Category Archives: SLR

Anatomy of a photo #64: The surprise in the flower


The Seep-spring Monkey Flower is one of my favorite plants, and while I must admit that it is partly for the name, it is also for its shape and color. I hadn’t known much about this impressive flower, other than … Continue reading

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Anatomy of a photo #63: Checkerbloom unfurling


Wildflowers are marvelous to hike about and photograph. Pictured here is Point Reyes checkerbloom (Sidalcea calycosa), also known as checker mallow or annual checkerbloom. This is one of the plant species endemic to California, and is not found naturally anywhere … Continue reading

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Anatomy of a photo #61: Raven tracks on sand dunes


Early in the morning, before the winds have had the chance to erase the tracks of the night and dawn, you can walk the loose sands of the world, reading those stories. Here raven tracks criss cross each other, meandering … Continue reading

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Anatomy of a Photo #60: Harbor seal silhouette


Normally I wouldn’t try to photograph wildlife by shooting into the sun (or the suns reflection), but rules are made to be broken. Silhouettes are created by facing towards the light source and throwing all we’ve learned about proper lighting … Continue reading

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Anatomy of a photo #59: Geometric ice anamoly


This is an image of one of the more bizarre ice phenomena that I have come across in nature. Perhaps this is something rather common, but it is the one and only time that I have come across it. While … Continue reading

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How to take photographs from a kayak: Six quick tips on holding yourself and your camera


Perhaps one of the most important things for being a successful kayak photographer is learning how to hold your camera and your body. Since a tripod is impractical do to the amplified movement at its head, you and your body … Continue reading

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Anatomy of a photo #58: Song Sparrow perched on grass


I have better, higher definition photographs of many birds, including song sparrows, but it isn’t always about having high detail in nature photographs. Sometimes, the story told by an image that zooms out a little, takes in more of the … Continue reading

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


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

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The why of kayaking with your camera


  Recently I addressed some of the issues people new to kayak photography should think about, without realizing that I never said “why” people should kayak with their cameras in the first place. So today, I will talk a little … Continue reading

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Focusing on Portraits: Animals and otherwise


A portrait tries, with a single snapshot in time, to tell a story. This is true, whether the image is of an old ranch hand, a cow, or a wild animal. Usually this will be a tightly focused image, where … Continue reading

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Anatomy of a photo #53: Osprey and fish


I was out kayaking one day when I saw an osprey on the rocky shores of Tomales Bay feeding on a decently sized fish. I got up a little speed while still a distance away so that I would have … Continue reading

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Finding scale in New Zealand


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