Category Archives: documentary

Why I don’t use Photoshop

Posted on February 4, 2013 by Galen Leeds Photography

I don’t know how to use Photoshop anymore, and I’m pretty happy that way, since I don’t really feel much of a need for it. Back when I did have it, I only used it for three things: making signs, … Continue reading →

Posted in documentary, ethics, nature photography, photography | Tagged , , , , , | 46 Comments

Surfing under the Golden Gate Bridge: An Essay in Photos

Posted on January 24, 2013 by Galen Leeds Photography

I headed over to the south side of the Golden Gate Bridge early one morning, just to photograph this iconic bridge from an angle I haven’t experienced as often, and was surprised to find many people surfing. It is a … Continue reading →

Posted in Anatomy of a photo, California, documentary, Photo Essay, photography | Tagged , , , , , , , | 8 Comments

Least Sandpiper and Marbled Godwit, an exercise in video

Posted on January 21, 2013 by Galen Leeds Photography

When I’m out photographing wildlife, especially if I come across a species that I already have really good images of, I will sometimes switch my camera over to video mode. Stills are fantastic and can be so evocative of emotion, … Continue reading →

Posted in birds, documentary, How To, How To, kayak photography, nature photography, photography, shorebirds, SLR, video | Tagged , , , , , , , , | 7 Comments

Learning nature through photography

Posted on January 15, 2013 by Galen Leeds Photography

I imagine some of you have had the same experience as I’ve had, where one day you picked up a camera and began taking photographs, and that those photographs brought you deeper into the natural world. Before I became addicted … Continue reading →

Posted in documentary, kayak photography, nature photography, Photo Essay, photography, wildlife photography | Tagged , , , , , , , | 12 Comments

Elephant Seals: Mother Love

Posted on November 7, 2011 by Galen Leeds Photography

It’s November, and the first of the bull Elephant Seals should be starting to arrive any day now, ready to stake out their territories on select beaches of the California Coast. They will be vying for choice real-estate, that they … Continue reading →

Posted in documentary, elephant seals, nature photography, wildlife photography | Tagged , , , , , | 6 Comments

The Hazel-Atlas Sand Mines: A tour of photographs

Posted on September 17, 2011 by Galen Leeds Photography

New The heat of a summer’s day faded away with the noises of the outside world as I strode into this tunnel in time. I visited the Hazel-Atlas Sand Mines in the Black Diamond Regional Park, where they once gathered silicone to … Continue reading →

Posted in California, documentary, Location, My favorite Parks, Park, Photo Essay, photography, SLR, wildlife photography | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , , | 5 Comments

Chickadee in the spider’s web

Posted on September 11, 2011 by Galen Leeds Photography

One day while kayaking with a friend, I saw something I never imagined to see. A Chestnut-backed Chickadee with its wind stuck in a spider’s web. There were actually many spiderwebs around, and several chickadees, but only one that I … Continue reading →

Posted in birds, California, documentary, kayak photography, nature photography, photography, SLR, wildlife photography | Tagged , , , , , , , | 7 Comments

Tomales Founder’s Day: Photos of Parades Gone By

Posted on September 4, 2011 by Galen Leeds Photography

This years parade will begin at 12 noon on Sunday, September 4th, 2011. There is a party in the town park afterwards. The town is already filling up. The smell of home made sausages, Indian food, and tri-tip are starting … Continue reading →

Posted in documentary, Location, Photo Essay, photography, road side, SLR | Tagged , , , , , | 2 Comments

An essay in photos: Six species of Grebe

Posted on August 19, 2011 by Galen Leeds Photography

How many of these grebes can you identify? Please, let me know, I can help you with any that you can’t ID Grebes and loons are fairly similar in my mind. Both are diving birds that seem more comfortable on … Continue reading →

Posted in birds, documentary, kayak photography, nature photography, Photo Essay, photography, SLR, wildlife photography | Tagged , , , , , , , | Leave a comment

Anatomy of a photo #56: Portrait of an old cowboy

Posted on August 7, 2011 by Galen Leeds Photography

This is Donald “Red” Rightsell. He was raised in the once small town of Patterson, California. He started roping in rodeos and jackpots when he was 18, and hasn’t stopped in over 65 years. At the young age of 70 … Continue reading →

Posted in Anatomy of a photo, documentary, photography, portraits, SLR | Tagged , , , , , | 1 Comment

Finding scale in New Zealand

Posted on August 2, 2011 by Galen Leeds Photography

So often when taking photographs, we see something amazing, raise our cameras, take the shot, and walk away very pleased with ourselves. Until we get home and review our pictures. We were so impressed with how much larger or smaller … Continue reading →

Posted in documentary, How To, How To, marine life, nature photography, New Zealand, photography, SLR | Tagged , , , , , , , , | 6 Comments

Anatomy of a photo (series) # 38: Hawktopus

Posted on July 13, 2011 by Galen Leeds Photography

It was the middle of winter, less than two weeks past solstice, and there were rumors of whales in Tomales Bay. It was hard for me to put my kayak in the water before 4:30pm that week, but one day … Continue reading →

Posted in Anatomy of a photo, birds, documentary, kayak photography, marine life, nature photography, Photo Essay, photography, wildlife photography | Tagged , , , , , , , , | 4 Comments