Category: Other Stuff
THE GEEK AND THE ARTIST
One of the things I love about photography is it appeals to both the geek and the artist in all of us. On the geek side you have the technical considerations of making an image; the f-stops, shutter speeds, depth of field, histograms, dynamic range, and that hyperfocal distance stuff that we must all master…
My Back Hurts - 1
Just returned from a great trip to Belize where I was scouting some possible locations for future photo tours. I have to admit that when I am travelling I have the mindset that, if I leave something at home at some point I will certainly need that piece of equipment in order to get the greatest shot ever.…
SPRING HAS SPRUNG
Here in Michigan it still remains unusually chilly for this time of year, but spring is definitely on the way. The days are getting longer, bird song fills the morning air, and the trees are beginning to show their buds. One of my favorite signs of spring is the return of the red-winged blackbirds. The males usually arrive in…
THINGS THAT GO BUMP IN THE NIGHT
I am very fortunate to be able to live out in the woods. Since all of the windows in my home reflect the surrounding woods, it is not unusual for me to have the occasional bird/window crash at my house. I think what happens is that as the birds fly they see the trees reflected in the windows…
WINTER OPPORTUNITIES PART 3
Towards the end of winter often times the snow will melt off the lakes leaving the ice exposed. when this happens I like to head out onto the ice and look for leaves that have been frozen in the ice. This is usually a nice change of pace from the birds and mammals that I have…
WINTER OPPORTUNITIES PART 2
Another great thing to photograph in the winter is the landscape. The winter landscape has a dreamy surreal quality about it that I really like to try and capture. When everything is covered in a fresh blanket of new snow the landscape is transformed. Snow has a way of smoothing out the landscape, not only softening…
WINTER OPPORTUNITIES
As I write this, it is a chilly 3 degrees here in Michigan. If you live north of the Mason Dixon line chances are it’s pretty cold outside at your house right now as well. I love to photograph at this time of year, all of the animals are in their best coats, and all that…
SPIDERS MAKE GOOD MOTHERS… WHO KNEW?
Here is a fairly unique image of a female wolf spider with her young. After mating the female wolf spider creates an egg sack made of silken threads into which she deposits her eggs. For the next three weeks she carries this sack everywhere she goes waiting for the eggs to mature and hatch. Once…
QUALITY TIME
A few years back I had the privilege of spending some real quality time with a sandhill crane family. I have photographed cranes on the nest on several different occasions but this situation was about as good as I could imagine. The nest was located in Kensington Metro Park (a park very close to my…
SERENDIPITY
Webster defines serendipity as: “the faculty or phenomenon of finding valuable or agreeable things not sought for”. Serendipity plays a very large part in my photography. As a photographer (and a person) I need to be open to changes in “my” plan, I need to be ready willing to take advantage of different opportunities that might present themselves.…