Wonderful Photo Workshop

The Captive Bird Workshop ended yesterday, and it was a wonderful week. There were a dozen happy campers in attendance who rocked and rolled with the weather. We had over an inch of snow in an area that has not seen snow in 10 years, and temperatures in teens.

But in spite of the weather, the birds were exactly as they should have been.  Sporting breeding plumage and exhibiting mating behavior, they cavorted for our cameras and everyone got exquisite images.

The variety of beautiful images was awe-inspiring, and each participant exhibited a unique and polished style. There were close-up portraits, full body shots, abstracts of feathers, tender moments, and knock-down drag-out fights.

Everyone came with an open mind and was stretched during the workshop. They got in touch with their creative sides, while learning new techniques and new methods of working.

Thank you one and all for making it such a spectacular workshop. Next month’s Awake The Light newsletter will highlight some of the great shots that participants created during the week. Watch for it during the first week in February. If you do not already receive the free monthly e-newsletter, just send an email to awakethelight@charter.net with the word YES in the subject line and we will start your free subscription. Be assured that we never share or sell your information, and you may easily unsubscribe at any time.

If you would like to participate in any Awake The Light workshops, you can see everything coming up in 2014 here  http://awakethelight.com/2014-tour-calendar/    

Today's shot, the back end of a male Mandarin Duck, represents the successful conclusion of this great workshop.

[I would like to thank the owners and staff of Sylvan Heights Bird Park in Scotland Neck, NC, http://shwpark.com/  the location of this workshop, for going above and beyond in accommodating us during the challenging weather conditions. They opened the park just for us after the unexpected snowstorm and bitterly cold temperatures. They quickly and cheerfully cleared away the snow from steps and walkways, opened the beautiful new "Landing Zone" enclosure just for us, allowed us full and unlimited access to their Visitor Center facilities so we could warm up, and through it all were always smiling, engaging, and welcoming. Many thanks to Mike, Ali, Brent, Claudia, JoAnn, Kimberley, and the entire staff for helping to make this workshop so successful.] 

TECHNICAL DATA

Shutter Speed 1/640 sec.  Aperture f/8.  ISO 400.  Lens: Canon 200-400mm f/4 IS with 1.4x extender for an effective focal length of 560mm.  Camera: Canon 5D Mark III.  Gitzo tripod with Really Right Stuff ballhead and Wimberly Sidekick.

TODAY’S QUOTE: “The photographer…must have…something of the receptiveness of the child who looks at the world for the first time….”  --Bill Brandt