Giraffe Pair

Giraffe Pair - 1D4, 70-200 II @ 200mm, f/9, 1/250s, ISO 100

When you're out on safari, you typically don't get to pick the kind of light you'll have when you're on a game drive.  Ideally, all the great sightings would happen in the early morning or close to sunset.  However even when the light is harsh, there's still a chance to make interesting images.  For this pair of Giraffe, we ran into them around 10 AM, long after sunrise.  The direction of the sun isn't ideal, but with some careful tonal work in Lightroom and Photoshop I was able to even things out and get a final product I am happy with.  The inspiration for this image is one I saw made by my friend Andy Biggs.

On The Go

On The Go - 1D4, 800, f/6.3, 1/2500s, ISO 1600, flash fired

Its been a while since I posted an Avian image so I went through my archives of unprocessed images to find something interesting.  Back in 2010, I made this image of a Red-naped Sapsucker on a trip to Kamloops, British Columbia.  For those who have tried to capture these guys, you know how fast they move so my technique to make this image was just to pre-focus on the nest entrance and stand ready.  When he poked his head out and looked like he was about to fly off, I would release the shutter and fire off a few shots.  This is one of the rare times where I found 10 FPS shooting rate to be useful.  One might wonder why I would use ISO 1600 and flash for an image made during daytime.  The biggest reason for this is the required shutter speed to capture this guy.  After experimentation I found that I needed at least 1/1600s, but preferably 1/2500s to freeze the motion.  Also the nest was in the shade so flash was required to add some fill light.

Bristlecone Under a Cloudy Sky

Bristlecone Under a Cloudy Sky - 5D2, 15 Fisheye, f/8, 1/200s, ISO 100

The majestic Bristlecone Pine is a wonderful photographic subject which is difficult to get tired of.  As I see this image, I can't wait for the first snow storm of the year this fall, giving me the chance to head back into the mountains to work with these incredible trees.

Quick Glance

Quick Glance - 1D4, 70-200 II @ 200mm, f/6.3, 1/500s, ISO 200

The thing I love about being out on safari is how you can observe animals in their natural environment. Depending on the animal and how good your guide is, you can also get somewhat close without disturbing them or freaking them out.  We spotted this Cheetah and simply sat around in our vehicle to observe her behavior for some time.  The Cheetah took occasional glaces towards us but for the most part went about her usual business.  I find game drives to be simultaneously exhilarating and very relaxing.

Fiery Portal

Fiery Portal - 5D2, 70-200 @ 200mm, f/6.3, ISO 100

The combination of summer and lack of time on my part means that I haven't had a chance to get out and make any new images the last couple of weeks.  In addition to that, I just haven't felt like firing up Lightroom and working on the backlog of images either.

This is an image I made at Pfeiffer Beach earlier this year.  The end of January is about the tail end of making this kind of fiery image as any later in the year and the angle of the sun isn't quite right (well until about early December that is).

On a different note, I am going to change the way I post on Google+ from now on.  Rather than posting a link back to this blog, I will instead be replicating the post within a Google+ post.  The hope is that this will mean more of the people who are following me on Google+ will engage in a discussion about the images.

Aspens Aglow

Aspens Aglow - 5D2, 70-200 II @ 200mm, f/5, ISO 200

Bad weather can many times lead to some very interesting photography.  I made this image on the first evening of my trip to the Grand Tetons last June and by all signs it looked like the evening would be a bust.  However, small gaps would appear in the clouds for just a few moments lighting up various parts of the vast landscape in front of us.  I really try to look for turbulent weather when I'm heading out for landscape shooting.

Little Phantom Falls

Little Phantom Falls - S2, 30mm, f/22, 2s, ISO 160

Little Phantom Falls looks a lot like the larger Phantom Falls, so much so that this one does get confused as Phantom Falls by many.  Though its named 'little' the waterfall is over 100' high and it is an impressive sight.  The location to photograph this waterfall is a little more treacherous to reach (especially if you are acrophobic like myself) but the view is worth it.

Venus Transit

Venus Transit - 5D3, 70-200 II + 2x TC @ 200mm, f/11, 1/1000s, ISO 100

Today is an exciting day for astro nerds like myself.  This is the last time we will get to witness Venus transit across the sun from the Earth in most people's lifetime (I myself plan to live forever so I will see the next transit in about a hundred years or so :) ).  Here in California we will be able to witness the transit right into sunset.