Socorro, NM - Bosque del Apache

Socorro, NM - Bosque del Apache

Greg Downing has been teaching workshops at Bosque del Apache for more than a decade and he's known for his creative use of light and shadows and for creating dramatic images of the Bosque spectacle.

During this small group workshop, Greg will focus on your individual photographic objectives, and also utilize evening slide shows as well as in depth image critiques to study the fundamentals of composition, exposure, lighting, flight and action shooting as well as proper equipment techniques and post processing.

Learn the tricks that Greg uses to make artistic images of the Snow Geese "blast off" against dawn fall colors or how he captures sharp flight images. A special emphasis will be placed on how to create dramatic wide angle compositions, out of the box shots and creative "birdscapes".

Every morning offers a different backdrop, some saturated with fiery colors, others overcast in blue. With plenty of subjects, photographic opportunities and the small group setting, this is the ideal workshop.

We will not only experience Bosque as a location, but we will also concentrate some of our off-shooting time on digital photography and digital editing in a small informal classroom setting. Afternoons will be spent in a classroom setting where Greg will present programs on post processing techniques, HDR photography, black and white processing and more.

This makes for a unique opportunity to really hone your skills while working closely with Greg.

Participants should plan to arrive in the early evening on the first day of the workshop in time for a 7PM orientation and slide presentation.

Each morning we will depart before dawn and be in place before the sun rises. We'll photograph until the light starts to get harsh, or longer on cloudy days. Then we generally have a break for late breakfast and downloading. Afternoons start with a 2-hour teaching session before heading out for our sunset shoot. Dinner is shared at a local restaurant and image sharing, critiquing in the evenings.

Photo Gallery Click thumbnails for larger images

Workshop Dates	Cost	Deposit	Participants
Nov. 29–Dec. 2, 2012	$999	$250	8 - 7 spots left
Dec. 2–5, 2012	$999	$250	8 - 7 spots left
Nov. 29–Dec. 5, 2012	$1,799	$500	8

Includes:

• All in-the-field instruction
• A special presentation the night before the workshop
• Daily classroom technical workshops

Does Not Include:

• Transportation
• Lodging
• Meals
• Vehicle entrance fees
• and other expenses

Airport Information:

• Albuquerque, NM (ABQ)
• Socorro is approximately 90 minutes south of Albuquerque.

Hotel Information:

Holiday Inn Express
1040 North California Street
Socorro, NM 87801

Phone: (575) 838.4600
Website: www.hiexpress.com

If you would like to register for this workshop, please fill out the registration form below. A deposit (above) is required to reserve your spot.

http://www.naturescapes.net/docs/index.php/workshopdetail?ws_code=bosque_2012

Canon 6D Full Frame DSLR Due in October?

by Eric Reagan on August 9, 2012

The lastest rumors of Canon’s lower-priced full frame DSLR suggests a Canon EOS 6D badge and an October unveiling date. Additional rumors emphasize that the focus is on making the full frame camera not only more affordable but also a smaller overall package.
Previous rumors suggested this camera would essentially work out to be a full frame version of the Canon 7D with a 22MP CMOS sensor and a sub-$2000 price point.

Canon 6D Rumored Specs

• 7D style AF system (19 pt) and VF LCD
• 7D metering
• Single Digic 5+
• 3.9 fps
• 3 inch LCD
• 51200 max ISO
• sub – $2000 price point at introduction

All of these rumors appear to be leading up to yet another massive throwdown between Canon’s budget full frame shooter and the Nikon D600. Expect more coverage on the Canon 6D (or whatever it ends up being named) as we creep up on Photokina 2012 and PhotoPlus 2012.

[via Northlight Images]

Weekend Nature Photography Seminar ~ December 8-9, 2012

Just $149! select the "sponsoring club price" if you are a member of CAP, NHCC or follow my blog.

Weekend Nature Photography Seminar ~ December 8-9, 2012
Denise Ippolito/A Creative Adventure and Arthur Morris/BIRDS AS ART
Hilton Garden Inn, Staten Island, New York 9am-4:30pm: $169 for both days
Saturday or Sunday only $99
Lodging available for out of town guests.

Images above copyright Denise Ippolito/Click on the composite to enjoy a larger version

Scroll Down to Register
We will be offering a discount to members of camera clubs or natural history organizations that promote the seminar on their websites or via an e-mail blast to their membership list. Have your club president or webmaster e-mail denise

What You Will Learn at the NYC Seminar:
1-How to become a better nature photographer.
2-How to create technically perfect, artistically designed images in the field.
3-How to make your images look better during the image optimization process: RAW conversions, image clean-up, Quick Masking, Layer Masking, saving the WHITEs, and lots more.
4-Flight photography tips.
5-How to get the right exposure every time in ten seconds or less.
6-How to create the truly pleasing blurs that are so popular today in many prestigious contests.
7-Why the longest lens in your bag is often not the best lens for bird photography.
8-How to use NIK Color Efex Pro to revamp your digital workflow and dramatically improve the look of your images.
9-How to evaluate your images; each registrant will be asked to submit two 1400 X 1050 jpegs via e-mail before November 25; a selection of the submitted images will be chosen for critiquing at the seminar.
10-New ways to photograph flowers and trees.


Images above copyright Arthur Morris/Click on the composite to enjoy a larger version

Schedule

Saturday: Image Capture

Doors open: 8am
9:00am: denise/slides: Blooming Ideas/Creating new and different images of flowers and trees
10:00am: artie/slides: Tools of the Trade/Choosing and using lenses for bird and wildlife photography
11:00am: Break
11:15am: artie/slides: Beautiful Image Basics/Learning to create pleasing image designs

12:00noon: Lunch break
1:30pm: artie and denise: Refining your photographic vision. Learning to extract the image from the larger scene
2:15pm: denise & artie: Pro Gear Handling Tips: Live demos/tripod and lens handling in the field *Includes flight photography tips!
2:45pm: artie: It’s easier than you think: How to clean your sensor without fear or trepidation/Live Demo
3:00: Break

3:30: denise & artie/slides: Creating Pleasing Blurs/Using slow shutter speeds, panning, camera movement, and more. More and more prestigious contests are awarding prizes to creatively blurred images. Learn how at the seminar and follow up by getting a copy of “A Guide to Pleasing Blurs.”
4:00: artie/slides or chalkboard? Getting the Right Exposure with Digital: It’s as easy as pie. If you have ten seconds with the subject there is no excuse for not getting the right exposure every time with digital.
4:30: The End


Sunday: Image Processing & Evaluation

Doors open: 8am
9:00am: artie’s Digital Workflow: RAW conversion in ACR, recovering and saving the WHITEs, NIK Color Efex Pro basics.
9:45am: artie: Image clean-up with the Clone Stamp Tool, leveling images, the Spot Healing Brush, and Quick Masks.
10:20am: break
10:40am: denise’s Digital Workflow: RAW conversion in Lightroom, Working with Layers and Masks.
11:30am: denise’s Personal NIK favorites: She discusses the less commonly used Color Efex Pro filters and shares tips on creating her modern vintage look. (Yeah, it’s a bit oxymoronic.) Also: an amazing Photoshop Brush Size tip. (Sorry for the pun.)
12:00 noon: Lunch break
1:30pm: denise/slides: Creative Filters and Effects/Working with Photoshop plug-ins and filters.
2:30pm: break
2:45: Image Critiques: artie & denise: Only 1400 X 1050 jpegs submitted via e-mail before November 25 will be considered. A selection of the submitted images will be chosen for critiquing.
3:45: Door prizes
4:30: The End

In-the-Field Follow-up Workshop

Put your newly-learned skills to use by joining denise and artie in the field at a nearby location on the Monday following the seminar. The subjects will—for the most part—be routine: gulls and Canada Geese. But we will be close to the birds and should have some flight photography opportunities. And we just might have some good chances with Snow Geese and with Brant and who knows what as well.
In-the-Field Seminar Follow-up Workshop: Queens, NY. Monday, December 10th, 2012. Two sessions: 5:45-10:30am and 2:30-4:30pm. Two great leaders: Limit: 16 photographers: $350 per person.
We will consider an overflow session on Tuesday, December 11, 2012 if the first day sells out and/or for folks who wish to do two full days.

To register for this seminar or workshop:

Seminar December 8-9 ~ Dec.10th In-the Field Workshop

2-Day Seminar$169.00 USD2-Day Seminar-sponsoring club price $149.00 USDOne Day Seminar-please specify which day$99.00 USDIn-the field Follow-up Workshop$350.00 USD

http://deniseippolito.com/2012/06/nyc-weekend-nature-photography-seminar-december-8-9-2012-schedule-announced/ 

“The Lobstering Life” FREE seminar David Middleton

“The Lobstering Life”

with David Middleton

“As captain and crew meet on the docks the dark morning begins, the slow prelude to the growing rhythms of another day catching lobsters. There is little time to linger….”
You won’t want to miss this journey to the coast of Maine with David Middleton. Along with enjoying some of David’s great images you will also get a behind-the-scenes look at the process of creating a book … like one of his latest, “The Lobstering Life”. He will show you how to take photographs to tell a story and give a sense of what life is like at any given location.

David Middleton is a nationally recognized professional nature photographer, writer and naturalist. His philosophy is to photograph whatever he finds attractive and then think about trying to sell it. This has led him to photograph subjects and places as disparate as harbors, wildflower meadows, large mammals, small birds, forests, quaint villages, indigenous markets and people and mountain streams.
David has produced 10 books including: Ancient Forests, The New Key to Ecuador and the Galapagos, Prayers through the Seasons, American Vision, The Nature of America, the largest nature photography book project ever undertaken, which he created, co-directed, contributed photographs to and wrote. His new books are The Nature of Vermont and The Photographer’s Guide to Vermont, The Photographer’s Guide to the Maine Coast and The Photographer’s Guide to the Oregon Coast all published by The Countryman Press a division of W.W. Norton.

Date: Thursday, September 27th
Time: 7:00-8:30pm
Location: Salem Gardner Lake Firehouse
Event Fee: FREE

http://www.shootersgallerypg.com/?page_id=3275

NEW Canon EF 200-400mm f/4L Lens Hands-On Report -- Amazing!

NEW Canon EF 200-400mm f/4L Lens Hands-On Report -- Amazing!

TOPAZ REMASK Photoshop Masking Plugin sale

TOPAZ REMASK
Photoshop Masking Plugin

30% OFF USING COUPON "promasker" (without quotes - Ends 08/19/12).

Read more about this Photoshop Plugins and download a 30 days fully functional trial
Click here now

Macro

 

Our pal Mike Moats treks across the country this fall to teach folks how to be a successful macro photographer in his fun-filled Macro Boot Camps.

 

How would you like to win a spot in one of his Boot Camps?  We’re giving away a free spot, and it’s easy to enter to win.

 

For details and the Macro Boot Camp schedule, click here.

Make sure and check out Mike’s Oil and Water article below.  He’ll be teaching that technique in this year’s classes.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Who says oil and water don’t mix?  For photography, they do! Learn how to make stunning images with simple household items in this informative article by Mike Moats. Mike will have you set up and shooting beautiful abstracts in no time.

Check out Mike’s article on the OPG blog here.

 

$54.95Mike Moats Macro Light Control Kit Control your light like a pro with Mike's kit! Includes:  FMS Clamp, 12" Diffuser, 12" Silver/Gold Reflector and Mike's ebook "Finding Character in Nature" all for a money-saving price! save now »	$69.95 and upOriginal Bug Shirt Elite Edition Summer means bugs!  Protect yourself without chemicals with the Original Bug Shirt.  Cool, comfortable microfiber, ribbed cuffs, storage pouch and zippered face screen.  Available in Camo or in Sand. buy now »
$30.00Decisive Moments by Scott Linstead This inspiring book treats you to incredible high-speed nature images and explains the details behind them.  These copies are signed by Scott! learn more »	$279.00Induro Hi Hat Tripod System Looking like something straight out of a space movie, this low tripod holds 220lbs, with a leveling ball and pivoting ovoid feet.  Incredible strength for video, long lens, or macro photography. learn more »
$79.95Lens Align MkII Calibration System Lots of new lenses are coming this fall!  Make sure all your lenses have the correct focus with this easy to use and accurate calibrator.  It makes a big difference! buy now »	$79.95Phottix Portable Umbrella Kit Sale Wow!  This lightweight portable kit has a 6.5’ light stand, the all metal Varos umbrella bracket/cold shoe and a 36” foldable shoot-through white umbrella, all for an incredible price!  Limited Quantities. Save $20! save now »
Think Tank Retrospective Series Did you know that Think Tank’s wildly popular shoulder bags now come in Blue Slate?  Four sizes to choose from. learn more »	$799.95Gitzo GT3532LS Tripod Sale! Special Purchase!  Save $100 on the ultimate carbon fiber tripod for your long lenses.  Limited Quantities! save now »
$129.00Phottix BG-D800 Battery Grip for Nikon D800 DSLR Why pay $400 for a battery grip for your new D800?  This full-featured, rubberized surface grip does the trick at less than a third of the price! buy now »	$68.95PowerEx MH-C801D Eight Cell Charger w/FREE pack of Batteries The best charger on the market.  Microprocessor controlled with lots of functions.  Charge slow, charge quickly, and recondition old batteries back to life! Includes FREE 4 pack of 2700mAh batteries. save now »

L brackets for sale

L brackets 

Quickly mount your camera on your tripod in either landscape or portrait by using an L-plate. Shaped like an “L”, the plate has two sets of mounting dovetails; mount using either set. No need to flop your camera over & down into the drop notch to go vertical. Instead, use an L-plate and save yourself the hassle and time you’d have to spend recomposing. Also, an L-plate keeps your load centered—directly atop the tripod’s apex—where you can retain the best vibration damping. http://reallyrightstuff.com/WebsiteInfo.aspx?fc=80

Camera L-Plate Review

If you do not have an L bracket, go get one, now! They are awesome. Kirk and really right stuff both sell similar versions. Lisa

Read the review here bottom line, this is what he says... 
"I love the Arca-Swiss system of plates and clamps. I can quickly put any camera with any lens on any tripod or monopod head I own. I currently have Kirk and Really Right StuffCamera L-Plates on all of my primary DSLRs. I highly recommend them."

L brackets are awesome, once you use one you will never go back! We have TWO: one for with the grip and one without the battery grip. 

o   L-plate for Canon EOS-5D Mark II with optional Canon BG-E6 battery grip. $100 (new $183)

            o   B40DL: LPlate for Canon 40D without grip $90 (new $140)

    

The next meteor shower is the Perseids on the night of August 11

2012 Meteor Showers

The next meteor shower is the Perseids on the night of August 11

The Moon is a thin crescent that rises about three hours before the Sun, so it will provide little interference. At the shower’s peak you might see a few dozen meteors per hour.

Name	Date of Peak	Moon
Quadrantids	night of January 3	Sets after midnight
Lyrids	night of April 21	New
Eta Aquarids	night of May 5	Full
Perseids	night of August 11	Morning crescent
Orionids	night of October 20	First quarter
Leonids	night of November 17	Evening crescent
Geminids	night of December 13	New

NOTES These are approximate times for the Lower 48 states; actual shower times can vary. Bright moonlight makes it difficult to see all but the brightest meteors.

Common Mistakes Photographers Make

A good article by David Middleton

Common Mistakes Photographers Make

1. Include too much in picture

2. Make uncomfortable crops

3. Don’t ‘work’ a subject

4. Shoot everything at their eye level

Read more about these and read the rest of his tips here:

http://www.davidmiddletonphoto.com/blog/2012/04/29/common-mistakes-photographers-make/

15 David duChemin eBooks for just $39

15 David duChemin eBooks for just $39

David duChemin will not be a stranger to many of you – he’s been featured here on dPS numerous times and has written some best selling books (real paper ones).
But he’s also written a whole library of amazing eBooks which are available for just another 6 days for just $2.60 each when you buy them as a bundle.
That’s a saving of 55% off the regular price.
Get these great eBooks here.


Read more: http://digital-photography-school.com/tips#ixzz236d07hhr


This weeks deal is a whopper! For a limited time you can own the complete David duChemin collection from our friends at Craft & Vision at a fraction of the normal price. You can look at this a couple of ways. A 55% saving, 15 eBooks for less than $40, or $2.60 per book.
… we’d describe it as a massive amount of photography insight at a knockout price and one fine SnapnDeal!
It’s up for grabs for a short time only. Don’t miss this one!

What to expect from David and the Craft & Vision Team.

If you love photography then you’ll want to have the David duChemin Craft & Vision PDF eBook collection. These amazing eBooks are a great way to be inspired, learn new methods and techniques, and gain new insights into your own unique vision.
Featuring 15 titles by world-renowned author and photographer David duChemin, the Craft & Vision eBooks are sure to make your digital library overflow with exceptional photographic education and inspiration!
You can read more about the 15 titles you get here.
Special note: The 15 eBooks are the PDF version.

Think Wide-Angle and Macro When You Think Close-ups

Think Wide-Angle and Macro When You Think Close-ups

Here's another quick how-to video from ricksammon.info.

When you want to shoot close, shoot with your macro lens and your wide-angle lens. Sometimes, the wider the better.

Gear:
Canon 5D Mark III
Canon 15mm lens
Induro tripod and ball head
Black Rapid strap

Explore the light,
Rick

Think Wide-Angle and Macro When You Think Close-ups from rick sammon on Vimeo.

22 Clever and Interesting Photographs of Wall Murals and Street Art

22 Clever and Interesting Photographs of Wall Murals and Street Art

While murals and street art are always a fun thing to photograph, getting good photos of the subject is a little harder than it seems at first. Often getting a clever context to the art helps in producing a compelling photo. We think the photos in this collection have done a pretty good job of photographing murals with some good results

Click Here: 22 Clever and Interesting Photographs of Wall Murals and Street Art

New Microsoft Camera Codec Pack Released

New Microsoft Camera Codec Pack Released

Microsoft has released a new camera codec pack that will allow RAW files for supported cameras to be viewable in Windows Explorer and other software that’s based on Windows Imaging Codecs. Many  cameras are supported, including the latest models like the Canon 5D mark III and Nikon D800. More details on Microsoft’s website.

http://www.photographybay.com/

What is Your Resolution?

What is Your Resolution?

an interesting article about gear (both inexpensive gear that does not work and how we convince ourselves that we need new cameras) by David Middleton

http://www.davidmiddletonphoto.com/blog/2012/06/27/your-resolution/

"Rather than giving yourself a new, upgraded camera or spending all that mental effort trying to convince yourself that you really do need all those mega-bytes why don’t you just slow down, think about your craftsmanship, consider your technique and take a few great pictures instead of lots of so-so ones. This won’t cost you anything and you will get better pictures. What a retro concept!"


So what are the most common reasons for low personal resolution?
"You spend $5000 for a camera and $50 for a tripod. You stack filters, never clean your lens, never clean off your sensor, never use a cable release, use 2x and 3x teleconverters, shoot through windshields, crank up the center post on your tripod, never use a lens hood, shoot ISO 1600 on bright sunny days, use loose quick-release plates and use your 20 – 400 f11 lens exclusively."


"Inexpensive filters, lenses and other equipment are inexpensive for a reason…they are dreadful! Save your money and get a good lens, filter or quick release plate. And one lens can’t do everything and neither can one filter. Trust me."

How Haze Can Make for Great Outdoor Photographs Click Here: How Haze Can Make for Great Outdoor Photographs

This article was interesting, I usually viewed haze as always bad, this puts a new light on it/

How Haze Can Make for Great Outdoor Photographs

Click Here: How Haze Can Make for Great Outdoor Photographs

Swan Island Dahlia Farm & The Oregon Garden

Capture explosive summer color at Swan Island Dahlia Farm & The Oregon Garden August 27 - Sept. 1, 2012

Dear Lisa & Tom, I hope you're getting outside making images with your camera as much as possible this summer. One of my all-time favorite flowers to photograph this time of year is the Dahlia.  Here in the Pacific Northwest, these tubers begin to unfold in full splendor at the end of this month.  Some of them are even dinner-plate sized! Join me for what promises to be a magical week photographing in a 40-acre Dahlia farm just south of Portland, along with another nearby botanical garden featuring more than 20 specialty gardens and features.  You'll feel like a kid in a candy store when I teach you some of my secret macro tricks, as well as how to use your camera as a paintbrush to create Impressionistic imagery. This is one of the best workshop values I offer all year long.....only $795 for an entire week of 1-on-1 instruction in the field and classroom! Seats are filling fast, but you can register here now.  Here are more colorful details:

Swan Island Dahlia Farm & Oregon Gardens Adventure August 27 - Sept. 1, 2012   Imagine rainbows of vibrant color all erupting into spectacular and inspiring garden displays at the peak of summer growing season in the Pacific Northwest. Join Charles for an educational and uplifting weeklong workshop, where you'll visit two breathtaking gardens just south of Portland, Oregon. We'll spend two and a half glorious days photographing at Swan Island Dahlia Farm in Canby, the largest and leading dahlia grower in the United States, during their Annual Dahlia Festival on less-crowded weekdays.  Swan Island is a photographer's paradise, featuring more than 40 colorful acres and 350+ varieties of dahlias in all colors, shapes and sizes. Charles will offer personalized instruction in the field to help you capture unique, artistic close-ups, as well as spectacular "intimate landscape" garden imagery.  In addition, he will demonstrate in-camera Impressionistic techniques to help you create painterly photographs using multiple-exposures, camera movement and more. Our next stop will be The Oregon Garden in Silverton.  With more than 20 specialty gardens and features, you'll discover waterfalls, quiet ponds, fountains, a unique display of conifers, a 400-year-old Signature Oak, Northwest Garden, rose garden, and an indoor Tropical House.  Again, Charles will share tips and techniques for capturing unique close-ups and intimate garden landscapes, while learning how to go beyond documentation. During the week, you'll also experience cutting-edge lectures, challenging photo assignments and supportive group image evaluations. Tuition: $795.  Deposit of $100 required to hold your space. Special discounted rooms at the Holiday Inn Portland South. Contact the Pacific Northwest Art School and register here.

I look forward to helping you take your flower and garden photography to the next level later this summer. Happy shooting, Charles

360 Panorama is the Free iTunes App of the Week

by Eric Reagan on August 8, 2012

360 Panorama lets you take big panoramic images with your iPhone, iPod Touch or iPad. It’s the free App of the Week in the iTunes App Store. Normally, it runs just $0.99 and has a steller 4.5 star rating over 8289 ratings. The free deal expires Thursday 8/9/12.

Get it here at the iTunes App Store.