by Osprey Photo Workshops & Tours | Sep 29, 2011 | Nature, Photo Tours, Travel, Wildlife
Composition
Focus attention on your subject. Keep the composition simple. Whereas painting is a positive process of adding things to the frame, photography is a subtractive process, eliminating elements that do not contribute to the overall image.
Move and explore the photo opportunities from different angles & heights. Position the camera to eliminate distractions behind and in front of the subject. But also make sure the subject does not blend into the background and disappear.
To avoid static composition and don’t center the subject unless there is a reason for it. Leave room in frame where the subject is moving or looking. Utilize entire frame, avoiding dead-space.
Consider framing the subject. By partially surrounding it by tree branches, a doorway, or an arch, you can control the viewer’s eye–blocking distractions, filling empty space, and focusing attention on the subject. Lines as created by streams, paths, and railroad tracks can both lead the eye into a frame and establish a sense of depth.
by Osprey Photo Workshops & Tours | Sep 27, 2011 | Nature, Photo Workshops
Click on the following tutorial to explore the relationship between the sky and water in digital photos –HopNat_PhotoFL11Skies & Color
by Osprey Photo Workshops & Tours | Sep 21, 2011 | Nature, Photo Tours, Photo Workshops, Travel, Wildlife
Join a small group of nature photographers (3-7) to visit some of my favorite photo locations in Argentina & Chile. The photo tour includes the following. 1) Coastal Patagonia–Valdés Peninsula, with elephant seals , Southern right whales, rheas, guanacos and the large magellanic penguin colony of Punta Tombo. 2) Mt. Fitzroy plus the Perito Moreno Glacier in Los Glaciares National Park. 3) Torres del Paine National Park in Chile with spectacular landscapes, Andean condors, Austral parakeets, Patagonian fox, and black-chested buzzard-eagles. 4) Iguazú National Park (both the Argentine & Brazilian sides), the location of a spectacular horseshoe shaped waterfalls in the midst of a lush tropical rainforest with toucans, coatis, reddish-bellied parakeets, agoutis, capuchin monkeys, tapir, and more.
by Osprey Photo Workshops & Tours | Aug 20, 2011 | Nature, Photo Workshops, Wildlife
While in Virginia teaching a wildlife photography class for the Norfolk Botanical Gardens I had some free time to photograph in the backyard of a friend’s house. Feeders and water attracted cardinals, wrens, titmice, chickadees, and squirrels to the yard. On the back porch railing, I created a natural looking setting using dead logs, pine cones, and Spanish moss. Each morning I placed peanuts, sunflower seeds, and peanut butter at strategic locations. I photographed from a blind using my 80-400 mm zoom lens and 600 mm telephoto. Results were best with the longer lens since the animals were less timid when I was farther away. Lighting was difficult due to a large number of trees blocking the sun. I used aperture priority using exposure compensation to adjust for the changing light on the fore & background. Using my Nikon D3 camera, I was able to adjust my ISO settings as high as 1250 with acceptable results when the light was low. This experience was a good way to improve my response time, composition, and metering skills. This was a great opportunity since where I live, backyard feeders are not permitted.
by Osprey Photo Workshops & Tours | Aug 9, 2011 | Nature, Photo Workshops, Wildlife
Been preparing for my next class at the Norfolk Botanical Gardens on Wildlife Photography, 12-14 Aug with a evening program, field practice & critique of images from assignments. Have had fun scouting the gardens for subjects for participants. Lots of gold finches and a very nice butterfly house with photo opportunities for both butterflies and caterpillars.
by Osprey Photo Workshops & Tours | Jul 26, 2011 | Nature, Photo Workshops, Wildlife
Geese flying at sunse
If you love the ocean, beaches, marshes, and wildlife, you will enjoy my book, “Chincoteague National Wildlife Refuge, an Ecological Treasure.” With fascinating images, it takes you on a visual tour of one of America’s best-loved National Wildlife Refuges. Situated on the Virginia end of Assateague Island, a 37 mile long barrier island off the coast of Maryland and Virginia, the refuge protects critical barrier island habitats and their associated wildlife including endangered and threatened species. It is both educational and beautiful as well. Available on Amazon and at other bookstores. http://www.amazon.com/Chincoteague-National-Wildlife-Refuge-Ecological/dp/1565795172/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1311736171&sr=8-1
In November, join me on a weekend photo workshop at this incredible location when the fall waterfowl migration is at peak. See my website https://www.ospreyphoto.com/schedule.html for more details.
Composition
