Galen
Galen also works with various magazines, including Bay Nature and PhotoComment. His images have appeared in natural history field guides published by the UC Press.
Most of his work involves nature photography, with a large percentage of his pictures being taken from his kayaks (in the past he was even a kayak guide). Being on the water compliments his style, allowing him to explore nature and create intimate portraits of wild animals. He has created his own style, both on the water and off. In these pages, Galen shares with the readers many of the styles and tricks that he has learned as a photographer and a kayaker. Galen has spent several thousand hours kayaking with his camera.
Using many of the techniques and equipment that he has honed with wildlife, Galen also does family portraits. He uses his long lenses to capture candid portraits of children and their families at play.
For the most part this site tries not to endorse a single brand. Most of the techniques and lessons shared on these pages should be relevant, whether the reader prefers Canon, Nikon, Pentax, Olympus, Sony… Or kayaks a Hobie, Necky, Liquid Logic, or any other brand. If you do have questions about the particular equipment Galen uses, feel free to ask.
Feel free to ask for information about any pictures you see on this blog. Also you are welcome to suggest any content type that you would like Galen to address, be it about kayak photography, general photography, or wildlife photography.
You can also visit Galen’s website to view online galleries of his work.
Galen currently lives and photographs in Spain.
Galen Leeds Photography 
Gorgeous seal photo in your header! I’ll be looking at your photos with envy from Bath, UK.
Thank you. Lovely images of breaking waves in yours. I look forward to reading and seeing more of your corner of the world through your eyes.
Hey Galen! Nice photos, even better sentiments; but heads up!
The Sleeping Princess died without a whimper.
The profile of Mt. Tamalpais has always been an easy read of the Maiden, as you know. True, in the 60’s her head received ‘bumps’ from large installations, but even into ’07, it was easy for East Bay residents – who loved to watch the daily movement of the sunset along her body- to note the daily changes, from her legs to her tummy (she never had a ‘chest; she was a young princess after all), and pause in her streaming hair.
Now, her head and hair region is desecrated beyond recognition; there is no-more making her out, -at all.
I’ve nominated you for the Versatile Blogger Award! Please check our my blog!
http://ceeslifephotographyblog.wordpress.com/2011/10/03/versatile-blogger-award/
Hi Galen. I’m so glad that you stopped by my blog, because it allowed me to find yours! Your photography is amazing. I’ve already read through some of the anatomy of a photo posts and really enjoyed them. Will be back here a lot as I have much to learn!
I am so glad you enjoyed my blog Anne, and thanks for subscribing. You have some very nice pictures yourself… although it is your writing that I really enjoyed. I look forward to seeing more of your photos and reading more of your posts
Thanks for the great comments on my blog :) You have some cool nature photography here. I look forward to seeing more. Wish there was a cool place to kayak around Edmonton. :)
You have some very nice photos. An excellent eye for landscapes. Sometimes it is hard to realize how cool a place might be for kayaking until you give it a try. Many lakes and rivers (especially the wider, more sluggish rivers if you’ll be trying some photography) can surprise a person by how different everything appears once you are out there. Especially if you time it right, heading out in the very early morning it can be possible to come across unexpected wildlife
Cool. I will keep that in mind :)
Hi Galen,
After reading your “About…”, I am honored you checked out my blog and “liked” my “Laughing Spiders” poem, in all it’s silliness! Your photography is amazing; I will return! My teenage son also loves photography, so I’ll point him in your direction, as well.
Thanks Scott. I “Liked” your poem, partly because of its silliness. If we couldn’t laugh (especially at ourselves), the best picture in the world would pale in comparison
very beautiful header photo with the sun glancing off the top of the seal. thank you for dropping by my blog!
Thank you Yi-Ching. I enjoyed visiting your blog, and am sure that I will be back often
Thank you for dropping by my blog! Thanks for the comment. I really like your header photo! your photography is amazing! I will be back for sure.
Thanks Adrian. I’m happy you like my photography. You’ve captured some very nice images yourself.
You could think about trying some kayak photography. There are groups around where I live that help people with mobility issues to kayak, there might be similar organizations where you are. It is a beautiful way to photograph nature. Even if you didn’t take a camera out with you the first few times (I was quite nervous with mine to start with), it is still a nice way to be in nature. A whole different perspective.
thank you. Kayak photography seems like a great idea. I have gone kayaking before, but I think I’ll be nervous about taking my camera with me though.
I had to ease my way into kayak photography. I started with a vinyl underwater housing, and slowly found my way to my current system. Baby steps. Little bit, by little bit, until you are comfortable having your camera out there.
When you kayak are you alone in your kayak, or are you in a tandem? If you are in a tandem, I would suggest making sure that your partner is someone you are comfortable with before heading out with your camera… Of course, if you have someone else in your kayak (that you trust), it can open up even more possibilities, as you can have someone else to direct and steer the kayak, as you “focus” on photography.
I can’t stop looking at the seal in your banner photo, simply stunning. x
So glad you like it. I was very hopeful when I was taking it, but the lighting situation was tricky enough that I wasn’t sure how it would look at the time (I was shooting directly into the suns reflection on the water, and it was making it very hard to focus or even see).
Galen, thanks for “liking” my Willard Suitcases Project. I appreciate your interest. I just updated the project today. Here is the link. http://joncrispin.wordpress.com/
Your work is really nice. You have patience, which is what it takes to do what you do.
Best, Jon
It looks liken absolutely fascinating project. I am surprised that they wrapped up the suitcases so meticulously and then forgot all about them. It is a good picture into the life of the people of the past (even if or because those people were being institutionalized). I am surprised that there were so many forgotten in the attic.
Hi Galen,
I just began found your site through your recent comment on my Raxa Collective post. Very lovely! I can’t wait to keep exploring! Cheers!
I equally look forward to exploring the Raxa Collective more thoroughly. Thank you so much for stopping by
Thanks for taking time to visit my blog and comment Galen! I also appreciate that it lead me to your blog and I am inspired by how you take gorgeous photos from your kayak. I have been wanting to start kayaking for a while now and you’ve given that little extra push of motivation!
http://www.takebuseleven.wordpress.com
Thanks for stopping by BusEleven. If I’ve helped inspire you to finally try kayaking, then I am very happy indeed. It is a great way to see nature and the world
Hi, Galen! Thank you for ‘liking’ my blog on the AoP and whalewatching! I am also honored (as several people before me) that you did so, given how accomplished you are! I love your work! I have added your blog as a link in my photography links for my followers – but mainly for ME as a quick click over to your blog. Thanks for your attention! :-)
Your blog is an absolute treat! Beautiful photos! Thank you for visiting mine.
Thank you luminosity, and the pleasure was mine
Galen, thank you for visiting my site and your kind words as I appreciate it. Looks like you have been putting some hard and creative work into your site and it shows.
Thank you Oregon Foto. Your blog shows some marvelous areas of Oregon that can help to inspire any trip to the area for people who love nature
Wow Galen, your pictures are awesome. I am hoping I can learn more about photography as I love taking pictures–Can’t help it, I am surrounded by picturesque views in almost every corner here in Washington State (pocket camera will do for now :) By the way, thanks for stopping by my post and keep your pictures coming!
Hi Galen,
I’ve nominated you for the Versatile Blogger Award! Please check out my blog when you have a chance: http://lscotthoughts.com/2011/11/19/versatile-blogger-award
Lauren :)
This is a beautiful blog. I found it through a fellow follower. I will be back!
Thanks for visiting my blog “Eyes to Heart” and like my post “An Ol’ Routine …” … I love your wildlife images. Really captivating. … Be well, Dorothy :-)
A very nice blog!
http://magone10.wordpress.com/2013/01/13/blog-of-the-year/ Hi Galen I have gladly nominated you for the Blog of the year award.
Cheers
Thanks Mark. It is a true honor to have you hold this blog in such regard. I hope you have a fantastic 2013 full of remarkable photographs and adventures
Boy Galen… do you do gorgeous work with a camera. Thanks for stopping by my blog so I could find you. What a talent!!!!
Thanks Harold. I was enjoying your blog very much. You have some fine images, which is what inspired me to stop by
Thank you Galen!
Like you (and many others), I’ve taken photos my whole life, but more since I started with digital photography in 2007. Your shots are spectacular, the results, I’m sure, of patience and persistence. I write about photography now and then, mostly about various and sundry other things, but I’m glad you stopped by so I could discover you! I’ll be back to read more.–Monica
I was just as happy discovering you. You’ve captured some lovely moments
Thanks! It’s those little moments that end up counting the most.
Very inspiring Galen :-)
Thank you. I’m happy you enjoy what I do
:-)
Thanks for liking my butterfly video on Bmore Energy, http://bmoreenergy.wordpress.com. Your photography is beautiful. I especially like the bobcats!
Galen, I love your work and have read many of your blogs. Do you do any workshops? I took up Kayaking this year, love bird photography and live in the Sacramento area
Hey Galen, You have some incredible work, both in your onto graphs and your writing. I have truly enjoyed the past hour or so I have spent exploring your blog. I have just recently started my first photo journal blog (or blog of any sort for that matter) and this page has been quite inspiring. Thank you!
Nick