the trek to Yellowstone twice in hopes of shooting some night skies. We didn't get the clouds to cooperate but we did manage some waterfalls. I have hours of editing to get to over the next several months. 

This image was made on our first attempt for  a sunrise at Mormon Row. The clouds got progressively heavy and eventually rained. Offering us an amazing double rainbow. We honestly were in awe of the scene before us. I used my Canon 5dmiii and Tamron 24x70 at 50mm f/16 ISO 100. I also used Sirui's filter system with a 5 stop grabdusted Neutral Density filter. On top of my Sirui N3204x tripod and K-30 ball head. Gear carried in MindShift Gear FirstLight 40L. And Peak Design Slide strap. Edited in On1 Raw and Lightroom CC.  

Mindshift Trailscape 18L

Front view less than 20" in height and very manageable.  

Here is a day pack filled to cover a lot of photographic needs. 

I started my afternoon intending to shoot some flowers at Smith Botanical Garden. And maybe a little landscape work. So I packed my Mindshift Trailscape for my days work. I loaded it with 8 filters in the Mindshift Nest insert, a Tamron 180 macro, 15x30, 90 macro and a Canon 5dmiii with Tamron 24x70 attached. Also my Peak design strap and a flash light. Along the side is my small Sirui T2005x tripod and K-10 ballhead. And the Mindshift House of Cards memory wallet and the Think Tank 4 DSLR Batter case as well. And there is still plenty of room in the mesh compartments for shutter releases and other things. The front pouch has room for a 13" MacBook or a Tablet and a place for your cell phone, pens and things like that. All that and it's still incredibly light. I have spent many years now talking about my obsession with camera bags. When in reality I never found one that was just right. This is the perfect day bag. I can even fit a Tamron 150x 600 attaché in here with a wide angle and a massive filter system. My friends at Mindshift have done an amazing job. Click the link at in the "About me" section to get their bags as well as some free gear. 

Black and White

Portland Head Lighthouse  

Leading workshops is not black and white. What I mean by that is simple, be prepared to change at a moments notice. Not every scenario can be planned out. Not every student learns the same way. Not everything in life goes as expected. My teachers David and Cecil have shown me how to make things happen so my workshop participants will get some great instruction and images as well. Often times when I lead workshops I feel like David and Cecil are there with me. Thank you guys. I taught with true NIF spirit yesterday. And ate like it too :) 

New Years Goals

Junco on the Stick

I like to start my new year setting goals for myself. In all areas of my life. My birding skills are on my photography plate. Being a better husband, father and man is a daily goal I strive to achieve. I don't always manage to do better but at one point in my life I didn't aspire to do it much at all. I was fortunate to find karate many moons ago and that along with Iaido created a new focus in me. I don't train in those disciplines any longer. I've worked towards being a better man in my heart. Best of everything to those of you working towards whatever you set out to accomplish in 2017. 

This image was made this afternoon. I had a large flock of Junco at the stick. Canon 7dmii with the Tamron 150x600 on top of my Sirui N3204x tripod and PH-20 gimbal head. ISO 800 f/8 shutter 1/1000 of a second at 520mm. Image tweaked in ON1 Raw.  

Boulder Beach

Boulder Beach and Otter Cliffs  

One of the iconic stops we took the Nature In Focus Workshops groups was Boulder Beach for a sunrise. We didn't luck out with the normal vibrant colors that a sunrise brings. But instead we got some cool clouds and did some slow exposures. I also took the time to manually control my exposure compensation while in Aperture priority mode to create three exposures. -1 and +1 stops of exposures. I merged the images in LRCC HDR module. I then tweaked the sharpness and a little vibrance as well as a little noise reduction. image made with Canon 5dmiii and 24x105 at 92mm ISO100 f/11 manually focused at infinity. 

Bass Harbor Lighthouse

Bass Harbor Lighthouse Sunrise.  

Before the Nature In Focus Workshop started we headed over to Bass Harbor to scout some ideal spots. This shot was about a foot to the right of the best spot. The four of us took turns shooting from there as well. I worked a little manual HDR on this image in manual mode. Sure it's easy enough to set the camera to do the increments for me. But I like to see the variable in the exposure as I'm shooting. This  is a perfect exposure with +1.3 stops and -1 stop of exposure. I merged them in Lightroom CC. I like using Lightroom to keep the HDR more natural looking. Image made with my Canon 5dmiii and 24x105 lens. Using a Marumi Circular polarizer. On top of my Sirui N3204 tripod or Cecil's W2204 (I'm not sure) with. K-30 Ball head.  

Pemaquid Lighthouse.

A slow exposure Black and White image  

This was the second Lighthouse for me the day I met up with David, Cecil and Lou in Maine. We worked all the usual and unusual angles of composition. This is one shot I liked.  Image made with Canon 5d Miii and 24x105 lens. On top of my Sirui N3204x tripod and K-30 Ball head. I used a Tiffen IRND 10 stop filter in mid day light. The image is edited in Lightroom CC and Nik Silver Effects. 

Bass Harbor at Night

Night Shooting at Bass Harbor Lighthouse.  

The Nature in Focus Workshops Participants were treated to some Night shooting over Bass Harbor Lighthouse. We got there during the golden hour before sunset. And stayed until around 9 PM. It was a lesson in patients for sure. But also a lesson in risk reward. There are certain risk we should take as photographers and many we shouldn't. There was never a point anyone was put in harms way. We had plenty of lights and each instructor made sure everyone could see their way out safely. The reward was getting an amazing shot. I see far to often these days people going to extremes to get shots that are rare. In the end making it home safe is what it's all about. Getting to go out and shoot tomorrow or playing with your kids or pets. Be educated on taking care of gods gifts to us. Leave the areas you shoot with all you went in with. Image made with Canon 5d Miii and Tamron 15x30 and 15 mm. F/2.8 manual mode ISO 3200 with a 30 second exposure. Mounted on my Sirui N3204x Tripod and K-30 Ballhead. Carried with my Peak Design Leash strap and Lowepro Flipside 500 Backpack. Edited in Lightroom CC. 

Into The Fog

Black Thunder  

Sometimes as a photographer I like to create artistic images out of ordinary subjects. I am in Acadia National Park instructing with Cecil Holmes, David Akoubian, Fukin' Lou Raimondi (Nature in Focus Workshops) we are haveing some amazing foliage. we couldn't pass up Sieur du Monts Gardens on a overcast day. The Participants were really having a great time finding little things to focus their skills on. Ten students with four instructors really allowed for some individual attentions for the participants. This is an image I really hoped to get while here.any others had similar shots as well.  

Stuck in Manual?

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Nuthatch at the Log

I have used the term stuck in manual as apposed to stuck in auto many times in conversation about whats better manual or auto modes. The truth is there is no "better" mode. I say stuck in manual because often times many shooters get so caught up in the latest thing they forget their camera is a tool. Many tools inside of a tool to be exact. To me a truly skilled photographer will use whatever they need to get the job done. Sometimes its Aperture Priority, Shutter priority or full manual mode...even fully auto mode.  There are situations where the camera is going to make the best decision. I have not use fully auto in many years. But I would if I was stuck. Being proud isn't worth missing the shot of a life time. Or someone else's life time. Today I grabbed my Canon 7d and Tamron 150x600 lens. I mounted it on my Sirui Tripod and PH-20 Gimbal Head. I went to manual mode and took this shot.600mm (960 equivalent) ISO 640 F6.5 Shutter speed of 1/250 of a second for perfect exposure. I also manually focused this lens while hunting for this little guy. Imported to Lightroom CC. Zero editing. Challenge yourself  If you are stuck in manual try other modes and know what your camera is capable of in various lighting. If you are stuck in auto try your skills in manual mode. Happy weekend everyone!

Working Compositions

Goldmine Brook Falls

The other day I was inspired by my friends who were working waterfalls and water ways in the Smoky Mountains. My friend David Akoubian had posted various compositions of one place they had visited. I always work an entire area. Seeking larger  composition as well as close up shots. Different focusing distances and even exposures. Here I choose to use a black and white conversion because the colors were not popping and lacked the awe factor the normal spring greens offer. Try different things. Move around. Bend over. Get up high. Try longer shutter speeds as well as faster speeds. You never know what you will find in a waterfall! :) 

Printing

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Great Smoky Mountain National Park

I have been working diligently on learning how to print fine art images. I made this image in Light Room CC from my trip with Nature In Focus Workshops last year around this time. If you would have told me I would be trying to print anything I would say you are crazy. So the learning curve begins!

Slowing Down

Slowing Down

In photography circles, we talk a lot about slowing water so we an get a dreamy effect. Take a few moments if you would to think about that. But apply it to your life and to a different degree, your photography. Slow down and look at things in new ways. Disect your subjects and appreciate all the perspectives offered to you. 

This image isn't from the Smoky Mountains. In fact it is from Enders Falls in Conneticut. It's been almost a year since I went on a workshop with my friends David Akoubian and Cecil Holmes. But one thing I learned was to slow down. It had a lot to do with really taking in the beauty that GSMNP has to offer. But even more it was about enjoying the time and memories. David and Cecil have sold out the Smoky Mountain workshop but head over to Nature in Focus Worshops page   http://www.natureinfocusworkshops.com/ to check out their other workshops. I believe there are still a few opening for the Grand Teton and Acadia NP workshops! 

These little yellow Bee's

Male Gold Fich

Female Gold Finch  

I was excited to see these two at the stick this morning. They were hamming it up. If you haven't watched Goldie's do their thing, you are missing out. They are very photogenic. Image made with a Canon 5d Miii and Tamron 150x600 on top of my Sirui N3204x tripod and PH-20 gimbal head. I carry my gear in a Lowepro Bag and Peak Desigb Accesories. Editing work Flow through On1 Photo 10 and LRCC.   I get my gear from Gary Farbar at Hunt's Photo and Video. 

Sirui Tripods

Golden Brook Falls  

My post this morning is a bit of a congratulations and a thank you in the same. My friends David Akoubian and Cecil Holmes were selected to be Sirui Pros. Awesomeness. I have made the switch to Sirui products as well. David and Cecil both have told me how incredible the Sirui line is. But words can not describe the quality and the ease of use these products offer. I bought the P-204s monopod around a year ago. It was just the start of what was to come. From the box to the wrist strap Sirui didn't miss a detail. From its table top minipod to the tilting and swiveling three foot section, this is the best monopod I've ever used.  And my three recent Sirui products. The K-30 ball Head, PH-20 Gimbal and the N-3204x tripod. Absolutely amazing products! I have said many times, words can not express how good these products are. The image above was taken with the Canon 7d 24x105 lens with a Tiffen IRND 10 stop Filter. ISO 400 f-8 15 second exposure. on top of the Sirui N-3204x k-30 ball head. I ordered all my Sirui Products from Gary Faber at Hunt's Photo and Video. Thanks again and congrats to you both!

Looking Towards Spring!

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Jordan Pond Acadia National Park

Spring is just around the corner! with these 50 degree days right after the -17 degree days, I know why I love New England. Theres a lot of happenings in my world this year. A few trips planned and of course the V4V/Holyoke Soldiers Home Run as well as the Shriners Ride. They are both anniversary years the 5th and 10th respectively. I look forward to those. I will be putting together some workshops as the year progresses. So please keep watch for some exciting ways to learn photography. Also in October I join Cecil Holmes and David Akoubian in Acadia National Park for their Nature In Focus Workshop. Go to my friends workshops to link to their site to sign up. There are other workshops available also. So check them out. And as always as new gear is released i will let everyone know about that stuff. Sirui Tripods has some awesome offerings. I have been watching Tamron Lenses for cool new stuff. I am wanting the 15x30 for my kit!