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Archives for 2019

Tracking Animals in the Snow

January 30, 2019 Leave a Comment

One of my favorite activities during the winter is to get outdoors and track animals in the snow. We have quite a substantial amount of open and wooded property here in Maine, with a pond, brook and stream. The area is also rich with a diverse amount of wildlife, so you never know what types of wildlife or evidence thereof, you may come across while out in the field.

The following photographs are of a variety of animal tracks, scat and other evidence of wildlife presence here on the property. I have gathered these photographs throughout the month of January. We have experienced a good amount of snowfall and freezing rain with frigid cold this month, as well as warmer days. While some of the photographs show fresh tracks, others are distorted from freezing and thawing.

Currently, there is a pretty good amount of snow on the ground, with more expected to fall this week. I usually fare pretty well getting around in the cold weather and snow while out looking for animal tracks. I usually tolerate the cold without issue. I wear several layers of clothing and a fleece ear warmer headband. My hands and feet are another story. There is nothing more annoying when you are out in the field taking photographs than when your feet and hands are cold. I have solved my cold feet problem by wearing Baffin women’s ice field insulated boots. These boots have been a real lifesaver for keeping my feet warm and dry. As of now, the snow is coming up to my knees and in some areas on the property, up to my thighs. These Baffin boots are very efficient at keeping the snow out, with a web-lacing system and drawstring collar at the top. There is also a Thermaplush inner boot system that keeps warmth in. They are so warm in fact, that I sometimes don’t wear socks and my feet feel quite toasty while outdoors. These boots also claim the wearer of these boots will experience a comfort level, even when the thermometer reaches -148 degrees Fahrenheit. Well, I don’t think I will ever be testing that claim, but I am quite pleased with these boots in our winter temperatures. I am still working on my cold hands though. There are days that I can get by with my current pairs of gloves, but I am on the hunt for a good pair of winter photography gloves. Does anyone have any suggestions?

Womens Baffin Boots

My pair of Baffin women’s ice field insulated boots.

Bottom Of Boots

I added studs to the bottoms for extra traction. There are a few missing from this season and I will have to replace these soon.

Now for the animal tracking. The first tracks I found were American red squirrel (Tamiasciurus hudsonicus) tracks. This wasn’t too difficult, because I have had up to eight of these critters visiting my bird feeders. To no surprise, I found their tracks in the woods close to the house.

American Red Squirrel

Finding fresh American red squirrel tracks in the snow.

American Red Squirrel Prints

American red squirrel tracks in the snow.

An American Red Squirrel Tunnel

An American red squirrel tunnel in the snow. These squirrels have created a whole network of tunnels around the property. With every fresh snowfall, they make more. This is very smart on their part. They can get around quickly and are also well protected from predators.

There are a nice mixture of deciduous, pines, conifers as well as plenty of water sources located on the property. It should come as no surprise that I would find an abundance of evidence of white-tailed deer.

Deer Scat In The Snow

White-tailed deer (Odocoileus virginianus) scat in the snow.

Deer Tracks On Top Of Ice

White-tailed deer tracks crossing the ice on the brook.

Deer Scat

More white-tailed deer scat in the snow.

White Footed Mouse Tracks

I believe these may have been the tracks of a white-footed mouse (Peromyscus leucopus).

White Footed Tracks In Snow

Here you can see the rodent’s foot tracks as well as where the tail left a trail in the snow.

Snowshoe Hare Snow

This has been one of my favorite animals to track. For some reason, I haven’t seen any snowshoe hare (Lepus americanus) tracks since my first winter here. I actually got to see a lot of this snowshoe hare over the summer and I was hoping it would stick around for the winter. Now all I have to do is find the hare in the snow. By this time the coat of the hare will be changing to white in order for it to be camouflaged in the snow. I also believe I may have been tracking three different hares. A few of the tracks were fresh and very different in size.

Snowshoe Hare Tracks In Winter

Snowshoe hare tracks during the winter.

Snowshoe Hare Tracks

Distorted snowshoe hare tracks in the snow.

Snowshoe

Snowshoe hare tracks in the snow.

Snowshoe Hare Scat

Snowshoe hare scat on the snow.

Hare Tracks In Snow

Following snowshoe hare tracks.

Snowshoe Hare Tracks On Hill

Snowshoe hare tracks on a snow-filled hill.

Fox Scat

Here I found what I think could have been fox (Canidae) scat. There were no tracks around the area in the snow, so there was no sure way to tell. Whatever is was, you can see that it had consumed an animal, because of the fur that it contained.

Fox Tracks In Snow

Later in the day, I had found what I thought could be the tracks of the fox. The gait was too long to be that of a cat and the size of the tracks were too small to be that of a coyote. It was difficult to tell, because of how distorted the tracks were. Does anyone have any suggestions?

There haven’t been wild turkey (Meleagris gallopavo) on the property since the fall. I found what seemed to be the tracks of just one of these birds. We had experienced freezing rain the night before and these tracks were quite distorted.

Wild Turkey Tracks

Wild turkey tracks in the snow.

Wild Turkey Scat

Wild turkey scat in the snow.

Now for my most exciting find. For the past month or so, we have been experiencing a skunk-like smell around the property and every so often, in the house. We thought this was quite peculiar for this time of year. I decided to investigate near the edge of the stream and I couldn’t believe what I saw. I found mink (Mustela vison) tracks coming out of the stream and leading into the woods. These animals have anal scent glands that make a strong smelling musky liquid that is discharged when the animal is disturbed or excited. I think this could be the source of this mysterious odor and we may indeed have our first resident mink on the property.

Stream Edge In The Snow

The edge of the stream.

Climbing Up The Streams Edge

Here you can see where the mink was climbing out of the stream.

Mink Paw Prints In The Snow

Fresh mink tracks in the snow.

Mink Tracks

Mink tracks in the snow.

Mink Tracks Along The Pines

Mink tracks along a few young pine trees (Pinus).

Mink Den Along The Stream

I was hoping this could be where the mink has made one of its dens. Mink will make dens in a variety of areas including along stream banks. These animals will use a den for a few days and then move on. They also leave a pile of feces outside their den. I will have to look further for more signs to find out where the mink has taken up residence along the stream.

I also hope to catch a glimpse of all these animals while out in the woods and have the opportunity to photograph one of these fascinating creatures. I am also holding onto the hope of spotting a moose and not just its tracks!

Filed Under: Nature & Wildlife


An Interview with Photographer Neal McClure

January 25, 2019 Leave a Comment

NealMcClure PortraitI’ve recently had the distinct pleasure of interviewing a very talented Photographer based in Asheville, North Carolina. His name is Neal McClure and he strives to provide his viewers with a unique view of the every day beauty in which the world brings. Through his travels, Neal captures and conveys his passion for every day moments and makes them into something rather extraordinary. As you browse through his photos below, I think you’ll agree that he’s quite accomplished at his craft.

Neal, thank you so much for sharing your experiences with us and thank you so much for all your thoughtful responses. You have given the readers an opportunity to glimpse into the mind of a person who truly enjoys what they do.

If you would like to learn more about Neal, please visit his website. You can also follow him on Instagram.

Can you please tell the readers a bit about yourself?

My name is Neal McClure and I grew up in sunny Fort Lauderdale, FL. I’m 33 years old, married, and love photography. I shoot mostly landscape and street photography in my free-time. However, by trade, I shoot interior architecture (hotels, private residences, real estate, businesses, offices, etc). I love traveling and exploring new places.

Where is home?

Asheville, NC.

After browsing through your bio, I see that you are truly immersed in the field of photography. What is it that led you towards photography and how long have you been working in it?

I grew up performing, producing and mixing music throughout my teens and twenties. As I grew older, I found myself wanting to do something else creatively. Around that time social media was booming and I found myself posting a lot of photos I was taking with my cellphone camera. My friend Chris Bellus noticed I had an eye for the photos I was posting and offered to lend me an older camera he had. He suggested that I borrow his old Canon 40D and 50mm 1.8f lens to play around with and instantaneously I fell in love. This was about 5 years ago. Around this time also I worked at a craft beer bar named Laser Wolf that had many locals/regulars that I became friends with. One of my regulars was a lifelong professional photographer by the name of Chris Kakol. He became like a mentor to me as I immersed myself in photography.

In regard to marketing, how much of your time do you dedicate to social media? Do you use any special programs or services?

I don’t post as much as I would like. On IG, I aim to publish a photo once a week and to post some stories/snaphots every couple of days. I have a Tumblr page that receives a lot of questions from aspiring photographers. So, I check that daily and respond with my tips/tricks that I think may help them. Twitter and FB I am not that involved in as my engagement seems a lot lower on those platforms. As far as IG, I won’t spend that much time on there unless I am posting a photograph that day. When I do post, I want to make sure to respond to every comment that I receive and invoke engagement.

What industry sites and blogs do you read regularly? Would any stand out as particularly motivational or inspirational for someone who might be interested in learning about photography?

I frequent fstoppers.com. I visit kenrockwell.com for reviews/tech specs on new gear. I don’t follow that many blogs, but I am subscribed to a bunch of YouTube channels that involve photography. AdoramaTV, PiXimperfect, PHLEARN, The Art of Photography, Mattias Burling, etc. As far as inspiration/motivation I would suggest subscribing to Lynda.com’s creative learning services. Ben Long is a pro photographer/instructor that has a class on Lynda that’s called ‘The Practicing Photographer’. His classes/techniques are so easily explained and fun to watch. After every segment, I wanted to go out a shoot and practice what I just learned.

What type of session do you look forward to the most vs what type of session you most often do?

The type of session I look forward to most is street photography. I love exploring a city with only one prime lens and chasing interesting moments. The sessions I now do most is interior architecture shoots.

If there is one thing you would want prospective clients to know about you, what would it be?

One thing that I would want prospective clients to know is the amount of focus, time, and energy I put into my workflow and images. I am a perfectionist. I strive to deliver the highest quality images possible.

Black Church

What is your favorite part of being a photographer?

The exploration, adventure, and the privilege to be able to take the beauty back home with you.

What is the most challenging part of being a photographer?

Standing out among the other million talented photographers.

Colorful Building

What do you do to keep your photography fresh and how do you stay motivated?

I keep my photography fresh by trying new editing techniques and compositions. I have never had a problem of staying motivated, but I will say that the more I shoot, the more I WANT to shoot. You just got to get out there and shoot anything to get yourself going.

White Buick Regal

Who or what inspires you in your personal life and work?

My wife. My daughter. My family. This vast unknown world. All things in life inspire me, even the mundane.

What do you hope viewers take away from your images?

I would hope viewers take away the boldness and beauty in a single moment that can be relived over-and-over. Most photographs I publish I intend to be printed. I want viewers to be able to enjoy my images time and time again.

Share with us your favorite image and why?

My favorite image is of an abandoned roller-coaster shot in Dania Beach, FL. The theme park was called Boomers. It is my favorite image because I shot this early on in my career, and it was the first long-exposure night shot I ever attempted. I was very ill-equipped to sneak into this abandoned theme park as it was my first time ever doing something like this. Aside from the overgrown grass that hid snakes, or the curious raccoons and patrolling security, I somehow managed to capture the roller coaster in pitch black darkness.

Boomers Roller Coaster

What is one piece of advice you would like to offer a new photographer?

Learn the basics, the rules, the foundation. Start with one lens. Start with Black and White photography. Chase the light and composition. Once you feel comfortable with a camera in your hands, and understand all the settings and parameters – go wild. Get creative. Go and find what you really enjoy shooting, and master it.

What type of camera(s) do you shoot with? What is your favorite lens?

I am a full-frame Nikon DSLR shooter. I have an older D610 and the current D850. I try to also carry around a pocket-sized Ricoh Griii for everyday street shooting. My current favorite lens is the Nikon Zoom 28-300mm F/3.5-5. It replaces a bag full of lenses when traveling and is sharp as a tack.

What is in your camera bag?

It really all depends on what the subjects are I am going to be shooting for that day. But, usually, it’s one camera body, 16-35mm, 24-70mm, 70-200mm lenses. I’ll always carry a 50mm 1.4 lens as well. One speedlight, tripod, various filters (polarizer, ND, etc), cable release, multi-use tool set, lens cloth, air blaster, extra batteries + charger, flashlight, headlamp, etc.

What is your favorite photography accessory?

My favorite accessory, hands-down, is my L-Bracket. This bracket allows me to switch between landscape + portrait orientations without having to adjust the ball head on my tripod. Game changer.

What piece of equipment would you most like to get but don’t have yet?

High-powered battery pack strobes + modifiers. Flash photography is something I haven’t dived into yet, but want to start working with soon.

How important is Photoshop or other image editing software in your final images?

For me, I couldn’t live without it. Post-editing is just as important (and fun) as the images you take in-camera. The landscape images I take have a huge dynamic range I need to balance in post. Without Photoshop, for me, the final images I post would not look the same, at all. They would most likely have blown out skies, or muddy-pure-black subject areas. Photoshop or any image editing software allows me to retain highlight + shadow detail and optimize the high dynamic range of my camera’s big sensor.

Mountain

Was there a point in your journey when you started to feel really good about your work? If so, what did it feel like to get past that ‘tipping point’?

The moment I started to feel really good was when I started to sell prints of my work. It’s not that difficult to post some pretty images online and get a few likes, but it’s something entirely different for folks to want to purchase your work, frame it, and have it hung in their living room. That was definitely the tipping point for me to continue investing time + money into my craft. Every image I create, I create with the idea that it will go to print. Editing images to look great on a smartphone is vastly different from getting an image to print nicely. For me, there is a lot more involved in the editing process to get it to that point. It’s easy to cut corners during editing if you aren’t printing your work. It makes me feel good that the time spent processing an image is justified when it becomes framed.

What do you think the future holds for you? Where do you see yourself in the next few years?

I would hope the future holds more travel and adventures. It’s nice to be able to make money off of photography, but really I just want the opportunity and free time to be able to photograph new places. That’s all I ask for, is the chance to enjoy the trip. I see myself in the next few years traveling and solely selling prints. For me, that is a dream come true.

Filed Under: Interviews


Learning About Photographer Matt McGee

January 24, 2019 Leave a Comment

Matt McGee PortraitToday’s interview comes from Franklin, Tennessee and features an extraordinarily multi-talented Photographer named Matt McGee. Matt is a seasoned photographer with an interest in many areas and styles of photography including landscape, fine art, fashion as well as underwater photography. During this interview, we will showcase Matt’s underwater work, where his photography journey began. Through the natural beauty of the world, Matt finds inspiration for his work with careful observations of wildlife in its natural surroundings. Matt has successfully photographed marine life such as sharks, mantas and an array of other species of small creatures. Matt’s body of work is quite expansive and his passion and drive for photography speaks for itself.

Matt, thank you so much for sharing your experiences with us and thank you so much for all of your thoughtful responses. It’s not every day we get a behind the scenes viewpoint of someone with such passion for the natural world.

If you’d like to learn more about Matt’s underwater photography, please visit his website. You can also see more of Matt’s work on his other website and you can follow him on Instagram.

Can you please tell the readers a bit about yourself?

My “real job” is dentistry, and I have been practicing for about 20 years. I’ve been into photography for about 15 years. I’m married with 2 kids, but I can’t seem to get either of them interested in photography.

Where is home?

I live in Franklin, TN which is a suburb of Nashville. I’m not really a fan of country music, but I’m right here at the epicenter of all things that are twangy. Most of my photography is done in locations other than home. There’s only so many abandoned barns I can shoot. I should probably shoot more around here because there’s a lot of pretty mountains, fields, rivers, etc. I think that since I live here, I can shoot it anytime, and I’ll get around to it one day.

What inspired you to be a photographer?

I bought a nice camera to use at my office, and started taking it home to just play around. I started noticing that some of my images were kinda good. It just grew from there. I started looking online for examples of good photography, and wanted to learn how to take those types of images. I would see a beautiful image, and would be really impressed, or couldn’t stop looking at it, and I wanted to be able to create images like that so people could see the world the way I do, and make them feel like that.

From looking through your portfolio on your site, I can see that you are interested in a variety of photography styles. Of the styles you have explored, which has been your favorite and why?

That’s difficult to answer. It’s almost like trying to tell which one of your kids is your favorite. That’s one of the things about photography that’s so great; there’s so many different styles. If I had to pick one, I would probably say underwater because you get to enter a part of the world where we aren’t meant to live. Every time I dive, I think “I’m not supposed to be able to stay underwater this long”, and that’s really cool. Then you get to interact with animals. Having a shark or a giant manta ray come within inches of you, or actually bump into you is such an amazing experience. Where else in the world can you have a wild animal that weighs several hundred pounds come right up to you and lock eyes with you. There’s a connection there that I can’t describe. I’m very lucky to have had these encounters, and share them with the world.

Hammerhead Shark

Locations and weather conditions seem to be a crucial aspect to a successful picture. How do you handle these unpredictable factors?

First off, you have to have the proper gear to deal with bad conditions. I’ve done a lot of photography in Iceland, and the weather there is terrible. And it changes quickly, so you need to be prepared for snow, or sleet, or rain, or high winds. The other thing is having a good guide. Whether it’s hiking gin the highlands of Iceland, or scuba diving (especially while diving), a good guide can make or break you shoot. While some locations or animals can be easy to find and shoot, if you want something more unique, you have to know where to find it. My guides while diving in Indonesia have helped me find all those little critters I want to photograph. I’d ask for a particular animal to photograph, and they knew where to go look for them. If I want to photograph a certain canyon or waterfall in Iceland, you have to know who to ask to get you there.

Do you prefer studio work or photography on location?

Location. No question. I mean, I’ve got the equipment to set up a studio in my garage, but to me it’s just not as fun. Maybe I haven’t found the right project yet. It’s hard to beat the feeling of standing in front of a beautiful place, and creating an image. Even if your wet and cold, it’s being able to share a beautiful part of our planet with people.

What is your favorite part of heading out for a photo shoot?

The anticipation. I generally do a lot of study before I go on a shoot. I’ve watched lots of videos about a location, or a particular animal. I’ve looked at other people’s images. I’ve read articles. So when I finally arrive at a location, it’s like I’m walking into a final exam. I don’t know exactly what’s going to happen, but this is my time to shine and show what I can do with a certain subject. The is especially true when diving. On the boat ride out to a spot, I’m thinking about what animals I might encounter. How can I capture their essence, and create an image that can connect with a viewer. When you’re at the surface, you literally have no idea what’s below the surface, so when you back roll into the water and look down, it’s almost always a surprise. The problem is that you only have so much air, so the clock is ticking, and you’ve got to do your thing quickly.

Colorful Sea Creatures

What has been your most memorable shoot and why?

2 shoots. One was a dive site a Cocos Island, Costa Rica. We descended as a group to about 90 feet. after we settled in, a massive school of scalloped hammerhead sharks moved in above and all around us. It was one of the most memorable moments in my life. The second was photographing the aurora borealis at Vestrahorn mountain on the east coast of Iceland. It was one of those times where you just had to sit back a watch what was happening before your eyes.

How do you keep yourself motivated and your photography fresh?

I think I go through phases of motivation. Sometimes I’m really excited about new projects, and other times I don’t shoot for long periods of time. For me, I have to step away from photography from time to time, and then come back with a fresh attitude. Too much of something begins to wear on me. I think that’s why I moved away from underwater photography, and started shooting landscapes.

Who or what inspires you in your personal life and work?

I guess just the creative process. I like coming up with a concept, and then learning how to make it reality.

What’s the best part of being a photographer?

Putting a frame around a part of our world so that a person viewing the image can stop and appreciate the beauty of that small part of our world. It’s also pretty special when you look at the screen on the back of your camera, and KNOW that you just captured something special.

What is your favorite and least favorite part of being a photographer?

I think my favorite part is seeing people’s reaction to my images. It always amazes me that people will really connect with an image that I don’t particularly care for, and at the same time they are unimpressed by an image that I love. My least favorite part is having one chance to make something special, and failing. Or at least not getting something you can use.

Vibrant Color Fish

What do you hope viewers take away from your images?

I hope they take away an appreciation of the beauty of our world, and realize that it is worth protecting.

Colorful Squid

What is one piece of advice you would like to offer a new photographer just starting out?

Hang in there. It takes a long time to get to a place where you feel like you’re creating quality images. The nice thing is that there is so much free instruction and inspiration out there online.

What type of camera(s) do you shoot with? What is your favorite lens?

Most of my images are shot with a Canon 5D mark 2 or 3. My favorite lens for landscape photography is the Canon 16-35mm 2.8L. Wide angle underwater is my Sigma 15mm fisheye. Macro underwater is the Canon 100mm 2.8L. I’m at a point that I really don’t buy lenses much anymore. I just rent them. It gets expensive to have a bunch of high quality primes on hand, so I just rent. I’ve found that a high quality lens can make a big difference.

What is in your camera bag?

ND filters. Batteries. CF cards. A plastic cover. Peanut butter crackers. I’m often hiking to a location, so I try to travel light. I also have some sort of tripod, but it doesn’t fit in the bag.

What is your favorite photography accessory?

Drones. I love those things. In fact, lately I’ve been more into drone photography for landscapes. There’s a lot of restrictions for flying in the USA, but I’ve done some great work in Iceland and the Faroe Islands. I love the aerial perspective you can get with a drone. It’s just a whole new way of doing things, and I love it.

What piece of equipment would you most like to get but don’t have yet?

There’s always new gear coming out, so I can usually find some new toy. Mirrorless cameras seem to be quite popular lately, but I haven’t made the switch yet. I really think I would like to get an old Roliflex medium format and go old school. I don’t know how to work in a dark room so that’s what’s holding me up.

How important is Photoshop or other image editing software in your final images?

I primarily work in Lightroom, and don’t use Photoshop unless I want to remove something like a power line, or scuba bubbles. I’ve toyed around with the idea of some surreal photography. Look up Brooke Shaden, she is amazing. That type of work would be all PS. But for me LR does most of what I want. I play around with the RGB curves, and experiment with the sliders in hue, saturation, and luminance.

Woman Underwater

Was there a point in your journey when you started to feel really good about your work? If so, what did it feel like to get past that “tipping point?”

I think when I started shooting in manual mode all the time was when I started to feel good about my work. It felt like I was taking total control over what I was doing, and allowed me to try different things. I also felt more independent. I wasn’t asking for guidance from other people as much, and I felt like I knew what was going on.

What do you think the future holds for you? Where do you see yourself in the next few years?

Who knows. My next project in a shoot in the backcountry of Greenland. Beyond that I have no idea. At some point I might like to run small group tours to out of the way locations in Iceland. Maybe I’ll publish a book.

Do you see yourself as a photographer many years down the road?

Probably, but I never would have guessed that i would be doing this, so maybe there’s some other interest out there that I haven’t discovered yet that will consume my time. The other thing is that the technology is getting so good, that pretty much anyone with a smart phone can take an okay image. The art and talent are figuring less and less into the equation. I also think stills from video may be the future. For me I try not to turn this into a job, because I want to only shoot what I want, and not what someone else wants. I’ve been asked to do weddings and senior portraits, but have turned them all down. As long as I can keep it fun, I’ll do it.

Filed Under: Interviews


Getting to Know Landscape & Nature Photographer Ed Clark

January 22, 2019 Leave a Comment

Ed Clark PortraitI’ve recently had the pleasure of interviewing an extraordinarily talented landscape and nature Photographer from beautiful Southern California. His name is Ed Clark and he finds inspiration for his work with his love for the beauty of the world and finding new places to explore. Ed, thank you for allowing us to learn about your passion for photography and for allowing us to get to know a bit about you. Your body of work is truly inspiring.

If you would like to learn more about Ed, please visit his website. You can also follow him on Twitter.

Can you please tell the readers a bit about yourself?

I am a retired Systems Engineer from the Aerospace Industry. I am 61 years old and have been married for 41 years. I have two adult sons, Daniel 34 and Steven 28, who live about an hour away. My other interests include bowling, hiking and woodworking.

Where is home?

I live in a city called Torrance which is in southern Los Angeles county, in Southern California.

What inspired you to be a photographer?

I originally got interested in photography back in the film days. A couple of friends from work were photographers and they invited me to a model shoot. I started using my mother’s Canon AE-1, but the time demands of family and work, not to mention the cost of developing film caused my interest to wane. About five years ago my brother got into digital photography when he received a Nikon DSLR. It was the conversations with him about photography and my need for being creative that renewed my interest in photography. This time I really had the bug. I couldn’t learn enough. I was constantly online learning what I could.

Is photography your full time career or a hobby?

Photography is still a hobby for me even. I do sell my images on micro stock websites I really don’t want the pressures of making it a full time job as I am enjoying it too much as it is.

Are you formally-taught or self-taught?

I am more or less self-taught. What I mean by this is I never took any classes in a school or university. Though I did learn a HUGE amount from classes on a website called Creative Live. One instructor in particular, John Greengo, did a great job of using visual tools to explain photography in great detail. I still sometimes go back and watch classes to reinforce what I had learned.

In regard to marketing, how much of your time do you dedicate to social media? Do you use any special programs or services?

When I first got into digital photography, I did a lot of marketing in social media. Lately, I don’t spend nearly as much time marketing my photography as I used to. I do use an app called Buffer. It allows me to easily post a page from a website to several social sites at the same time.

What has been the easiest part of learning about photography?

As I had said, learning photography from John Greengo on Creative Live made understanding much easier for me. I guess the engineer in me likes the details. Also, the immediate feedback of seeing your image on the LCD screen and the ability to take a lot of images almost for free allows for a lot of experimentation.

What has been the most challenging part of photography?

The most challenging part of photography for me is that I live in the big city. Except for the coast, getting out into nature takes a lot of effort. Also, deciding on the best composition is not always easy. Of course there are times that I look and just know this composition will be a good image. Other times I wonder if I should shoot this angle or that, should I include this foreground element, etc. In this day and age its easy to shoot thousands of images (i.e. spray and pray) with the hopes of getting good shots, but I try very hard not to do that. One last thing I sometimes struggle with is the selection of the best images. I find this is easier as my brother and I review and comment on each others images. Sometimes I have to put away my work for a few days and come back to it to get a fresh perspective.

What is your favorite part of heading out to a new location?

First of all, I love the great outdoors and exploring new places. So I would do this even if I wasn’t into photography.

How do you keep yourself motivated and your photography fresh?

Being that I have other interests that don’t require much travel, this is pretty hard for me. I have slowed down in the past year.

Who or what inspires you in your personal life and work?

As I have said my brother inspires my photography. When we review each others images, we don’t always agree, but I respect his point of view. His insights have made me a better photographer.

Share with us your favorite image and why.

The first image is one of my favorites. The second image is straight out of the camera. It shows what you can do with an image if you can get creative with lighting and color. I must give my brother credit for the original idea for this one though. I probably would not have published this image had my brother not suggested the edit.

Fall Sun Bridge

Autumn Bridge

What type of camera(s) do you shoot with? What is your favorite lens?

I currently have 2 cameras I shoot with. My first DSLR was a Canon T5i. This is a crop sensor camera and I learned digital photography on it. I recently have bought the full frame Canon D6 Mark 2. I find this camera is much better in low light situations is as often needed in landscape photography. The lens i shoot the most with now is the Canon 24-70 mm f/4. I like it because of the great results I get with it and it is not nearly as heavy as the f/2.8 version. On my last outing I had to hike a mile through the rain forest and then climb over many large driftwood logs. The heavier lens would have made this much more difficult.

What is your favorite photography accessory, other than your camera?

One of my favorite accessories is my remote shutter release. It is actually meant as a off camera flash adapter, but it also functions as a wireless shutter release. Its easy to use and I don’t have to worry about causing vibrations from a wired shutter release. I also have a very nice carbon fiber tripod made by Benro. It’s a good combination of height and light weight.

What is in your camera bag?

I normally use a backpack designed for photography equipment as my bag. I used to try to carry everything but I have learned only to carry the basics of what I will need. The weight is just too much. Now what I carry depends on where I am going. The longer I have to hike the less equipment I carry. Besides the camera, lens and tripod, I will always carry extra batteries, extra memory cards, a couple of head lamps. a flashlight and lens cleaning equipment.

What piece of equipment would you most like to get but don’t have yet?

My next equipment purchase will likely be a high quality fast fixed aperture wide angle lens. Besides using it for landscape, I could also use it to experiment in night time photography including Milky Way images.

Do you use Lightroom, Photoshop, both or other?

When I got back into photography, I was shooting in JPEG and using Photoshop Elements. Now I shoot in Camera Raw. So I always have to make some sort of adjustments and I usually use Lightroom for that. If I want to get really creative or want to create a composite image, I will switch to Photoshop.

Can you tell me about one of your favorite or most memorable photo sessions? What made it so great and why did you like it so much?

Actually, my last photo session was my favorite. My brother and I went to the north-western most tip of the United States. We went to 2 places, one called Cape Flattery and the other called La Push. What really struck me was how beautiful these 2 places were, each for their own reason. Cape Flattery was all sandstone cliffs where the ocean had carved out many caves. At La Push we went to Second Beach. Second beach has many sea stacks and is so flat that the water recedes over 100 yards between high and low tides. Both places require hiking through beautifully green rain forests. I have never seen anything like it.

Do you have any projects that make you look back and shake your head? What made the experience so unpleasant?

I have been pretty lucky in this area. I have not had much bad luck. What I hate the most is seeing a scene that I know will make a great shot and not being ready to capture it. Luckily it doesn’t happen often but it does happen.

What do you think the future holds for you? Where do you see yourself in the next few years?

So for now I am somewhat content where I am at now with my photography. Do I sometimes wish I could do more, of course. My wife is planning to retire in a couple of years and we plan to do some traveling to the National Parks and other places. I expect my photography to take a big leap then.

Filed Under: Interviews


An Interview with Photographer Peter Cooper

January 21, 2019 Leave a Comment

Peter Cooper PortraitI’m excited to share an interview with a very passionate Photographer from London in the UK. His name is Peter Cooper and he draws inspiration for his work from a great variety of subjects. Peter’s body of work is quite expansive and his passion and drive for photography speaks for itself. As you browse through his photos below, I think you’ll agree that he’s quite accomplished at his craft.

Peter, it was wonderful getting to know you and thank you for taking the time to participate in this interview. Your work is inspirational and I hope to see more of your wonderful work in the future!

To learn more about Peter, please be sure to visit his website. You can also follow him on Instagram.

Can you please tell the readers a bit about yourself?

Hi there, I’m Peter. I’ve been into photography for about 6 years now, and feels like more and more of my time is taken up by it! Sadly, I have a completely different day job.

Where is home?

I am based in London in the UK, but I’m originally from the Isle of Wight, which is just off the south coast.

What inspired you to be a photographer?

Back in 2012, I had been backpacking around the US and Canada for several months and I was staying with some family friends for the last couple of weeks. They kindly offered to take me to Yosemite National Park, and on the way, I was surprised to be presented with a Sony NEX mirrorless that I could use for the day. Up until then I was just using an old HTC phone to take all my photos, not having a digital camera. In fact prior to the trip, one of the 2 cameras I’d ever personally owned was a little film camera that I got by saving up tokens on the back of a cereal box!

I absolutely loved the experience of shooting with this thing, and being in an inspiring place like Yosemite, I started really putting some thought in before I pressed the shutter. When I started looking through my photos on the house TV, I was really impressed with how they looked (although I wouldn’t be now!) and promised myself I would buy myself a camera when I got back home. I picked up a Nikon D3100 with a kit lens a few weeks later and I was constantly searching for places to take it out after that.

Are you formally-taught or self-taught?

I learnt the basic concepts like the exposure triangle from websites and YouTube videos, but there’s no substitute for hours and hours of time out shooting, which I feel is where you really learn photography. It was fun (and a long process) to figure it all out!

Night Bridge

From looking through your portfolio on your site, I can see that you are interested in a variety of photography styles. Of the styles you have explored, which has been your favorite and why?

My favourite is definitely wildlife photography. I just love animals, and being able to spend time observing them – I think each species is really impressive in its own way. I’d say it’s also the style that creates the most evocative memories most of the time. One of my favourite experiences in photography was the first time I saw a Kestrel hunt a mouse in some long grass.

In regard to marketing, how much of your time do you dedicate to social media? Do you use any special programs or services?

I only really use Instagram for photography, which is now my favourite social network. I find people on there are so supportive and appreciative of each other’s work. It’s very refreshing compared to something like Twitter, where things seem to get unpleasant fast!

What has been your most memorable shoot and why?

I think my most memorable shoot was when I managed to get seats on Centre Court at Wimbledon that were pretty much the same view as the photographer pit. My other passion is tennis, and getting to watch my idol Roger Federer from a prime photography position was really a dream come true! Got some shots that I was really happy with, especially considering the lens size restrictions they have for entering the grounds.

Roger Federer

How do you keep yourself motivated and your photography fresh?

I think just by just introducing some kind of different element, be it a new style, new location, going out on a shoot with someone else or even visiting the same location but a different time of year. I think looking at the work of other photographers and being open to try new ideas also really helps. One of the good things about photography is that as long as you’re not on a job, if you try something and totally mess it up, no one need see it apart from you. So there’s really no downside to having a go at something.

Who or what inspires you in your personal life and work?

Nature is definitely something that inspires me, and photographing it is my way of showing my appreciation for the amazing planet we live on. I also get a lot of inspiration from my Instagram, though! I love the work of famous wildlife photographers like Paul Nicklen and Frans Lanting, but there are lots of less well known accounts producing some really nice work from different places around the world. I get to see a huge variety of different animals, cities and landscapes from my phone!

Dragonflies

What do you hope viewers take away from your images?

All I’d like to think is that people take the time stop and have a good look at one of my photos. We’re really in a time now where we are absolutely bombarded with images on a daily basis, and I think it’s now more difficult to grab someone’s attention and make them stop and think for a bit.

Oculus

What is one piece of advice you would like to offer a new photographer just starting out?

I think the main piece of advice I would give is just to get a camera (any camera – all the big manufacturers make decent kit despite what can be said in forums) and just start shooting anything and everything until you find what you like. The only way to get better is to practice. Shooting outside your comfort zone is always great, and sometimes you’ll be surprised what you can learn trying a new style of photography that you can apply to something you think you have more of a grip on.

This also helps with buying gear. Start with a kit lens and use that to death, and this will naturally uncover what other kit you might need. Maybe you’ll try shooting birds and realise that you need to be able to get closer, so you would look at getting a telephoto lens. If you find you’re regularly shooting bands in a dingy music venue, struggling with noise using an f/5.6 aperture on the kit, maybe it’d be useful to get an f/1.8 prime? I found the best purchases I made were the ones where I’d identified a specific need and found a product to fulfil it, rather than buying for the sake of covering all the focal lengths, or something like that.

What type of camera(s) do you shoot with? What is your favorite lens?

I have 2 camera systems now that I shoot with. My main camera is a Nikon D750 DSLR, which is my go to when I’m going out specifically to take photos. I love this camera – such a good all-rounder and very good value for money, although I do look enviously at D500 owners for that extra autofocus speed and FPS! Obviously pairing this with a couple of lenses makes a pretty heavy kit to lug around so for more casual days I have an Olympus E-M1 MFT camera. I have a kit of mostly pancake primes and I can fit my whole kit in a tiny bag. It’s getting on a bit now as it came out in 2013, but I find it really nice to use and great for street photography.

My favourite lens is the Nikon 200-500 f/5.6, my go to for getting closer to animals, sometimes paired with a 1.4x teleconverter.

What is in your camera bag?

Obviously this varies a lot depending on what I’m going out to shoot, but I always have spare memory cards and batteries just in case, plus a wireless shutter remote, lens cleaner and maybe a filter or two. I usually take my Tamron 24-70 f/2.8 along for the ride too – as I’m sure many other photographers find, it’s such a useful set of focal lengths in so many situations.

What is your favorite photography accessory?

My favourite accessory is probably my 3 Legged Punks travel tripod! This thing folds up small enough to fit in my rucksack, meaning it’s so much easier to carry about than my old one and makes me want to actually take a tripod out a lot more.

What piece of equipment would you most like to get but don’t have yet?

I feel like I’ve got most of the kit I need at this point for what I do… I am tempted by one of the big Sigma ART f/1.4 primes though. My friend has the 35 and the 50 and the bokeh is beautiful, I’m just not sure how much I would really use it. I’d also like to get some more lighting gear at some point.

How important is Photoshop or other image editing software in your final images?

Really important. It took me a few months before I decided I should switch to RAW from JPEG, but I never looked back after that. I tend to mainly use Lightroom to adjust levels and a bit of cropping if it needs it. I’m not a fan of superficial additions in post, though. Fake lens flare, for example.

Sea Coast

Was there a point in your journey when you started to feel really good about your work? If so, what did it feel like to get past that “tipping point?”

I’m not sure there’s ever been a point like that, to be honest. The times I realise I’ve made progress are when I’ve looked back at stuff I shot 2 years ago and thought “Oh my god, what was I thinking?”. That’s when you know the standard you hold yourself to has changed. Hopefully I’m still improving – I think if I look back and am totally happy with something I took a long time ago, that might mean my photography has become a bit stagnant.

Do you see yourself as a photographer many years down the road?

I can definitely see myself still being into photography in the distant future, I definitely have the bug and I think that is a hard thing to lose. Whether I’ll be doing it professionally I can’t say, but I do like the idea. Time will tell!

Filed Under: Interviews


Waking Up to a Winter Wonderland

January 19, 2019 Leave a Comment

The morning after our first big storm storm, I looked out the window to witness a stunning winter wonderland before me. This was especially exciting, because the combination of frigid cold, ice and snow had left the most beautiful snow covered trees. As an added bonus, there were partially cloudy skies and little wind. I knew I would have some nice light to work with. I often find that after a snowstorm such as this, there will be cloudy skies, the temperatures will warm up and the wind will take all of the snow off of the trees. Not this time. I had all day to photograph this natural wonder.

I got all of my winter gear on and grabbed my camera bag and set out to see what I could find. I came across some of my frequent wildlife visitors, so of course I had to take photographs of them as well. I took several photographs throughout the day and these are the ones that made the final cut. I think the day turned out to be pretty fruitful and as you view the following photographs, I hope you agree as well.

Bending Birch Trees

Bending white birches (Betula papyrifera).

Snow Covered Branches

Snow covered trees.

American Red Squirrel Eating

An American red squirrel (Tamiasciurus hudsonicus) posing for the camera.

An American Red Squirrel Eating An Apple Core

An American red squirrel eating an apple core.

Winter Fruit Trees

Winter fruit trees covered with snow.

Snow Covered Pond

A snow covered pond.

Snow Falling From The Branches

Falling snow from the branches.

Ice Filled Branches

Snow and ice covered branches.

Black Capped Chickadee On A Snowy Branch

A black-capped chickadee (Poecile atricapillus) perching on a snow covered branch.

A Perching Black Capped Chickadee

A black-capped chickadee perching in the snow.

Snow Covered Fruit Trees

Snow covered fruit trees.

Snow Filled Branches Against A Blue Sky

Snow covered branches against a blue sky.

Snow Filled Tree Line

A snow covered tree line.

Apple Trees Covered In Fresh Snow

Apple trees (Malus pumila) covered in fresh snow.

A Curious Black Capped Chickadee

A curious black-capped-chickadee.

The End Of The Day

The end of a perfect day.

Filed Under: Trees, Plants & Flowers


Our First Big Snowstorm of the Year

January 18, 2019 Leave a Comment

The day before our first big snowstorm of the 2018/2019 season, we experienced a full day of freezing rain. As a result, the snow that had fallen stuck to the trees very nicely. This was the perfect formula for great photography, but not so much for the trees. Especially not our white birch trees. They transformed into bent arches all over the yard. We shook as much of the snow off the birches as we could, but the ice layer had prevented a full recovery. There was also about a foot and a half of snow on the ground and with a combination of the frigid cold and another big storm coming, the snow isn’t going to be disappearing anytime soon. I captured the following photographs at different times throughout the day. Some of the photographs were taken from around the house, our road and back in the woods, behind the house. I will also share photographs from the day after this snowstorm in my next post. Winter has definitely made its appearance and I don’t think it will be over any time soon.

Snowing

Snow falling early in the day.

Apple Trees Snowing

The backyard covered under a blanket of snow.

Small Apple Tree

Our small apple tree ((Malus pumila) in the front of the house.

Trees Bending Over

The white birch trees (Betula papyrifera) bending under the weight of the ice and snow.

Snow Covered Road

Snow covered country road.

Snow Covered Driveway

The freshly snow-blown driveway.

Snow Covered Birch

Snow covered birch branches.

Snow Covered Trees

Snow covered trees near the stream.

Blueberry Bush

Our poor blueberry bush (Vaccinium) flattened by the snow. No worries though, this happens every winter and in the summer the bush will provide a good yield.

Snowy Apple Trees

Snow covered apple trees.

Branches Over Pond

Bent white birch trees over the pond.

Catkins

Catkins covered in ice and snow.

Snowy Trail

A snowy trail in the woods.

Snow Branches

Snow covered bent tree branches.

Beech Leaves

Winter beech leaves (Fagus).

Snow Covered Tree Trunks

Snow covered trees trunks in the woods.

Sumac

Ice and snow covered red sumac berries (Rhus).

Snow Covered Apple Trees

Another view of snow covered apple trees.

Side Yard

Bent white birches almost touching the ground.

Filed Under: Trees, Plants & Flowers


A Monday Morning Hike in the Snow at Maine Huts & Trails in Carrabassett Valley, Maine

January 15, 2019 Leave a Comment

On Monday morning we woke up to a beautiful sunshine-filled day and we decided to go for a hike in the snow. We decided to head up to our go-to place, Maine Huts & Trails in Carrabassett Valley, Maine. We haven’t been up there since November to take photographs of Poplar Stream Falls and hike the trails.

Well, the weather has changed a bit since we had been there last. Although the sun was out, it was bitter cold and windy. The temperature was about 17 degrees Fahrenheit, but with the wind chill factor, it felt much colder than that. As we walked up Carriage Road, we still had the warmth of the car with us on our bodies. When we got into the Poplar Hut trail, that warmth was long gone. We were dressed in warm enough clothes, but our faces and hands just couldn’t stay warm. Our cold hands were probably due to the fact of having to take our gloves off to the take photographs. I have fingerless gloves for taking photographs in fair weather, but they weren’t going to cut it in the frigid weather. I had to bring my ski gloves. They are thick and don’t leave me with much dexterity. Have you ever had this problem? I am open to suggestions, if you have any. Anyway, this was also the moment we were debating on calling the day a loss and maybe we should just go grab coffee instead. I decided the coffee could wait. I mentioned to my partner, we live in Maine and this weather is to be expected. This is why we are here in this state after all. To take advantage of its ever changing weather. He agreed and we kept going. We even had the chance to take a new trail during this hike.

Snow Covered Carriage Road

A snow covered Carriage Road.

Poplar Hut Trail Sign

Poplar Hut Trail sign.

Bridge Over Poplar Stream

The wooden bridge on the trail over Poplar Stream.

Crossing Poplar Stream

Crossing Poplar Stream.

Maine Huts And Trails Sign

A Maine Huts & Trails sign posted on a tree.

A Side View Of Stream

A view of a ice and snow filled Poplar Stream.

Pine Branch Over The Water

A pine branch over the water.

Walking The Trail

Walking the trail.

Cut Off Trail

Hiking Cut Off Trail.

Woodpecker Holes In Tree Bark

Fresh woodpecker holes in a cedar tree (Cedrus).

Fallen Bark On The Snow

Fallen bark on the snow.

Snowy Stream

A snow-lined stream.

Rocky Trail

Hiking through snow covered rocks.

Snowy Rocks

This section wasn’t as tough as it looked to get through.

Break In The Ice

A break in the ice.

A Walk Along The Stream

Making our way to the end of the trail.

The End Of The Trail

The end of the trail.

We pass this field of apple trees quite often and this time we decided to stop. The sun was in the perfect position for capturing the sunburst through the branches. As you can see from the first apple tree photograph, I didn’t capture the sunburst. In the second photograph, there is a bit of a sunburst. I have since taken several sunburst photographs since taking these. I hope to share a post on how to capture the perfect sunburst in your images using the aperture priority setting on your camera.

Apple Tree Sunset

A field of apple trees with the sun setting.

Apple Tree Sun Burst

An apple tree with a sunburst coming through the branches.

I hope you enjoyed the scenery and we eventually got that coffee to go, which we enjoyed on the way home.

Filed Under: Travel


The Birds Enjoying a Sunny Day After the Big Snowstorm

January 13, 2019 Leave a Comment

We had our first big snowstorm of the year a couple of days ago. The day before it snowed, we received a bit of rain and then the temperatures had fallen well below freezing. The ice has allowed for the snow to remain on the tree branches, allowing for beautiful winter photography. Perhaps this hasn’t been so great for the birds though. Or has it? Have you ever wondered how the birds survive harsh winters? No worries, Mother Nature has this taken care of. The birds are very good at prepping for our winters, especially here in New England. Birds are experts at finding shelter, acquiring and storing food and their bodies have evolved to withstand harsh weather as well.

Birds will use thick and dense vegetation for shelter. We have plenty of thick pines here in Maine that provide excellent shelter for the birds. Many bird species take advantage of dead or downed deciduous and evergreen trees for protection. Birds will also nest in cavities that provide protection from the harsh elements. Bird species that are well known cavity-nesters include black-capped chickadees, downy woodpeckers and white-breasted nuthatches.

During the months prior to the cold weather setting in, birds will begin to store fat. Of the bird species that I have mention above, these birds also have strategies for hoarding and storing food for the winter. These birds will store hundreds, or even thousands of seeds each year. Even more remarkably, these birds remember their food hiding places.

Birds have also evolved to withstand the harsh elements. Their feathers provide an excellent buffer from the wind, rain and snow. In regards to their legs and feet, birds also have a counter-current heat exchange system. This means that the blood vessels going to and from their feet are very close together, so blood flowing back to the body is warmed by blood flowing to the feet. Most birds will also not succumb to frostbite, because there is so little fluid in the cells of their feet. Their feet are mostly made up of tendons and bones with little muscle or nerve tissue.

During prolonged bad weather conditions, I’m sure these survival tactics are put to the test. I also believe nature can be resilient in these matters. Birds are experts at preparing and then hunkering down in bad weather. After the storm is over and the sun is shining the birds are back to their usual behavior. The following photographs are of a few of the birds on the property enjoying yet another day of sunshine here in Maine. These birds also don’t go without, I provide them with plenty of seed and suet to help them get through the winter.

Downy Woodpecker
(f/6, 1/500 second, ISO 200, 55-250 @ 55mm)

Downy woodpecker (Picoides pubescens)

Black Capped Chickadee Perching
(f/5.6, 1/500 second, ISO 160, 55-250 @ 55mm)

Black-capped chickadee (Poecile atricapillus)

White Breasted Nuthatch With Ice On The Branches
(f/6.3, 1/500 second, ISO 200, 55-250 @ 55mm)

White-breasted nuthatch (Sitta carolinensis)

A Black Capped Chickadee Perching In A White Pine Tree
(f/6.3, 1/500 second, ISO 500, 55-250 @ 55mm)

Black-capped chickadee

A White Breasted Nuthatch Hanging
(f/6, 1/500 second, ISO 250, 55-250 @ 55mm)

White-breasted nuthatch

Black Capped Chickadee Looking Down
(f/6.3, 1/500 second, ISO 250, 55-250 @ 55mm)

Black-capped chickadee

Black Capped Chickadee In The Snow And Ice
(f/6.3, 1/500 second, ISO 160, 55-250 @ 55mm)

Black-capped chickadee

Black-Capped Chickadee Perching In Snow
(f/7.1, 1/500 second, ISO 100, 55-250 @ 55mm)

Black-capped chickadee

Black Capped Chickadee Side Profile
(f/6, 1/500 second, ISO 100, 55-250 @ 55mm)

Black-capped chickadee

Black Capped Chickadee In Soft Lighting
(f/6, 1/500 second, ISO 250, 55-250 @ 55mm)

Black-capped chickadee

Male Downy Woodpecker
(f/5.6, 1/500 second, ISO 250, 55-250 @ 55mm)

Downy woodpecker

A White Breasted Nuthatch Side View
(f/6.3, 1/500 second, ISO 400, 55-250 @ 55mm)

White-breasted nuthatch

A Perching Black Capped Chickadee
(f/6.3, 1/500 second, ISO 400, 55-250 @ 55mm)

Black-capped chickadee

A Black Capped Chickadee Looking Down
(f/5.6, 1/500 second, ISO 160, 55-250 @ 55mm)

Black-capped chickadee

A Male Downy Woodpecker Perching On A Branch
(f/6.3, 1/500 second, ISO 160, 55-250 @ 55mm)

Downy woodpecker

A Side View Of A White Breasted Nuthatch
(f/5.6, 1/500 second, ISO 400, 55-250 @ 55mm)

White-breasted nuthatch

Filed Under: Nature & Wildlife


Getting to Know Photographer Jeff Sinon

January 11, 2019 Leave a Comment

Jeff Sinon PortraitToday’s interview comes from Barrington, New Hampshire and features an inspirational and talented nature, landscape, and wildlife Photographer. His name is Jeff Sinon and he excels at capturing breathtaking images of the natural world. With a unique approach and keen eye, Jeff has the ability to capture and convey his connection with nature in all its beauty. Jeff’s body of work is quite diverse and his passion for photography speaks for itself.

Thank you, Jeff, for taking the time to respond to each question and giving the readers a glimpse into the mind of a person who truly enjoys what they do. It was a pleasure getting to know you and about your work. You are a remarkable photographer and someone who’s definitely worth following.

If you would like to see more of Jeff’s work, read his blog or learn about his services and workshops, please visit his website. You can also follow him on Instagram.

Can you please tell the readers a bit about yourself?

My “Real” job is as an auto mechanic, which I’ve been doing for almost 35 years now. The funny thing is the statements of surprise I get when people who know me through my photography first, then find out that it’s not my full time job (I wish!), and that I’m an auto mechanic in my other, non-photography life. I guess the mechanic and the artist are hard for people to reconcile.

Where is home?

Home for me currently is Barrington, NH, where I live with my wife and daughter.

After browsing through your website, I see that you’re truly immersed in the field of photography. What is it that led you towards photography and how long have you been working in it?

Better sit down, this could take a while.

While I was always pretty artistic as a kid, drawing, painting, almost went to art school, it was a brief interest in astronomy that accidentally led me to photography back in 2008. Reading various astronomy magazines and online forums I was in awe of some of the photographs people were making through their telescopes with DSLR cameras. This led me to think “I could do that.” At which point I started looking at cameras. I liked the idea that I could use a camera to photograph celestial objects, then be able to use the same camera to go take regular day to day kind of photos.

During all this time I was also an avid hunter, so I spent a great deal of time outdoors in nature. It didn’t take long for me to realize I derived just as much pleasure from walking through the woods carrying a camera as I did while carrying a shotgun in search of grouse.

It was this realization that soon had me giving up hunting, selling off all of my guns, and pursuing photography with a passion.

At first photography was just for me. I simply fell in love with being out in nature and making pictures. But then people started telling me I was pretty good, some even asking if they could buy prints. So slowly but surely I started taking photography in a more professional direction. I started a blog, a Facebook page, later adding Instagram to the mix.

That being said, with the exception of some of the commercial work I do, I still photography primarily for me. I refuse to let the desire to sell a print change what I photograph or the way I photograph it. I believe the best images are the result of the photographer having a passion for the subject. I think a skilled photographer can make a good photo of anything, but I think great photographs are the result of a love of the subject.

I also discovered I loved sharing the knowledge and experience I was gaining as a photographer. At first it caught me off guard when people would ask me for advice and tips. I mean, who was I to be giving anyone advice on anything. But I loved it. This in turn led to me offering workshops. I was receiving too many requests via both my blog and Facebook page to ignore. So about 5 years ago I started offering small group workshops, mostly in the White Mountains here in New Hampshire.

Which brings me to present day, where my waterfall and fall foliage workshops regularly fill up, and my images have been purchased not just as prints, but for use in magazines, books, even on an award presented to one of the directors of the EPA in Washington, D.C.

The funny thing is, I never did take one single picture through that telescope that started it all.

When shooting subjects, what do you find most challenging?

For me the most challenging thing can still be seeing photograph within the wider scene. No matter the beauty of the scene before me, isolating the few key elements that really convey the beauty and grandeur can sometimes be difficult.

What would you say your most remarkable wildlife encounter has been?

That’s easy. A few years ago I was camping in Crawford Notch, NH. Early one morning, after returning to my campsite after I’d gone out shooting, I heard this noise. Looking up there, not 100 feet across the clearing was a mother black bear with three cubs. My first thought was, “Time To Go!!” But I realized Mom was sleeping while the cubs played. She did eventually wake, which allowed me to capture what is still one one of my most asked about photos. Then, apparently deciding I wasn’t a threat, she put her head back down and went back to sleep.

Black Bear Family

Location and weather conditions seem to be a crucial aspect to a successful photograph. How do you handle these unpredictable factors?

When it comes to weather I have a prepare for the worst and hope for the best philosophy. I feel dramatic weather is as important as location when it comes to landscape photography. With this in mind I pay very close attention to the weather prior to heading out to photograph, this helps me decide what gear to bring, or whether or not I’m even going go in the first place. Rarely will I plan a day out when it’s going to be a crystal clear, blue sky day. I’m after the drama a cloud filled sky may bring.

Paying attention to the weather is doubly important when I’m heading into the mountains. I love the White Mountains of NH, and my favorite time to photograph them is in the winter. Mountain weather can very drastically from one hour to the next, with the forecast for the local area rarely being accurate for what it will be like at elevation. For this I rely on the Mount Washington Observatory’s Hight Summits Forecast to plan my mountain adventures, or if I’m even going to go at all. Weather that in the valleys might be forecast to be in the high 20’s to low 30’s with a slight breeze, can drop into low single digit temps with wind gusts as high as 80 mph once I’m above tree line.

Since I regularly hike alone I need to rely on a carefully selected collection of winter hiking gear to keep me warm and safe. That being said I have a self imposed 50 mph sustained wind speed limit that I will willingly endure, if the Higher Summits forecast is calling for higher, I’ll reschedule my hike. Hiking when it’s -15° is one thing when there is just a mild wind. It’s a whole different level of adventure when the wind picks up, and above all safety is my primary concern. No photograph is worth risking injury, or worse.

Mount Avalon

What’s the best part of being a photographer?

I think the best thing photography has taught me is how to see. The way light and shadow play across even the most mundane objects, that there is beauty in almost anything given the right light, is something I never really noticed before.

What is the most challenging part of being a photographer?

What challenges me most is finding unique ways to photograph something. Whether it’s a waterfall or a lighthouse, or a mountain top, I’m always looking for interesting and unique angles when composing an image.

Share with us your favorite image and why.

Currently my favorite image is this one I took last spring in Tuckerman Ravine. My friend Chris and I started up the Tuckerman Ravine Trail at about 3 a.m. in hope of some spectacular alpenglow on the headwall of the ravine at sunrise. Unfortunately Mother Nature had other plans for us. As we arrived into the ravine we were greeted by snow, temps around 15-20 degrees, with winds gusting between 30-50 mph. The visibility was so poor we initially couldn’t see the walls of the ravine even though we were standing right at their base. Initially we took shelter from the wind by the first aid cache located at the top of Little Headwall in hopes the sky would clear. As sunrise came and went without a hint of the sun, we decided to head back down the trail. Just as we were packing up our gear there was an opening in the sky through which this amazing beam of light shone down. What makes this image my (current) favorite is how I’m able to recall that day, everything from the hike in the dark, the windblown snow stinging my face, to the amazing scene that played out before us that day.

Ray Of Light

What do you hope viewers take away from your images?

There is immense beauty in nature, and through my images I hope to inspire people to get out to enjoy and protect it.

What is one piece of advice you would like to offer a new photographer just starting out?

You have to be there when Mother Nature is showing off! I think that, in a nutshell, is one of these biggest things an aspiring landscape photographer can do to improve their photos. You’re going to get rained on. You’re going to give up on a lot of sleep. You’ll hike miles in the dark. You may on occasion even come home without ever pressing the shutter button because the weather didn’t cooperate. But if you’re willing to suffer through all of that, and more, in order to be there when Mother Nature is showing off, you’re going to make great images.

Purple Lupine

What type of camera(s) do you shoot with? What is your favorite lens?

Currently I’m shooting with Fujifilm X-Series cameras, having switched from using Canon cameras and lenses a little over two years ago. I have both an X-Pro1 and the X-T2 along with several outstanding Fujinon lenses.

My favorite lens? Thats a tough one. It’s a tie between the XF16-55 f2.8 and the XF50-140 f2.8. Either one of these lenses rivals any of the L lenses from Canon that I’ve owned in the past, with the advantage of being smaller and lighter.

What is in your camera bag?

Besides camera and lenses, I keep a bulb blower, at least one micro fiber lens cloth, spare batteries, at least one headlamp, and an assortment of ND (neutral density), graduated ND filters, along with a circular polarizing filter as well.

What is your favorite photography accessory?

My tripod, which I don’t think of as an accessory so much as I think of it as a necessary piece of equipment for the landscape photographer. There isn’t much that will improve your photography like a good sturdy tripod. Using a tripod enables you to securely mount your camera for good sharp shots. Using a tripod also has the added benefit of slowing you down, allowing you time to think about your composition.

What piece of equipment would you most like to get but don’t have yet?

Fuji released the X-T3 a couple of months ago, I’m hoping to add one to my bag in the near future.

How important is Photoshop or other image editing software in your final images?

In a word, Extremely! As far as I’m concerned pressing the shutter is only the beginning. Since I mostly shoot in RAW, so all of my photos, regardless of how well I composed the shot and the exposure is spot on, will require some enhancements before I consider it done. My current images editing tools are Lightroom and the Nik Collection of plugins.

Autumn Gorge

Can you tell me about one of your favorite or most memorable photo shoots? What made it so great and why did you like it so much?

This is a tough one, so I’ll give you a type of photo shoot rather than a specific shoot. My most memorable photo shoot involve extreme weather. Whether it’s a storm front moving out to sea at sunrise, or high winds and blowing snow in the mountains, when the conditions are right the results can be spectacular.

Do you have any projects that make you look back and shake your head? What made the experience so unpleasant?

As cliche as it my sound, I don’t see anything I’ve done since picking up my first camera as a failure, rather I see it as a learning experience. Though there is one thing I do that often has me shaking my head. I like to experiment a lot with compositions, and I’ll try just about anything that pops into my head while out on shoot. Quite often, most of the time actually, when I look back at the photos I can’t help but wonder what the heck I was thinking.

Are there any areas of photography that you have yet to pick up on that you’d like to learn?

I would like to do more portrait photography. I have a basic knowledge of how to light people, I just haven’t done it enough for it to become second nature.

There are several areas of my photography I hope to expand on in the coming years. I would love it if my workshops were to really take off. My spring waterfall and fall foliage workshops are quite popular, but I’d like to do even more. I’ve also started photographing mountain running races, and I’d like to pursue that even further, expanding into other outdoor adventure sports.

What do you think the future holds for you? Where do you see yourself in the next few years?

In short, I’d like photography to put the final nail in the coffin of my day job. Wouldn’t we all?

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