Category: Behind the Image
Firefly in Flight
And… Now for something completely different! This is (I believe) a firefly in flight. I created this image with the help of the Cognisys Insect Rig. Which combined with a dual laser beam trigger system, a high-speed electro-magnetic shutter, and high-speed flashes makes creating images like this possible. The camera’s shutter is left open on…
“Final Approach” Flying Squirrel
I have been working on this image for about 6 months now. Nearly all of that time was spent attracting the squirrels, and then subsequently training them to go where I would be able to photograph them. It has been a fun and challenging project and this is from the first night I spent actually…
Detroit Performs Feature
I was very honored to have my work and myself featured on the PBS television show Detroit Performs. Special thanks to Sarah Zientarski-Smith Producer, Editor, Interviewer, and Storyteller extraordinaire, and Chad Schwartzenberger Videographer, who’s artistry and vision are very much apparent throughout the video.
Toucan Hot Tub
When I first came upon this cavity in the jungle with a Yellow-throated Toucan hanging around. I assumed it was a nest cavity. Imagine my surprise when I returned later and discovered that it was in fact a jungle Toucan hot tub! I spent the next couple of hours watching 4 or 5 Toucans come…
Costa Rica
Just returned from back to back sold out Costa Rica Photo Tours. Thanks to all the participants! I was very fortunate to have two excellent groups. Both tours were filled with great fun photographers. Here are a few highlights from the trips. First and foremost the Resplendent Quetzal, a truly amazing bird. Thought by many…
The Cognisys Sabre - 3
I finally got a chance to go out and play with my new Cognisys Sabre. The Sabre is a camera trigger that uses a LIDAR (light and radar) based sensor which emits a pulse of light and then measures the time it takes to return. When something breaks the beam it fires the camera. One…
Light Painting Red-eyed Treefrogs
I am leaving soon for back to back Costa Rica Photo Tours. I had to remember to bring a powerful flashlight to light paint the nocturnal Red-eyed Treefrogs we will be photographing. A flashlight? Light paint? Huh… why not flash? We do not use flash because it is thought that repeated exposure to flash can…
Friday Photo Tip: The Chess Game
One of the things I love about nature photography is what I like to call “the chess game”. Whenever I am photographing a wild subject I try to get in it’s head and anticipate what it is going to do next. By trying to stay one step ahead of my subject I can be sure…
High Speed Photography – Bullfrog
I have had this image in my head for quite some time. The first step was to build the stage for our star “Billy Bullfrog”. A trip to the local swamp with a couple five gallon pails was required to collect all of the materials for the set. A lovely moss covered rock would be…
Floating Blind Photography - 6
The sun won’t be up for another hour on this cold crisp March morning in Southern Michigan. It has taken three trips to carry my gear down to the water’s edge. As I begin to assemble my craft by the narrow beam of my headlamp, I hear splashes and the rustling of my quarry from…