I'm a fighter jet . . . yea . . . an F-16! Yea . . . that's it . . . I'm a FALCON!
All kids dream big . . . don't lose your inner child.
This male juvenile Wood Duck was preparing for takeoff. You could tell he was still a bit uneasy with flight (or at least the take-off part) as it took him 4 "false starts" before he made the leap into the air on his 5th try. And only a bit of his tail hit the water!
Stay in Focus,
Mark
Yes, for outdoors shooting it's hard to beat the "magic hours" of sunrise and sunset - and the two to three hours after sunrise and before sunset aren't too bad either. But what do you do with that "11-3" slot? Here's two scenarios to try.
The harsh mid-day light will have less impact on your shots if you get in close to the subject and eliminate any background elements. You purposefully minimize the high contrast range in your shot. The engine shot above was at high noon. By getting in close I eliminated the bright sky and white concrete - not to mention the reflections off the leading wing edges.
You don't like HDR you say? Really? Maybe it's the "grungy" HDR that doesn't suit your style?
Remember, that "grungy" and exaggerated look is only one style of HDR. High Dynamic Range photography can look anywhere from very natural all the way to over the top. Shooting HDR at high noon (the way the second image above was shot) makes the lighting conditions virtually irrelevant. Take 3 to 5 shots over a range of exposures, use your favorite HDR or stacking program and make a great natural looking shot.
There are many other scenarios to use during "bad" lighting times, not just these. Plenty of interesting things can be found in the shade and a small diffuser can give you a bit of your own shade for smaller objects. Flowers, insects, old fences, abandoned equipment. Take the time to look and you'll find your mid-day shots!
Stay in Focus,
Mark
Bite Ya Butt!
Watching and learning from animal behavior is still amazing to me. The more time you spend with your subjects, the more you're able to predict what is going to happen. Personal space was definitely invaded here!
Stay in focus,
Mark
FAIL!
First things first, the young eagle was fine . . . just really mad when he got up!
These two youngsters we conducting a "dog fight" at low altitude fighting over a fish (notice you can still see the fish firmly grasped in the "crashed" eagles claws). During a turning dive, there was not quite enough altitude for successful completion - resulting in the crash landing!
Stay in focus,
Mark
It's all fun and games to the spectators at the air shows, but it's a deadly serious business to the performers.
These men and women are true athletes in every sense of the word - think of the strength, endurance - and guts - it takes to perform these stunts. These performers are also carrying on a tradition that extends back to just after the first world war, although there were some early pioneers such as Didier Masson, Lincoln Beachey and Glenn Curtiss.
"Barnstormers" delighted the crowds, gave rides and introduced the upcoming generation to the thrill of flying and the importance of air power.
Looking for some good clean family fun for next Saturday's movie night? Be sure to check out Those Magnificent Men in Their Flying Machines! A great movie from 1965.
And the next time you see these guys on the ground after an air show, take the time and pay them their due.
Stay Focused,
Mark
With photography, always expect the unexpected. Keep your camera handy and at the ready, for you never know when a situation will turn "interesting".
This doe approached just a little too close to a Redwing Blackbird's nest. It started with a few "dive-bombing" approaches - which I was expecting - but I didn't see the landing coming. I don't think the doe expected it did either, she swung around and proceeded to have a discussion.
Oh, and just to pat myself on the back a little bit . . . this image was a North American Nature Photography Association (NANPA) 2011 Top 100 Showcase Winner!
Stay in focus,
Mark