October Newsletter Just Published

The information-packed October newsletter is now out. If you do not subscribe (it is free) you may view it at this link    https://conta.cc/2NcZmfl

If you would like to start your free subscription, just send me an email with the word YES in the subject line. Send the email to awakethelight@charter.net 

The newsletter has great information on the 2019 Alaska trip to Glacier Bay National Park. It is a super trip, so be sure to read all the details.

There is also an educational article on Lightroom that should be helpful. I hope you enjoy the newsletter.

TECH SPECS
1/500 sec. at f/11, ISO 400. Canon 24-105mm f/4L IS II lens set at 105mm on Canon 5D Mark III body. Handheld.

TODAY'S QUOTE: "The camera is an instrument that teaches people how to see without a camera."  --Dorothea Lange

Funky Wall

This weird and whimsical entry point to a house in Juneau, Alaska caught my eye. When I first saw it I did not know exactly what I was looking at. Was it a house made out of skis? On closer inspection I found that it was a free-standing wall made out of water skiis. It was a privacy wall in front of a house and property on the water. Pretty clever!

The image was first processed normally in Lightroom. Then I applied a Topaz Adjust 5 filter to punch the colors. Then in Photoshop I applied the Artistic/Cutout filter for the finishing touch.

Normally I do not process images to this extent, but this funky facade needed some extra punch so I resorted to a little extra help. When working on more traditional nature and wildlife images I rarely modify images to this extent. But when going for something more artsy or dramatic, it is OK to go a bit overboard. Just always let good taste be your guide. And have some fun, too!

TECH SPECS
1/200 sec. at f/8, ISO 400. Canon 24-105mm f/4L IS II set at 50mm on Canon 5D Mark III body. Handheld.

TODAY'S QUOTE: "This world is but a canvas to our imagination."  --Henry David Thoreau

Bears From A Participant's Point Of View

Lake Clark National Park, Alaska, is a wonderful location to visit and an amazing site for photographing Coastal Brown Bears. I have photographed Brown Bears in other prime Alaska locations and this is by far the most pristine, and a place where the bears are most accessible.

The lodge where we stayed is charming, the staff wonderfully accommodating, and meals are sumptuous. Best of all, the bears could care less that photographers are present.

The bears are habituated to having people around, so we do not disrupt their natural behaviors. This image shows a mother calmly nursing her cubs very close to us.

This area presents various habitats for photographing the bears. There are grasslands where they enjoy eating sedge, the mud flats at low tide for clams (a treat to watch them opening the clam shells), and the slough (pronounced "slew") and stream for fishing when the salmon are "running."

For me, this family scene of 2-year-old cubs nursing represents this area of Alaska, and the bears that frequent this location. It shows nature's tranquility and nurturing. Of course there is also the possibility of excitement, drama, and conflict between the bears as well. This just adds to the "call of the wild" from the Alaska wilderness.

About Cindy  -  she is a superb photographer, and always a fun part of the group. She has traveled with me many times, and this was her third trip to this location for bear photography. That says a lot about the unique and incredible nature of this trip. The next trip is scheduled for July 15 - 21, 2019.  Limited to 8 photographers, there are only 5 spaces left. Details at this link  http://awakethelight.com/brown-bears/
Thanks, Cindy, for your always pleasant company, your wonderful images, and your charm and grace.  --Mollie

TECH SPECS
1/1600 sec. at f/4, ISO 400. Sony 24-600 f/2.4-4.0 lens on Sony RX10 IV. Handheld.

TODAY'S QUOTE: "When you are where the wild bears live, you learn to pay attention to the rhythm of the land and yourself. Bears not only make the habitat rich, they enrich us just by being."  --Linda Jo Hunter

Best Place to Photograph Alaska Grizzly Bears

I love the location I have found for photographing grizzly bears in Alaska. In every respect it is the best for bear photography in so many ways. Here's why:

1. While the bears are completely wild, they are used to seeing humans and are not a threat.
2. Our lodge is very close to where the bears are, and we photograph bears every day.
3. No forced marches - we are transported on an ATV with all our gear to where the bears are.
4. See moms and cubs who are nursing, playing, eating, and close enough for great shots.
5. No super-long lenses needed.
6. Lovely lodge with comfortable rooms, private baths, great food, and charming hosts.
7. It is easy to get to - the lodge is a one-hour small plane flight from Anchorage (included in your tour fee)
8. I book the entire lodge, so everything runs on our schedule for the BEST bear photography.
9. I provide personalized instruction, and daily image reviews.
10. AND we have fun!

What more could you ask for? This is THE perfect trip for photographing bears. AND, weather permitting we will take a short boat ride one day to a breeding island to photograph puffins. This trip is a great combination of superb photography, wonderful surroundings, and Alaska ambience!

LIMITED TO ONLY 8 PHOTOGRAPHERS

July 15 - 21, 2019

Read more details at   

http://awakethelight.com/brown-bears/

Call or email me with questions or to register

EMAIL  awakethelight@charter.net

PHONE  757-773-0194 

TECH SPECS
1/1000 sec. at f/8, ISO 400.  Canon 100-400mm f/4.5-5.6L IS II lens with Canon 1.4x extender set at 560mm (top left), 330mm (top right and bottom). Handheld.

TODAY'S QUOTE: "We live in a wonderful world that is full of beauty, charm, and adventure. There is no end to the adventures we can have if only we seek them with our eyes open."  --Jawaharial Nehru

The Eagle Has Landed

I finally arrived home last night, now that Hurricane Florence has moved north. It was quite an adventure, and frankly not one I wish to repeat any time soon. Thankfully the northern Outer Banks of North Carolina was spared the brunt of the storm. Everything is fine and just how it was when I left a week ago.

The storm damage farther south and west is severe, and I feel for those who have suffered great loss. It will take months for those affected to recover. Pleas have been made for aid to those people - food, clothing, and so much more. If you are able, please give what you can to a reliable organization that is trying to help those folks. Many organizations will accept either a money donation, or goods and services.

This image was made this past summer in Alaska. It was a gray, misty day and we were in prime eagle territory. This beauty struck the perfect pose in the perfect place, with soft misty trees in the background.

When shooting birds in flight, a fast shutter speed is your best friend if you want sharp results. A shutter speed of at least 1/1250 sec. works well, and I prefer faster - 1/1600 or 1/2000 - if there is enough light. I prefer to set the ISO no higher than 800 in order to minimize the appearance of noise, but in low light conditions I will use ISO 1600 when necessary.

TECH SPECS
1/1250 sec. at f/8, ISO 800.  Canon 100-400mm f/4.5-5.6L IS II lens set at 318mm on Canon 7D Mark II body. Handheld.

TODAY'S QUOTE: "Eagles come in all shapes and sizes, but you will recognize them chiefly by their attitudes."  -- E.F. Schumacher  

Slowly Working My Way Home

Today's Hurricane Florence update:
I left western North Carolina to avoid the flash flooding predicted for this weekend, and am now safely in Richmond, Virginia at my friend Jane's house. I skirted around the storm to the west, and then to the north to arrive in Richmond.

Along the interstates I traversed today, I saw two large trailers marked "Disaster Unit," apparently ready to travel to the hardest hit areas. I also saw 3 separate convoys of electric company bucket trucks traveling toward the hurricane area. Very sobering sights to say the least. And how wonderful that in a disaster there are those who are ready and willing to pitch in, to put themselves in harm's way, and to leave their homes and families in an effort to help others.

Today's photo is me with my feet up, finally relaxing in complete safety in Richmond.

Miraculously, the northern Outer Banks sustained no damage, my house is intact, and I plan to return home in the next couple of days. But for now, I am so lucky to be in a safe place, comfortable and dry. I cannot begin to imagine how many lives have been terribly disrupted, how many homes have been destroyed, how many people are emotionally shattered as a result of this storm, and how many lives have been and will be lost. Let's do all we can to help those in need, whether it is emotional, financial, or simply with our prayers and healing thoughts.

TECH SPECS
Selfie shot with iPhone 6 camera.

TODAY'S QUOTE: "If a natural disaster strikes, reach out to friends, neighbors, and complete strangers. Lend a helping hand."  --Marsha Blackburn

Fleeing Hurricane Florence

Many heartfelt thanks to everyone who has been contacting me with concern about my welfare in light of Hurricane Florence. I was very touched by the outpouring of concern from so many clients and friends. As many of you know, I make my home at the Outer Banks of North Carolina, and earlier in the week it appeared that we were going to be in the bull's-eye of this terrible storm.

Because of the unpredictability of weather patterns, in spite of all our technological advances in weather forecasting, the storm took an unexpected turn to the south and will deliver just a glancing blow to the Outer Banks. But before the authorities knew that, they issued a mandatory evacuation of all visitors and residents.

So I headed to western North Carolina in hopes of avoiding the worst of the storm's wrath. I revisited the Blue Ridge Parkway, shown in today's image. It is one of our country's most beautiful roadways through the mountains. The weather was great with no hint of the havoc being wrought on eastern North Carolina and South Carolina.

But now in light of the storm's new track, this part of the state will experience flash floods over the weekend. So I am now heading north and east to Richmond, VA which, at least for now, appears to be out of the line of fire. Quite a sojourn. I have chosen to look at it as an adventure, although not one I wish to repeat any time soon!

I think next time evacuations are ordered, I should just go as far away as possible, perhaps Tahiti!

TECH SPECS
1/2000 at f/13, ISO 1600.  Canon 100-400mm f/4.5-5.6L IS II lens set at 182mm, on Canon 7D Mark II body. Handheld.

TODAY'S QUOTE: "In reality, you don't ever change the hurricane. You just learn how to stay out of its path.  --Jodi Picoult

Sense of Scale and Space

A female moose and her calf were walking briskly across the tundra in Denali National Park on a misty day. Even though she stands about 6 feet tall at the shoulder and weighs close to 1000 pounds, she looks tiny in this landscape.

Often we want much closer shots of wildlife, but sometimes it is good to show the surroundings to give a sense of scale. Denali is huge and distances are deceiving. The moose were several hundred yards away, and the mountains in the background were 3 to 5 miles away. Take a moment to wrap your head around those distances.

So if you do not have a long lens don't despair. You can still get great shots of wildlife by showing them in their environment, and giving the viewer a sense of scale.

TECH SPECS
1/320 sec. at f/8, ISO 400. Canon 70-200mm f/4L IS lens with Canon1.4x telextender for an effective focal length of 280mm, on Canon 7D Mark II.  Handheld.

TODAY'S QUOTE: "There are no rules for good photographs. There are only good photographs."  --Ansel Adams

Beautiful Baby of Denali

This grizzly bear cub in Denali National Park was bulking up along with its mother in preparation for the upcoming winter. The seasons pass quickly in the far north, and autumn had already begun by mid-August. The fall colors had appeared and the temperatures were dropping.

This cub and its mother were working their way along the creek seen in the background, eating all the blueberries and soap berries they could find. Amazingly they came closer and closer to our vehicle and eventually walked right behind us. FYI, in Denali for your personal safety, you want to maintain a minimum distance of at least 300 yards from bears unless you are in a vehicle. And possibly even more distance when there is a mother with cubs.

For that reason, we stayed safely in our vehicle as the bears came closer to us. We were able to shoot through the open windows and everyone got great images. What a thrill to be so close to these iconic animals.

TECH SPECS
1/640 sec. at f/5.6, ISO 800. Canon 70-200mm f/4 lens with 1.4x telextender for an effective focal length of 280mm, on Canon 7D Mark II body. Handheld.

TODAY'S QUOTE: "Alive, the grizzly is a symbol of freedom and understanding - a sign that man can learn to conserve what is left of the earth. Extinct, it will be another fading testimony to things man should have learned more about but was too preoccupied with himself to notice. "  --Frank Craighead

Denali, The Great One

I just returned to Anchorage last night from a wonderful week in Denali National Park. Once again luck was with us and we got great views of the tallest mountain in North America, Denali.

The day this was taken started out overcast with sprinkles, but by afternoon the skies cleared beautifully to reveal this superb view of the awe-inspiring mountain.

It was a super group with friendly and excited people, and we all enjoyed our time together. Everyone got amazing images of an array of wildlife including grizzly bear, caribou, moose, a rare fox sighting, and of course breathtaking scenics. 

The tundra was turning to autumn shades of gold, yellow, and red, and the animals were in beautiful condition. As always it was hard to leave this incredible place.

TECH SPECS
1/1000 sec at f/11, ISO 400.  Canon 7D Mark II body with Canon 24-105mm lens set at 70mm.  Handheld.

TODAY'S QUOTE: " If future generations are to remember us with gratitude rather than contempt, we must leave them something more than the miracles of technology. We must leave them a glimpse of the world as it was in the beginning, not just after we got through with it."  --Lyndon B. Johnson