The Rule of Odds and Using a Border

Feb 1, 2016 | California Nature Photography, News

I wrote about the rule of odds. Which is to use odd number of things such as 3 rocks rather than two, or 5 puppies rather than 4 if possible. Here is a very nice example of three mushrooms that seem to work.  What do you think? We Love You Little One If I kept the two large mushrooms, it would work but would not be as effective. It maybe a little hard to see, here is the same shot only with a simple black border and key line to help keep the eye focused on the mushrooms.  A simple matte can sometimes be the difference between an average photo and a winning photo.  I usually try both ways and then make a decision. It also depends on who is going to judge the photo.  If it is a bird shot and i submit it to a bird association, I most likely will not use a border. They want it natural.  If I am submitting to a fine art competition, I may consider a border. We Love You Little One- with border and key line I submitted this photo as a macro shot with the border and key line.  I should know how it did after February...

Adding a Good Foreground to Landscape Photos

Jan 27, 2016 | California Landscape Photography, California Nature Photography, News

Landscapes are the toughest photos for me to get right.  Recently, I decided I would pay more attention to my landscape shots. One of the first things I do now is to find a good foreground.  I run around looking for something that will lead my eye to the background like a mountain, rock formation,giant tree or great sky/clouds. The foreground does not have to be exceptional but make sure that there is some contrast with the background.  If there are leading lines, as in a string of rocks, flowers or bushes that sort of take your eye along the way to the mountains that is helpful.  Also, you don’t want to stick the items in the very certain.  Don’t forget the rule of thirds.  Easier said than done right, yea right.  Hat tip to all you landscape masters. Here is a simple example: Tip of the Shaft Note the plant adds a little more oomph to the photo. Your eye looks at the plant and then moves forward to the rock.  It was not easy to find a plant that worked this way with the rock.  That’s nature for you.  This stool has three legs: Foreground, Background and Strong Light. I will touch on Background in another...

What Camera Settings Should I Use?

Jan 11, 2016 | California Nature Photography, California Wildlife Photography, News

I get asked that question a lot. In fact, I was speaking to a Canon employee at their Learning Center in Costa Mesa, CA last week and he asked me the same question. I think it is just like what cloths should I wear on a particular day.  I change my camera settings to fit the situation.  Since I am an outdoor natural light shooter here are my initial settings when I go out and photograph nature. f/8, 1/1500, ISO 400- I put my lens on auto focus and go to manual if the subject matter remains still. I shoot primarily in Manual or Aperture Priority. I adjust my settings as the circumstances dictate.  I also use “live view” to determine my settings too.  Click here for a description of live view. If I am following a fast-moving animal, I am usually on Auto Focus with a low or high burst rate, meaning how many frames I can click off at a time. Here are three different photos all using my initial walk around ready to go settings. I used a Canon 70×200 2.8L  lens for all three photos. Note that having a glint in the eye of a bird helps make a bird photo better. Resting Pelican- Marina del Rey, CA Pelican- Marina del Rey Seagull- Marina del Rey One setting change on this seagull. The ISO was 200 not 400. That is why the photo is a little...

The Foot Drag Shot- Uncommonly High Percentage Shot

Jan 5, 2016 | News

As I said in the previous blog, the foot drag is harder to get than the wing drag for me.  It is really a timing and anticipation shot. Also, it happens so fast that in most cases the human reflex is not quick enough. If and it is a BIG if you could get just a toenail skimming calm water it could be a spectacular shot.     I would not spend my day trying to get this shot unless you want to work on your tan or have nothing better to do. With that said, if you get a bird with something in its talons like a fish by all means go for the shot. That is the story!   These photo are not competition photos but you get the idea of the foot drag shot and something in the talons of a bird like a fish. Water Walker– High Percentage Shot On the Attack– Again a high percentage shot Early Morning Catch– This is the cousin of the toe dragger and is worth going for as explained above. I saw this Osprey in a tree and walked to my car to get my long lens (I came to get landscape fog shots at the lake and was not prepared for distant bird shots). It took me 15 minutes back and forth.  The Osprey was still there and I just waited. Patience paid off. I also got some good shots of the breakfast meal being eaten in a nearby tree. Based on our discussion in previous blogs this photo pretty much has it all. Tells a story, has impact and is...

Wing Tippers add elegance and grace to a photo

Dec 31, 2015 | News

What the heck is a Wing Tipper.  It is a hard shot to get and doesn’t happen all the time.  Waterfowl at times use the tips of their wings to glaze the water for balance.  Sometimes it is just sloppy navigation too.  Be on the lookout for this special shot. The other hard to get shot is the toe dipper. This is the shot when just the bird’s claw  skims the water. This is even harder to get. Graceful Take Off Peek a Boo Wing Tipper If the eye was not showing this shot would not be good. Power Wings This mute swan gracefully skimmed the icy lake.  The wings touched the ice surface with each beat of his wings. I am sure it helps with stability, balance and navigation....

Action is better than no Action

Dec 19, 2015 | California Wildlife Photography, News

It is really hard to get an animal to do something other than sit, when you have limited time.  I once had a mentor tell me that, “let them see the blood and gore”, if you want a better score in competition. It needs to tell a story. Here is a simple example to get the point across.  This California Brown Thrasher caught my attention while he was singing away. California Brown Thrasher- Mouth Closed California Brown Thrasher-Mouth Open- The title could be “Chatter-Box” Same bird, same position, only one photo has the mouth closed and the other has its mouth open. Does the title fit the photo? Which do you like the better? The morale of the example is let them see the guts and...