Photography post processing – The Wildlife Photography Apprentice

February 28, 2024March 6, 2024

Exploring Anahuac National Wildlife Refuge and The Bolivar Peninsula: A Wildlife Photography Adventure in Texas

Every year, my wife goes above and beyond to make my birthday special, and her gift-giving prowess reaches its peak when she gives me a trip tailored to my passion for wildlife photography. This year, I was delighted to explore the Anahuac National Wildlife Refuge and the Bolivar Peninsula in Texas. The experience was heightened by our stay in a charming beachfront Airbnb, where the soothing sounds of the ocean served as the backdrop to our adventures. The local seafood cuisine was a highlight, treating our taste buds to an array of flavors. However, the true essence of the trip lay in the captivating wildlife photography opportunities that unfolded before my lens. From colorful birds to elusive marshland creatures, the Anahuac National Wildlife Refuge provided a canvas for me to capture the beauty of nature. The Bolivar Peninsula, with its scenic landscapes, added another layer of excitement to our photographic journey. This annual tradition not only celebrates another year of life but also deepens my connection to the wonders of the natural world.

These areas boast diverse ecosystems, teeming with a wide variety of bird and animal life.

December 8, 2023December 8, 2023

Photographing Birds: Tips and Tricks for Stunning Avian Portraits

Birds are fascinating creatures, captivating our attention with their vibrant colors, graceful movements, and melodious songs. As a photographer, capturing their beauty through stunning avian portraits can be a rewarding and challenging endeavor. Birds are found in almost every location and environment around the world. As such they are a readily available subject for wildlife photographers no matter where you are. Whether you are an amateur or a seasoned professional, here are some tips and tricks to help you create breathtaking bird photographs.

November 16, 2023November 16, 2023

Beyond the Lens, Essential Non-Photographic Skills for Wildlife Photographers

As a wildlife photographer, venturing into the great outdoors is a thrilling and rewarding experience. To make the most of your wildlife photography adventures, it’s crucial to possess essential outdoor skills that ensure your safety, comfort, and success in remote locations. In this blog post, let’s go through some important outdoor skills necessary for wildlife photographers. From navigation and survival techniques to weather preparedness and safety considerations, you’ll gain the knowledge and confidence needed to navigate the wild safely and capture breathtaking wildlife images while you’re at it.

Mastering navigation skills can be vital for wildlife photographers

October 1, 2023October 1, 2023

Getting Started in Wildlife Photography: Tips for Beginners

Are you captivated by the beauty of the natural world and eager to capture stunning images of wildlife? Embarking on a journey into wildlife photography can be both thrilling and rewarding, allowing you to document the wonders of nature while honing your photography skills. If you’re a beginner with no prior experience in wildlife photography, this blog post is here to guide you through the essential tips and techniques that will set you on the path to becoming a successful wildlife photographer.

**Wildlife photography can be both thrilling and rewarding**

September 1, 2023September 1, 2023

Mastering the Art of Sharp Wildlife Photography, A Beginners Guide

Wildlife photography is a thrilling pursuit that allows us to immerse ourselves in the beauty of nature and capture mesmerizing moments of creatures in their natural habitat. One crucial aspect of wildlife photography is achieving sharpness in our images. Blurry or out-of-focus shots can be disappointing, but fear not! In this blog, we will explore essential tips and techniques to help you capture the sharpest wildlife photos that will leave viewers in awe.

**A Northern Cardinal in Brilliant Detail**

June 25, 2023June 27, 2023

Beginning Wildlife Photography: The Photographic “Time Out”

Part 1, Before the Shoot

“To err is human”, is a common phrase. In the operating room mistakes can be very costly and have severe consequences for the patient. In order to decrease the risk of errors, every operating room goes through a process known as the “ time out” prior to the start of each case. Everyone stops what they are doing while the nurse identifies the patient, the proposed procedure, that the appropriate area is prepped, and that the required instruments are available. Each individual must verbalize agreement before the procedure can begin. While photographic mistakes don’t have quite the same consequences as mistakes in the OR, they can still ruin your day. I once drove two hours at four in the morning to catch a sunrise, only to arrive at my destination and find I forgot my cable release. Not a huge mistake but the quality of the photos I took that morning suffered as a result. Taking “Time Out” beforehand would have prevented the problem all together.

June 9, 2023June 9, 2023

Wildlife Photography: “It’s not the camera, It’s the photographer”, well, maybe not.

“It’s not the camera, It’s the photographer”. I wish I had a nickel for every time I’ve read that in a photography book or magazine, or saw it argued on a photography forum. While it may be true that a great camera won’t make a poor photographer take great photos, it’s also true that it won’t hurt either. Throughout my life, I’ve been fortunate enough to have several hobbies in addition to photography. If there is one thing that I have learned for sure over and over again, it’s that you should buy the best equipment you can afford the first time around. A good carbon fiber fly rod won’t catch more fish, but it will make the experience of fly fishing easier, more efficient, and a lot more fun. The same holds true for golf clubs, skis, backpacks, and most certainly cameras and lenses.

May 17, 2023August 6, 2023

Beginning Wildlife Photography: Composition in Wildlife Photography

A great wildlife photo is one that captures the essence and beauty of the subject in a unique and compelling way. There are many elements that can contribute to a great wildlife photo. Sharp focus, good exposure, emotional impact, unique perspective, storytelling, technical skills, and last but not least, Interesting composition. The photo should be well-thought-out, using techniques such as the rule of thirds, leading lines, symmetry, and framing to create a visually appealing and dynamic image.

Part of composition is capturing drama and emotion when possible

February 6, 2021April 1, 2023

Wildlife Photography: Photo-editing in comfort and style

Photo-editing is an essential and tedious part of any photographer’s workflow. As wildlife photographers, we spent significant amounts of money on cameras, lenses, and other equipment for capturing our images on the front end. We incur an additional cost when we travel to exotic locations to pursue our subjects. The expenditures don’t stop when it comes to post-processing our images with computers, software, and peripherals such as Wacom tablets and Loupdeck panels that make the entire process easier and more efficient. Spending hours in front of a computer editing photos takes concentration and can be mind-numbing. The more comfortable you are while doing it, the less mind-numbing it will be. For a comparatively minimal investment of both money and time, you could soon be editing your photos in both comfort and style.